[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6239151,"mediaKeyId","3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e","parentId",3338704,"title","Councilor Santana asks for hearing on occupational cancer risks among Boston firefighters","audioSeconds",11260,"startMs",524000,"endMs",11784000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e&start=524&end=11784","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e/thumbnail_524000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239151/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Councilor-Santana-asks-for-hearing-on-occupational-cancer-risks-among-Boston-firefighters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239151-90226da6eeaf1805b188d54489ecc1a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197755&Signature=ew0i5VOwGVdvfjGGdDluHYTyz0oCd-on-e6M-VWQMpU8msadsbGDh1ejW5HNEWD~1itNSFViGsw4oQcBoVp0QWpxaZvXVfljFTK9E3EMKXXfntFnI3M2U5sLDQBXhtbyNeM3GXAiKXeCD17NXqRh-2PeRygYwCCMkc2l0M27ULtqVUMtMWNo3a181vn9~XOwFZgG-iO~Z46kfUf3~kV6YNa4ld7NGZgMWTMDxx6DiBH8rhzdnr7vJqv6h1ooyAUIuPpNBDXQXe8JIGhL3gKmUGxshg1IMGwK8kt326WDtcbn4dLTo5JReZIMBtaLmwfLCYYIqgs0lcy6ZFHQ9sLisg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-05-16T13:04:12.71Z","article","Councilor Henry Santana filed an order asking the council’s public safety committee to hold a hearing on occupational cancer risks among Boston Firefighters and on city programs for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Santana said the topic is personal to him and highlighted higher cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters because of job exposures. He introduced Boston Firefighters Local 718 President Sam Dillon and firefighter Dan Ranahan of the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation during an earlier presentation; Local 718 described statistics it attributes to occupational exposures, including elevated risks cited in testimony. Sam Dillon told the council that “the work that Dan does through his foundation benefits our members, benefits our families,” and described occupational cancer as a leading cause of line‑of‑duty deaths for the fire service.

Councilor Ed Flynn, a co‑sponsor of the hearing order, and other councilors said they expected a full hearing with the Boston Fire Department, the Public Health Commission and representatives from firefighter health programs to discuss prevention steps, screening, removal of PFAS from gear and other measures. Councilors requested that the public safety committee explore possible funding and programs to expand early detection and treatment for firefighters and to identify best practices from other jurisdictions.

The order was referred to the committee on public safety and criminal justice to set a date and invite relevant agencies and stakeholders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boston City Council Meeting on May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilor Henry Santana filed an order requesting a public hearing on occupational cancer risks for Boston Firefighters and city programs for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239161,"City council votes to codify Department of Innovation and Technology",485,10220000,10705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e&start=10220&end=10705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e/thumbnail_10220000.jpg","/articles/6239161/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/City-council-votes-to-codify-Department-of-Innovation-and-Technology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239161-1b9d7b7e8a3716075b12bdab49e2f600/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197755&Signature=Z6faLNr9zGdD974OeokI6I5XbdUnmN75Nu951owvHLSjRVFr418RPIJtJnwacxNDdOaY1xgpjbvHITJ~5vnS4ZSyGhkT1WNRJ1fGIb2aNz6eEOL~7T9cSB11J2t2lc0YVXEv1vK7An-63-ZxUkcpqEezMXKupu72ZdjZN3PZAmG3lVqx-~cXwXGnMydgc2c4pH-WTSCtn1L0fB7IwqazGlYINpCeJdvRPgi8FY7mQPddpRDoCLmwBamLfLU0-QFdgtcHb2jqJPSRIOYyN427HLvpcE4lJXbh~TpHBaofVF1tAJq8ZLQoC46tx9vg-YVJSK0beJzeW5mKKYnrMsr-bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boston City Council voted to codify the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), converting the office from its current administrative form into a department established by ordinance and giving it formal authority to manage citywide digital services, data governance and memorandums of understanding with quasi‑independent agencies.

Proponents said codifying DoIT will strengthen the city’s technology stewardship, improve data access across agencies, support workforce upskilling and boost cybersecurity protections.

Councilor Tisha Worrell and Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata sponsored the ordinance and described the item as a multi‑year priority. Councilors praised DoIT’s work on digitizing permits and services, and on piloting a permanent process to simplify applications for residents. Councilor Braden and others emphasized the department’s role in defending city systems from cyber threats and urged budgetary support for DoIT staffing and tools.

The council passed the ordinance after a motion to substitute and a suspension of the rules; several members spoke in favor and the item was adopted by voice vote following the suspension and passage motion. Supporters noted DoIT’s existing responsibilities and said codification would provide clearer authority and enable the department to execute cross‑agency MOUs and data‑sharing agreements.

Councilors who spoke included the bill sponsors and several at‑large and district members who described DoIT’s role in closing the digital divide and improving access to city services for seniors, public‑housing residents and immigrants. The ordinance passed on the council floor and will be in effect after any required mayoral action and administrative steps.

Council materials and the hearing record indicate remaining follow‑up steps include updating ordinance text for minor name spellings and coordinating with the administration on staffing and implementation details. Law department and DoIT leaders committed to continued collaboration on codification language and operational rollout.

This action formalizes DoIT’s position as the city’s central technology steward and signals continued council and administration attention to cybersecurity, digital service delivery and data governance.","The City Council voted to codify the Department of Innovation and Technology, giving the office formal ordinance authority to manage citywide digital services, data governance and inter‑agency technology agreements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239165,"Boston council advances home-rule petition to put ranked-choice voting on a future ballot",3967,2747000,6714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e&start=2747&end=6714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e/thumbnail_2747000.jpg","/articles/6239165/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-council-advances-home-rule-petition-to-put-ranked-choice-voting-on-a-future-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239165-8a20355dc58472a0ef0f21fe49f976be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197755&Signature=ksi2Y0nvcljS8d2tiwRRk6chWLv51ts1whVURFFe9TMk6vhJ4HD-L8GdzUgeebWYZRdAoysfaw5~xpM-41~yZJ4aaQLrAlifi1d5j2ArFQ74vqX5UNjU3SPkwKGZYYMhxwZYRtyPP1zJzXYi5JnUWDe8GpGMCbvEtDcIe4PQ-1XMFSuUAF3Hi-v-tvwQ5M21hFQKe98sgl147gUuCYnLQO0e50b0vDtkVbD65wXbux0rpGq5vLIJ3Y0L7Sv31HpsQwVm3uq0zMzF72uKkrxHBGc42h6OHh25ttFYZc2vEx3jcikwz3zI68f4xP6iduWhQGRHuxRhvVCBNGfHPb1eFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston City Councilors voted on Wednesday to advance a home-rule petition that would place a ranked-choice voting (RCV) question on a future municipal ballot, moving the measure from committee to the full council as a new draft after months of hearings and changes.

The proposal would let Boston voters decide whether to adopt RCV for mayor and district city council contests that have three or more candidates and for all at-large general elections; the law would take effect only if voters approve the ballot question and at least 365 days have passed.

Supporters said RCV would help voters express preferences without “wasting” a vote, encourage broader coalitions and deliver winners with majority support. Opponents cautioned that adding complexity now risks confusing voters and could overburden the elections office after operational problems in 2024.

The draft that advanced to the full council includes a series of technical amendments recommended by the committee on government operations. Among the notable changes: general-election ballots would allow voters to rank up to four candidates (including write-ins); preliminary elections for mayor and district council would advance the top four candidates to the general election; the elections commission would publish round-by-round preliminary results on election night (with a best-effort deadline) and provide machine-readable final data to enable independent verification; and a requirement that the elections commission run a multilingual voter-education campaign and design clear ballots.

Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, chair of the committee on government operations, presented the committee report and described the amended home-rule petition’s technical provisions and implementation timeline. “If passed at the city and state level, the proposal… would be placed before Boston voters on a future election ballot,” she said during the committee report.

Council President Louie Jin urged colleagues to support the measure, saying RCV “makes our elections better by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference.” Supporters pointed to other U.S. cities that use RCV and to voter surveys in some jurisdictions showing that voters can understand the ballot. Councilor Ruthy Mejia and Councilor Henry Santana emphasized the proposal’s potential to improve representation for communities of color and to reduce “spoiler” dynamics in multi‑candidate races.

Opponents included Councilor Ed Flynn, who argued that residents are more focused on public safety and city services than on changing the voting system, and that the city’s election operations were not ready after problems during the 2024 elections. Councilor Kendra Murphy also raised concerns that RCV could introduce “unnecessary complexity” and disenfranchise seniors and English-language learners.

The vote on the committee report and passage in a new draft carried in the council chamber. The roll call recorded eight votes in the affirmative and four in the negative. The petition now moves to the state legislature; if the state approves the home-rule petition and the mayor signs it, the question would be placed on a future municipal ballot and would take effect only after voter approval and a 365‑day implementation period.

The next steps likely include further rulemaking by the elections commission (if the law reaches that stage), continued outreach by the ranked-choice coalition and potential technical rulemaking by the city to coordinate election operations and voter education ahead of any ballot question.

Boston City Councilors who spoke at length for and against the petition included Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata (committee chair), Council President Louie Jin, Councilor Ruthy Mejia, Councilor Henry Santana, Councilor Ed Flynn and Councilor Kendra Murphy. Additional working sessions and hearings, some with the election department in attendance, informed the committee’s amendments and the council’s recommendation.

If the state legislature approves the home-rule petition and Boston voters approve RCV on a ballot, the petition as amended provides built-in timelines and requirements intended to give the elections commission time to implement the new tabulation and reporting rules and to run voter education before the first RCV election.","Boston City Councilors voted Wednesday to advance a home‑rule petition to put ranked‑choice voting before Boston voters, sending an amended draft to the full council after extended hearings and technical changes to implementation and tabulation rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239156,"Councilor Flynn proposes road safety and community engagement commission to address bikes, e‑bikes and pedestrian safety",1538,8721000,10259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e&start=8721&end=10259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338704-7b96eadff6f2d12f2760271552bdf67e/thumbnail_8721000.jpg","/articles/6239156/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Councilor-Flynn-proposes-road-safety-and-community-engagement-commission-to-address-bikes-ebikes-and-pedestrian-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239156-8fffbacce70df12e7e2f08ef4250aecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197755&Signature=H0-fNkvty9f8dYEl7du6Aa9QNLnlMoPIUZXpOK0X-khNz7DJrVIoRgj5Rm7fI2dY1q9sZDDy3Y6xVA26NtBlVrlWTV0Wg1E67mZ6UTaFexjjZs1c1XjIaFAKqav2Mc2TF0-Ey7oBKqBpbUxFZD6oeYjp28E0e239h3MUR63HA1c2DX1DtooEJNjxGhW1T-5LBvlX8dXMSCTXJ0GxTB5IokHt5tfAVlXl9AghUYBhGXCA9ig6RNEPZUYswD6Qo7af6BBfLPlkPsSqDtQsE5Fncr8hdoh2JDJ6u6jtt04z45uaxKyH9IvaTGR7oRZnE-bW-01U1mhK~fcIfVjLs4dHqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Ed Flynn filed an ordinance asking the City Council to establish a Road Safety and Community Engagement Commission to review and recommend rules for bicycles, electric bikes, motorized bicycles and scooters and to improve the city’s community engagement around street redesigns.

Flynn said neighbors — particularly seniors and small‑business owners — raise safety and enforcement concerns and that bike lanes and other street changes too often appear to be implemented without adequate community process. In his remarks he said Boston “can no longer be the Wild West” for micromobility devices and asked for a stronger framework for registration, enforcement and community input.

Several colleagues raised questions and cautions: Councilor Peppin supported a hearing but said regulation of bicycles should be considered carefully (noting children who ride bikes); Councilor Weber asked whether Bluebikes or shared‑bike programs would be affected by registration proposals. Councilor Durkin and others cautioned that pausing all bike infrastructure until a single master plan is adopted could reverse progress on reducing car dependency and could make streets less safe; Durkin said data show increases in bicycle trips where protected infrastructure was added.

Councilors agreed to send the filing to the Committee on Government Operations for further hearings, where the commission’s scope, definitions (e.g., which devices would require registration) and possible interactions with state traffic law will be addressed. Supporters emphasized stronger enforcement and better community process; opponents warned against measures that would create new barriers to biking or disadvantage low‑income riders.

The filing frames the item as a path to balancing safety, enforcement, and equity while coordinating with state law and the Boston Transportation Department’s planning work.","Councilor Ed Flynn filed an ordinance to create a Road Safety and Community Engagement Commission to examine regulation, registration, enforcement and community process for bicycles, e‑bikes, mopeds and scooters, citing neighborhood safety concerns and uneven implementation of bike lanes; the item was referred to the Committee on Government","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilor Santana asks for hearing on occupational cancer risks among Boston firefighters

City council votes to codify Department of Innovation and Technology

Boston council advances home-rule petition to put ranked-choice voting on a future ballot

Councilor Flynn proposes road safety and community engagement commission to address bikes, e‑bikes and pedestrian safety