Dear Members and Friends:
Welcome to 2026! After all the holiday parties, January is a time of change, with new year’s resolutions setting goals for a better future. The new year brings a new term for the Mayor Wu and a new District 7 Councilor for the Fenway, Miniard Culpepper. You’ll also see a new increase in your real estate taxes, due February 2nd, and if you’re having “tax shock” you may want to get more information on the Mayor’s position: Mayor Wu’s 2026 Property Tax Relief Calculator | Boston.gov and the MA State Senate’s reaction as reported in The Boston Sun: Senate Tax Relief Bills Advance – The Boston Sun.
2026 elections: This year, we’ll have primary elections on September 1, followed by election day November 3 for MA Senate and US Senate offices. You’ll be seeing a lot of challenges to the incumbents both locally and nationally, as the balance of power is typically contested in the mid-term elections. Stay tuned!
2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
As we take a sober look into the future, it is well worth reflecting on our path to freedom from one of this country’s greatest civil rights leaders and an exceptional legislator:
“Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society. The work of love, peace, and justice will always be necessary, until their realism and their imperative takes hold of our imagination, crowds out any dream of hatred or revenge, and fills up our existence with their power.”
― John Lewis, Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change
As we are fortunate to live in the ‘cradle of freedom’ (and no less, the “hub of the universe”!) there is much to celebrate, and some spectacular ongoing programs to engage in this year:
Revolution! Boston celebrates the 250th anniversary of USA
Boston is leading major celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary (America250) in 2026, focusing on the Revolution’s birthplace with extensive events in 2025-2026, including historic reenactments (Paul Revere’s Ride, Battle of Bunker Hill), the Sail250 tall ship event, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, and ongoing educational programs by organizations like Boston 250 and MA250 to highlight the city’s revolutionary past and future spirit. Democracy is a work in progress: it takes the people to ensure a government by and for the people!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, Jan 5, 2026, 10 am start, Inauguration of Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council will be inaugurated on January 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. The inauguration ceremony will be livestreamed on this page.
Tuesday*, Jan 6, 2026 – Christmas Tree Pickup
Out with the old… Christmas Tree Pickup Services with city trash this week. The City of Boston collects Christmas trees from the curb on your normal trash day between December 29, 2025, and January 9, 2026. If you have two trash days in a week, your tree will be picked up on the first trash day of that week. For most in the Fenway, that will be on Tuesday, Jan 6. Enter your address to see your pickup schedule here.
- Make sure to put your tree on the curb by 6 AM on your collection day.
- Trees with lights, ornaments, or in plastic bags will not be picked up.
ONGOING & UPCOMING
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston – art exhibit at BPL The exhibit opened on October 23, 2025 and runs to April 21, 2026. The Boston Public Library (BPL) is presenting its first major exhibition in nearly a decade. Revolution! 250 Years of Art and Activism in Boston features more than 100 artworks and documentary materials from the BPL’s renowned Special Collections, the exhibition explores America’s evolving struggles for freedom, civil rights, and belonging. The exhibition is part of Road to Revolution, the BPL’s three-year cycle of programs leading to the anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026. Free, open to all – check out bpl.org for visitor info.
TRANSPORTATION & DEVELOPMENT
MBTA: Visit the MBTA shutdowns 2025 site for full info on service disruptions. Orange Line service will be suspended between Wellington and Back Bay on January 10–11 for tunnel inspections.
Bowker Overpass project: follow progress on the project page.
DEVELOPMENT NEWS by status: “Under Review”: “Board Approved”:
HEALTH & SAFETY
FENWAY CARES Every other Wednesday, 3:30 pm ‘til done –
Restarts on January 14th.
Fenway Cares Food Distribution at 2 locations:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations!
The MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic 1-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates. Rotates between the West and East Fenway locations (see above). Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
on 1/14 at Morville House, 100 Norway St. and 1/28 at Fenway Community Center.
Boston Police D4 Community News eMail Add your email to the list
OPAT news! The FCA will be meeting with the new head of OPAT to connect the community and the office to continue beneficial relations with the BPD in the Fens: Police Accountability And Transparency | Boston.gov
The Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) is a civilian body that investigates complaints of Boston Police Department misconduct. They help ensure a fair and thorough Boston Police Department Internal Affairs review process and review both existing and proposed police policies and procedures.
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 