Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 12 p.m. (Boston time), Council Chambers
The Boston City Council approved a $2,315,966.88 state elder lunch program grant (docket 0500) and a $97,000 consumer aid fund grant (docket 0501), and adopted a resolution supporting the federal SPARK Act for minority entrepreneurship (docket 0518). Members received reports on recent committee hearings covering elder scam prevention, kratom regulation, BPS services for English learners and special education, and the FY27 budget listening session. The council introduced numerous new hearing orders on topics including Mattapan Square, permitting modernization, student homelessness, BPS instructional materials, absenteeism, career and technical education, mid-year BPS budget review, parking space savers, Nubian Square public safety, the groundwater trust, potholes, pre-K, and a linkage zoning amendment. Councilor Mejia blocked a resolution celebrating BPS graduation rate gains (docket 0520), sending it to the education committee, while Councilor Flynn's resolution seeking a five-year rollback of BERDO and stretch energy codes (docket 0519) was sent to committee without a vote. The meeting closed with memorials and adjourned until March 18, 2026.
0:17 and.
1:00 I'm.
1:20 not.
1:50 so.
9:31 good here.
9:32 Good.
9:32 Good to see you.
9:34 Yeah.
9:36 what's.
9:43 good afternoon everyone.
9:51 At all the all up.
9:51 I just want.
9:56 To release.
10:04 Thanks.
10:06 Good afternoon everyone.
10:08 I call to order today's meeting
10:11 of the boston city council.
10:12 Viewers MAY watch the
10:16 council meeting live on
10:17 youtube@boston.Gov backslash
10:20 city council dash tv.
10:22 At this time I ask my
10:24 colleagues and those in the
10:26 audience to please silence your
10:28 cell phone until electronic
10:28 devices.
10:31 Also pursuant to rule 42 I
10:34 remind all those in the chamber
10:36 that no demonstration
10:38 of approval or disapproval from
10:39 members of the public will be
10:39 permitted.
10:42 Thank you, mr clerk.
10:45 Could you please call the roll
10:46 quorum?
10:46 to ascertain the presence of a
10:48 Oh.
10:49 You need them, mike.
10:50 There you go.
10:51 There you.
10:53 Council of here.
10:56 councilor culpeper.
10:56 Council of color as opposed to
10:57 Councilor.
10:57 Durkan.
11:00 Councilor fitzgerald.
11:00 councilor flynn.
11:02 Councilor louijeune here.
11:03 Councilor.
11:04 Mejia.
11:04 Councilor.
11:05 Murphy.
11:06 Councilor.
11:07 Pippin.
11:07 Councilor.
11:08 Santana.
11:11 Councilor weber and
11:11 councilor l.
11:14 A roll up quorum is present.
11:16 Thank you, mr clerk.
11:18 Um, MR. Clerk, would you kindly
11:21 offer an invocation to begin
11:23 our meeting today and then
11:24 we'll follow that with the
11:24 pledge.
11:26 Uh, as we will recite the
11:27 pledge of allegiance.
11:28 Thank you.
11:32 Good morning.
11:34 Let us pray.
11:41 We gather once again to do
11:41 GOD's work.
11:42 The work of peace.
11:46 MAY we seek to renew to renew a
11:48 right spirit within our own
11:49 souls and a right spirit among
11:51 our sisters and brothers
11:53 gathered here today so that we
11:55 MAY carry the spirit of the GOD
11:57 of peace into the world to
12:00 relieve the suffering of all
12:01 sentiment beings reaching
12:03 inward we prepare our hearts to
12:05 be at peace, to work with our
12:06 colleagues in peace and to
12:08 bring peace to the world.
12:11 We hear the words of our
12:12 teachers echoing the
12:14 understanding and wisdom of our
12:16 many spiritual traditions.
12:19 And so now as we turn to our
12:21 work at this meeting mindful
12:23 of our cosmic companionship,
12:24 let us pray with our actions
12:27 for peace in the nations and in
12:27 the cities.
12:30 may this be a reflection of the
12:31 peace that resides in each
12:31 of our hearts.
12:34 MAY our greatest passion be
12:35 compassion and our greatest
12:37 strength be love.
12:38 So MAY it be.
12:38 Amen.
12:43 Pledge allegiance.
12:44 To the.
12:44 flag.
12:46 Of the united states of america
12:47 and to the.
12:49 Republic for which it stands
12:50 one nation under.
12:51 GOD.
12:54 indivisible with liberty
12:54 and.
12:56 Justice for all.
12:58 Thank you, MR. Clerk.
13:09 um, we have no presentations
13:11 today so we'll move on to
13:11 approval of the minutes.
13:13 Um.
13:22 Now the first order of business
13:24 is approval of the minutes from
13:26 the meeting of MARCH 4th, 2026.
13:28 All in favor say aye.
13:30 All those opposed say nay.
13:31 The ayes have it.
13:33 The minutes of the MARCH 24th
13:34 meeting are approved.
13:37 Uh, we will move on to
13:39 communications from her honor
13:40 the mayor.
13:42 Um, MR. Clerk, could you please
13:44 read docket 0500.
13:48 Duncan number 0500 messaging on
13:49 authorizing the city of boston
13:56 to accept and expend the amount
13:58 of $2,315,966.88 in the form
14:01 of a grant for fiscal year 26
14:03 state lunch program grant
14:05 awarded by the executive office
14:06 of elder affairs to be
14:08 commission.
14:08 administered by the strong
14:11 The grant will fund nutrition
14:12 services for older adults in
14:16 the city of boston at a rate
14:20 of $7.39 per meal for up to
14:21 313,392 meals.
14:25 Um chair recognizes
14:26 councilor murphy, the chair
14:28 of um the committee on human
14:28 services cancer.
14:30 Murphy, you have the floor.
14:31 Thank you, MADAM Chair.
14:34 I am rising and I'm going to
14:36 read a description and I hope
14:37 my colleagues join me in
14:38 passing this today.
14:39 The state elder lunch program
14:41 is part of the funding for the
14:42 senior nutrition program.
14:44 The funding is part of the
14:46 state budget and comes to aid
14:47 strong through the executive
14:49 office of aging and
14:50 independence because we are
14:52 boston area agency on aging.
14:54 When the combine when they
14:55 combine this funding with
14:57 additional federal and city
14:59 funds and make community grants
15:00 out to partners who operate the
15:03 programs in boston, the senior
15:04 nutrition program provides
15:06 older adults with healthy and
15:07 nutritious home delivered and
15:08 community group meals
15:09 throughout every boston
15:10 neighborhood.
15:13 The program aims to reduce food
15:14 insecurity and malnutrition,
15:16 promote socialization and
15:17 support the health and
15:19 well-being of boston's aging
15:19 community.
15:22 In fy 25, more than 300,000
15:24 meals were provided at over 30
15:25 free community meal sites
15:26 across the city.
15:29 In addition to over 2.3
15:29 million.
15:31 Home delivered meals.
15:33 There are five components to
15:34 the program.
15:36 Home delivered meals delivered
15:37 directly to the home and also
15:39 serving as a check in for
15:40 isolated older adults.
15:42 Congregate meals open to all
15:44 people over age 60 and
15:45 delivered to over 30 community
15:46 sites across boston
15:47 neighborhoods.
15:49 These sites often pair the
15:50 delivery of a meal with
15:52 programing designed to reduce
15:52 social.
15:54 .
15:54 Isolation and builds connection
15:56 Nutrition education delivered
15:58 in group settings by registered
15:59 dietitian.
16:01 Nutrition assessment delivered
16:03 1 to 1 for all program
16:03 participants.
16:05 Nutrition counseling delivered
16:06 1 to 1 as needed.
16:08 Program menus are approved by
16:10 registered dietitians.
16:12 All meals meet one third of the
16:13 rda and are culturally
16:14 appropriate with meal types
16:17 including chinese, vietnamese,
16:18 caribbean, kosher, traditional
16:19 american.
16:21 Italian, vegetarian.
16:23 Pure rate, allergen friendly
16:24 and therapeutic meals.
16:27 Um for dietetic diet dietary
16:29 restrictions based on any
16:29 medical.
16:31 Needs in boston.
16:33 The program is operated by
16:36 nonprofit partners ethos in
16:37 collaboration with multiple
16:39 local kitchens in the greater
16:40 boston chinese golden age
16:41 center.
16:42 There are multiple funding
16:44 streams for the program, with.
16:45 some of the funding.
16:47 Primarily federal and state,
16:48 with the city contribution.
16:50 Coming as pass through.
16:52 Grants from aid strong boston
16:55 aging.
16:55 area as it said aging agency on
16:57 So the age strong also plays a
16:59 monitoring role for the program
17:00 and ensures compliance and
17:00 making.
17:01 sure.
17:02 That this money is spent.
17:05 Properly and put into the food
17:07 that our seniors need and
17:09 programing for combating
17:09 isolation.
17:11 So I hope my colleagues join
17:12 me in passing this today.
17:13 Thank you, councilor murphy.
17:17 Uh, councilor murphy, the chair
17:19 of the committee on human
17:20 services seeks suspension
17:21 of the rules and passage
17:24 of dockets 0500.
17:26 steering.
17:26 All those you know, hang on the
17:29 Yeah, that's the right 10500.
17:30 All those in favor say aye.
17:33 Uh, mr chair, could you please
17:34 take a roll call?
17:36 Vote on the docket 0500.
17:40 Roll call vote on duck number
17:41 0500 councilor breadon.
17:42 Yes, councilor breadon.
17:44 Yes, councilor collette as
17:44 opposed.
17:45 Yeah.
17:46 Councilor collette as opposed
17:46 to yes.
17:48 Councilor culpepper.
17:49 Councilor culpeper.
17:50 Yes.
17:50 Councilor.
17:50 Durkan.
17:51 Councilor.
17:52 Durkan.
17:52 Yes.
17:52 Councilor.
17:53 Fitzgerald.
17:54 Councilor.
17:54 Fitzgerald.
17:54 Yes.
17:55 Councilor.
17:55 Flynn.
17:56 Council.
17:56 flynn.
17:57 Yes.
17:57 Council.
17:58 Louijeune.
17:59 Councilor.
18:00 Mejia.
18:01 Councilor.
18:01 Mejia.
18:02 Yes.
18:02 Councilor.
18:03 Murphy.
18:04 Councilor.
18:04 Murphy.
18:05 Yes, councilor.
18:05 Pippin.
18:06 Yes.
18:06 Council.
18:06 Griffin.
18:07 Yes, councilor.
18:08 Santana.
18:08 Councilor.
18:09 Santana.
18:10 Yes.
18:10 Counselor.
18:10 Weber.
18:11 Counselor.
18:11 Weber.
18:12 Yes.
18:13 And councilor earle.
18:14 Ducky.
18:17 Number 0500 has received 11
18:19 votes in the affirmative.
18:21 Thank you.
18:24 uh, MR. Clerk, could you
18:25 please read docket 0501?
18:30 Ducky number 0501 message in
18:31 order authorizing the city
18:33 of boston to accept and expend
18:35 the amount of $97,000 in the
18:38 form of a grant for fiscal year
18:40 26 local consumer aid fund
18:42 grant awarded by the attorney
18:44 general to be administered by
18:46 the office of consumer affairs
18:47 and licensing.
18:49 The grant will fund staff
18:51 costs, outreach materials and
18:53 operational expenses to conduct
18:54 the consumer affairs program.
18:56 Thank you.
18:59 this docket 0501 will be
19:00 referred to the committee on
19:01 labor and economic development
19:01 .
19:07 Uh, we're now on to reports
19:09 of uh, public officers and
19:09 others.
19:13 Um, mr chair, could you please
19:17 read docket 0502 and.
19:21 050320502 notice we received
19:22 from the mayor of the
19:23 appointment of catherine davis
19:25 wheeler as a trustee of the
19:27 boston groundwater trust for a
19:31 term expiring MARCH 9th, 2030
19:35 and number 0503 communication
19:36 from councilor bullpen
19:37 regarding stalled
19:39 transportation projects.
19:40 Thank you.
19:44 docket 0502 and 0503 will be
19:44 placed.
19:45 on.
19:48 512 matters recently heard.
19:51 Mr clerk, please read docket
19:51 0283.
19:54 Docket number 0283 order for a
19:56 hearing regarding elder
19:58 scamming and fraud prevention.
20:00 Uh, the chair recognizes the
20:01 chair of the committee on human
20:02 services.
20:03 Councilor murphy, you have the
20:04 floor.
20:06 Thank you.
20:07 MADAM PRESIDENT.
20:09 Um, we had a hearing on monday
20:11 to discuss how the city
20:13 of boston is working to prevent
20:14 elder skimming and financial.
20:15 Exploitation.
20:18 that was co-sponsored with
20:19 myself, councilor.
20:20 Flynn and in attendance was
20:22 also councilor culpeper.
20:24 The panel included emily shea,
20:25 the commissioner of eight
20:25 strong.
20:27 Kathleen joyce, the chairwoman
20:28 of the boston.
20:29 Licensing board.
20:31 Superintendent chin from the
20:32 boston police department and.
20:35 Deputy superintendent cahill
20:37 from the brick issues we
20:38 discussed during this hearing,
20:40 the administration described
20:41 the work being done across
20:42 several departments including
20:42 h.
20:44 Strong, the police and the
20:46 office of consumer affairs and
20:48 licensing to educate residents
20:49 ,investigate complaints and
20:50 support victims of fraud.
20:52 The administration highlighted
20:54 the importance of community
20:55 education and outreach
20:57 including presentations in
20:58 neighborhoods and senior
20:58 centers.
20:59 Public awareness.
21:02 Campaigns and partnerships with
21:03 organizations such as the
21:04 suffolk county district
21:06 attorney's office and aarp.
21:08 The administration also.
21:09 Discussed the role of the.
21:11 Office of consumer affairs.
21:12 and licensing in assisting
21:13 residents who.
21:13 Believe they.
21:14 have been.
21:15 Targeted by fraud, including
21:16 helping residents report.
21:19 Scams, mediating consumer
21:20 complaints and connecting.
21:21 Individuals with the
21:23 appropriate agencies for
21:24 investigation.
21:25 The administration.
21:27 Testified that the city closed
21:28 more than 1000.
21:30 Consumer cases last fiscal year
21:32 and helped recover more than.
21:35 $264,000 for residents who.
21:37 Had experienced consumer fraud
21:37 .
21:40 the.
21:40 Councilors emphasized.
21:41 Scandal targeting seniors
21:43 remain a serious concern,
21:44 particularly scams involving.
21:45 home repair fraud.
21:47 Impersonation scams and online
21:48 or.
21:49 Phone based financial scams.
21:51 We also.
21:52 Highlighted scams targeting
21:54 veterans including situations.
21:55 where.
21:55 Individuals are asked.
21:56 to pay.
21:58 For assisting accessing
21:59 benefits they have already
21:59 earned.
22:01 So thank you councilor flynn
22:03 for always reminding our
22:04 veterans out there that you
22:05 never need to pay someone to
22:07 help get the benefits you
22:07 earned.
22:09 Councilors also noted.
22:10 That older adults MAY be
22:11 targeted.
22:12 Because they often own homes,
22:13 have savings.
22:14 Or have strong credit.
22:15 scores that make them.
22:16 Attractive targets.
22:17 For scammers.
22:18 The discussion.
22:20 Underscored the importance
22:20 of continuing.
22:22 To strengthen coordination.
22:22 Among city.
22:23 Departments and.
22:25 Community partners while
22:25 expanding.
22:26 Education and outreach.
22:28 So residents know how to
22:29 recognize.
22:32 I also wanted to mention that
22:34 the police did say that
22:35 although they have.
22:37 About $7.
22:38 million that I reported that
22:39 they know that's way.
22:40 Underreported because many.
22:41 seniors and.
22:43 others who get scammed don't
22:44 want to share that they've been
22:44 scammed.
22:45 They feel shamed by it.
22:48 So we did want to um, find ways
22:49 and.
22:50 Everyone here in the city.
22:52 Um was telling us that they'd.
22:53 help.
22:53 Us share.
22:54 the information they have so
22:56 we could use our platforms to
22:57 communicate that with seniors
22:57 across.
22:58 The city.
23:00 Um, councilor culpeper.
23:03 did ask for out of the 264
23:05 recovered in the past year.
23:05 How much was.
23:06 Recovered for elders?
23:08 Um um.
23:09 Also it says how I.
23:10 asked.
23:11 For copies of.
23:12 that information because I
23:13 think all of us do want to help
23:14 share.
23:15 The information to.
23:16 Our residents not just.
23:18 our seniors but anyone who
23:19 feels like they've been a
23:20 victim of scam, that there are.
23:21 Resources and just ways.
23:23 to help stop it before it
23:23 happens.
23:24 Thank you, councilor murphy.
23:29 committee.
23:29 Docket 0283 will remain in
23:31 MR. Clerk, will you please read
23:33 docket 0175?
23:36 Number 0175, order for a
23:37 hearing to discuss the
23:39 regulation of credit um, in the
23:40 city of boston.
23:42 The chair recognizes
23:43 Councilor fitzgerald the chair
23:46 um, uh, public health
23:47 homelessness recovery.
23:48 You have the floor.
23:49 Thank you, MADAM PRESIDENT.
23:51 The committee on public health,
23:52 homelessness and recovery held
23:55 the hearing on monday, MARCH
23:56 9th 2026 on the following
23:57 docket in order for a hearing
23:57 to discuss the regulation
23:59 of kratom in the city of boston
24:01 docket 0175 this matter was
24:03 sponsored by myself and
24:04 councilor flynn and was
24:05 referred to the committee on
24:07 JANUARY 28th, 2026.
24:08 I was joined by my colleagues
24:08 council.
24:09 Flynn.
24:11 Councilor murphy,
24:12 councilor culpeper,
24:12 councilor weber and
24:13 councilor durkan.
24:16 Docket 0175 was filed after
24:17 hearing from many residents and
24:18 family members.
24:19 It was brought to our attention
24:21 that synthetic kratom and I'm
24:22 sure many of you have received
24:24 a bunch of emails uh, between
24:26 whole leaf and synthetic that
24:28 synthetic kratom is being sold
24:29 at local gas stations, smoke
24:30 shops, corner stores etc..