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Over the course of the last year plus, I have worked hard to balance the many voices in our diverse community, find consensus within the City Council and follow their direction, and bring forward the professional experience and expertise of City department leaders and staff.

This month's selection: How I Won a Nobel Prize by Julius Taranto. While Collins is closed for construction, this book group will meet virtually and in person at the Boudreau Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Print copies are available at the Boudreau Branch during library hours. For more information, contact Jo Percell (they/them) at jpercell@cambridgema.gov

March Selection: What Can I Bring? by Casey Elsass. Join friends and neighbors for a potluck! Try a recipe and bring your results or thoughts to share and discuss with other cooks. All experience levels welcome. No need to bring a dish to join. Books will be available for pick up at the Boudreau and Collins Branches during library hours. This event will take place indoors at the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave). For more information contact Liz at edanner@cambridgema.gov or call the Collins Branch at 617-349-4021.

Throughout this Public Health crisis, I have worked closely with the City’s Public Health team to ensure that we are making the most informed decisions possible to protect the health and welfare of the entire Cambridge community. As part of that effort, we have been working to identify options to care for our homeless community or those unable to safely isolate or quarantine at their residence during this time.

The Budget process for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) began in the fall of 2022. This was the first Budget that I have prepared for the City of Cambridge since becoming City Manager. It was an amazing honor to lead that process, and much success is owed to the dedicated city leaders, teams, and staff members, who work incredibly hard everyday to maintain and build a stronger, more equitable and thriving City.

You’re invited to our September Brewery Book Club, where Lamplighter and the Cambridge Public Library team up to highlight contemporary works from marginalized voices while having a beer. We meet at Lamplighter Brewing Co., 284 Broadway, in the back taproom. This month we’ll read I Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo Chong. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Q&A Desk. The e-book and digital audiobook can be borrowed through the Libby app. We’ll gather in the Lamplighter back taproom to discuss the book, what we learned from it, what we found ourselves touched by, and all other thoughts. Registration is encouraged but not required. Register here.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Governor Charlie Baker announced these changes at a time where public health data has indicated that cases are rising, with cases up by 278% and hospitalizations up by 145% since Labor Day. These measures are meant to disrupt rising trends now, so the Commonwealth can keep the economy and schools open for residents and to prevent the need to roll back to Phase I or Phase II of the reopening plan.

On May 1, 2023, the City Manager submitted the proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), as well as the proposed FY24-FY28 Operating and Capital Plans. The Operating Budget of $881,757,885 represents an increase of $80,306,015 or 10% over the FY23 Adopted Budget. The proposed Capital Budget is $185,206,905. The public is encouraged to review the budget document, which includes Consolidated Spending information across departments on key priority areas; City Council Goals; Key Initiatives for FY24 (Section I); narratives for each Department (Section V); and FY24 Capital projects (Section VI). There will be public hearings on the FY24 Budget at the City Council Finance Committee on Tuesday, May 9 at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. (School Department), and Tuesday, May 16 at 10 a.m.

Join us for a fascinating trip to the Titanic: The Exhibition in Boston! Step back in time with real artifacts, recreated ship interiors, and personal stories of passengers.

Learn to fix your broken household items, such as electronics, appliances, clothing, and toys etc. at the Fixit Clinic. Volunteer Fixit coaches will review, take apart, and assist in repair attempts. Gain the confidence and knowledge to make repairs and teach others to do the same. This event takes place in The Hive, located on L1 of the Main Library. Open to all ages, registration is required. This event is brought to you by the Cambridge Public Library, The Cambridge Department of Public Works, and Fixit Clinic. Register to participate: bit.ly/itemcheckin Volunteer to be a coach: bit.ly/inpersoncoachsignup