Cambridge Police warn of social networking, e-mail fraud
The following is a neighborhood alert from the Cambridge Police Department:
The Cambridge Police Department Electronic Crime Unit has recently seen an increase in the number of fraud incidents involving popular social networking Web sites (Facebook, MySpace) and e-mail accounts concerning a “friend” stating that they had been robbed in London. A suspect will gain control of a person’s account and instant message or e-mail that person’s contact list. This person will inform the victim that they had been robbed and are stranded overseas. The person then requests that money is wired to them via Western Union or MoneyGram. The Electronic Crime Unit is actively investigating reported incidents. Before sending money via wire, make sure you verify the identity of a friend who makes this request. Protect your own online account by routinely changing your passwords and using numbers, letters and symbols in your passwords.
Questions can be directed to the Cambridge Police Electronic Crime Unit at 617-349-9307
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Cambridge Recycling – January Update
Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!
In this issue:
- Recycle Phonebooks!
- Use a 32gal Trash Can for Recycling Containers
- March 8: Worm Composting Workshop
- April 24: Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Recycle Phonebooks!
Delivery of 2010 phone books has begun! Recycle old and any unneeded new ones. Just remove the plastic wrap or bag. Place phonebooks with mixed paper on collection day. Place paper in a paper, a separate bin or in a paper “toter” on wheels.
If every Cambridge household recycles an old phone book or a new one that is not needed, we could keep about 225,000 pounds of paper out of the trash. That’s almost 2000 trees! We are aware of two website to visit to stop receiving yellow page directories: Yellow Pages Association and Yellow Pages Goes Green. To learn more about efforts to curb phone book waste, visit the Product Stewardship Institute.
Convert a 32gal Trash Can for Recycling Containers
Did you know that Cambridge residents may convert any 32-gallon trash can into a recycling bin for glass, metal and plastic containers? Similar to the yard waste program, we can provide a recycling sticker for your barrel. Just face the stickers to the street when using it for recycling. Call 617.349.4800 to order stickers.
Worm Composting Workshop
When: March 8 at 6pm
Where: Harvest Coop, 531 Mass Ave (Central Square)
Are you an apartment dweller wishing for some backyard space to compost? Don't worry, you can compost indoors and start any time of the year! In this workshop, you will learn how to use worms to turn your garbage into "black" gold from Cambridge's Recycling Director, Randi Mail. For the past several years, Randi has composted food scraps in two 10-gallon plastic containers, making nourishing soil and compost tea for her houseplants.
April 24 Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection
2010 dates for HHW collections are: April 24, June 19 and October TBD. All are a Saturday, from 9am-1pm at 450 Concord Ave. Cambridge residents only.
Never pour hazardous products down catch basins, drains or place in the trash. Hazardous waste must be brought a collection event, proof of residency required. Materials accepted include:
- Batteries (Vehicle & Non-alkaline)**
- Chemicals
- Car Tires (Limit of 4)
- Fluorescent Bulbs (Accepted at local hardware stores.)
- Fuels, Motor Oil & Antifreeze
- Mercury Items (Thermometers & Thermostats)
- Paints (Oil & Latex. Dried out latex paint is OK for trash pickup, lids off.)
- Propane Tanks (20lbs or less.)
The Recycling Center accepts these hazardous items: fluorescent bulbs, non-alkaline batteries, motor oil and mercury items. We are located near Inman Square at 147 Hampshire St in the rear of the Public Works yard. Open hours: Tues/Thurs 4pm-7:30pm & Sat 9am-4pm. Proof of residency required upon request.
If you cannot make an upcoming collection or are moving before then, we suggest:
- Ask a neighbor to bring your items to the collection
- Clean Harbors at 1 Hill Ave in Braintree, (781) 380-7100.
For $2.50 per pound, they accept HHW from residents on Saturdays from May 1 - October 31 from 8am-12 noon. No fire extinguishers or propane tanks. - Minuteman Hazardous Waste Facility at 60 Hartwell Avenue in Lexington, website
2010 collection days have not yet been posted. 2009 fees were: $35 for 12 gal or less, $60 for 12-25 gal and $60+ for more than 25 gal.
** Alkaline batteries made in the USA after 1994 do not contain mercury and are safe to dispose with trash. Duracell and Energizer stopped using mercury in 1984. Batteries with a green tree logo or the words “no added mercury” or “zero mercury added” are also safe to dispose with the trash.
Ms. Randi Mail
Director of Recycling
Cambridge Dept of Public Works
147 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/recycle
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Cambridge Review Committee
Passing on the following note from John Kosko:
Neighbors of Cambridge Highlands,
In the aftermath of the much discussed July incident involving a Cambridge police Sgt. and a Harvard professor, the heralded "Beer Summit" and subsequent national and international commentary, the City has put together a working Committee to review and report on both the incident & its consequences, as well as potential future actions that could be taken as a result of lessons learned.
I have been fortunate to have been serving as one of the twelve members of that Committee, and would welcome the opportunity to meet with, or hear from any residents who would like to contribute their opinions, thoughts or feedback on the issues raised.
If possible, perhaps a Cambridge Highlands Neighborhood meeting could be arranged over the next few weeks if there seemed to be enough interest in a group discussion. Individually, please feel free to contact me with any thoughts on the matter. In any case, I would be glad to share some of the Committee's work to date. There are also planned a pair of open, informal, city-wide meetings/forums where citizens from across the City could voice their opinions. (Tentatively, January 27th & 28th at the Main Library - Times TBA)
Hope the New Year finds everyone well. Thanks.
John Kosko
16 Griswold Street
(617)448-5363(cell)
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Winter is here, a reminder about snow removal
Property Owners Must Clear Sidewalks
Property owners are required by City Ordinance to remove snow from sidewalks next to their property or business within 12 hours of daytime snowfall and before 1 p.m. when it has fallen overnight. They must also remove or melt all ice within 6 hours of the time it forms.
There is a $50 fine for each day of non-compliance. If you are away, it is still your responsibility to ensure that someone clears sidewalks next to your property. Remember to:
- Shovel your sidewalk on all sides of your property, down to bare pavement
- Make the path wide enough for someone using wheelchair, walker or stroller (at least 3 feet, preferably 4 feet).
- When digging out your car, think about how you pile snow: don’t create new problems in the street or sidewalk.
- Clear ramps at corners and crosswalks
- Chop or melt all ice
- Keep street drains clear of snow
- Consider helping neighbors who may have difficulty clearing their walk.
- Clear snow around any Fire Hydrants near your house.
If you are disabled and/or elderly and qualify as a low-income resident, you may be eligible for an exemption. Call the Cambridge Council on Aging, 617-349-6220 (voice) or 617-349-6050 (TTY) to learn more.
For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/snow.
A new feature on this site will allow you to report unsafe sidewalks.
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Last week for Cambridge leaf collection Dec. 14-18
The last week for separate curbside collection of leaves and yard waste by the city will be Dec. 14-18. Separate yard waste collection will resume April 5, 2010.
Yard waste in plastic bags is not accepted during yard waste season April-December. Recycle leaves, grass and small twigs and branches (no more than 1 inch in diameter or 3 feet in length). Place in paper yard waste bags, not stapled or taped, OR barrels with City “Yard Waste ONLY” stickers, facing the street. Bundle thick tree limbs 3 feet by 3 feet. Place at the curb by 7am on your collection day or after 6pm the night before.
If your recycling or yard waste was missed and is properly prepared, call 617-349-4800 by noon the next day. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/departments/recycle/yardwaste.html#.
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Housing Committee Meeting on Decmeber 8, 2009
Please be advised that Vice Mayor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Housing Committee, has scheduled a public meeting of the committee for Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber, 2nd floor, Cambridge City Hall.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the following issues regarding the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA):
- Multi-million dollar renovation of CHA sites
- Vacancy on CHA Board
- Potential changing of status of CHA units from being state-funded to being federally funded.
Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
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Cambridge Climate Emergency Congress – invitation to participate
Mayor Simmons has issued an invitation to the public to participate in the Climate Emergency Congress scheduled for December 12 and January 23. See her letter at http://www.cambridgema.gov/deptann.cfm?story_id=2420. Interested people can sign up online. Delegates to the congress will be selected. The deadline to sign up is this Friday, December 4th.
They are looking for 100 people to sign up for an innovative Climate Congress in December. In particular they are looking for Cambridge people who think the climate issues don’t concern them. This issue is really about public health and air quality, cost of energy, future of the planet, health of our children, good paying jobs and our responsibility to use nature’s resources responsively. These issues matter to us all.
Please pass this on freely to friends, people in your neighborhood, your work networks, your email networks and other places.
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