East Cambridge Business Association Launches

CAMBRIDGE -

East Cambridge Business Association Website
Cambridge Chronicle article: ECBA Hosts first networking event


The East Cambridge Business Association launched this past month with their first networking event on Feb 25th. The event was a big success and drew a crowd of 40 to the East Side Bar & Grill (yelp page) at 561 Cambridge St (right across the street from my office).

The ECBA intends to organize and unite the many varied businesses of East Cambridge. As their website puts it, their mission is:

"To promote and maintain sustainable commerce in East Cambridge; to be a single voice for its members; to promote activities that bond East Cambridge businesses with their neighborhood; and to preserve the historical integrity and importance of East Cambridge."
-ECBA Mission statement

There has already been a lot of interest in the ECBA thanks to a lot of hard work from the early members and organizers. The organization is a great idea and could help East Cambridge come together as a united front to preserve our historic community and face the upcoming economic challenges for local businesses.

The members already include a wide variety of services from familiar East Cambridge spots:
List current as of 3/10/10

Realty
ABG Realty 307 Cambridge St

Dental Services
Alegria Dental Group 1058 Cambridge Street

Dining / Bar

Arams No. 2 345 Cambridge St

Atwoods Tavern 877 Cambridge Street
Courtside Food and Spirits 291 Cambridge St
East Side Bar and Grille 561 Cambridge Street
Pugs Bar and Grill 635 Cambridge Street
Portugalia Restaurante 723 Cambridge Street

Beds

Boston Bed Company 616 Cambridge Street

Framing

Cambridge Art & Frame 101 1st Street

Printing

Cambridge Printing Company 47 Seventh Street

Financial

CPCU Credit Union 251 Hampshire St

Dimesworth 170 Gore St

East Cambridge Savings Bank 292 Cambridge Street

Community Services / Child Care

East End House 105 Spring Street

Groceries / Delis

Mayflower Poultry 621 Cambridge Street
New Deal Fish Market 622 Cambridge St

Law Services

Malis Law 30 Second St

Funeral Services

Rogers Funeral Home 380 Cambridge St


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ECBA Contact information:

You can contact the ECBA at info@EastCambridgeBA.com

If you would like to sign up for the newletter and special offers click the button below

East Cambridge Business Association

P.O. Box 410386

Cambridge, MA 02141

Harvard Extension Celebrates 100 Years of Continuing Education and Community Involvement

CAMBRIDGE -
Harvard University Extension School
Cambridge Chronicle article: Harvard Extension School Celebrates 100 years

The Harvard Extension School reached a huge milestone and celebrated its 100th year of providing top-notch continuing education. The Extension School has educated thousands of Cambridge residents and countless others from around the world. Here is the cake they brought out for occasion:


51 Brattle St, in cake form

Harvard Extension has been more than just an institution for learning. Over the one-hundred years they have been in Cambridge, they have made it part of their mission to live with and give back to the community. They offer scholarships to Cambridge residents and employees and have helped hundreds of families afford a quality education close to home. Harvard Extension has exemplified the role a large institution should play in a community by going beyond the requirements and looking to do more for the community.


Tim presents Dean Michael Shinagel with a citation in honor of the 100 year anniversary

Green Line Environmental Impact Report Comments

This past Thursday I submitted my letter with official comments regarding the Green Line Extension Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA) to Secretary Ian Bowles of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Over the course of this public comment period, I have heard from hundreds of constituents in the 26th Middlesex District. I have also been consulting with MassDOT, Mayor Curtatone's office, The Cambridge City Manager's office, my colleagues, and a variety of community and environmental organizations to determine the best way to bring the Green Line Extension to Cambridge and Somerville.

The important points:

• Option L for the maintenance facility, not Yard 8 - As I have put forward in a previous post, the decision of where to place a maintenance facility is extremely important to the future development in East Somerville. Yard 8, the current preferred alternative from MassDOT, is an unacceptable option. Instead of placing the facility next to the Brickbottom Artists residence, the facility should be placed next to the existing Boston Engine Terminal as described in Option L.
• Increased pedestrian access - Both the new Lechmere station and Brickbottom should have safe alternatives for pedestrian access. "The relocation of Lechmere station across the McGrath/O’Brien Highway to the Northpoint parcel means that thousands of commuters from East Cambridge will now be required to cross a major, multi-lane highway to access the Green Line. It is imperative that the protection of these commuters is a top priority for the Commonwealth, and that we ensure that pedestrian access from the south of McGrath is consistently and reliably safe."
• Additional mitigation for Glass Factory residents - "Additional planning and mitigation also needs to be considered for the residents of the Glass Factory Condos, where the elevated track will run within feet of their windows."

Full letter below.



Click for full pdf

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a happy holiday season. I hope this newsletter finds you well.

This issue discusses a visit from students of the former East Somerville Community School, an important turning point in the extension of the Green Line, and legislation recently signed into law that will help Cambridge lead the way in promoting and implementing energy efficient practices.

It has been a very cold week, and with the remains of a blizzard still on the streets it will likely be a white Christmas.

Most of us are fortunate enough to have a warm place to be this Christmas, but cold weather and warm houses also serve as a reminder of those who are less fortunate. This is a season to support everyone, especially your friends and neighbors who may be struggling, with your time, energy, prayers, and caring.

Most importantly, this is a season to spend in the company of your loved ones.

All the Best,

Tim

Cambridge Leads the Way with Energy Efficiency Legislation

Cambridge Energy Alliance
1385 Cambridge St, Cambridge map

This month the Governor signed an important piece of legislation into law for the City of Cambridge: House Bill 1916 (pdf, text), An Act relative to the provision of services to the City of Cambridge by the Cambridge Energy Alliance. I filed this Home Rule petition, sent to the state by my colleagues on the Cambridge City Council, along with cosponsors Senator Galluccio, and Cambridge Reps. William Brownsberger, Jonathan Hecht, Marty Walz, and Alice Wolf.

H.1916 was enacted by both House and Senate on November 30th, then signed by Governor Patrick on Dec 4th. The bill, now in Chapter 170 of the General Laws of 2009, will go into effect on March 4th, 90 days after being signed into law. It establishes a minor exception to public procurement laws that enables Cambridge to enter into a contract with the nonprofit Cambridge Energy Alliance.

The contract will be used to support energy efficient initiatives municipal buildings, businesses, and residents in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Energy Alliance was co-founded by the city with the explicit intent of finding and implementing innovative, creative ways to cut down our energy usage and costs. Their work helps businesses, residents and government organizations in Cambridge save money and proactively work towards a more energy efficient future for the city.

I would urge Cambridge residents to reach out the the CEA to find out ways they may be able to help you with your heating bills and your energy usage. The services are cost-efficient and could be free or subsidized depending on your financial situation. More information, from their website:

CEA offers:

• Comprehensive energy audits for Cambridge buildings, generally for free
• Up to 30% reductions in energy bills
• Energy efficiency upgrades with no up front cash required
• A one-stop energy solution

Green Line Extension Maintenance Facility - Option L is best for Brickbottom and Somerville

For more detail see:
Cambridge Chronicle article 12/21/09 "Proposed Green Line garage has some worried"
Somerville News Blog 12/23/09 Residents air views on Yard 8 alternatives

Over the last year one thing has become clear: of the three options currently under study by the MBTA to expand the Green Line and site a maintenance facility, Option L is the best long-term solution for Somerville.

About 18 months ago, the EOT released a study describing around a dozen alternatives for the maintenance facility in Somerville. None of the original options were acceptable, so we asked EOT to go back to the table. As the result of pressure from state and local leaders and active community members, we have been presented with the best option yet: Option L.

The extension of the Green Line has the potential to turn the Inner Belt and Washington Street into a focal point for economic vibrancy and community development in Somerville. My goal has been, and continues to be, bringing transportation officials together with economic development leaders to ensure that the siting of the maintenance facility does not have a detrimental impact on the existing neighborhood or the potential for future mixed use development.

The current preferred alternative from MassDOT, Yard 8, could actually have a negative impact on the economic development of the inner belt region. The long-term cost to the city, in lost economic development opportunities, of building at Yard 8 is likely to be greater than the short-term additional cost of Option L (see below).

MassDOT (formerly EOT) recently released a document called the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to discuss the project and the current alternatives for a maintenance facility.



*full pdf here, options diagram on page 27

All the options, in a nutshell:

Option #1: Yard 8
Although this has been labeled the 'preferred alternative' by the MBTA, I believe it is the worst of the options. Put simply, it is too close to a large residential building that houses hundreds of people. The land would be better served as part of accessible mixed-use development that would serve the new riders of the T and the current residents. Locating the maintenance facility at Yard 8 would have substantial negative consequences for both the abutters (primarily the residents of Brickbottom) and the future development of the area.

Option #2: Mirror Scheme H
Initially a promising site, further examination revealed some unexpected difficulties. Mirror Scheme H has potential to become entangled in jurisdictional issues. Although the vast majority of the site is in Somerville, it is on the line between Cambridge and Somerville. This introduces a slew of zoning and regulatory concerns that threaten to complicate the discussion, increase costs, and significantly slow progress.

Option #3: Option L
Option L would place the facility adjacent to the existing Boston Engine Terminal, farther from residents and commercial property and with a similar terminal. This would be more compatible with Somerville’s vision for revitalization of the Inner Belt area. The problem here is the price: current estimates place this at about $50 million more expensive than Yard 8. I think it is more important to do this the right way and incur the extra expense now to build on the optimal site. This site factors in the long-term development and renewal plans of East Somerville and lessens the impact on the residents in the neighborhood.

The Somerville legislative delegation has voiced its opposition to Yard 8 and support for Option L. I have made my position clear to Secretary Bowles at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to the Governor's office, and to MassDOT.

Thank you to all the residents who have come forward privately and at public events to share your opinion. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or comments about the maintenance facility or the Green Line Extension project.

We are still in the public comment listening period of the project, so I would encourage everyone who feels strongly on the issue to submit comments on the DEIR by January 8th. If you would like to contact Secretary Bowles' office directly on this issue, please mail:

Secretary Ian Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental
Affairs
MEPA Office
Attn: Holly Johnson, MEPA Analyst
EEA #13886
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

Former East Somerville Community School Students Advocate for a New School at the State House

State House - Boston map
Somerville Journal article

When a three-alarm fire destroyed the East Somerville Community School over the weekend two years ago, hundreds of Somerville children were suddenly left without a school. Although we were all fortunate nobody was hurt in the blaze, the fire left hundreds of children spread across the Somerville school system missing their community school and their friends. This month, a day after the second anniversary of the fire, former students and teachers made their way to the State House to share their personal stories with Somerville legislators and advocate for immediate construction of a new school.

Roughly sixty 8th graders, who have been spread out across Somerville, joined principal Holly Hatch and other Somerville educators. Armed with their recent studies of government, letters to the Governor and legislators, and their personal stories, they gathered in State House Hearing Room B1 and made an impassioned case to fast-track the construction of a new school to replace the one they lost. Seven students and one teacher read their testimony to Representative Denise Provost, Representative Carl Sciortino, myself, and staff from the offices of Senators Patricia Jehlen and Anthony Galluccio.


ESCS student testifies to the Somerville delegation
photo credit: David Gordon, Somerville Journal

The entire delegation was impressed with the poise, courage, and maturity of the speakers and the students in attendance.

After presenting their testimony to the Somerville delegation, the students delivered letters to Governor Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). By establishing an organized coalition of Somerville legislators, educators, and personally affected residents and then targeting the key decision-makers, these 8th graders demonstrated that they have taken their studies of government seriously. This is how effective advocacy works.

The next step will be taken by the MSBA, which will certify the number of enrolled students and determine the scope of the project. It is still uncertain whether the school will be built entirely from scratch or whether sections will be salvaged and updated. The Somerville School system will need to figure out the best use of the money from the MSBA.

Our goal remains the same: we want a safe community school in East Somerville equipped with modern facilities. My office, along with the Somerville delegation, will be in continued talks with Mayor Curtatone and will continue the advocacy work started by these students with the state and the MSBA.

Their visit also included a guided tour of the State House and photos in front of the golden dome and at the Grand Staircase.

photo credit: David Gordon, Somerville Journal