Special Committee of the Whole on Charter Review
Formed at the council's request in POR 2024 #103 (August 5, 2024) to take up the Charter Review Committee's recommendations. It met five times between December 9, 2024 and March 28, 2025; the council adopted its motions in POR 2025 #35 (March 17) and again in POR 2025 #55 (April 14), then petitioned the General Court for a new charter in POR 2025 #57. That petition became the charter Cambridge voters approved on November 4, 2025. This committee has concluded its work.
The whole council sitting as a special committee — nine members, formed for the charter review and dissolved with it. Not one of the standing committees. Charge per the POR 2024 #103, as adopted August 5, 2024.
What it takes up
- To discuss the Charter Review Committee's recommendations and plan the process moving forward;
- To take votes in committee on proposed charter changes, including the method of selecting the Mayor, and report them to the City Council for adoption.
Members 2024–25
E. Denise SimmonsMayor
Marc McGovernVice Mayor
Burhan AzeemMember
Patty NolanMember
Sumbul SiddiquiMember
Jivan Sobrinho-WheelerMember
Paul F. TonerMember
Ayesha M. WilsonMember
Cathie ZusyMemberMembership per the council roster seated for the 2024–25 term · the council's last referral to it reads “REFERRED TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/CHARTER REVIEW IN COUNCIL MARCH 17, 2025” · sources & meeting inventory