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Environmental Issues Responses - Vincent Lawrence Dixon - Candidate For Cambridge City Council.

 

Over time, I may add additional materials, and notes.

 

1.) Yes, on a careful incremental implementation basis.

 

2.) Yes, on a careful incremental implementation basis.

 

3.) Yes, as long as these are not the only requirements established, and that these standards permit other areas accessible to, and welcoming of non-residents, with suitable additional, flexible, and adjustable options.

 

4.) Yes, again, as long as there is reasonable flexibility, and adjustability of standards,

 

5.) Yes, possibly taking into account the five-hundred year flood plain as well.

 

6.) Yes, but I prefer that there be a Secretary of the Environment, in a City Cabinet, as described in THE NEW MODEL CHARTER.

 

7.) Yes, with preference for distinctly permeable surfaces.

 

8.) Yes, as long as limited athletic facilities primarily for rest rooms, and showers, are permitted under limited Waiver Provisions. 

9.) Yes, on a provisional basis, preferring a somewhat different approach.

10.) Yes, as long as there is some sufficient flexibility in the standards. 

11.) Yes, the current noise ordinance must be enforced. Yes, not only noise level restrictions on lawn, and landscaping equipment, but also incentives for their non use; rakes, and brooms, are healthier in several ways, do not use precious petroleum resources, and provide a moderate form of restorative exercise.

12.) Yes, as long as there is a strong positive educational outreach to drivers, and not simply a punitive enforcement approach.

13.) Yes, and a coordination of all shuttles in Cambridge, and beyond, should be explored.

14.) Yes, as long as there is reasonable flexibility in adapting these standards.

15.) Yes on discounts/rebates for T-passes, as a Mass. Income Tax Credit.

       Yes, on mandatory T-pass purchase, linked to direct credit on Vehicle Excise Tax.

16.) Yes, provided shuttle service is open to all, on a non-discriminatory basis; and is part of a Coordinated Cambridge Shuttle Service plan to expand service, and reduce duplications.

17.) No, I prefer that these parking spaces be opened up, with the aid of a Commercial Parking Insurability Pool, to local residents outside of normal business hours; in an On Street Parking Reduction Program one-space off-street traded for, one-space on-street; with an innovative Resident Off Street Parking Assignment System Data Base (ROSEPAD).

18.) Yes, as long as the standards have reasonable flexibility, and adjustability, and are implemented incrementally.

19.) Yes, as long as there is flexibility in such standards, that would include insurance and other standards, as part of such calculations, and that there be the right of appeal to court of such matters.

20.) No question is provided.

21.) No question is provided.

BRIEF POST WORDS : There are broad standards of health, and safety that we need to improve in our society. We must take care that our standards have a positive educational component to them, and not be merely punitive in their enforcement.  

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Environmental Issues: short answer yes and no with exceptions noted. Please answer so we can compare candidates. Fax answers to 617-876-8991 or email: carmean2@yahoo.com

1.     Do you support the LEED silver standard for new buildings?

 

  1. Do you support tax incentives for private developers to use LEED silver standards for building and restoration?
  2. Would you support master planning, zoning, incentives and requirements by the City to make shopping, laundry, schools, parks, recreation and libraries and essential services within a ten-minute walk of residents?
  3. Would you support life-cycle costing in planning so that the cost of use, harm, waste, and renewal is included in costing for decisions, for example leaf removal?
  4. Would you support conservation by-laws to restrict building in one-hundred year flood plains?
  5. Should Cambridge hire an Energy Manager?
  6. Do you support requiring contractors to submit their plans before paving?
  7. Would you support a ban on building in parks and open space?

9.     Do you support the current proposed tree ordinance to protect trees?

10.  Would you support protection of legacy trees of more than 30 inches diameter at breast height on private and public property? Would you support protection of trees on lot lines, where most of our city’s trees live?

11.  Do you support incentives to enforce the current noise ordinance? Noise level restrictions on lawn & landscaping equipment like leaf blowers?

  1. Do you support more aggressive enforcement of the state’s 5-minute anti-idling statute, especially for buses, trucks and heavy construction vehicles and posting the anti-idling law near schools and major intersections?
  2. Do you support approval of shuttles in Cambridge?
  3. Do you support requiring all City funded or partially-funded vehicles use no diesel, or have 2007 standards and requiring all the existing diesel vehicles to use low sulfur or bio-diesel fuel and requiring all City non-emergency vehicles have 27 mpg?
  4. Do you favor discounts/rebates for T-passes to all residents and do you favor mandatory T-pass purchase for each parking permit?
  5. Do you support shuttle service for elders, youth and all citizens between neighborhood centers and to the new Main Library?
  6. Do you support elimination of the one parking place per unit requirement if the building is within a mile or half-mile to a T stop?
  7. Do you support tax incentives to use compact fluorescents and LEDs, bicycles, sustainable energy sources, maintenance of large trees, reuse of older buildings, gardens and open space and other wise environmental strategies?
  8. Do you support taxing vehicles by weight so that SUVs and vehicles would have to cover the life cycle cost including reparation of air quality and increased risk of danger to their passengers and those they hit?