Strengthening Cambridge: A Call for Transition from Plan E to a Strong-Mayor Form of Government
Strengthening Cambridge: A Call for Transition from Plan E to a Strong-Mayor Form of Government Cambridge, renowned for its academic brilliance and cultural diversity, stands at a crossroads in its governance. Since the adoption of Plan E in 1941, the city has evolved, and so too have the demands on its leadership. To better align with contemporary challenges and foster a more responsive and accountable municipal administration, it’s time for Cambridge to transition from the current Plan E form of government to a strong-mayor system. [1] [2] A Brief History of Plan E: In 1941, Cambridge adopted Plan E, a novel form of government aimed at combining the strengths of both city manager and city council systems. Under Plan E, the city council serves as the legislative body, while an appointed city manager oversees day-to-day operations. This structure was envisioned to mitigate the risks of political patronage and enhance efficiency by having a professional administrator at the helm1.