By Dave Ryan

CAMBRIDGE – In a special meeting Jan. 31, members of the Cambridge City Council decided to begin studying the possibility of eliminating the post of mayor. The commissioners voted unanimously to direct the city attorney to compose a draft document which, after council review, could be crafted into a resolution to move forward with a change to the city charter.

At that point, the resolution will be presented to the public in regular session, with opportunities for citizens’ input.

The change, if eventually approved, would have the council president assume the duties of mayor, including as liaison with other governmental bodies, and as the public representative of the town. The current council president is Lajan Cephas.

Former mayor Andrew Bradshaw resigned on Jan. 10, after being charged with multiple violations involving the posting online of intimate photos of a former girlfriend.

Word of the impending discussion began circulating on social media prior to the Jan. 31 meeting. Citizen Robbie Larimer posted a comment critical of the move, saying in part, “We the citizens and community members are trying to have this town become a bigger, better place to live and work but at the same time our local elected officials are trying to remove the position that is the ambassador to our city? What city does not have a mayor?...I urge you to call, email, make your voices heard to yours and all city council people today and tomorrow, as well as show up in-person or phone in to the special meeting and let them know that this is not something you want and you don’t appreciate them trying to be do behind your backs.”

Commissioners voted unanimously not to allow public comment at the meeting, though they did address some of the concerns they had heard.

Commissioner Brian Roche said, “I just want to clarify, too, that for anyone who thinks it’s some kind of conspiracy or power heist, it’s not.” The issue, he said, involves what the commissioners were elected to do, which is to “move the ball forward.”

Commissioner Chad Malkus said tensions had developed in the past between mayors and city managers, which could be alleviated by changing the way Cambridge is run.

The public, Mr. Roche said, has also been confused regarding the role and powers of the chief executive under Cambridge’s “weak mayor” system. The mayor has little direct power under the current charter, while the city manager is the person implementing the directions of the city council.

The proposal will be presented to the public at a future meeting, if the council members continue to pursue amending the city charter. Otherwise, under the current charter, an election needs to be held for a new mayor, as that post remains vacant.

“We need to make the decision as soon as possible,” Commission President Cephas said.

The council’s entire discussion can be viewed at townhallstreams.com.