New Lechmere Station Design Progressing, Concerns Linger About McGrath Crossing, Bus Routes

On the evening of Wednesday, December 14th, residents, activists, representatives from NorthPoint developer HYM, and architects and planners from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation gathered at the Kennedy-Longfellow school to discuss the latest changes and developments in the design of the new Lechmere Station.

From the changes that have been made as the station design has evolved, it is clear that the public design process has produced a station design much more in line with the community's vision of an ideal Lechmere station. The station entrance has been moved to a location more equally accessible by East Cambridge residents. What was a narrow space between the station and McGrath has been widened to 30 feet, a change enabled by alterations to the path of First Street. The design of the station has been altered to promote a more even flow of pedestrians coming from all directions, and a more direct route to the Lechmere bus stop when crossing from East Cambridge.

While these changes are strong steps forward, it is clear from the questions and comments directed toward MassDOT at the end of the meeting that a number of concerns about pedestrian safety and access have not yet been assuaged by station designers. There is still a long pedestrian crosswalk that must traverse a busy section of the McGrath Highway/Boulevard. Developer HYM has made a number of suggestions to MassDOT about how this crossing can be approached in a way that maximizes pedestrian safety and comfort. Their suggestions include using different lighting and paving elements at the intersection of McGrath and First Street to encourage drivers to slow down and eliminating the right hand turn lane from the inbound side of McGrath. I am looking forward to seeing what MassDOT puts forward in reaction to these suggested improvements.

Another concern that was voiced by several members of the meeting's audience was that bus access to East Cambridge will be diminished by the relocation of the station. Moving Lechmere across McGrath will require buses to turn off of Cambridge Street at Third Street, and reroute buses away from destinations like the Courthouse. Access to buses, particularly for the elderly and disabled, is a primary concern of mine, and I am interested to see how these concerns will be addressed.

As a final part of the meeting, MassDOT officials briefly discussed the potential for phased construction of the Green Line Extension and what that will mean for Lechmere's completion date. Because of Lechmere's placement in an early construction phase, the new station could be open in early 2017, well ahead of the projected 2019 date for the completion of the entire extension. This is very exciting news, and I will be pushing for a commitment from MassDOT to begin phased construction as soon as possible.

MassDOT has also announced that there will be a number of meetings coming up in the near future. Be on the lookout for Washington Street and Union Square station design meetings in late January, and meetings about the Maintenance Facility and Community Path in early April. I will post more detailed meeting information on my community blog as soon as it is available.

MassDOT Shelves Grand Junction Proposal

On the evening of Thursday, December 8th, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) held a public meeting to discuss their plans for the future of the Grand Junction Railroad. After purchasing Grand Junction from the freight operator CSX, MassDOT began exploring the line’s potential use as a connector between the Worcester Commuter Rail line and North Station. Because of the Grand Junction Railroad's close proximity to residential neighborhoods in Cambridge, many people took notice of this proposal and it was met with a large amount of community opposition.

At tonight's meeting, MassDOT announced that it does not intend to pursue plans for Commuter Rail service on Grand Junction at this time.

This decision was arrived at through the execution of a feasibility analysis that included a ridership study. If the addition of Commuter Rail service from Worcester direct to North Station had been found to increase ridership by a significant level, MassDOT may have ruled favorably on its feasibility. However, the agency's ridership study found that implementing Grand Junction service would only increase the line's ridership by 300 people from now until 2035. While there would be regional air quality benefits from the diversion of 250 cars per day due to the small increase in utilization of the Commuter Rail, MassDOT's feasibility study has conceded that there would be real negative impacts for the city of Cambridge in the areas of traffic, air quality, noise, and vibration.

MassDOT's announcement did come with one caveat: if the required level of funding for a renovation of South Station cannot be secured, the agency would be forced to examine other alternatives for alleviating congestion. At the top of that list would likely be Grand Junction. I will be closely following the South Station expansion’s progress and working with my colleagues in the state legislature to facilitate funding for the project. Expanding South Station will have far reaching benefits for the transit system as a whole, and will keep rail traffic on Grand Junction down.

As a final note, I would like to point out that MassDOT will be undertaking a number of rail improvement projects along the Grand Junction over the next couple of years. These improvements are designed to reduce noise and vibration coming from existing rail traffic and to enhance safety. You may see construction crews working on the rails, but they are not a sign that MassDOT has reverted to their original proposal. Any change in plans would need to go through a public process just as the original proposal did, and would require an environmental review.

I was given the opportunity to speak briefly at the meeting in order to thank the community for its attention to and involvement in this very important issue.

I would like to thank the many talented and committed individuals who eloquently articulated our community's concerns and opposition to this project over the course of the last year. I see this result as a resounding victory for the Cambridge and Somerville neighborhoods that would have been negatively impacted by this proposal, and also a victory for the public proposal process. MassDOT deserves credit for keeping this process open to the community and taking our concerns seriously. Community feedback does indeed matter, and this issue is an excellent example of what kind of results that feedback can help achieve.

Grand Junction Public Meeting December 8th

Please see the invite below for information about an upcoming meeting that will be held to update residents on the Grand Junction commuter rail ridership and feasibility study:

Grand Junction Commuter Rail Feasibility Study -- Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce a community meeting to discuss progress on the Grand Junction Commuter Rail Feasibility Study.

This meeting will be held:

Thursday, December 8, 6:30pm-8:00pm

Kennedy-Longfellow School – Auditorium

158 Spring Street, Cambridge

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss an ongoing study of the potential use of the Grand Junction Railroad for supplemental MBTA Commuter Rail service to Cambridge and North Station. At this meeting, MassDOT staff members will discuss results of a ridership analysis and traffic impact analysis, as well as overall study findings, and next steps. This meeting follows up on a community meeting held last June. For more information on prior meetings, see out study website at: http://massdot.state.ma.us/planning/GrandJunctionTransportationStudy.aspx.

All are welcome at the meeting, and please feel free to share this notice. For more information, or to request alternative language or other special accommodations, please contact Matthew Ciborowski at matthew.ciborowski@state.ma.us, or (617) 973-7180.

Please join us on December 8^th!

Redistricting Plan Could Divide Cambridge

Last week, the state legislature's Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released its proposed maps for Massachusetts' Congressional districts. As can be seen in the map below, this could possibly mean that for many Cambridge residents, their representative in Congress will change.

The 7th Congressional District (formerly the 8th) is shown in tan.

The legislature has approved this redistricting plan, and an amendment filed by Representative Alice Wolf that would have kept Cambridge within one Congressional district was defeated.

I want to take this opportunity to express my belief that Cambridge should remain whole within its Congressional district. Instead of maintaining a united Cambridge, the proposed district maps would have neighbors (in some cases neighbors living on the same street) being represented in Congress by different people. I am concerned about how this proposal could dilute Cambridge's role in Congressional elections and change the way in which its citizens are represented at the Federal level.

Despite joining with a number of my colleagues this week to voice the level of concern that this proposal has generated among the residents of Cambridge, the plan has cleared the legislature and now awaits Governor Patrick's signature. While it was my hope that we would see the final district map place all of Cambridge in one Congressional district as it has been for nearly 70 years, it appears that the city will be divided. I will be closely monitoring how this plan, which will require changes to Cambridge's precinct map, will affect the state, local, and national voting process for Cambridge residents.

Community Meeting Recap

Last night I hosted a community meeting at the Cambridge Police Station to discuss the recent rash of armed robberies that have occurred in Cambridge and have been concentrated in the East Cambridge and Wellington-Harrington neighborhoods. The meeting was packed with at least one hundred residents, and was well attended by Cambridge Police officers and administrators, including Police Commissioner Robert Haas.

The best news that we have learned is that there have been no new incidents since the incidents that occurred over a 2-3 day span last week. Police believe that a total of five robberies in Cambridge are linked to each other, but that similar robberies have also occurred in other communities in the Boston area. While the police stressed that it is important for residents to remain alert and on guard, they believe that the pattern is moving out of Cambridge and into the surrounding area.

Even if the threat of robbery has declined, police still advised residents to familiarize themselves with what they should do if they are robbed. The most important thing is to comply completely, especially if the assailants are armed. Belongings can be replaced but your life cannot be. Do not chase after the robber when they leave.

Someone who is robbed should seek help immediately and call 911 with the closest available phone. If the police do not arrive right away, do not be alarmed and stay where you are. The first priority of responding officers will be to search the area in which you were robbed. Once a search has been conducted, police will respond to your location.

While police are currently reluctant to release specifics about their investigation, they have said that they have a number of leads that they are investigating. They do not believe the suspects are Cambridge residents and have said that the suspects have been changing the vehicle that they use as a getaway.

In order to prevent additional robberies, the Cambridge Police have heavily stepped up police presence in neighborhoods where robberies have occured. A number of plain-clothes detectives are also patrolling the neighborhoods and are on the lookout for suspicious persons.

The city and the Police Department are taking this crime spree extremely seriously and are doing everything possible to prevent future incidents from occurring and to bring the perpetrators of last week's crimes to justice. If you believe that you have information that may aid police in their investigation of these crimes, please call 617-349-3300 or send a text to TIP411 (847411) and begin your message with "TIP650" (no quotation marks).

Recent Robbery Spree

As many of you may know, there has been a string of armed robberies in Cambridge in recent days, with some of the robberies occurring in East Cambridge. East Cambridge is known as a safe, relatively quiet neighborhood, and to see crimes like these happen here is especially disturbing.

Here are the facts about what has happened so far: since Monday, there have been a total of 6 incidents around the city. On Monday night (October 24th), a woman was robbed of her purse on Marney Street around 8:00 p.m. Half an hour later, a delivery driver was robbed on Thorndike Street.

On Tuesday morning, there were instances of two men being held up for their cell phones and money. These incidents occurred on Chatham and Hancock Streets.

On Tuesday night, there were two more robberies within minutes of each other. At 11:45, a man was approached from behind by two assailants near the intersection of Harvard and Dana Streets. He was robbed of his cell phone, laptop, and money. Eight minutes later, another man was approached by two assailants at the intersection of Cardinal Medeiros Avenue and Marney Street and was also robbed.

Each victim reported being robbed by two black men with a handgun. None of the victims were injured.

The Cambridge police have asked residents to be alert and aware of their surroundings when walking on the street, and to walk in pairs or groups if possible. If you are walking alone, do not wear headphones as they impair your ability to be alert and aware. If you feel that you are being followed, show that you are suspicious by turning to look at the person you believe to be following you. This shows that you are alert and will not be taken by surprise. If you are being followed by a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.

Most importantly, if you are approached by a robber, DO NOT RESIST, especially if the robber is armed. Belongings can be replaced. Human life cannot. If you are robbed, try to remember details about the assailants, such as height, age, race, and any identifying marks, scars, or tattoos so that you may relay them to the police.

At this time, the Cambridge Police are actively following a number of leads on these incidents. CPD is developing a plan for increasing patrols in neighborhoods in which these robberies have occurred, and a team of detectives has been dedicated to these cases.

I am in the process of planning a community meeting to take place some time next week in order to relay information to residents and discuss the community and police response to these crimes. Please check back here for information about the time and date.

Mock Green Line Groundbreaking Declares that we are Shovel Ready

Dozens of people gathered outside the Somerville High School on Thursday night to declare that our communities are "shovel ready" for the long-awaited Green Line Extension. Groups from Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, and Medford gathered to demand progress on the project, which the Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently announced would be delayed by up to five years.

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone speaks about 
Somerville's need for the Green Line Extension.

Speakers from a wide cross-section of local community groups gave voice to the range of needs that the Green Line Extension will fulfill. A new public transit system in Somerville and Medford will mean greatly improved access to transit for the elderly and disabled, provide a greater number of job opportunities for those who rely on public transit to get around, and introduce a flood of new customers from around the region to local businesses.

Twenty years after its conception as mitigation for the Big Dig, I think we can all agree that the Green Line Extension is long overdue. Getting real shovels in the ground as quickly as possible is more critical now than it ever has been before, and is a way for the state to renew its commitment to the project at a time of great public anxiety and mistrust over its future.


While I was incredibly disappointed by this summer's announcement of further Green Line Extension delays, I am pleased that talks are moving forward on a phased construction plan that would begin rail bridge work necessary for the project as soon as next year. This was a major ask of the Green Line legislative delegation when we met with the Governor at the end of the summer. I firmly believe that once the state begins to invest in the infrastructure for the Green Line Extension, it will be difficult for officials to justify further scheduled delays in the completion of the entire project. Even after ground has been officially broken, the state has shown us that continued community involvement in conjunction with the active engagement of elected officials will be necessary until the last piece of rail is laid. We have been shown that we cannot always count on the deliverance environmental justice to communities that deserve it, and instead those communities must continue to fight for it until it is delivered.

Please check back here often for the latest news about the Green Line Extension and what is being done to ensure that it is completed.

Tomorrow: Mock Green Line Extension Groundbreaking

Somerville High School - map

A mock groundbreaking and demonstration will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Somerville High School before the Green Line Extension public meeting that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The goal of the mock groundbreaking is to protest the recently announced delays in the target completion date for the Green Line Extension project and to show that the citizens of Somerville, Medford, and Cambridge and their representatives are ready for work to begin now.

All are invited to attend the rally and public hearing that will follow. If you believe that the Green Line Extension needs to be a top priority of the state, I would encourage you to turn out tomorrow and show how shovel-ready our community is.

The Green Line Extension is a legally mandated, desperately needed public transportation project and is part of a commitment that Massachusetts has made to bring a level of environmental justice to communities that have been negatively impacted by the Big Dig. The recent announcement by MassDOT that the Green Line Extension will be delayed 5 years or more past its scheduled 2015 completion date is not acceptable, and has been met by a great deal of resistance from both the public and their elected representatives.

I encourage you to join Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Denise Provost, myself, and others that will be in attendance for the event. Many community groups from Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and across Massachusetts will also be in attendance, including the Conservation Law Foundation, Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership, East Cambridge Planning Team, Livable Streets Alliance, MASSPIRG, the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance, and others, many of which have been intimately involved with the Green Line Extension project from the very beginning. It is important that we demonstrate the need for this project to get back on track. I hope to see you there.

Somerville Begins Single Stream Recycling This Week

This week marked the beginning of the city-wide implementation of Somerville's Single-Stream Recycling program. Single-stream recycling, which allows residents to dispose of all of their recyclable waste into one large bin without sorting, is designed to increase rates of recycling and make recycling more convenient for citizens. When single-stream recycling was tested in limited parts of Somerville last year, recycling rates increased nearly 60%, giving weight to the argument that single-stream encourages residents to recycle more. The City of Somerville expects to save money on its disposal costs through this program, as well.
 
The small bins that residents have used for their recycling in the past may either be kept or disposed of (the bins themselves are recyclable). To dispose of a bin, the City has asked that residents simply place it on top of their new recycling bin on trash pickup day.

All collection schedules will remain the same. Any questions about this program should be directed to Somerville's constituent services office, which can be reached by dialing 311.

Second Annual ECBA Rib Fest a Major Success

Cambridge Street, East Cambridge - map

Thousands of people descended upon East Cambridge from around the region on Sunday to enjoy some of the best BBQ in the greater Boston area.  19 restaurants from Cambridge and Somerville competed for the honor of best ribs in the second annual "Smoke This Rib Fest" while showcasing their menus to festival-goers. Ticket holders were given the opportunity to cast votes for the winner of the "People's Choice Award," and a panel of judges awarded a separate award for the ribs they judged to be best at the event.

Rib Fest drew thousands of people to Cambridge St. in East Cambridge.

This Sunday's Rib Fest, which was organized by the East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA), was the second  Rib Fest held by the ECBA in as many years. Both attendance and the number of restaurants participating were up significantly this year, and it looks like Rib Fest is turning into a popular regional event. Both WBUR and the Boston Globe publicized the event in the days leading up to it, and attendees gave the food, music, and atmosphere rave reviews.

Christopher Kosinski of East Side Bar and Grill accepts the people's choice award for best ribs.

Hakan Yucesoy of Bosphorus Mediterranean Restaurant accepts the judge's award for best ribs.

I was given the distinct honor of announcing the winners of both the people's and judge's awards for best ribs. The People's Choice Award went to reining champions East Side Bar and Grill of East Cambridge, and the judge's award went to newcomer Bosphorus of Inman Square.

This was another fantastic family event put on by the ECBA, and if you missed it this year, make plans to come out next fall for what will certainly be the best Rib Fest yet!

Transfer Station to Leave Brickbottom Next Year

As was reported in the Somerville Journal earlier this week, Waste Management, which operates a waste transfer station in the Brickbottom area of Somerville, will be required to vacate its location on Poplar Street by October 1st, 2012. The eviction of the transfer station was a goal that Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone articulated in his 2011 State of the City address:

“We aim to reclaim the Brickbottom and this is an essential step to making that happen,” said Curtatone in a press release. “This represents an opportunity to build a new gateway to the city.”

[...]

The old Somerville municipal trash incinerator was built in 1907, according to “Beyond the Neck: The Architecture and Development of Somerville, Massachusetts,” and the tan-brick building survived the demolition that occurred all around it. Sometime in the 1990s, the building was converted into a trash transfer station, basically a depot on the way to dumps or incinerators. Read the rest of Andy Metzger's October 4th, 2011 article on the removal of the transfer station.

This is exciting news for an area that has seen decades of stunted growth after most of the neighborhood was demolished to make way for the Inner Belt Expressway, a highway transportation project which was never completed. It is my hope that the future completion of the Washington Street station as a component of the Green Line Extension will pave the way for strong, mass-transit based redevelopment of the transfer station and surrounding areas.

As can be seen in the photo above, the close proximity of the transfer station to the planned Washington Street station makes it a prime area for mixed-use or residential development with excellent access to the Green Line and local bus service, and a short walk to shops, bars, and restaurants in Union Square. I am looking forward to seeing how this space will grow and change for the better in the coming years.

ECBA Smoke This Rib Fest This Sunday!

Forecasters are expecting excellent weather for this Sunday's Rib Fest in East Cambridge. Today is the last day to purchase a ticket for the rib tasting, so be sure to get yours while they last! See the post below from the East Cambridge Business Association for more information:

The East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA) is proud to present The East Cambridge Business Association “Smoke This” Rib Fest 2011, on Sunday October 9, 2011 from 12:00 noon – 4:00pm. The Rib Fest and Street Fair will take place on Cambridge Street in East Cambridge, between Fulkerson Street and Fifth Street.

The Rib Fest is a culinary showdown pitting pit master against pit master for the title of the best ribs in town. The event is for all ages so come and enjoy some BBQ. There will be plenty of food and fun to be had, but for the best chance to sample a variety of ribs and to cast your vote, you’ll need a Taste Ticket which will get you 10 rib samples from the restaurants of your choice at a first come first serve basis.  Taste Tickets go on sale September 1^st. Additionally, each restaurants will be selling a dish of their own, showcasing their own menu.

Join Abigail's, Area Four, ARTBAR, Atasca, Atwood's Tavern, Bambara, Bosphorus, CRLS Culinary School, East Side Bar and Grille, Lord Hobo, Midwest Grill, Muqueca, New Deal Fish Market, Portugalia, Lizzy’s, Redbones, Think Tank, Trina's Starlight Lounge, and Tupelo as they compete for their chance at BBQ glory!

Enjoy cooking demonstrations from local chefs, brought to you by how2heroes, while the kids enjoy fun and games with The East End House.  Local favorites Hayride, and The Atwood’s Monday Night Bluegrass Band will get you moving with their Bluegrass and Americana rhythms.

Rib Fest is a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the local fare in and near East Cambridge and

is sponsored by the East Cambridge Savings Bank, Alexandria Real Estate Equities,

Forest City, HYM Investments, Education First, Clark Hunt Ahern and Embry,

The Royal Sonesta, CPCU Credit Union, Gentle Giant, New England Tango Academy, McKinnon Company, Kroner Design, Royal Hospitality, M.I.T., City Retail, Vinfen, and SVNGR. See http://www.eastcambridgeba.com/ for further event and Taste Ticket info.

Feds Approve Funds for Rail Expansion at South Station

The United States Department of Transportation recently approved $32.5 million in grant money to assist the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in expanding and upgrading South Station.

I joined Congressman Mike Capuano and a number of my colleagues at the local and state levels in writing a formal letter to MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey both congratulating MassDOT on reaching this significant milestone towards expansion at South Station, and emphasizing our belief that this grant money should make any expansion of service that uses the Grand Junction railroad unnecessary. The full letter is available below:
 

Cambridge Responds to Proposed Hazmat Route Changes

In August, I posted an update here about proposed hazardous materials truck route changes that could negatively impact the cities of Cambridge and Somerville. The City of Boston is seeking an officially recognized ban of all Non-Radioactive Hazardous Materials (NRHM) from the streets of downtown. While this move is designed to enhance the safety of those who live and work in downtown Boston, I am concerned that truck drivers will find it convenient or necessary to use some of the busiest streets in Cambridge as an alternative route. As it stands, the City of Cambridge would not have the legal authority to prohibit trucks carrying NRHM from its streets without going through the same federal process as Boston has.

In response to this, I submitted a policy order to the City Council requesting the city manager to examine the possible impacts of the proposed route changes, to confer with his staff in order to structure a ban similar to Boston's, and for the City to go on record in opposition to changes in routing that would result in more NRHM traveling through Cambridge.

To read the City of Cambridge's official response, please see the comment below that was submitted by City Manager Bob Healy:
 

Update: Washington Street and Somerville Ave Intersections

In May, I joined several of my colleagues on a site visit to two intersections in Somerville that posed a possible safety hazard to pedestrians due to the layout of the crosswalks and condition of the markings. During the site visit, I discussed the concerns that I had and the concerns that residents had expressed about the intersections with officials from MassHighway. I have learned that MassHighway has developed initial plans to signalize the crossings, a step that would significantly improve pedestrian safety.

Because these improvements are still only in the initial planning stages, I will be continuing to use this space to provide updates on the project as new developments are communicated to me in the weeks and months to come.

Public Meetings for the Month of October

Charles River Basin Connectivity Study

Three public meetings have been scheduled to discuss the Mass Department of Transportation and the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation's Charles River Basin Connectivity study. This study is being carried out as a way for MassDOT to closely examine the various gaps that preclude a seamless connection across Charles River Basin bridges, their sidewalks, and adjacent intersections. The connectivity of the path system throughout the Charles River Reservation will also be studied. These meetings will serve as an opportunity for the public to hear from MassDOT's design consultant before the study is carried out. The focus of the presentation will be on an analysis of the existing conditions in the Charles River corridor that has already been carried out.

Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

• Tuesday, October 11, 6:30 to 8 PM, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston

• Thursday, October 13, 6:30 to 8 PM, Community Rowing Boathouse, 20 Nonantum Road, Brighton

• Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 6:30 to 8 PM, Morse School Auditorium, 40 Granite Street, Cambridge

Green Line Extension Environmental Assessment

A public meeting will be held to discuss the Environmental Assessment of the Green Line Extension and potential interim project offsets that will be required due to the delay in the extension's completion date. MassDOT will be taking suggestions for interim project offsets from the public, provided that suggestions conform to the following guidelines:

• Proposed interim offset projects and measures have to be able to be in place by December 31, 2014.
• Suggested projects or measures have to be within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, i.e., they cannot be private, local, or federal.
• Quantifiable air quality benefits have to be associated with any potential interim offset project or measure.
• Projects and measures that only reach their full potential once the GLX is in place are unlikely to work.
• Proposed interim offset projects and measures are not required to be within the GLX corridor, but MassDOT understands the importance we put on this requirement.  It is worth noting here that for the Fairmount Line Improvement Project delays, MassDOT chose projects within the Fairmount corridor only.

This meeting will be held on:

• Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6 p.m. open house, 6:30 p.m. hearing, Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville

Spotlight on Local Business: Modern Homebrew Emporium Customer Appreciation Day

Modern Homebrew Emporium, Cambridge - map

On Saturday, September 10th, Modern Homebrew Emporium on Massachusetts Avenue held its customer appreciation day, inviting customers to brew beer outside the store and introducing many passersby to the growing hobby of homebrewing.

Home brewers brew beer under the watchful eye of the Cambridge Fire Department

Inside the store, customers browsed shelves stocked with malted barley, hops, and a wide range of equipment used to brew both beer and wine. Outside, owner Roger Savoy cooked hotdogs, burgers, and chicken wings for hungry brewers.

Savoy, who owns a total of three homebrew stores spread out across Massachusetts and New York, purchased the Modern Homebrew Emporium in the early 2000s. The store had previously been known as "Modern Brewer," and opened in 1990. The former owners attempted to turn the store into a microbrewery, a venture that they were, unfortunately, forced to end after a relatively brief period. While in operation as a brewery, Modern Brewer gained local notoriety for producing a beer known as "Fat Cat ESB", a bitter English-style ale. After Modern Brewer's brewing operation closed, Fat Cat was licensed to other area brewers. Famed beer critic Michael Jackson gave high praise to Fat Cat in a review published in 1998, calling it an "excellent example of the English style."

Tim with Modern Homebrew Emporium owner Roger Savoy

For those adventurous enough to try recreating Fat Cat, the Modern Homebrew Emporium has published the recipe in their Fall 2011 newsletter as a celebration of their 10th anniversary. Those adventurous enough to try to create their own "Fat Cat" can find the recipe here, and will certainly find the ingredients, equipment, and knowledgeable staff that they will need to brew it right here in Cambridge at the Modern Homebrew Emporium.

Mudflat Unveils New Studio

81 Broadway, Somerville - map

The building that once housed the Broadway Theatre in East Somerville has seen quiet use as a warehouse since the theatre closed its doors in 1982. Now, after extensive renovations, the old theatre has become the new home to Mudflat Studio, a non-profit organization that offers studio space to artists and pottery classes to the community.

Mudflat, which has been in existence for 40 years now, had outgrown its old space at 149 Broadway. In 2002, it was selected by the City of Somerville, the then-owner of the old Broadway Theatre, to develop the building into a space for city artists. In 2005, Mudflat purchased the Boradway Theatre property from the city, and began the process of renovating it into their new studio.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

The renovations, which were partially funded by a $300,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, have turned the theatre into a modern, spacious environment that is filled with natural light. High-capacity gas-powered kilns provide Mudflat with a greater ability to fire artists' clay, and new classroom, studio, and display space greatly enhance Mudflat's ability to teach and support artists.

Gas-fired kilns.

The new Mudflat Studio is spacious and well-lit..

On Saturday, September 10th, I joined Somerville Ward #1 Alderman Bill Roche and Alderman at-large Jack Connolly, Charles Coe from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Mudflat's Executive Director Lynn Gervens in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of the new Mudflat Studio. Mudflat's new space is truly welcoming and unique, and I strongly encourage anyone in the neighborhood or beyond to go and check it out. Mudflat offers a wide range of community programming for both adults and children, so if you have even the slightest interest in learning more about pottery, East Somerville is the place to be.

The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band provided music.

City of Cambridge Seeks Members for Police Review and Advisory Board

The City of Cambridge is seeking members for its civilian Police Review and Advisory board, which is responsible for providing a means for citizen participation in the review of the policies of the Cambridge Police Department and the investigation of complaints. Please see below for more information about the board and how to apply:

The City of Cambridge is seeking residents interested in serving as members of the Police Review & Advisory Board. The Board generally meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.

The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by City Ordinance in 1984 to:

• Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
• Provide a prompt, impartial, and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
• Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and provide opportunities for expanded discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.

The Board consists of five civilians who are representative of the City's racial, social, and economic composition. Board Members must: possess a reputation for fairness, integrity and responsibility; have demonstrated an active interest in public affairs and service; and be a resident of the City of Cambridge. For more information about the Board, see its web page at www.cambridgema.gov/prab.

Board Members serve as volunteers without compensation and assist in education and outreach to improve community confidence in city government in general, and to strengthen police/community relations.

A letter of interest with a brief résumé should be sent via e-mail, mail or fax by Friday, September 23, 2011 to:

Robert W. Healy, City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA  02139
Ph. 617-349-4300
Fax 617-349-4307
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov

Grounding McGrath Study and Working Group

Somerville High School Auditorium - map

A public informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the Somerville High School auditorium to discuss the future of the McGrath O'Brien Highway. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), which gained ownership of the Route 28 corridor as a part of the 2009 transportation reorganization law, has begun a conceptual planning study in partnership with the City of Somerville to consider the future use of the highway and the potential for the removal of its elevated sections.

There is an exciting opportunity here to participate in the planning of a Route 28 that offers greater access and promotes connectivity. Lowering McGrath would allow us the opportunity to take what is now a barrier that divides neighborhoods in East Somerville, and change it into a destination that unites neighbors instead. The future Green Line Extension also creates a significant opportunity to redesign McGrath into a space that is mindful of multi-modal transportation and serves to nourish local businesses.

I encourage you to attend this meeting if you have an interest in planning the future of this highway. Renovations to the McCarthy Overpass (which carries Rt 28 over Washington Street) will also be discussed, and there will be a question and answer session with MassDOT officials at the end of the meeting.

Should you require access or language accommodations, please contact Regan Checchio at rchecchio@reginavilla.com or 617-357-5772 x14.

Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian

Warren Street - map

The 85th annual feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian will be held on Warren Street on September 10th and 11th. Festivities will begin on Saturday at 2 p.m. with rides, music, games, and food. A candlelight procession will begin at 6:30 p.m. at 17 Porter Street, and there will be a healing service held at 7 p.m. There will be live music on Cambridge Street on Saturday night, including The Reminisants, Ayla Brown of American Idol fame, and Bobby Rydell.

Festivities on Sunday will begin with a procession at 8:30 a.m. to St. Francis of Assisi Church for a mass that will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be a parade starting at 1 p.m., and more music and festivities Sunday evening.

This feast is a classic community event and one of the longest continuously running celebrations of its kind in New England. All are welcome and I hope to see you there!

For more information about the feast and a complete schedule, check out www.cosmas-and-damian.com.

Hearing to be Held on Monday to Discuss Developer Mitigation

As the Co-Chair of the Government Rules and Operations Committee for the Cambridge City Council, I will be holding a hearing on Monday August 29th at 5:30pm in the Ackerman Room of City hall to discuss the appropriate way the City should determine mitigation derived from large building projects in the City of Cambridge.

Historically, mitigation from large building projects has been designed to directly benefit the neighborhoods that were being impacted by the project itself.  Over the last few decades, Kendall Square has developed at a rapid pace, often at the expense of open space opportunities to East Cambridge.  Mitigation balances the negative impacts of the projects with improvements to the neighborhood.  This practice has made possible the East Cambridge Scholarship Fund, Open Space Fund, and Outdoor Skating Rink. Recently, 2.5 acres of land were set aside for a new neighborhood park within East Cambridge.

I feel that it has become important to create guidelines that will maintain mitigation as something that benefits residents on the neighborhood level. While some have expressed a desire to see mitigation spread equally around the city for each project, I am firm in my belief that these funds should remain in the neighborhoods that have to deal with construction impacts, noise increases, and traffic impacts of development.  When large projects are built in Cambridge, the city residents already benefit as a whole.  Development contributes to our tax base and keeps residential tax rates the lowest in the state, it helps us maintain city services, and helps to fund city programs that most municipalities cannot even imagine offering.

The issue of neighborhood mitigation is a matter of fairness.  While we as a city benefit as a whole, those impacted by projects, those whose quality of life has been disrupted, and those who cannot get their views of the river back should be compensated to the best of the city’s ability, and the only way to do that is to be sure mitigation funds find their way back into the abutting neighborhoods.

Please come to the meeting on Monday to share your views with the City Council.  If you cannot make it please submit your comments to council@cambridgema.gov and request to be added to the record.

Hurricane Preparedness

While there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the precise track that Hurricane Irene will take as it nears the East Coast, now is the best time for New Englanders to begin preparing for the possibility of severe weather. With the storm still roughly four days away, there is plenty of time to safely and thoroughly prepare using the tips below from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Think about the supplies you will need for a basic emergency kit. These will include:

• Water: one gallon per person per day for three days is the recommended quantity.
• Food: three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Radio: battery powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio for receiving weather alerts, along with extra batteries for both.
• Flashlight: make sure to have extra batteries for the flashlight as well.
• First Aid Kit: your first aid kit should include two pairs of latex or sterile gloves, sterile wound dressings, a cleansing agent and antibiotic towelettes, burn ointment, adhesive bandages, eye wash solution, a thermometer, any medication prescribed to you and your family members that you take every day, such as insulin, heart medicine, and inhalers, as well as any prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment. Tweezers and scissors may also be helpful to have on hand.
• Whistle: to signal for help.
• Sanitation: moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties.
• Can opener
• A map
• Cell phone: extra batteries and a solar or inverter charger should also be considered.

Other items to consider:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and water for your pet
• Cash and travelers checks
• Important financial documents, insurance policies, passports and identification, immigration documents, and bank account records stored in a portable and waterproof container.
• Emergency reference materials, such as a first aid manual
• A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and sturdy shoes
• Chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper. Add 16 drops of bleach to a gallon of water to create a disinfectant.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene products
• Mess kits and paper towels
• Paper and pencils
• Books, games, puzzles, and other activities for children  

Should hurricane conditions be expected by the National Weather Service, prepare your home and property:

• Take in bikes, lawn chairs, tables, and other items from yards and decks, as they could be picked up by strong gusts of wind.
• Close all windows, doors, and storm shutters. If forecasts show that hurricane-force winds may strike the area, it is recommended that you cover windows with plywood.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible to keep air cold in case the power goes out.
• Make sure your car has a full tank of gas.

Please pay close attention to news and weather reports in the coming days. Staying informed is one of the best ways to be prepared and stay safe.

Route Changes May Bring More Hazardous Materials Through Cambridge and Somerville

In 2009, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration directed the city of Boston to conduct a risk analysis of alternative Non-Radioactive Hazardous Materials (NRHM) transport routes through the city. The City of Boston has prepared an evaluation of trucking routes and has concluded that transportation of hazardous materials through the streets of downtown poses too great of a risk to public safety, and such materials should instead be taken around the downtown area through alternate routes. 

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which has been named as the routing authority on this issue, held the first of a series of four public meetings that will take place over the next two weeks to discuss the routing changes with the public. I am particularly concerned about how these routing changes will affect residents of Cambridge and Somerville. Because hazardous materials are prohibited from being transported in the I-93 tunnel, trucks must use surface roads to carry their cargos through Boston. If they are prohibited from using streets, however, they may opt to use a route that would take them through Cambridge and Somerville. Trucks travelling on I-93 would be routed around the tunnels using Washington Street, McGrath Highway, Land Boulevard, Binney Street, Main Street, Mass Ave, and Western Ave to reach I-90.

Map of one of the route alternatives being considered..

Trucks would use I-90 in combination with I-95 to transport hazardous materials through the Boston area.

I am disturbed by the possibility that large volumes of hazardous materials, including explosives, flammable liquids, and poisonous substances, will be transported through dense residential and commercial areas of Cambridge. The area around Binney Street will be built out extensively in the coming years, making the area even denser. The route’s proximity to MIT’s Nuclear Reactor and the requirement that trucks cross the Grand Junction train tracks are also cause for concern. 

I hope to see any decision made about a designated route would be one that uses Route 128, which would keep hazardous materials in sparsely populated areas and out of dense urban neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there is not an enforcement mechanism readily available to keep trucks from cutting through Cambridge and Somerville, although they would indeed be ticketed by Boston Police were they to enter the streets of downtown. I will be exploring this issue in more detail in the coming weeks, and will be discussing solutions with my colleagues. Should you desire more information about changes in hazardous materials routing, I would encourage you to attend one of the remaining three meetings:

Quincy 
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Thomas Crane Public Library

40 Washington Street

Quincy, MA 02169

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Waltham

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Clark Government Center

Main Auditorium

119 School Street Waltham, MA 02451

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Stoneham 
Thursday, September 1, 2011

Stoneham Town Hall Auditorium

35 Central Street,

Stoneham, MA 02180

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.