Folks like Cambridge Mayor Lajan Cephas asked the council to reconsider a plan to remove a tax differential on county properties. Robert Aaron and Michelle Bourque offered warnings about possible housing cost hikes. Sharon Smith asked the council for more transparency, including about its budget, the published version of which is scant on details compared with other local governments.
Mary Ann Benson accused the council of potentially fraudulent activity, and Cambridge City Council president Sputty Cephas told the commissioners straight out that they looked like “they could care less” about what was being said. There was occasional tension in the air, such as when former Cambridge Mayor Cleveland Rippons harangued the council members, as well as frequent applause from the audience.
A common theme among the speakers was the hope that the county commissioners would reflect on what was said and consider their actions carefully.
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