Cambridge mayor proposes amendments reinforcing city oversight
Cambridge Mayor Steve Rideout took steps to assert city oversight into Cambridge Harbor activities with the introduction of amended articles of incorporation for Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI).
Under the revisions, the Mayor of Cambridge would be designated as the nonprofit CWDI’s sole member.
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Cambridge mayor proposes amendments reinforcing city oversight
By CAMBRIDGE - Cambridge Mayor Steve Rideout took steps to assert city oversight into Cambridge Harbor activities with the introduction of amended articles of incorporation for Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI).
Under the revisions, the Mayor of Cambridge would be designated as the nonprofit CWDI’s sole member.
“The role of the mayor as sole member emphasizes the critical and foundational role of the City of Cambridge in establishing CWDI,” Rideout said.
The statement, issued during a well-attended public City Hall meeting April 16, was posted, with redlined copies of the proposed amendment revisions, on the city’s website at choosecambridge.com.
Rideout specified that a key component of the proposed amendments included the provision that if the office of mayor is ever vacant, as it was in 2022, City Council President would become acting sole member to maintain continuity of the city’s primary role.
“In 2022, when the Mayor position was vacant, the (CWDI) Board of Directors amended the articles of incorporation. The proposed amendment makes it clear that the Board of Directors will always be responsive to the sole member of the corporation, the City of Cambridge as represented by its Mayor or, in the event of a vacancy, the President of the Commissioners,” Rideout said.
“The work of CWDI involves assets paid for public funds and public mission on behalf of the City. Accordingly, CWDI must be accountable to (elected) public officials and the public. Given the differences of opinion that have developed between the City and CWDI, having CDWI board become the sole member in the future is not acceptable,” Rideout said.
The proposed amendment also makes clear that the sole member has “the right to attend all CWDI meetings, open or closed, and inspect all records of CWDI,” Rideout said.
“CWDI can, should they embrace the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, regain the complete confidence of the City of Cambridge. Working in partnership, we can advance the project,” Rideout said.
“I encourage the public to read the amendments and let me know your views prior to my taking further action,” Rideout said.
