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This Executive Summary, in response to City Council requests, summarizes information contained in the City Manager’s recommendations for the required votes by the City Council to establish the FY24 residential and commercial tax rates by the Board of Assessors and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Responsible and responsive fiscal policies and practices are key to addressing the challenge of balancing expansion and investment in new programs and initiatives, while also minimizing the impact of increases on taxpayers.

This Executive Summary, in response to City Council requests, summarizes information contained in the City Manager’s recommendations for the required votes by the City Council to establish the FY25 residential and commercial tax rates by the Board of Assessors and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Responsible and responsive fiscal policies and practices are key to addressing the challenge of balancing expansion and investment in new programs and initiatives, while also minimizing the impact of increases on taxpayers.

Join us in Joan Lorentz Park (outside the Main Library) for a Summer Kickoff Party for all ages! Enjoy a live concert with award-winning, GRAMMY nominated folk musician Alastair Moock and friends! Take home a tiny blossom kit and enjoy ice-cream (while supplies last). You can also register for Summer Reading, pick up a bingo board and learn more about special events happening across branches all summer long. The Department of Public Works Recycling/Composting, Community Gardens, and Office of Sustainability departments will join us to celebrate summer and the natural world.

This program will happen outdoors at Donnelly Field. In case of inclement weather, it will occur in the gym at King Open School. Put on your dancing shoes for an unforgettable workshop of hula hoop magic with Kat Suwalski! You will learn basic hooping moves while increasing hand-eye coordination, strength, balance, and agility. No prior hooping experience is required. Hoops are provided. Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The City of Cambridge is proud to announce the release of the Cemetery Master Plan, a comprehensive vision designed to extend the active operations of the Cambridge Cemetery while transforming it into a landscape and cultural resource with broad community appeal. Developed collaboratively by the Cambridge Cemetery and Department of Public Works staff, along with the Cambridge Cemetery Advisory Board, this plan represents the collective input of Cambridge residents, including former City officials, pastors, funeral home directors, and other community representatives. The Cemetery Master Plan outlines a series of strategic recommendations organized under three key goals and guiding principles.

Experience the joy of Hip Hop Xpression with Jarell Howard Rochelle in this fun, high-energy program for kids and teens. Participants will learn simple choreography, explore freestyle movement, and be introduced to authentic hip hop terminology and culture. This interactive class emphasizes connection, creativity, and self-expression, while celebrating the spirit of hip-hop. No prior dance experience is needed — just come ready to move, laugh, and have fun together. Families and youth of all ages are welcome. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Experience the joy of Hip Hop Xpression with Jarell Howard Rochelle in this fun, high-energy program for kids and teens. Participants will learn simple choreography, explore freestyle movement, and be introduced to authentic hip hop terminology and culture. This interactive class emphasizes connection, creativity, and self-expression, while celebrating the spirit of hip-hop. No prior dance experience is needed — just come ready to move, laugh, and have fun together. Families and youth of all ages are welcome. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Join us for a collaborative experience where families build and battle robots together. This event is recommended for children ages 7 and up and their families. This program can accommodate 16 families. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Join us for a simple discussion on the life cycle of a plant, then make some seed art to take home! Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 50 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

This program shows how owls use their specialized powers of sight, hearing and flight to survive and thrive. A wealth of fact and folklore about these masters of the night explains the natural and unnatural history of owls. A variety of live North American owls provides the focus of this presentation. Recommended for children ages 6 and up and their caregivers. Space is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals once the program begins. Thank you for understanding! Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.