Ward realignment listening session is Oct. 12
CAMBRIDGE – The City of Cambridge has announced a public listening session for the proposed changes to the City’s election ward boundaries to reflect the population changes from the last …
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Ward realignment listening session is Oct. 12
CAMBRIDGE – The City of Cambridge has announced a public listening session for the proposed changes to the City’s election ward boundaries to reflect the population changes from the last census. The session will be on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 305 Gay St.
Every 10 years, the city is required to evaluate how the population has changed and determine whether each ward is within a 5% tolerance of the “ideal” population. The “ideal” population is determined by dividing the City’s total population by the number of wards, in this case 5. The 2020 census shows the city has grown to 13,096 which means each ward should be within 5% of 2,619.
A Ward Realignment Committee was appointed by the City Council in late August. Since then, they have met weekly to consider changes to bring the wards within the tolerance threshold.
On Sept. 25, the committee chair and vice chair presented the committee’s recommendation for how to adjust the boundary lines. The committee applied the standard practices of having contiguous and compact wards.
The proposed changes impact less than 3% of the City’s population and consist of moving four areas between wards as follows:
- The area bounded by Locust Street, Oakley Street, Park Lane, and Willis Street would move from Ward 1 to Ward 3.
- The area bounded by Robbins Street, Mace’s Lane, Bradley Avenue and High Street would move from Ward 2 to Ward 4.
- The area bounded by Virginia Avenue, Peachblossom Avenue, Washington Street, Front Street, Brohawn Avenue, and Perimore Street would move from Ward 3 to Ward 5.
- The area bounded by Washington Street, Peachblossom Avenue, Boundary Avenue, and Front Street would move from Ward 4 to Ward 5.
A map of the proposed changes will be posted in the lobby of City Hall, on the City’s website, and available at the listening session on Oct. 12.
The City Council may begin to consider these ward boundary adjustments at the October 23rd City Council meeting. The changes will require a City Charter amendment which must be made prior to the 2024 Elections.
