Dear Members and Friends:
Last week was the first full work week of 2026, and a lot happened!
On Monday, January 5th, Liz Breadon became the new Boston City Council president by a 7-to-6 vote. The President leads council meetings, sets the legislative agenda, assigns members to committees, and decides which committees review specific legislation, shaping the Council’s work and its oversight of the Mayor’s administration, and becomes Acting Mayor if the Mayor’s office becomes vacant. Congratulations to Councilor Breadon.
On Wednesday, January 7th, an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, MN. The next day, a Customs and Border Protection Agent shot and injured two people in Portland, OR. Mayor Wu and Governor Healy along with many elected officials have publicly condemned the aggressive tactics of ICE. Bostonians held peaceful protests against ICE violence on Wednesday and through the weekend. A nationwide walkout is planned for Tuesday, January 20th at 2PM local time.
Meanwhile, the Flu is spiking, and the Boston Public Health Commission encourages all residents over six months of age to get their annual flu vaccine. For nearby vaccination providers: use www.vaccinefinder.org. For help applying for health insurance, contact the Mayor’s Health Line at (617) 534-5050– a free, confidential, and multilingual service to help families, regardless of immigration status, find routine care.
New mail related (and more) services available in West Fens: Did you know you can buy USPS postal stamps at the new UPS store on Boylston Street? That, along with a whole lot of other services are now available in the new West Fenway UPS location across from Star Market. You can mail packages, both UPS and USPS, make copies, print flyers, do faxing, scanning, laminating, shredding, rent a mail box, and more. All a welcome addition of much needed services to our neighborhood! For questions, call 617-738-4461 #4 https://locations.theupsstore.com/ma/boston/1363-boylston-st/
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, Jan 13, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., City Hall On The Go: Fenway-Kenmore, scheduled stop near Whole Foods at 83 Edgerly Road. Good news, the city services truck is back, and bringing city services to our neighborhood. Check out their web page for a full list of services offered. No appointment needed, no cash accepted. Get your business done locally! Permits, applications, information and more.
Wednesday, Jan 14, Fenway Cares resumes a bi-weekly schedule for 2026, including the health clinic. Full details below in Health & Safety.
Thursday, Jan 15, 11am, Office of Outdoor Advertising Virtual Public Meeting – Re: Electronic billboard at 51 Brookline Avenue.
via Zoom. The public can offer testimony. In order to participate, you must register at the following link: Register for the meeting.
The agenda includes application by Orange Barrel Media, LLC for one permit for the construction of an electronic billboard to replace an existing static display at 51 Brookline Avenue (rooftop of structure). New Application # 2026D001 (Existing structure, permit #’s 16631, 16631a, 16631b, facing south)
ONGOING & UPCOMING
THE NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
Revolution never gets old! On July 4th, 2026, the USA will celebrate it’s 250th Anniversary.There are plenty of activities throughout Boston: https://www.boston.gov/boston-250, and throughout the state: https://massachusetts250.org/events/
Also, a great exhibition at the main library branch at Copley Square:
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. 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 