My Community Blog Has Moved!

Greetings!

My community blog has been moved to timtoomey.org. There you will find new posts about events in Cambridge and Somerville, as well as all of the old content from this site. Please update your bookmarks.

2012 Firefighter Exam Information

In 2012, the Massachusetts Human Resources Division will be conduction a civil service exam in order to create a list of candidates eligible to fill open positions in fire departments around Massachusetts.

Photo by Chad Kainz

In order to be considered, you must complete two examinations, a written exam and a physical ability test.

The written examination will be held on April 28, 2012. The deadline to apply for the written exam is March 19, 2012 and there is a $100 application fee necessary to take the exam.

The physical abilities portion of the exam is scheduled by the candidate and can take place anywhere from February to August of 2012. The deadline to apply for the physical abilities test is June 29, 2012 and must be taken by August 14, 2012 at the latest. There is also a $100 application fee required to take this portion of the test. All physical abilities exams are administered at the Hudson National Guard Armory.

A notice will be sent to applicants giving the time and location of the written portion of the exam.

Fees for the exam may be waived depending on the applicants receipt of certain state or federal assistance, unemployment insurance, or worker's compensation.

In order to apply for the exam, you must first read the official exam announcement on the Human Resources Division webpage. The announcement contains detailed information about how to apply for the exam and what to expect in each part.

Should you have any questions about the firefighter exam, please contact my office at 617-722-2380 for assistance.

Next Week: Transportation Day on the Hill

Tuesday, January 31st will be MassDOT's Transportation Day on the Hill. This will be a great opportunity to meet and ask questions of MassDOT's top officials, get a fast-lane pass for your car, and learn about wide range of services that MassDOT offers residents. Please see the invite below for more information:

Secretary Richard A. Davey cordially invites you to MassDOT's Transportation Day on the Hill on Tuesday, January 31st at 1 pm in Nurse's Hall at the State House, Boston. At this event, MassDOT will host interactive tables where a number of transportation-related services will be offered and we would like to encourage each of you to invite your constituents and community members to attend this important event.

Senior MassDOT Officials will be present to answer questions and concerns from you, your staff, your constituents and the general public. Each Administrator will make a brief presentation at the beginning of our Day on the Hill and will be available to help resolve your inquiries in person. Agency Staff will also help guide you and your constituents through a wealth of information and direct you to MassDOT resources that will aid in helping answer constituent questions in the future.

Some of the services we will offer at this event include:

• Free Fast-Lane Passes
• Registration Renewal and RMV Online Services
• Sign-up for MBTA Alerts
• Guidance for Downloading MBTA Smartphone Applications
• Information on City of Boston Meter Cards
• Free MassDOT Tourism Maps
• “Drive Smart and Save” Initiative
• Information on our award-winning Accelerated Bridge Program that is creating thousands of construction jobs in the Commonwealth
• See how MassDOT works with local schools in the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program
• Information about NuRide, the nation’s largest reward program for individual’s who take greener trips.

Officials from MassDOT, including staff from the MBTA, Highway Division, RMV and Aeronautics will be available to answer any specific questions you may have. The following MassDOT officials will be present and available to you during this important event:

Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey

Highway Administrator Frank DePoala

Acting General Manager Jonathan Davis

Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian

Aeronautics Administrator Christopher Willenborg

Acting MassPort CEO David Mackey

We hope that you, your staff and constituents will be able to attend. MassDOT has prepared some valuable information on transportation related services that we know will be useful to you and your staff and we encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Broadway Sidewalk Reconstruction Community Meeting Jan. 11th

The City of Cambridge has begun planning for the renovation and reconstruction of sidewalks on Broadway between Prospect Street and Portland Street. Please see the notice below for information about an upcoming community meeting that will be held to discuss the coming construction:

Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Fletcher Maynard School Library, Second Floor, 225 Windsor St

Dear Broadway Neighbor,

The City of Cambridge is currently developing plans to reconstruct the roadway and sidewalk on Broadway between Prospect Street and Portland Street. Please join us at the community meeting to learn more about the project, give your feedback, and discuss options for sidewalk materials.

OVERALL PROJECT GOALS

• Improve deteriorating roadway and sidewalk infrastructure.
• Enhance the area for all users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
• Improve the safety of pedestrians going to and from Sennott Park (Tremont Street).
• Increase the number of street trees.
• Improve drainage to reduce ponding on the roadway.

SIDEWALK MATERIALS – CITY POLICY

The City’s policy is to replace existing sidewalks with the same material (concrete with concrete, brick with wire cut brick). During construction, property owners are given the option of changing their sidewalk material, as described below.

• Keep existing sidewalk material – no cost to property owner.
• Change from brick to concrete – no cost to property owner.
• Change from concrete to brick – property owner pays the differential cost.
• The City’s policy provides flexibility for property owners, but results in a mix of sidewalk materials.

SIDEWALK MATERIALS – BROADWAY

• The existing sidewalks on Broadway are a combination of concrete (75%) and brick (25%), similar to the mix of sidewalk materials throughout the city.
• This project can follow the City policy for sidewalk material, as described above, which will continue the mix of materials on a property by property basis.
• Or, we can implement a more unified approach by providing a concrete surface for the walking area and a brick feature strip, as shown in the photo. In addition to creating a unified look for the street, this approach has the benefit of providing a concrete surface for the walking area, which is strongly preferred by people with disabilities, while maintaining a visually appealing mix of brick and concrete.

The meeting location is accessible; however, persons in need of ADA / Title II accommodations should contact Brian McLane at 617-349-4824 or bmclane@cambridgema.gov. To receive future updates related to construction of Broadway via email, please contact Kelly Dunn, Community Relations Manager at kdunn@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4870.