June 2015 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

FW: Historic and Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions Seek New Members
by Ruth Ryals 25 Jun '15

25 Jun '15

fyi From: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 11:08 AM To: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> Subject: Historic and Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions Seek New Members Hello, please see attached news release, also pasted in as text below. Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer City of Cambridge 795 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 617-349-4339/ itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov Like Us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/CambridgeMA.Gov> For Immediate Release: June 25, 2015 Historic and Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions Seek New Members Cambridge, MA, June 25, 2015 -- The Cambridge City Manager is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members on the Cambridge Historical Commission, Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commission, Half Crown-Marsh NCD Commission, and the Mid Cambridge NCD Commission. Nominations from interested Cambridge residents are welcome through August 14. The Cambridge Historical Commission, a body of seven members and three alternates, establishes historic preservation policy for the city and administers two historic districts, the Harvard Square Conservation District, the citywide landmark and demolition ordinances, and the preservation grant program for rehabilitation assistance. The neighborhood conservation district commissions are made up of five members and three alternates, with most members being residents of the neighborhoods. Each of the four Commission generally meets monthly to review alterations to protected buildings. The Cambridge Historical Commission, established in 1963, is the city¹s historic preservation agency. It is managed by a professional staff that supports four Commissions made up of appointed volunteers. The current vacancies are for one alternate on the Cambridge Historical Commission, one alternate on the Avon Hill and Half Crown-Marsh NCD Commissions, and one member, who must be a tenant in the neighborhood, in the Mid Cambridge NCD. Alternates are expected to attend all meetings and participate fully in discussion, and are designated to vote as needed. Applicants should have an interest in architecture, local history or historic preservation and be committed to protecting the historic resources and built environment of the City. Appointments to the Commission are made by the City Manager with regard to a diversity of viewpoints. Minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Individuals interested in being considered should send a letter of interest and a resume by Friday, August 14, 2015 to Charles Sullivan, Executive Director, Cambridge Historical Commission, 831 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139 or by e-mail to histcomm(a)cambridgema.gov. -###-

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Fwd: ffordable Rental and Homeownership Programs Information Session 7-9-15
by Ruth Ryals 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Ruth Ryals rryals(a)comcast.net 617-834-4007(c) Sent from my iPhone! Begin forwarded message: > From: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> > Date: June 19, 2015 at 12:00:45 PM EDT > To: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> > Subject: ffordable Rental and Homeownership Programs Information Session 7-9-15 > > Hello, please see attached news release, also pasted in as text below. > > Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer > City of Cambridge > 795 Massachusetts Ave. > Cambridge, MA 02139 > 617-349-4339/ itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov > Like Us on Facebook > > For Immediate Release: June 19, 2015 > > Affordable Rental and Homeownership Programs Information Session July 9 > Cambridge, MA, June 19, 2015 -- The Housing Division of the city’s Community Development Department will be holding a Rental and Homeownership Information Session Thursday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at City Hall Annex, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway, Cambridge. > > Housing personnel from the Community Development Department will be available to discuss the city’s affordable rental and homeownership programs. > > Currently, the Housing Division is accepting applications for the Homeownership Pool and the Rental Applicant Pool. Preference is given to Cambridge residents and families with children. > > For more information, please contact us at 617-349-4622. > > > -###- > >

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FW: Advertise moving sale / neighborhood
by Ruth Ryals 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Neighbors, We plan a moving sale this Saturday afternoon. Please come check it out! Best, Céline 23 Cambridge Terrace

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Fwd: [Richdale Ave] Fwd: NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT - Do you Want Hourly Rentacars Outside your Bedroom Window?
by Ruth Ryals 16 Jun '15

16 Jun '15

The other side! Ruth Ryals rryals(a)comcast.net 617-834-4007(c) Sent from my iPhone! Begin forwarded message: > From: Jessica Kuh <jessicakuh(a)gmail.com> > Date: June 16, 2015 at 1:03:14 PM EDT > To: Jeffrey Lipshaw <jlipshaw(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "richdale-ave-community(a)googlegroups.com" <richdale-ave-community(a)googlegroups.com> > Subject: Re: [Richdale Ave] Fwd: NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT - Do you Want Hourly Rentacars Outside your Bedroom Window? > > Good afternoon, > > Since you have published the letter opposing car-sharing parking, I want to make sure there is equal exposure of other viewpoints, which did not show up in your email.I am refraining from debating on this listserve, as I respect your request and the tone of the list. > > Below is some of the information being circulated about why people support the carshare parking in residential neighborhoods. > > Thank you, > Jessica > > I don't know the source of this one -- it was forwarded by a friend: > > Are you a member of Zipcar, Enterprise Carshare, or Relay Rides? If so, here’s your chance to protect and expand these crucial services in Cambridge! > > Please join us at a public meeting where the Cambridge City Council will discuss a new zoning proposal that aims to support carsharing as a mobility option in the city, particularly in those areas that are currently underserved by carsharing. > > Meeting details > Cambridge City Council Ordinance Committee Hearing > Wednesday, June 17, 5:30-7:30PM > @Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber > 795 Massachusetts Avenue > > If you can’t be at the meeting but still want to make a comment, send a letter of support for the zoning to BOTH council(a)cambridgema.gov anddlopez(a)cambridgema.gov. > > Key points to make in your comment: > · Carsharing makes it possible to live in Cambridge without owning a car. Each carshare car takes 9-13 private vehicles off the road. > · The more carshare cars there are, the less competition for parking and the less traffic we’ll have on our streets. > · Carsharing is a way to serve people who don’t have or can’t afford a car, or who choose to live without a car for environmental reasons. > · People are already depending on carshare cars located near their homes in order to live a car-free life. We need to protect and add to these residential locations. > · Carshare cars are used by people who live within a small radius, so they are neighbors, not strangers coming from afar. > · There are large residential areas in Cambridge that are carshare deserts—we need to make them available to every neighborhood. > · Carsharing is not disruptive to residential neighborhoods: Zipcars have an average turnover rate of 1.7 reservations per vehicle per day. > Carsharing is the missing piece in sustainable transportation. The service makes it convenient to live without a car in urban areas, but gives people access to a car when they need it. We hope you’ll join us in voicing your support for this important zoning. > > This one is from LivableStreets Alliance and overlaps with the first one http://www.livablestreets.info/ > > Please join us at a Cambridge City Coucil public meeting this Wednesday to support a new zoning proposal that aims to expand access to carshare throughout Cambridge. Carsharing is a crucial piece of a balanced transportation network, giving people access to a car when they need it and freeing up space on our streets when they don't. > Meeting details > Cambridge City Council Ordinance Committee Hearing > Wednesday, June 17, 5:30-7:30PM > @ Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber > 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge > Key points: > Each carshare car takes 9-13 private vehicles off the road, reducing parking demand and traffic, lowering emissions and creating more livable neighborhoods. > Carsharing makes it possible to live in Cambridge without owning a car,whether by need or by choice. > People already depend on carshare cars located near their homes. We need to protect and add to these, not remove spots where they are most effective. > Many residential areas in Cambridge are carshare deserts. This proposal will make it possible to expand access into these areas and throughout Cambridge. > Carsharing is no more disruptive to residential neighborhoods than private vehicles. Carshare cars are used most by people who live nearby and typically only twice daily. > Join us on Wednesday to voice your support for this important policy change for the City of Cambridge. > > And if you can't be at the meeting you can speak up by sending a letter of support for the zoning to BOTH council(a)cambridgema.gov and dlopez(a)cambridgema.gov. > > Thank you! > > LivableStreets Alliance > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Richdale Ave Community" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to richdale-ave-community+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to richdale-ave-community(a)googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/richdale-ave-community. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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FW: NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT - Do you Want Hourly Rentacars Outside your Bedroom Window?
by Ruth Ryals 16 Jun '15

16 Jun '15

Neighbors, I am not expressing an opinion, but want everyone to know about the issue and the hearing tomorrow night. I would be happy to hear an informed opinion. Ruth From: <fritzdonov(a)aol.com> Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 8:28 AM To: various neighborhood groups Subject: NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT - Do you Want Hourly Rentacars Outside your Bedroom Window? Letter to Cambridge Neighborhood Organizations Tue-16Jun NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT What would you think of having an hourly ³carshare² rentacar coming and going outside your bedroom window 24 hours a day? Read on. That could happen. At 530pm on Wednesday, June 17 in the Sullivan Chamber of City Hall, the Cambridge Ordinance Committee comprised of all nine members of the City Council - will conduct a zoning hearing on amendments to the Zoning Ordinances which include a proposal to allow multi-family and condo land owners in Residential Zones to lease reserved spaces in their driveways and parking areas to commercial short-term rentacars. The issue is a hot one, and the hearing will be memorable. ZipCars, a multi-billion dollar worldwide operation since its purchase by Avis two years ago, emailed a call last Friday to all its enrolled members, urging them to come down to City Hall on Wednesday and tell the Council how fond they are of ³carsharing² in Cambridge. The email portrays the upcoming hearing as a forum to decide for or against the carshare program. It is not. These proposed amendments began simply as an attempt to bring the sprawling ³carshare² program into conformity with Cambridge zoning ordinances. But somewhere in the drafting process, a provision was inserted which now seeks to allow Avis/ZipCar, Enterprise, and other qualifying worldwide rentacar firms, to expand their commercial activities beyond the current limits of Commercial Zones, and into the driveways and parking areas of Cambridge¹s Residential neighborhoods. Cambridge¹s Zoning laws have kept commercial activity out of residential zones for almost a century now, and residents of those zones are willingly paying a premium for the safety and serenity that protection provides. The current proposal is a radical departure from that tradition, and should be allowed only if the facts show a major need, and if there is no better way to serve that need, and if strong provisions are included to protect the rights of affected residents. The current proposal fails on all counts. A recent study by the Community Development Department shows that the vast majority of Cambridge residents already live within a 5 to 10-minute walk of a ³carshare² rentacar. The minute or two saved by stationing these rentacars a block or two closer can hardly be called a crying need. And protections to mitigate the harm and preserve residential zone occupants¹ rights are missing altogether. The rentacar corporations tell us a typical ³carshare² vehicle is in use an average of 9-11 hours per day. They would be identified by commercial signs to help renters find them, their reserved spaces would be marked off to exclude other cars and lighted all night for safety and convenience. They would expose abutters to door slamming, car lock beeps and honks, cellphone calls and conversations at all hours, plus car washing and vacuuming. In many cases, barely a foot or two from adjoining ¹ windows. But the car companies would be allowed to lease parking spaces in the driveways or parking areas of condo or multi-family dwellings simply by getting approval of the land owner, many of whom live nowhere nearby. Neither the abutters nor even renters in the owner¹s own building would have any say. The owner would get the revenue, and the , abutters would get the noise and commotion of hourly rentacars coming and going at all hours of the day. Vehicles which now use those spots would have to search for spaces on the street or elsewhere. The City backers behind this proposal hope that by stationing commercial short-term rental cars in residential driveways and parking areas, the rate of such ³carshare² use may increase slightly, and the City may somehow benefit. But nobody knows. Not even the most zealous advocates can promise those hopes will be realized, since they are supported only by questionable statistics from other cities in other states years ago. None of those studies comes close to the realities of this time in our unusual City of Cambridge. That is hardly justification for such a major, noisy commercial intrusion into our Residential Zones. At 530pm tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17, in City Hall, you have a chance to go say something about it. And with every councilor up for re-election in November, you can bet they will listen to you. The rentacar giants have rolled out their big guns to push this totally unnecessary zoning revision. You can make a big difference, particularly in a City Council election year. We ask you to notify your association members, forward this letter if you wish (copy attached for your convenience), refer them to our Letter to the Editors in last Thursday¹s Chronicle, and urge them to come and bring a neighbor to tomorrow¹s hearing. Those who can¹t come should email their concerns to council(a)cambridgema.gov <mailto:council@cambridgema.gov> . Now is the time for action. Later may be too late. Sincerely, Francis Donovan, Irving Street Joan Pickett, Ellery Street Elizabeth Gombosi, Irving Street Frankie Lieberman, Ellsworth Street Paula Lovejoy, Clinton Street Margaret McMahon, Highland Avenue

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FW: Kids Council Vacancy Extended to 6-30-15
by Ruth Ryals 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

fyi From: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Monday, June 15, 2015 at 10:23 AM To: "Tomeu, Ini" <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> Subject: Kids Council Vacancy Extended to 6-30-15 Hello, please see attached news release, also pasted in as text below. Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer City of Cambridge 795 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 617-349-4339/ itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov Like Us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/CambridgeMA.Gov> For Immediate Release: June 15, 2015 Cambridge Kids¹ Council Vacancy Application Deadline Extended to June 30, 2015 Cambridge, MA, June 15, 2015 -- City Manager Richard C. Rossi is seeking a Cambridge resident interested in volunteering to serve on the Cambridge Kids¹ Council, which is dedicated to developing policy and program recommendations aimed at improving the quality of life for children, youth and families in Cambridge, so that youth are: healthy and living in safe communities; live in stable, self-sufficient, and supportive families; are engaged in enriching activities and civic life; and are prepared with the tools to help them succeed in school. The application deadline to submit a letter of interest and resume has been extended to June 30, 2015. Please see more details below. The Mayor of Cambridge serves as the Chair of the Kids¹ Council. Committee members include key stakeholders in local government and in the community, which includes the following: · City Councilor and School Committee member; · City department heads (City Manager designee, Assistant City Manager for Human Services, Commissioner of Health and Hospitals, Police Commissioner, Director of the Cambridge Public Library, Superintendent of Schools); · Representatives from the philanthropic community, a state agency serving children, youth and families, the business community, the university community, the early childhood community, the community-at-large, and youth (ages 14-18). The Kids¹ Council is currently focusing on family engagement and developing recommendations to create and support genuine partnerships between families and the organizations and institutions that serve them. Past initiatives include: creating a citywide Family Engagement Policy adopted by the Cambridge City Council in November 2013; developing recommendations to enhance the capacity of the Community Engagement Team (CET) by hiring additional outreach workers and a full-time program assistant; developing a training program; and establishing a more formal partnership with Cambridge Public Schools. The Council is also working with Code for Boston to develop an easy-to-use, single point portal which can be translated into multiple languages so that families, youth, and those who support them can easily find the activities, services and resources they are looking for in Cambridge. The Kids¹ Council meets approximately 6-7 times per year on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:15-7:15 p.m. For more information, please contact Nancy Tauber, Executive Director, at 617-349-6239 or ntauber(a)cambridgema.gov. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and a resume by the newly extended deadline of June 30, 2015 to: Cambridge Kids¹ Council, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139, or email your letter to ntauber(a)cambridgema.gov. -###-

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FW: Iris plants @ 14 Arlington Street
by Ruth Ryals 12 Jun '15

12 Jun '15

fyi From: Owen Dempsey <owendempsey(a)gmail.com> Date: Friday, June 12, 2015 at 1:00 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, Andrea Wilder <andreawilder(a)comcast.net> Subject: Iris plants @ 14 Arlington Street Iris plants @ 14 Arlington Street Hi Ruth & Andrea, FYI we are clearing our front garden in preparation for better things to come. - Two boxes of beautiful yellow iris are on the curb. Perhaps neighbors will come and help themselves? Can you post to the Avon Hill group? Thanks, summer is here. Regards, Owen & Lindsay

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painter recommendation
by Douglas Baker 11 Jun '15

11 Jun '15

Hello neighbors, Can anyone recommend a house painter (exterior)? I've gotten an estimate from RB Painting but would like another estimate to compare it to... Thanks, Doug 16 Camb Terr -- Douglas Baker, LICSW, RYT cambridgemindbody.com tamingdemonsyoga.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and the document(s) accompanying this e-mail contain confidential information which is legally privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the intended recipient named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this e-mail and its attachments, except its direct delivery to the intended recipient named above, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately by telephone.

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FW: REMINDER: City Snow Operations Community Meeting TONIGHT
by Ruth Ryals 11 Jun '15

11 Jun '15

fyi From: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 3:26 PM To: "Neil, Chris" <cneil(a)cambridgema.gov> Cc: Stephen Diamond <c-sdiamond(a)comcast.net>, "Axelrod, Ron" <ronaldaxelrod(a)aol.com>, John Howard <jhh(a)alum.mit.edu> Subject: Re: REMINDER: City Snow Operations Community Meeting TONIGHT Chris, I cannot attend tonight, but I wanted to wrtite and stress how important snow removal is (on the roads to the curb, and on the sidewalks) to the survival of our small independent businesses. Take Mass Ave from Porter Sq to Harvard Sq as an example. Merchant are willing to clean the sidewalks, but cannot deal with mounds left from snow plows, and after a while need cost effective snow removal services. Customers will not come if they cannot walk, cross streets, cars cannot drive or park, anyone short of a mountain goat cannot reach meters, etc. No customers will shortly mean no businesses. This is very serious and we all need to jointly find affordable answers. I know I speak for many of us, customers, merchants, and residents alike. Thanks for your consideration, Ruth Ryals VP PSNA Member, Mass Ave Improvement Committee __________________ 115 Upland Rd. Cambridge, MA 02140 617-547-6453 617-834-4007 (c) From: "Neil, Chris" <cneil(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 3:07 PM To: "Neil, Chris" <cneil(a)cambridgema.gov> Subject: REMINDER: City Snow Operations Community Meeting TONIGHT Good Afternoon, As a reminder, the City of Cambridge will be hosting a community meeting TONIGHT to discuss snow removal operations from this past winter and to seek feedback from the Cambridge Community. Attached is the official notice, and I respectfully ask that you share this information with those in your neighborhood. We hope to see you there. Thanks. Chris Neil Community Relations Manager City of Cambridge Department of Public Works 147 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 P. 617.349.4825 F. 617.349.4868 <http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Cambridge-Department-of-Public-Works -Official/100857050004033> <https://twitter.com/CambridgeDPW> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOycWlz6Ccxe30qhHBkMBEw/feed>

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FW: [PSNA] 33 Richdale Avenue
by Ruth Ryals 09 Jun '15

09 Jun '15

From: Rob Wolff <rob(a)cambco.com> Reply-To: <jhh(a)alum.mit.edu> Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 5:34 PM To: <jhh(a)alum.mit.edu> Subject: [PSNA] 33 Richdale Avenue Resent-From: John Howard <jhh(a)alum.mit.edu> Resent-To: PSNA - Porter Square Neighbors Association <psna(a)portersquare.net> Resent-Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2015 18:55:09 -0400 Hello John: I thought you might like to receive an update about the project at 33 Richdale Avenue. We have removed most of the roof in the warehouse portion of the building in preparation for rebuilding the structure to meet new earthquake codes as well as support the second floor. In the process, we came across old concrete and brick supporting walls and grade beams which once were integral features of the many growth spurts Hathaway Bakery experienced as the business expanded from 1914 to 1938. We found traces of an old concrete slab about three feet below present grade as well as an underground room complete with a door and window. No buried treasure or mummies were uncovered however. We have started extensive work in the two story portion where the sandblasting of the brick and wood surfaces were completed in the fall. There we are reusing the older columns from the warehouse as part of the architectural features within several apartments. The roof has been stripped and the wood framing for the upper level is underway. Masons are working every day re-pointing the brick, opening up previously closed window bays, and making repairs and patches throughout the building. They are masters at their work and we ware only using original Hathaway bricks in the restoration rather than bring in any new materials. There are many other areas of progress, but I hope this gives you a sense of what is taking place. Best, Rob Robert Wolff Camco Management 30 Brattle Street, 4th Floor Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 864-8200 Office (617) 835-1475 Cell [forwarded with permission] _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net

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