Boston City Council Approves $40.6 Million for Community Preservation Projects Citywide

BOSTON — April 12, 2023 — Boston City Council unanimously approves $40.6 million in Community Preservation Act funding and calls a District 8 special election. The council voted unanimously April 12 to appropriate $40,676,455 from the Community Preservation Fund for 56 affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects across the city, with Councilor Michael Flaherty shepherding the measure through committee. Council President Edward M. Flynn filed a separate order setting a special preliminary election for June 27 and a special municipal election for July 25 to fill the seat being vacated April 28 by Councilor Kenzie Bok. The council also passed a $53,460 DOJ DNA evidence grant by suspension of rules and adopted Councilor Tanya Fernandez-Anderson's resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr as a city municipal holiday by unanimous roll call. A tense floor debate over Councilor Erin J. Murphy's redistricting oversight hearing order ended with the council voting 8-4-1 to reconsider its committee assignment, ultimately sending the matter to the Redistricting Committee rather than the Committee of the Whole, with the underlying federal lawsuit, Walters et al. v. City of Boston, still pending.