Boston City Hall Closed Under Snow Emergency; Boards Convene Virtually

Mayor Declares Snow Emergency and Municipal Closures

Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a snow emergency and a citywide parking ban for today, Monday, January 26, 2026, in response to a significant winter storm that began yesterday. The executive order has led to the closure of Boston City Hall and all other non-essential municipal buildings. While physical offices are shuttered, the Mayor’s administration has emphasized that essential services, including snow removal, emergency response, and 311 operations, remain active. City officials have urged residents to stay off the roads to allow plowing crews to clear primary arteries, which are currently under a strict parking ban.

Boards and Committees Transition to Virtual Sessions

Despite the closure of physical government buildings, several critical city and state boards are proceeding with their scheduled sessions using virtual platforms. These meetings are essential for maintaining the timeline of regulatory and development projects within the city.

• Architectural Access Board: This board is holding a full-day session from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. A major item on today's agenda is the variance review for the White Stadium renovation project located at 450 Walnut Avenue. The stadium project has remained a significant topic of discussion for the city government regarding its impact on Franklin Park and historic preservation.
• BERDO Review Board: The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board is scheduled to meet at 4:30 PM. This public meeting, conducted online, will address the city’s ongoing efforts to regulate energy and water efficiency standards for large buildings. The board is expected to review compliance data and discuss enforcement measures for buildings that have not met the city's strict emissions thresholds.
• KIPP Academy Governance: Two committee meetings regarding local charter school governance are taking place virtually. The Development Committee will meet at 10:45 AM, followed by the Finance and Facilities Committee at 5:00 PM, to discuss site expansions and budgetary planning for the coming year.

Impact on Public Schools and Legislative Schedule

Boston Public Schools are closed today, and all central offices are inactive. This closure extends to all after-school programs, sports activities, and community center events. While the Boston City Council does not have a formal legislative session scheduled for today, councilors are expected to focus on constituent services related to the storm. The Council's next primary meeting is currently slated for Wednesday, January 28, where they will likely address the financial impact of the current weather emergency. Residents are reminded that a holiday-week schedule for trash and recycling will be observed for the remainder of the week as a direct result of today's weather-related disruptions.