Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process for a variety of topics.

The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, Public Planting Committee, and Traffic Board. The deadline to apply for each vacancy is Monday, May 18.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/Apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board (Application Deadline: May 18)

The CCPD Advisory Board works to increase access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for people with disabilities. The Commission raises awareness about disability issues and promotes equal opportunities for people with a range of abilities, including physical, mental, and sensory. CCPD also provides information, referrals, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals and their families, employers, public agencies, businesses and private non-profit organizations. CCPD Advisory Board members work with other board members and office staff to carry out the CCPD Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.96).

The CCPD Advisory Board, which has 11 members who serve as volunteers for three-year terms, currently meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Members must attend monthly meetings and also take part in Working Groups and work on projects as needed.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact  CCPD@cambridgema.gov, call 617-349-4692 (voice), or 711 (relay).

Public Planting Committee (Application Deadline: May 18)

This Committee is charged with the responsibility of promoting and improving the quality and diversity of plantings throughout all areas of Cambridge. This includes reviewing planting plans for new public work in the city; advising the city on effective maintenance of public plantings; supporting the role of the Urban Forestry Division of the Cambridge Public Works Department; and encouraging interest in public plantings in all neighborhoods.

The length of the term is 2 years. The Committee holds a hybrid meeting where members and the public have the option to either attend in person or virtually on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. Candidates should be Cambridge residents who have an interest in urban forestry and landscape issues, and, ideally, experience in horticulture.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact David Lefcourt at dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov.

Traffic Board (Application Deadline: May 18)

The Traffic Board hears petitions brought before it regarding the adoption, alteration, or repeal of rules and regulations relating to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the City’s streets and the movement, stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles on, and their exclusion from, streets, ways, highways, roads, and parkways under the control of the City. The Traffic Board also provides advice and consultation to the City’s Traffic Director. The board members ideally will bring a range of experience within the Cambridge community and professionally to their new roles.

The length of the term is 3 years. Meetings will be held in person. Ideally, prospective Board members will care how the City’s streets operate and bring a range of experience within the Cambridge community and professionally to their roles. Cambridge residents are preferred.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Jeff Parenti at jparenti@cambridgema.gov.

All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Members should be Cambridge residents representing different disabilities, diverse cultures and races, and all areas of Cambridge.