governing Archives - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

Davis Square Neighborhood Council is recommended for recognition as officials rue the law that allows it to exist

by Marc Levy September 16, 2026

Along with discussion of whether to recognize formally the Davis Square Neighborhood Council, city councilors approved proposed laws about rats and pets.

OPINION

Recount of race should reassure everyone about election processes, state senator says with thanks

by Will Brownsberger September 13, 2026

The publicly witnessed recount altered previous final counts by only one vote. This is reassuring not just considering this race, but in general.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, Sept. 14-21: A half-million dollars to make up for federal cuts to food aid (corrected)

by Marc Levy September 13, 2026

Take part in meetings on handling growing hunger, the Healthpeak neighborhood project and changes to the city's multifamily zoning ordinance.

NEWS

Civilian oversight of police is put back on a track in Somerville, but officer unions seem to hold the power

by Marc Levy September 11, 2026

A process for oversight of Somerville police has restarted a half-dozen years after the Black Lives Matter movement, but with a bow to unions and the civil service system.

NEWS

Bylaw and membership debates have some wanting a pause on Davis Square council recognition

by Marc Levy September 10, 2026

As the Davis Square Neighborhood Council nears a vote on formal recognition by the city, even some board members say the organization has stuff to figure out first.

EDUCATION

Anti-immigrant agents can’t arrest on school grounds, officials emphasize in order

by Felix Shackelford September 9, 2026

Protections for immigrants and undocumented students in Cambridge were strengthened, underlining protections the city has put in place over the past couple of years.

OPINION

A response for renters after 100 years of humiliation

by Nicholas Marchuk September 6, 2026

Yes, we need rent control. Not because it will work, but because it won’t. Economists predict it will crash property values. That’s not my problem.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, Sept. 7-14: Changes at Cobble Hill, progress at the old Aguacate Verde restaurant

by Marc Levy September 6, 2026

Take part in meetings on Armory finances and leasing, developments on Cobble Hill, East Somerville and Wilson Square, and on body-worn cameras for police officers.

OPINION

Amateurs’ ideas for the Reid Overpass are still better than the latest ideas from the state

by Nicholas Marchuk August 30, 2026

A pedestrian-bike roundabout bridge makes sense, or a slimmed-down roundabout featuring a genuinely novel approach to fixing the 47 bus route.

NEWS

Cambridge is again covered by ShotSpotter gunfire tech, police say

by Marc Levy August 17, 2026

Cambridge’s ShotSpotter gunfire-detection system is operational across all previously covered parts of the city as of Monday, police said.