Screening committee votes to enter executive session to interview city clerk applicants

The Cambridge City clerk's preliminary screening committee voted 5-0 to move into executive session to review and interview applicants for the city clerk position, the committee chair said.

The chair told members the committee would go into executive session because "doing so in open session would have a detrimental effect on obtaining qualified applicants." The chair also said the committee would adjourn in executive session and not return to open session. There will be no public comment; written communications may be sent to the city clerk's office at cityclerkcambridgema.gov.

The clerk conducted a roll call before the vote. Those recorded present included Vice Mayor McGovern, Melissa Peters, Councilor Sabrina Wheeler, Mayor Simmons and Megan Bair; Risha Catchings and Matt Nelson were recorded absent. On a motion by Vice Mayor McGovern to enter executive session, the clerk called the roll and five members voted yes, carrying the motion.

The Chair cited Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, adopted by the Massachusetts General Court and approved by the governor, as authorizing remote participation by the Cambridge City Council and its committees. The committee did not take any public testimony and gave no further public timeline for returning to open session.

The meeting adjourned into executive session. No additional action was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.