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December 6, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

5 News Notes Cambridge

City of Cambridge Seeks Members for Volunteer Boards and Commissions

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The City of Cambridge is still accepting applications from residents interested in contributing to the city’s growth and governance by serving on various boards and commissions. 

Opportunities for civic engagement include:

The Mayor’s Accessibility Committee

This recently formed committee provides recommendations to the mayor and commissioners on improving accessibility of the communications platforms (website, social media, etc.) and city facilities for individuals with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency. Members must be residents of the city.

Historic Preservation Committee

The Historic Preservation Committee reviews and approves all proposed changes, including new construction, on the exterior of any property in the designated historic district. Appointees must possess professional or academic qualifications or have demonstrated a special interest in historic preservation through training, education, employment, experience, or membership in a related organization. This committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

Ethics Commission

This commission addresses issues raised under the Cambridge Ethics Code. There are three members and one alternate. It meets as needed to hear and decide complaints filed by individuals against a city official or a member of city staff that asserts a violation of the city ethics code. The Commission also provides Advisory Opinions.

Board of Appeals

The Board of Appeals reviews applications from property owners who are challenging a ruling by the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission. The Board reviews the applications and the appropriate governing zoning code or guidelines to make a determination. This Board meets as needed based on the flow of applications.

“The City of Cambridge thrives on citizen participation,” city officials said. “Join a board or commission and be part of the process.”

Citizens may also submit a letter of interest and resume to the City Manager’s Office via email at [email protected] or deliver it in person to City Hall/City Manager’s Office Attn: Boards and Commissions.

The application form will allow you to select all committees in which you are interested in joining. The City of Cambridge will be accepting applications until September 12, 2025.

More details can be found on the City’s website, on the Boards and Commissions pages. Other Boards and Committees may have upcoming vacancies.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by completing the application form available on the City’s website.

 

 

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Make Your Voice Heard at Upcoming ‘Make Cambridge Resilient’ Public Meetings

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Cambridge faces chronic flooding driven by sea-level rise, storm surge, and aging infrastructure that threaten homes, businesses, and the city’s waterfront economy.

Two “Make Cambridge Resilient” public meetings are scheduled for Thursday, September 4, and Tuesday, September 9 to discuss the latest flood mitigation efforts in Dorchester County.

The first meeting, on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at 305 Gay Street in Cambridge, will focus on the Flood Mitigation Project in the Long Wharf Park area, a request made by community members at a previous public meeting specific to the Gerry Boyle Park area.

A second meeting on September 9 at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the Dorchester County Public Library, Cambridge Branch, will be focused on the Flood Mitigation Project 30 Percent Design. Feedback from previous meetings held on the preliminary alignment have been integrated into the design. In addition to a presentation by the Resilience team, Dr. Kenny Rose of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, will discuss habitat opportunities for habitat enhancement.

Project Director and flood mitigation expert Larry White said he and his Resilience team are excited to resume the community outreach and support for the Make Cambridge Resilient initiative.  In terms of the nature-based shoreline and stormwater flood risk reduction project, the grant award for Phase 1 – Design was executed in September 2024. 

In addition to city staff, the project team includes BayLand Consultants and Designers Inc. for engineering support and Smith Planning and Design LLC for stakeholder coordination and public outreach.

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Dorchester Center for the Arts’ ‘Fiber of Life’ exhibit opens Thursday

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“Paco” Loza and his work.

Dorchester Center for the Arts is excited to present their new exhibition The Fiber of Life, which features the original work of Mexican-born artist Francisco “Paco” Loza. Twenty-five pieces of his intricate art will be on display next to works by a group of fiber artists based in the greater DMV area. The exhibit is DCA’s main offering for September and October.

Baltimore-based Loza, a self-taught artist with over two decades of experience, honors his Mexican heritage through the technique of Arte de Estambre, or Pressed Yarn Art.

Working on wood surfaces that he covers with two types of wax, Loza shapes, cuts, and presses multi-colored yarn, thread by thread, into vibrant and intricate works that also include beaded pieces. Some of his productions are uniquely three-dimensional in depth and perspective.

Loza invites people to gain a more nuanced understanding of Mexico’s culture, traditions, and forms of artistic expression.

His art also reflects his interpretations of the environment, immigration, spirituality, the contemporary, and the abstract. Go to his website to view his work.

He has exhibited and led interactive workshops in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, at museums, cultural centers, universities, Rehoboth Art League, and Washington DC’s Mexican Embassy. Speaking of workshops, Loza will be teaching his original Pressed Yarn technique on Sept. 13 from 10am to Noon at the DCA. You can get more information and register here.

The Fiber of Life intertwines Loza’s extraordinary artwork with fiber artists from different backgrounds. Their artwork reflects stories that explore themes from race and gender, family and cultural heritage, as well as their identity as an artist. The selected artists for the group exhibit are inspired by Loza’s approach to storytelling via the medium of yarn or fiber art.

The exhibition opens on Sept. 4 and runs through Oct. 29. There will be Second Saturday Artists Receptions on Sept. 9 and Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m. Dorchester Center for the Arts is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 11-5, except Second Saturday when it’s 11-8. Tuesdays and Thursdays, they’re open 12-8. The address is 321 High Street in Cambridge.

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Cambridge Time Machine: Paying a visit to Rose Hill

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Rose Hill is a simplified Queen Anne style structure that was built on a 100-acre tract of farmland by W. Wilson Byrn, first president of the Dorchester and Delaware Railroad Company (incorporated in 1866).

Byrn took an interest in landscaping and planted trees on the property, including a peach orchard. The next two owners, John Hurst and his son J. Howard Hurst, planted large patches of fruits and vegetables.

Around 1918, the house was practically destroyed by fire, except for the west room. It was quickly renovated and sold to Daniel Wright. Under the later ownership of

R. Lee Perkins, it underwent more renovations. In recent times, an addition was built on the west side. The house is now a medical facility.

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Cambridge Time Machine: Getting legal advice at Brown’s house

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Constructed as a law office in 1790, the rear part of 202 High Street was conveyed by Ambassador William Vans Murray to his brother, Dr. John Murray, in 1797. Judge James A. Stewart acquired the property around 1848, and it was significantly added to.

In the early 20th century, prominent local architect (and twice mayor of Cambridge) J. Benjamin Brown bought the building and converted the top floor into a residence, keeping the first floor as his office. Later, it was the headquarters of the Cambridge Yacht Club Woman’s Auxiliary.

In 2008, the structure was the victim of arson, requiring the efforts of more than 100 firefighters and causing over $500,000 in damage. It is currently being renovated.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.