Rent Control Question Goes to Voters

Cambridge City Councilor Saundra Graham has placed on the November ballot a proposal that would allow residents of Middlesex County to express their opinion on rent control.

The proposal calls for the state representative from the Fourth Middlesex district--which includes the Harvard area--to vote for an indefinite extension of the state rent control act. The current law, which allows middle-sized cities such as Cambridge and Somerville to impose rent controls, expires in January 1976.

Graham, an active supporter of local tenant groups, will also appear on the November ballot as an independent, nonpartisan candidate for state representative.

She secured a place on the ballot for her proposal after her campaign workers collected the 200 signatures which state law requires.

Will of the People

"The people in Cambridge want rent control," Graham said Monday. She said city councilors who have taken positions against rent control are "misreading what the rest of the city wants."

Graham referred to City Councilor Alfred E. Vellucci, who last week submitted an order in the City Council to instruct the city manager and city rent control board to decontrol rents on all apartments that become vacant.

The effect of the order would be to eliminate rent control in Cambridge within the next year because of the rapid turnover in local apartments.

Vellucci, who in the past broke away from the five-man independent majority in the council to support rent control, holds the crucial swing vote on the issue.

Councilor Barbara Ackermann, one of the four pro-rent control councilors, charter-righted Vellucci's order September 16 to postpone a council vote. Vellucci Monday tabled the order because of a lengthy council agenda. He probably will bring it up at next Monday's council session.

Councilor Graham said Monday that her proposal on the November ballot should make clear to local leaders that "over 75 per cent" of local residents favor continued rent controls.