All:
Happy Mother’s Day for those who celebrate – the lilacs are blooming, and many tulips are out. I hope you enjoy this spring of growth, green, and floral splendor.
Budget meetings for the FY27 budget started this week and we went through the first half of City departments on Tuesday as well as the School Committee budget on Wednesday evening. The next set of departments will be discussed on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00am. Many residents have comments about the budget, yet few weigh in on the budget recommendations. If you do have thoughts, now is an important time to weigh in. While I don’t expect the budget to change much at this point in the process, I do honor and respect that residents should weigh in. And comments now help us prepare for next year as well, as shortly after the FY27 budget is adopted, work begins on preparing the FY28 budget.
I was honored to speak on a Thermal Energy Network panel at MIT last weekend. Clear thermal energy networks are an essential part of our decarbonization work and potentially transformational in our quest for a sustainable city. I am pushing the City, university partners, and large property owners to invest in thermal energy networks and geothermal projects of all sizes.
I attended one day of the Climatech conference last week and saw a great panel on decarbonization and specifically building decarbonization which featured Harvard’s sustainability director. Harvard is approaching the work of decarbonization as I do – holistically – that we must include public health impact in addition to emissions reductions in our assessment and implementation. They outlined both proven and innovative strategies for building decarbonization which we will need to take advantage of as we ramp up BEUDO efforts and other building decarbonization strategies.
The legacy business luncheon at City Hall this week was a wonderful reminder of the large number of small businesses and organizations which make Cambridge special. Among the many favorites, I was happy to celebrate – among other great local businesses – Hi-RISE Bakery, a stellar neighborhood bakery for 30 years.
Micromobility is an issue I have been working closely on in the council over the last few years. It is good that there are many new non-carbon micromobility options for people and the market continues to push new technology that allows more people to avoid car usage, but state legislation for enforcement of traffic rules has been severely lacking, leading to uncomfortable and often dangerous roadway conditions. In recent council work, I asked the City to push state regulators to think more critically about micromobility regulations so that we can have clear rules of the road based on common sense safety rules. After the report from the state commission on micromobility came out, to which the city and the council gave input, I was glad to see Gov. Healey file legislation to regulate higher-speed motorbikes and scooters. I’m excited about the possibility of this legislation and working to implement it in Cambridge.
Despite a few showers this week, and despite the large snowfall this winter, we are still in a regional drought. I filed a policy order this week, which you can see below, asking the City to take all efforts to curb water usage and publicize water reduction efforts early in the year to avoid having to rely on MWRA water resources later on in the summer. While we may get enough precipitation to fill our reservoirs over the next couple of months, we need to be proactive in conserving our precious water.
Below are comments on a few top line items and a few quick notes for Monday’s meeting. If you have questions or comments on these or anything else, please feel free to reach out at any time.Patty
Council Updates
Finance Committee
As mentioned earlier, budget meetings for the FY27 Budget started this week and we went through the first half of City departments on Tuesday as well as the School Committee budget on Wednesday evening. You can watch recordings of each meeting here. The next set of departments will be discussed on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00am. These hearings are an important opportunity to hear from department heads about spending priority, workforce strategy, and measurable goals. As Finance Committee co-chair for several terms now, I have worked with City staff to include more regular Finance Committee meetings throughout the year to give Council an opportunity to weigh in on important funding initiatives and long-term strategy. The impact of those strategic year-round meetings is clear in this budget, which grows only 4.1% in FY27 (6.9% tax levy increase). This is within City policies for restrained budget growth and new growth is primarily driven by increases in fixed costs like COLA adjustments for staff. One particular thing I am tracking as we continue these budget discussions are the impacts of the federal government and the national economy on our own local economy. Slowdowns in the building sector due to tariffs and the life-science sector due to cuts in federal investment especially have resulted in a further shift toward property taxes, which now fund 70% of the operating budget. We will need to continue to find ways to increase revenue to mitigate tax increases going forward. Historically, those revenues have come through building permit costs and new construction, so if new growth continues to decline, we will need to be more and more strategic about spending.
Please write to the Council (at council@cambridgema.gov) or come speak at the meeting (sign up here) about any of the items below.
City Council Meeting - Monday, May 11, 2026
Drought Status and Water Supply Report
Despite a few showers this week, and despite the large snowfall this winter, we are still in drought conditions due to limited groundwater recharge this winter, and with the higher water demand season approaching, it is critically important to be proactive with regards to water consumption and be vigilant in acting to conserve water. Cambridge has been in at least a Level 1, Mild Drought status since September 2025, including several months at a Level 2, Significant Drought, and all of March 2026 in a Level 3, Critical Drought, which, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, require detailed monitoring of drought conditions, along with ongoing coordination among state and federal agencies to implement water use restrictions. Reservoir storage for all of the year to date in 2026 is significantly lower than the median reservoir levels for the last 15 years, and if below-normal precipitation continues, the City of Cambridge may have to resort to purchasing water from MWRA to supplement or replace the City supply for an extended period of time, as in previous drought years, which is a significant expense. I am filing a policy order this week asking the City administration for a comprehensive and effective response to drought conditions and to inform the general public, including public communication in all City outlets, including the Daily Update, and should focus particularly on outreach to large water users.
Cuba Policy Order and Foreign Policy Discussion
Last week the Council began to discuss a policy order condemning the actions of the United States government against Cuba. Over the last several years I have been struggling with the question of foreign policy issues like this and what their place is at the Cambridge City Council. On the one hand, it’s important to make resolutions in order to support actions we want to see through our state and federal delegations, but on the other hand, we need to understand our limited ability to enact foreign policy ends through our regular Monday night meetings and moreover, we need to consider that spending significant time on foreign policy issues takes away from regular municipal business. I commend the residents who came to speak up about an issue that was important to them – and it’s an issue that’s important to me as well. This federal government’s actions vis a vis Cuba is wrong and unethical. I have celebrated the incredible literacy, environmental and health care outcomes in Cuba which should be emulated elsewhere. I was the lead sponsor of a very similar policy order from 2021 in fact. My son spent a month there and loved learning about the country. Several years ago, I facilitated bringing people from Cuba to CRLS and set up meetings in the city about potential health care and medical technology related collaboration between Cuba, Cambridge, Kendall Square, Mass, and the US. We should all support the people of Cuba, and end the blockade, and normalize relations with that country. I believe all of us – all residents, including councillors, should take a stand and support Cuba and in my personal capacity I signed the Let Cuba Live petition. However, I do not believe that the City Council should deliberate or use time during regular business meetings on foreign policy issues. Those issues are great topics for other types of meetings, and community activism and organizing, but I have come to see that these issues are not suited for our regular municipal business meetings, which should be focused at our regular business meetings on matters that more closely align with municipal goals and needs and directly affect our residents. This week I am filing a policy order that asks the Council to meet in a special committee meeting to talk about when and how we should take up these kinds of foreign policy issues, and whether we should even be discussing them at all at City Council meetings.
Local Events/Notes
Holocaust Commemoration
The 2026 Holocaust Commemoration on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 pm, to be held at Tremont St Shul in Cambridge, MA. This gathering brings together community members, faith leaders, and City partners to honor the victims of the Holocaust and reflect on our shared responsibility to confront hatred, bias, and violence in all its forms. The program will include remarks from City leadership, musical pieces, community reflections, and readings. Holocaust survivor Lev Igolnikov will serve as the keynote speaker. If you are able to share it within your networks, we would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word. This event will be held in person, with a virtual option available.
Vail Court, 139 Bishop Allen Drive Virtual Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 20, 6pm. The City and Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (CAHT) are hosting a community meeting to provide updates about the process to redevelop Vail Court, 139 Bishop Allen Drive as affordable housing. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Please register here to attend the meeting online. For more information about the project, please visit the project website or email vailcourt@cambridgema.gov. To receive email updates on Vail Court, please subscribe here.
Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan
The City of Cambridge, the City of Somerville, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority are proud to present the Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan (Draft Plan) – an achievement that reflects years of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to a cleaner and healthier future for the receiving waters and the communities that rely on them. Grounded in rigorous data analysis and shaped by extensive public and stakeholder engagement, this forward-thinking plan balances environmental responsibility with community priorities, construction impacts, and affordability. With an estimated investment of $1.3 billion, the Draft Plan will dramatically reduce CSOs across all three waterbodies and, even in the face of increased precipitation driven by climate change, is projected to eliminate CSOs in a 2050 Typical Year. Learn more.
Last Day to Apply to DHSP Afterschool Lottery Monday, May 11
Cambridge children entering Kindergarten through 8th grade in September 2026 are eligible to apply to DHSP’s four afterschool program models – Childcare Afterschool, Cambridge Youth Programs, Community Schools, and King Open Extended Day – for enrollment in the 2026-2027 school year. Children currently enrolled in a DHSP afterschool program can re-enroll in the same program by completing an application deadline. All open seats will be filled through a lottery system, and families will be notified of their child’s placement offer in a program or in the Waiting Pool by the end of June. Applications received after May 11 will be automatically added to the Waiting Pool. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/AfterschoolLottery.
DHSP Hiring for Summer Camp / Program Positions
The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) has a variety of open positions working with elementary school children, middle schoolers, and teens this summer. The positions, open to applicants ages 18 and older, are seasonal from end of June through mid or late August. They include Camp Instructors at Community Schools, Pre-Teen Youth Workers at Cambridge Youth Programs, Assistant Coordinators and Liaisons with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, Inclusion Facilitators, and lifeguards at War Memorial and Gold Star Pools. View all positions and apply!
Learn about Green Jobs Opportunities
The Department of Human Service Programs’ Green Jobs Specialist will be available to answer questions and share information about green jobs at upcoming tabling events hosted at Cambridge Public Library branches and other locations. The Green Jobs Specialist meets with Cambridge residents (14 years and older) to advise them on green careers, connect them with job training opportunities, and help them with their resumes, cover letters, and other job-seeking skills! For more information or to schedule a consultation with the Green Jobs Specialist, visit www.cambridgema.gov/GreenJobs
Apply to Lead a Cambridge Plays Event
The Community Development Department is looking for Cambridge small businesses, artists, and nonprofits to propose public outdoor events this summer. Draw neighbors in and build visibility for your business or organization. Grant recipients receive up to $2,000 reimbursement for supplies and staff time. We waive the costs of applicable park permits and entertainment licenses. We work with you to schedule the event and choose a park or plaza in one of our commercial areas. Applications due May 7. For more information and to apply, visit: www.cambridgema.gov/plays. Questions: Sarah Jane Huber, shuber@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4624.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone for reading. If there are any topics you want me to cover in future newsletters, I’m always happy for the input! As always, please feel free to reach out to my aide, Patrick (phayes@cambridgema.gov), or me for any of your City Council needs.
You can find all previous newsletters on my website. Please share with anyone you think would be interested: https://pattynolan.org/news/