Dear Neighbors,

As we begin the year ahead in 2026, I wanted to provide my Annual Report, and an update on the work that I focused on throughout the past year. At the Boston City Council, I have continued to advocate with the city administration on some of Boston’s most pressing public safety and quality of life issues, including the ongoing Mass & Cass crisis and long-standing pedestrian safety concerns. In 2026, I will continue to advance legislation, engage District 2 neighbors with constituent feedback, and advocate for a thorough community process when it comes to city business.

On Mass & Cass, I filed several pieces of legislation, including a resolution to declare the area and impacted neighborhoods a public safety and public health emergency, and a humanitarian crisis. On September 4th, Councilor John FitzGerald and I held an on-site hearing in Roxbury where over 200 residents and businesses shared public testimony. Subsequently, I filed a resolution in opposition to safe injections sites in the City of Boston. Unfortunately, with the exception of my original co-sponsors Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy and Councilor Fitzgerald, my colleagues voted (8-3) against my proposal to ban safe injection sites in the city (more at Boston.com here). However, the following week, I offered a resolution in support of prioritizing a recovery campus for the City of Boston and Greater Boston area, which was then supported unanimously by the Council (12-0). You can read more at Caught in Southie here.

On mopeds and pedestrian safety, following the tragic death of a person after a crash near Copley Square in August, I filed an ordinance that would effectively ban mopeds and e-bikes from third-party food delivery. Many residents are unaware that since 2022, the City of Boston has encouraged these large third-party food delivery companies to have drivers use two-wheel vehicles (Read more at the Boston Globe here). At the same time, there have been news reports indicating that companies may have potentially incentivized workers to prioritize speed over safety, in order to get more assignments and higher ratings. In 2022, the city claimed it had encouraged use of two-wheel vehicles due to one lane of congestion on Boylston Street; however, just two years later in 2024, the city removed 2 lanes and approximately 93 parking spaces for the Boylston Street Better Bus and Bike Lane Project – with the bus lane removed thereafter 9 months later. What once started on one street in Boston, the city has since effectively exported this pandemic model across the city.

No reasonable person believes that moped and e-bike food delivery has been an improvement for our existing pedestrian safety crisis. Drivers now go over 20mph through red lights and stop signs, or the wrong way nearly every day. The roads are now less safe for all, including the drivers themselves. The rules of the road simply cannot continue to be optional. It can no longer be the Wild West on the streets of Boston. I encourage you to write my Council colleagues and the City Administration in support of my ordinance and to have the courage to stand up to large corporations and influence. Food delivery was different just a couple of years ago. It does not have to be this way. You can read more at NBC Boston here.

On parks and open space, I testified in support of the City of Boston acquiring and preserving Sister Mary Veronica Park through the use of Community Preservation funding and the Open Space Acquisition Fund of the Parks and Recreation Department. This pocket park in South Boston – nestled between F Street, West 8th Street, and Grimes Street – had been a topic of contention for several years with significant concerns over a potential sale and loss of open space and five mature trees within the neighborhood. In 2023, there was a petition signed by over 1,700 South Boston residents to save the park for the community. The park was named after Sister Mary Veronica, a South Boston girl who was raised nearby and became a nun in the Sisters of Notre Dame Order in 1939, until her death in 1960. The park was created due to months of community-driven efforts to transform a vacant lot and was subsequently dedicated on November 23, 1968. It was reported to be “the first vest pocket park in a non urban renewal area in the City of Boston.”

At the outset in 2023, I released a joint statement with former Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty and Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy stating that we would not support development on this site. Subsequently, I joined residents for a gathering on-site shortly thereafter and met several times with both the neighbors, the South Boston elected officials – Congressman Stephen Lynch, Senator Nick Collins, Representative David Biele – and previous Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods and other city officials on this issue. It is critical that we continue to work together as a community to preserve our outdoor spaces, mature trees, and also these pocket parks that have played a key role in the lives of South Boston residents and our history. Read more at Caught in Southie.

On quality of life issues, I re-filed an ordinance to establish an Office of Pest Control in the City of Boston after a productive hearing last year where we heard from a number of experts including renowned rodent urbanologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan. Shortly after, the City published the Boston Rodent Action Plan. While the Boston Rodent Action Plan outlined positive steps to address our pest control crisis, the plan fell short of the recommendation of both Dr. Corrigan and I – that the city visited the idea of formally creating a “rat czar”. Since appointing a Rat Czar, New York City has made some progress with improved inspection response times and decreased 311 complaints through a number of initiatives, including trash containerization, something I also co-sponsored on a later docket. Boston is ranked 12th in the country for this problem. We also have nearby towns and cities who have a Rat Czar. I continue to advocate that we should streamline this process with its own standalone department and point person solely focused on this issue. It’s that serious. Public barrels on commercial streets are helpful – but make no mistake, we also need a massive public awareness campaign to every resident and business on in Boston their responsibility to properly dispose of trash and food, trash containerization and strict enforcement, and language access is a critical piece for immigrant neighbors to understand the issue and their role.

On accessibility issues, I also advocated for our neighbors in public housing on elevator access. On October 16, 2025, I held a hearing to discuss the status of the elevators at BHA Ruth Barkley Apartments. Over the last three years, tenants at the Ruth Barkley Apartments in the South End reported frequent elevator breakdowns, with multiple elevators facing long-term outages. At the hearing, residents shared that the broken elevators have caused them to miss medical appointments, other critical services, and difficulties making it to their bathroom in time. In one instance, it was reported these issues caused a resident to miss most of their child’s funeral.

On October 22, 2025, I filed a 17F Order requesting certain information regarding the safety of the aging elevator system at BHA properties. At this time, with continued elevators at BHA Ruth Barkley and other properties across the city, it is appropriate that the City of Boston establishes a BHA Elevator Safety Commission to address the public safety and quality of life concerns caused by the failing elevator systems. This Commission may be composed of representatives from the BHA Task Force, as well as representatives from BHA leadership, the Boston Fire Department, the Inspectional Services Department, the Disabilities Commission, a City Council member, and a representative from the elevator maintenance industry. Unfortunately, this resolution was blocked by a council colleague. Read my resolution here.

I am grateful to my neighbors and constituents who engaged with my office and I throughout the year, and to those who continue to participate in the community process. As we embark on 2026, I extend my best wishes to you and your family, and I look forward to continuing this work in the year ahead.

Please see below a list of the legislation and work that I focused on in 2025.

Happy New Year,

Ed

Budget & Residential Tax Exemption

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss adding State Oversight on Statement of Financial Interests (SFIs).

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss property tax relief for long-term residents and essential municipal employees.

• Passed a resolution in support of establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission to study and address Downtown Office Vacancies and City Revenue.

• Passed an order requesting certain information under Section 17F re: Assessment of Commercial Properties in the City of Boston.

• Filed a Resolution in support for an independent investigation into the city’s July 4th payroll failure to determine if state or federal employment laws were broken.

• Passed a resolution urging the City of Boston to certify with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the National Flood Insurance Program Community Ranking System (CRS).

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the status of the City of Boston’s Application to Certify with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

• Filed an order for a hearing to review the PILOT program in the City of Boston.

Quality of Life & City Services

• Held hearing to discuss status of the elevators at the BHA Ruth Barkley apartments

• Held a hearing to discuss the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Report on Boston Housing Authority.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss Elderly Scamming.

• Held a hearing to discuss the status of the South Boston Branch Library Study.

• Filed an order regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code relative to Chinatown adult entertainment.

• Held a hearing to discuss resources for the Boston Police Crime Laboratory.

• Held a hearing to discuss Water and Sewer Infrastructure in Chinatown and the Leather District.

• Held a hearing to discuss ways to ensure operations of the 911 system and contingency plans in case of a 911 system outage.

• Filed an ordinance to establish an Office of Pest Control in the City of Boston.

• Held a hearing to discuss appropriate uses of Boston 311 and 9-1-1 emergency.

• Held a hearing an investigation into the breakdown of the Boston Police Department’s main radio

• Passed an order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Boston Housing Authority (BHA) operations and standard practices.

• Filed a resolution in support of a Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Elevator Safety Commission.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the notification process for abutters meeting in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss creating an Oversight Committee on Accountability and Compliance on the Boston City Council.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the proposed zoning amendment to remove the half mile buffer zone between cannabis establishments.

• Filed a resolution in support of an ethics committee at the Boston City Council.

• Held a hearing to discuss the goals and priorities of the Office of Arts & Culture and the Office of Tourism, Sports & Entertainment in the City of Boston.

• Held a hearing to discuss retail theft and the impact on small businesses and residents in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing on the establishment of a Committee on Civility in the City of Boston.

Public, Pedestrian Safety & Transportation

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and expanding the safety surge program in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss discrepancies in Boston’s 2024 detainer requests.

• Filed an order for a hearing to review the functionality of the Tremont Street Design Project in the South End.

• Filed an order for a hearing on regulation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) by the City of Boston and Boston Police Department.

• Filed an order for a hearing to Discuss Transportation Planning within the Article 80 Development Review Process.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss implementation of the seven nights per week Residential Parking Only Policy in South Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the community engagement process for installing EV Charging Stations in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss repainting Summer Street Bus Lane.

• Passed a resolution in support of the replacement of concurrent traffic signals in the City of Boston.

• Filed an ordinance Establishing A Road Safety and Community Engagement Commission to Regulate the Use of Bicycles, E-bicycles, Motorized Bicycles, and Motorized Scooters in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss security at high-rise garages in the City of Boston.

• Filed an ordinance amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances, 17-22 Road safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers.

• Filed an order for a hearing on building a parking garage at the City of Boston municipal lot on West Broadway in South Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the importance of the cruise industry in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss establishing a drone policy in the City of Boston.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss 2024 crime statistics.

• Passed a resolution recognizing January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

• Passed a resolution in support of S.1247 An Act criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator.

• Passed a resolution recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Boston.

• Filed a resolution in support of a domestic violence and sexual assault committee at the Boston City Council.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss requiring all micro-mobility devices to be licensed, registered and insured.

• Passed an order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding TNC Rideshare arrests.

Boston Public Schools

• Held a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools’ New Bus Ridership Policy.

• Held a hearing to review the hiring, training and compliance certification of BPS Bus Drivers.

• Held a hearing to discuss financial literacy programs in Boston Public Schools.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss Holocaust and Genocide Education in Boston Public Schools.

• Passed a resolution in support of CPR Training in High Schools.

Parks, Open Spaces & Environment

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss expanding the urban tree canopy in District 2.

• Filed a resolution supporting Project Labor Agreements at White Stadium and all City of Boston construction projects valued at or more than $35 million.

• Passed an order requesting certain information under Section 17F relative to White Stadium.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the community process to designate the Boston Fish Pier as a landmark.

Public Health

• Passed a resolution in support of H.1347 “An Act to Improve Sickle Cell Care”.

• Filed a resolution in support of S.1042 An Act relative to Life Saving Treatment 4.9.25

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Health Commission’s “Health of Asian Residents in Boston” Report.

• Passed a resolution in support of Adult Day Health Programs.

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss pest control and the discovery of leptospirosis in the City of Boston.

• Held a hearing on a resolution to declare Mass & Cass and Impacted Neighborhoods a Public Safety and Public Health Emergency and a Humanitarian Crisis.

• Filed a resolution in opposition to safe injection sites in the City of Boston.

• Passed a resolution in support of prioritizing a recovery campus for the City of Boston and Greater Boston area.

• Passed a resolution in support of expanding prevention and public awareness campaigns related to drink spiking in the City of Boston.

Civil Rights

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss accessibility in Boston City Hall.

• Passed a resolution denouncing the renaming of US Navy Ship Harvey Milk and other US Navy Ships named after important Civil Rights Advocates.

• Passed a resolution celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Day on July 23, 2025 in the City of Boston.

Labor

• Held a hearing to discuss the impact of CORI on access to employment and other opportunities.

• Passed a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Eddy Crispin to BPD Command Staff.

Immigrant Advancement

• Passed a resolution celebrating Lunar New Year.

• Passed a resolution recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

Veterans and Military Families

• Filed an order for a hearing to discuss the process of establishing Hero Squares in the City of Boston.

• Held a hearing to discuss new cancer presumptions announced by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

• Held a hearing to discuss Lung Cancer among Black Veterans.

• Held a hearing to discuss services for women veterans.

• Held a hearing to discuss the goals and priorities of the City of Boston’s Office of Veteran Services.

• Passed a resolution denouncing cuts to personnel and service at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

• Passed a resolution commemorating Memorial Day and Honoring our Gold Star Families and those who made the Supreme Sacrifice for our country.

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].