Government
Boston, Massachusetts
The city is governed by a Mayor-Council system. The Mayor serves as the city’s chief executive officer, while the Boston City Council acts as the legislative body. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term in a nonpartisan election. The City Council consists of 13 members, with nine elected from districts and four elected at-large to represent the entire city. Council members serve two-year terms.
The City Council is responsible for establishing policies, approving the city budget, and overseeing municipal operations. Unlike a Council-Manager system, Boston does not have a city manager; instead, the Mayor directly oversees city departments and agencies.
The Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provide public safety services, while the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department manages corrections and legal processes.
Contact Information
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Phone: (617) 635-4000
Website: boston.gov
Mayor’s Office
Phone: (617) 635-4500
Email: mayor@boston.gov
Boston City Council
For a full list of City Council members and their contact information, visit the City Council Members page: boston.gov/citycouncil
Public Services
Non-Emergency Services & General Inquiries: Dial 311
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Medical): Dial 911
Boston Police Department (BPD): (617) 343-4500
Boston Fire Department (BFD): (617) 343-3550
Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS): (617) 343-2367
GOVERNMENT NEWS
Boston Public Schools Faces Challenges as Agreement Expires
News Summary Boston Public Schools is bracing for significant changes as an essential agreement with the state is due to expire in June 2025. The agreement aimed to address various...
Boston: Community on Alert After Assault on University Student
MassLive Wikipedia: Suffolk University WCVB Google Search: Attack on Suffolk University Student WHDH Google Scholar: Suffolk University Assault Boston 25 News Encyclopedia Britannica: Suffolk University CBS News Google News: Suffolk...
Catalytic Converter Thefts Surge in Rhode Island
News Summary Rhode Island is experiencing a dramatic increase in catalytic converter thefts, with three local men facing federal charges for their involvement in a scheme that stole over $2.4...
Boston Faces PILOT Payment Puzzle with Harvard
The Crimson: Harvard PILOT Payment Situation Bloomberg: Harvard Property Tax Analysis The Crimson: Harvard PILOT Payments Overview My Southborough: Harvard’s PILOT Payments Law Professors: Harvard’s PILOT Renewal Efforts Wikipedia: Payment...
Watertown Police Arrest Boston Man for Fentanyl Trafficking
News Summary In a significant move against drug trafficking, Watertown Police arrested Boston resident Wilkims Soto-Suazo for allegedly selling fentanyl. This operation, conducted with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task...
Boston’s Future at Risk Amid Federal Funding Cuts
News Summary The Trump Administration is targeting sanctuary cities like Boston for federal funding cuts. With around $300 million in federal aid at stake, local officials rally to protect community...
Local Faculty Inducted into American Academy of Arts and Sciences
News Summary Cambridge’s academic community celebrates as nearly 250 new members join the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences, including 16 from Harvard and 6 from MIT. This recognition...
Air Quality in Boston Takes a Turn for the Worse
News Summary Boston’s air quality is deteriorating, with 46% of Americans exposed to unhealthy levels of pollution. A recent report reveals alarming trends, including increased exposure to unhealthy air affecting...
Flight Emergency at Boston’s Logan Airport
News Summary A British Airways flight experienced a bird strike and subsequently reported cabin smoke during its journey from Washington, D.C. to London, leading to an emergency landing at Logan...
