[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534329,"mediaKeyId","3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04","parentId",3626988,"title","Neighbors split over opening Wesley Avenue to Linear Park; council pauses action for more review","audioSeconds",198,"startMs",1346000,"endMs",1544000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04&start=1346&end=1544","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04/thumbnail_1346000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534329/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Neighbors-split-over-opening-Wesley-Avenue-to-Linear-Park-council-pauses-action-for-more-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534329-459e456b6d793c10fd7377dbc4855903/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153352&Signature=ZKW8gZ9Uyr1ava0BySGZsA24WpVDmlQQdLecAjmSF4xjJeJum8kzI~2FroI0QmrtB78T2Ko25VWC-YFhYTOA6ds0Dto~sYEbq~~Kgxpa8NzinQC3Jfo0fqpQjrZBEBgsC8aqSYa47OBkXl42gxdcy~0Wu7u2fjksVV2M1O2OgnuIMIHKoUd~ZRF1TvnWmaNfiRvm-wPmhcuEMzXDCCMX2IKcoaLaUTUBeR2JpGUFOM7XsLbOEc0STc1P5-hz0NuJbh1T9hkQXFXhtSb5JBvct2wlsqQNy1-w35n7Y61ofl-DYxkdXljUFnkDrXVnAyojd-ASBLv4yF8aUwsvZFiYDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cambridge","date","2025-06-02T17:12:00Z","article","Public comment at the June 2 Cambridge City Council hearing produced dozens of speakers both in favor of and opposed to reopening an access point at Wesley Avenue into Linear Park.

Supporters argued the connection would make the park more useful for walking and biking, create safer routes to nearby schools (Peabody Elementary, Benjamin Banneker School), and expand equitable access for neighbors who currently must detour to access the park. Speakers described Linear Park as a valuable neighborhood amenity and said a Wesley Avenue opening would create a low-stress, direct route that could accommodate walking, biking and school-bus-style \"bike bus\" routes.

Opponents — including some abutters — warned that Wesley Avenue is a narrow dead-end street with limited sightlines and that opening the access without further design or safety study could risk trees and diminish neighborhood safety. Leslie Espinosa Garvey told the council she and neighbors had participated in lengthy outreach and planning processes and said the current design balances access and neighbor concerns; she asked that the council not undo that work in a rushed manner.

Council discussion and procedure
Councilor Nolan sponsored a policy order asking that the city manager work with city departments to ensure open access at Wesley Avenue as part of the Linear Park reconstruction process. Council debate acknowledged that design decisions had evolved during prior outreach and that the pedestrian and bike committees had urged the Wesley Avenue connection after the earlier plan had closed the access.

Councilor Toner exercised a charter right when the policy order came up later in the meeting; that procedural move ended debate for the night and signaled the council will allow additional review, outreach and consultation before deciding whether to formally change the current design or remove the fence.

Why it matters
The Wesley Avenue question pits neighborhood maintenance, tree preservation and concerns about changes to a long-studied park design against broader public-access and active-transportation goals. The decision will affect how thousands of North Cambridge residents reach schools, parks and the Somerville Community Path.

Ending
Council sponsors said they planned to continue discussions with city staff, the committees that advise on pedestrian and bicycle design, and nearby residents before returning to the council. No final decision was made at the June 2 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cambridge - Jun 2, 2025 5:30 PM - City Council - Regular Meeting - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents urged the Cambridge City Council either to open a fenced connection between Wesley Avenue and Linear Park or to retain the barrier; the council deferred a decision after mixed public comment and a councilor’s charter right.","taxTitle","Cambridge City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",3771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534333,"Public urges Cambridge council to tighten 'welcoming community' ordinance to limit local assistance to ICE; council pauses for review",2473,1215000,3688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04&start=1215&end=3688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04/thumbnail_1215000.jpg","/articles/6534333/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Public-urges-Cambridge-council-to-tighten-welcoming-community-ordinance-to-limit-local-assistance-to-ICE-council-pauses-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534333-d49419fe014e7a859caef3795382d523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153352&Signature=Jfys4NyuNdKvKhNefr2qmnF59gyw-DTfg~FPXWumP39SwzWeJzo7yuF9r9CO0ybngbwsYkWouQJlm0UB13t1m0gs5ggNSmmmbuLeMrdIvdSJYK23e5I~g4Mp4HxE8~qkhO3nekIWhrp7tLfLEsmvgkIhA723CicisbBqjuTY9UCb2qLa5Pvu0pG-0FbIUglTEj9HInPk4yyPCAYb~o4Yb~yhC6F6VEsp33y0Z-M46N3GBpUWOPXMQfzlbKKfEjvcJ51dFYBCo0cKHUBmyGH-uHWUUSJ9DcGBL13YVowrZAfHdG0tUhXMa5z5Anevlb2TLZYcNJunyOy-HIoWlXS4tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Cambridge residents called on the City Council on June 2 to strengthen the city’s welcoming community ordinance by removing language they say allows local police to provide operational support — such as traffic or crowd control — during federal immigration enforcement actions.

Public comments clustered around a single request: remove a clause that permits Cambridge employees to provide \"support services\" that could be interpreted to include traffic perimeter or crowd-control assistance during a federal operation. Speakers described recent high-profile ICE actions in other Massachusetts cities and nationwide and said they fear local cooperation could enable deportations that violate due process. Several called the proposed amendment \"closing a loophole\" in the existing ordinance.

What speakers said
David Sullivan, a North Cambridge resident, told the council the existing ordinance contains a \"huge loophole\" that allows local police to assist ICE with support services and crowd control and urged councilors to adopt policy order number 2 to clarify the city's stance. Other commenters, including Julia Schlossman and Kashif Hoda, recounted videos and incidents they described as alarming and urged the council to ensure that local police's role is strictly to protect public safety, not to aid immigration enforcement.

Advocates from the ACLU and local immigrant-rights groups spoke in support of the change. Laura Rotolo of the ACLU of Massachusetts told the council the change is \"crucial for immigrants and for public safety\" because current practice and tactical choices by federal agents — including masked agents and rapid raids — can blur lines between local and federal authorities, undermining public trust.

What councilors said and next steps
Council sponsors (including Councilor Sabrina Wheeler, Councilor Nolan and Councilor Siddiqui) said they had worked with staff to craft clarifying language. During the council's later policy-order review, Councilor Sabrina Wheeler described the two primary aims: (1) make clear the sole role of city employees when federal agents are operating in Cambridge is to protect public safety and (2) empower officers to document and confirm the identities and badge numbers of federal personnel at operations so the city can track incidents.

Council procedure and delay
When the policy order came before the council later in the meeting, Councilor Toner exercised a charter right at the request of the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers Association, asking that the association be allowed to review the proposed language with the city manager and police commissioner. That procedural step closed debate for the night; councilors did not vote on the ordinance change.

Why it matters
Proponents said clarity will protect immigrant community members’ willingness to report crimes and access city services without fear of immigration enforcement. Opponents warn that local police must retain the ability to address public-safety needs at multi-agency operations; the police association requested time to review operational implications with staff.

Ending
Councilors and staff agreed to continue working on language. Councilor sponsors said they expect to return with revised text following consultations with police and other stakeholders.","Dozens of public commenters urged the Cambridge City Council to amend the city’s welcoming community ordinance to bar police and other city employees from assisting federal immigration enforcement; city leaders discussed the proposal but deferred further action so stakeholders can review language.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534339,"Cambridge Council approves FY26 budget, creates $5M federal stabilization fund and adds municipal vouchers amid federal funding uncertainty",208,5973000,6181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04&start=5973&end=6181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626988-f8f0eb672d3f0de1a43a94f957a01f04/thumbnail_5973000.jpg","/articles/6534339/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Cambridge-Council-approves-FY26-budget-creates-5M-federal-stabilization-fund-and-adds-municipal-vouchers-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534339-24f694f7597e3423f57c4797d0ce26b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153352&Signature=WCLzksOijJgDohXBPe~1OSqGiJ6X9NBoKRv0ElJh9xB3a6YKySfECwqe-ZmglczIzNUTiEr8V4CvYNxHGvNrn2cQskJy5xJzG9lRdtSNl1EeBLcPaIGrnVqMOIK-9tWPPHjH3zMb5IwDTrvxjgVXdkaEAxRo0yF07patJLmO6N0ddAK73Oh2Xd1oClqBDI18~UdoQuKua8WmsMEtrKtPgfIGF6BnrO8Jri6IARR7lp4DAjMQ9tAelZMtf-jRS5nxAlPa5JFGD2RszFHuZvlxNahfScWuDklJrpce4Fny9m0-G-FTYh3IlluEtYhyw8X~6jZyskkxhzYgh4Ou8Vfe8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cambridge City Council on June 2 adopted its fiscal 2026 budgets and a package of capital loan orders after weeks of budget hearings and a lengthy public discussion about federal funding risks.

City Manager Yuan Wong and budget staff told the council the city faces an uncertain federal funding outlook — with potential cuts to Medicaid, HUD programs and other grants — and proposed two measures to reduce exposure: a new municipal supportive-housing voucher pool funded at $1,000,000, and a $5,000,000 free-cash appropriation to create a federal grant stabilization fund to backstop possible federal cuts.

The voucher proposal would create roughly 25 municipal permanent supportive-housing vouchers paired with supportive services and case management. Assistant City Manager (Simonoff) and staff said vouchers would be administered largely through the Cambridge Housing Authority’s processes and the existing coordinated-entry (CCAN) prioritization system; vouchers could be used in scattered-site units and include funds for supportive services rather than being limited to a single on-site facility. Staff told the council they expect the first of the 25 vouchers to be available by late summer, though they cautioned some vouchers tied to the Transitional Wellness Center (TWC) population would not be available in June when TWC closes.

Wong told the council the stabilization fund would be used as a contingency if federal grants to housing and social services are reduced or delayed; staff cited roughly $12 million in federal grants the city tracks across homelessness, CDBG and other programs as at risk and said the stabilization fund will be guided by criteria the council will approve before allocations are made.

Councilors and public speakers urged urgency for vouchers and clarity on timelines. Vice Mayor McGovern and Councilor Wilson pressed staff about how quickly vouchers could be issued and where people should be referred (staff said the Multi-Service Center/CCAN process is the referral path). Several neighborhood advocates and homelessness service providers asked for faster rollout and detailed implementation plans for supportive services and applicant outreach.

Votes and key outcomes
- The council first placed the city manager’s communication about the voucher/stabilization proposal on file (roll call recorded as 9–0). Later the council amended the FY26 general fund budget to include the $1,000,000 for the municipal voucher initiative and referred the amended budget to unfinished business; that amendment passed on roll call (recorded 9–0 for referral). Council then adopted the general fund budget as amended: $978,578,370 (adopted 7 yes, 2 no). The water fund ($13,602,950) and public investment fund ($41,204,770) budgets were approved (each 9–0).
- The council created a dedicated federal grant stabilization fund (vote 9–0) and appropriated $5,000,000 of free cash to that fund (vote 9–0).

Capital loan orders
As part of its public-investment approvals, the council authorized a slate of capital loan orders (final votes and tallies as recorded at the June 2 meeting):
- Ahern Field improvements — $7,500,000 (approved 9–0).
- Complete Streets reconstruction — $16,500,000 (approved 9–0).
- Municipal facilities improvement plan — $11,100,000 (approved 9–0).
- School building upgrades — $19,986,000 (approved 9–0).
- Central Square sewer project — $27,500,000 (approved 8 yes, 1 absent).
- CSO (combined sewer overflow) storage tank projects — $3,000,000 (approved 8 yes, 1 absent).
- Sewer reconstruction projects — $7,500,000 (approved 8 yes, 1 absent).
- Water-construction projects — $15,250,000 (approved 8 yes, 1 absent).
- Wilderly Playground replacement (additional authorization) — $1,600,000 (approved 9–0).

What councilors and staff said
City Manager Yuan Wong summarized the uncertain federal landscape and three milestones the city is tracking: the congressional budget reconciliation process, the state budget, and the federal continuing resolution that runs through September. He said the city is monitoring court challenges and federal agency actions that could affect grant flows and warned that, if federal funding is lost, the city will need to prioritize what to backstop with local funds.

Assistant City Manager Simonoff and housing staff described the municipal voucher design as a permanent supportive-housing model: vouchers will be portable, linked to housing navigators and case management, and intended to prioritize people with long durations of homelessness. Staff said they will work with the Cambridge Housing Authority on program design and use CCAN for prioritization. They estimated some vouchers could be available by late summer for people on the coordinated-entry list, while mixed-status household planning and possible earlier allocation for certain households could be addressed in a coming report to the council.

Public commentary and council concerns
Public commenters — including housing advocates and service providers — repeatedly urged faster timelines and clarity about how to reach people at imminent risk. Several speakers asked whether vouchers could be distributed sooner to people exiting the Transitional Wellness Center; staff said Bay Cove had assured bed availability and that vouchers for the TWC population would require more time to implement. Speakers also expressed concern about potential HUD changes to vouchers for mixed-status families; staff said they are planning to provide municipal vouchers as a contingency and will return with an implementation plan.

Why it matters
Cambridge’s actions reflect a city-level effort to shield locally delivered social services from rapid federal policy shifts and to create a short-term local backstop for homelessness and housing programs. The $5 million stabilization fund and municipal vouchers are tactical responses intended to maintain services while legal and legislative outcomes unfold at the state and federal levels.

Ending note
Councilors said they expect follow-up reports and specific allocation criteria for the stabilization fund. Staff committed to returning with implementation details and timelines in the coming weeks. For people seeking help now, staff said to contact the Multi-Service Center or the coordinated-entry access point for screening and referral.

","The Cambridge City Council adopted a nearly $979 million general fund budget for fiscal 2026, approved a $1 million amendment to create 25 municipal supportive-housing vouchers and established a $5 million federal grant stabilization fund, while passing multiple capital loan orders for parks, schools and infrastructure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Neighbors split over opening Wesley Avenue to Linear Park; council pauses action for more review

Public urges Cambridge council to tighten 'welcoming community' ordinance to limit local assistance to ICE; council pauses for review

Cambridge Council approves FY26 budget, creates $5M federal stabilization fund and adds municipal vouchers amid federal funding uncertainty