Government Central
Legislative Affairs Update by Terrence F. Smith
Sheriff Koutoujian Addresses GAC
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian addressed the May GAC meeting. He discussed his experiences in both the State legislature and since taking office in January. One of the most important things he has learned is that those who are in jail will be coming out of jail. The average time served in the Middlesex House of Correction (MHC) is 2.5 years.
The Sheriff’s office ensures that those who are being held are secured throughout the process, whether incarcerated or out on bail. It also works to reduce recidivism and he discussed the importance of services to help those in the system come out with the ability to have their foot on the bottom of the employment ladder.
Inmates can take courses toward their GED and the Sheriff’s Office offers some vocational training. Eleven inmates recently completed a culinary arts program, receiving basic skills to work in food service. MHC offers a Digital Arts program that both provides training to inmates and allows the Sheriff’s Office to save money by producing much of its printed material in-house. The MHC is developing other vocational programs including a program to provide certification for custodial and janitorial services.
He also discussed a work release program that allows inmates to work outside of the jail while completing their sentence. The Federal government provides employers with tax benefits for hiring inmates on work release. This, and other programs, rely on careful screening of inmates prior to and while they are in the program. He also provided information about the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy, a free one week program for 9 to 12 year olds. Information and application materials are available at
www.middlesexsheriff.org/YPSA.html.
Chamber Members Sweep 2011 GoGreen Business Awards
The 2011 GoGreen Business Awards were presented in late May at SwissNex, the Swiss Consulate. Every recipient was a CCC member. A list of awardees is available at
www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/newsandevents/news/2011/03/gogreennominations.aspx. Information on the GoGreen Business Awards program is available at
www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/et/ggm/index.html.
License Commission Hearing on Employment Status of Hotel Staff
In late April, the License Commission held a public hearing to receive comment relative to the public health, safety and welfare of hotel guests, as such may be affected by the employment status of workers providing services for such guests. The CCC and members of the hotel industry provided testimony that there have been no complaints filed with the City from guests regarding public health, safety or welfare issues related to employment status. The matter remains in the License Commission and the Commission has kept the record open for additional comments. Chamber members are encouraged to send a letter expressing their support of the Cambridge Hospitality industry to the Cambridge License Commission at 831 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Zoning Matters
In June, the Council adopted the Novartis petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance to create a new Special District 15 along a portion of Massachusetts Avenue between Albany Street and Windsor Street. This action allows Novartis to move forward on development of a campus on this site. The CCC strongly supported this petition and thanks the Council for adopting the change on a 9-0 vote.
In May, the Council received a petition from MIT to rezone a 26-acre parcel in Kendall Square. MIT provides information on this proposal at
www.kendallsquareinitiative.org.
In June, Forest City announced that it was withdrawing its petition to rezone an area along Massachusetts Avenue. In a related matter the Kendall Square/Central Square Planning Study is in progress. Information on this process is available at
www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/cp/zng/k2c2/index.html.
Budget Approved
In late May, the Council approved the $472 million budget submitted by the City Manager in April. The budget is increased by 1.75% from the 2011 fiscal year. An increase of 11.8% in costs for employee health insurance and a 5.5% increase in employee pension costs are the major factors in the increase. The budget maintains City and school services and supports the City Council goals. The budget will require an increase in the tax levy. Taxes fund 71% of the operating budget. The property tax impact will be known in the fall, following City Council approval of the tax rate.
Executive Speaker
The Government Affairs Committee will hold an Executive Speaker Luncheon featuring the state’s new Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Currently the General Manager of the MBTA, Davey will assume the position of Secretary of Transportation on September 1. Be one of the first to hear from him. See page three for more information about this event or register now at
www.cambridgechamber.org/chamber/viewevent.html?id=310.
Thank you to Genzyme Corporation for sponsoring the 2011 Government Affairs Committee programming. For more information on GAC activities, contact Director of Government Affairs Terrence Smith at
tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or (617) 876-4213. ccc
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