Boston City Council Convenes for FY27 Budget Hearing as City Tackles Post-Blizzard Cleanup

City Council Takes Up FY27 Budget and Human Services Hearings

Government activity in Boston returned to a full schedule today, Thursday, February 26, 2026, as the city continues to recover from the historic nor'easter that blanketed the region earlier this week. The centerpiece of today's legislative activity is a high-profile hearing held by the City Council’s Committee on Ways and Means. At 2:00 p.m. in the Iannella Chamber, Councilors Benjamin J. Weber and John FitzGerald are leading a session regarding Docket #0201, which outlines the City of Boston’s FY27 Operating Budget.

This budget hearing provides a critical opportunity for the public to offer testimony on city spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to the fiscal discussions, the Committee on Human Services is convening at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Docket #0287. While a separate hearing for Docket #0283 was canceled earlier today, the remaining sessions emphasize the Council’s push to maintain legislative momentum despite the recent weather-related disruptions.

Infrastructure and Ethics Oversight Meetings

Beyond the City Council, several commissions are meeting today to address municipal infrastructure and ethical oversight. The Public Improvement Commission held a 10:00 a.m. hearing at City Hall to review several petitions from Verizon New England Inc. The agenda includes requests for the installation of new telecommunication conduits and fiber along North Washington Street and the Bill Russell Bridge, as well as pedestrian easements in Roxbury.

On the state level, two significant oversight bodies are meeting in Boston today. The State Ethics Commission is conducting a public session to deliberate on adjudicatory matters, including a hearing on Petitioner’s Motion for Summary Decision in the matter of David Vigeant. Meanwhile, the Inspector General Council is meeting at One Ashburton Place to review a recent report on Special Education Transportation and the Steamship Authority’s website development project.

Post-Storm Public Reminders

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Public Works Department have issued a final reminder to residents regarding the 17 inches of snow that fell during the recent blizzard. The citywide snow emergency and parking ban were lifted earlier this week, meaning that all space savers must be removed from city streets by 6:00 p.m. today. Any savers remaining after this 48-hour window may be collected and discarded by city crews.

• FY27 Budget Hearing: 2:00 p.m. at City Hall, Iannella Chamber.
• Public Improvement Commission: Reviews Verizon fiber installations in East Boston and Roxbury.
• Space Saver Deadline: All items must be cleared by 6:00 p.m.
• Trash Collection: Residents should note that recycling and trash pickups remain delayed by one day throughout the week.