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.
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
News Summary The Chelsea community rallied at city hall to protest the detainment of two young asylum seekers by ICE. Belizario A. Benito Vazquez and Geovani De La Cruz Catalan...
News Summary Aaron Parsons, a 47-year-old man from Revere, has been sentenced to up to 16 years in prison following his guilty plea for the manslaughter of 29-year-old Sarah Dorany....
News Summary Terence E. Crosbie, a firefighter from Ireland, is on trial for allegedly raping a woman in a Boston hotel room. Testimonies reveal conflicting accounts of the incident that...
News Summary A recent report reveals that Boston’s suburbs are experiencing a surge in rental growth, attracting 25,500 new renters from 2018 to 2023. This trend highlights the unaffordability of...
News Summary Mayoral candidate Josh Kraft has criticized Mayor Michelle Wu’s management of the Boston Housing Authority following a federal audit revealing serious deficiencies in BHA properties. The audit highlighted...
News Summary Michael Campbell, a former bouncer, has been found guilty of rape and indecent assault and battery in a case involving an incident at the Cask ‘n Flagon nightclub....
News Summary In Massachusetts, the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network has established a hotline to report and verify sightings of ICE agents amid increased federal immigration enforcement. This initiative aims to...
News Summary Tensions rise between Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons as they debate immigration enforcement and transparency. Wu criticizes ICE’s tactics, claiming they undermine community...
News Summary The Boston City Council has unanimously passed a $4.8 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on housing stability, youth employment opportunities, and mental health services. The...