Boston City Council Approves $1.54 Million in Grants, Dozens of Hearing Orders

BOSTON — March 4, 2026 — Boston City Council approves two grants, six resolutions, and refers nine hearing orders at March 4 session. The council unanimously passed a $1,519,383 MassCEC Green Works grant for HVAC improvements at the Otis School in East Boston and a $25,000 Obama Foundation grant for the Office of Black Male Advancement, while Education Committee Chair Julia Mejia reported that Boston Public Schools faces a projected $53 million FY26 budget overrun driven by healthcare costs rising from roughly $134 million to $168 million and transportation costs approaching $200 million. The most contested action came on a resolution from Councillor Tania Fernandes Anderson urging the MBTA to cancel proposed center-running bus lanes on Blue Hill Avenue and redirect those funds to extend the fare-free bus program, which expires at the end of June; Councillor Ricardo Arroyo Pepin objected, warning that reallocating roughly $95 million in Federal Transit Administration capital grants to operational use "could send a signal to an already very hostile federal administration that Boston's priorities have shifted." The council also unanimously adopted resolutions recognizing International Women's Day, Boston Fleet Olympic gold medalists, Crispus Attucks Day, active duty service members, and a resolution supporting the mayor's executive order protecting residents from federal immigration operations — while a resolution calling for the temporary removal of concurrent pedestrian phasing traffic signals after snowstorms failed 4-9 in present votes.