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Does the Boston City Council need a new committee after Fernandes Anderson arrest? Ed Flynn thinks so
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Batten down the hatches inflatable holiday decorations.
Heavy rain and high winds are coming our way today. Meteorologist Danielle Noyes forecasts the most intense part of the storm is expected to arrive this evening, bringing with it the chance of power outages, flooding and scattered wind damage. “Perhaps skip the umbrella and opt for the raincoat,” Noyes suggests. (The National Weather Service has a radar simulation of the storm’s timeline here, plus maps showing what areas are at greatest risk of flooding and wind damage.)
Now, to the news:
The Boston City Council meets today for the first time since Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on public corruption charges. One item on the agenda: whether to form an official ethics committee. Councilor Ed Flynn proposed the idea in the wake of Fernandes Anderson’s arrest, saying it would provide more oversight on the conduct of councilors and their staff.
- The case for it: Flynn argues the New York City Council, Massachusetts State House and U.S. Congress all have some form of ethics committee. “ While city councilors and staff are currently required to attend mandatory training, the City Council does not currently have an ethics committee,” Flynn told WBUR’s Cici Yongshi Yu. “And this will ensure that we will be in compliance and know what the rules and laws are, and how to conduct ourselves in the most professional and ethical way possible.”
- What’s next: Flynn said the City Council could vote to establish the committee today, but noted he’s heard opposition from some of his fellow councilors. That means there’s a greater likelihood the idea will be referred to a committee for a potential future hearing.
- The latest: NBC Boston reports Fernandes Anderson was back at work this week, despite calls for her resignation.
- ICYMI: WBUR’s Meghan Kelly breaks down the charges against Fernandes Anderson in this short Instagram reel.
Federal report fallout: Worcester is making some immediate changes after a federal report accused the city’s police department of civil rights violations. The report said police officers investigating the commercial sex trade had sex with suspected prostitutes and that the department had a pattern of excessive force.
- In the short term: While a city lawyer has called the report “unfair,” Worcester City Manager Eric Batista is ordering the department to undergo training on behavioral health and bias. He also plans to set up a hotline for reporting police misconduct.
- “In the coming weeks”: Batista said he plans to propose to City Council the framework for a Civilian Review Board for police complaints (e.g. what Boston has). The Telegram & Gazette has more on the proposed changes here.
South of the border: The country’s first state-sanctioned overdose prevention center is set to open in Providence. The nonprofit Project Weber/RENEW held a ribbon-cutting yesterday for the facility, which will allow people to use illegal drugs under medical supervision. (The exact opening date is still pending some local permits.)
- Go deeper: Here’s a look at the years-long effort that led to this point — and the potential challenges ahead for the facility.
- In other Rhode Island news: The state narrowed down the finalists to build the replacement for the westbound Washington Bridge, which was shut down a year ago today.
For the second time this year, L.L. Bean is laying off employees. The retailer says about 3% of its employees in Maine — or between 50 and 75 people — are being laid off or taking a buyout. An L.L. Bean spokesperson cited the “fluctuating retail landscape.”
- Flashback: In April, L.L. Bean laid off employees at its call center and reduced its hours.
P.S.— Boston is holding its annual press conference to discuss the city’s winter preparedness this afternoon. But how prepared are you for what La Niña could bring this season? Take our special New England winter quiz and test your knowledge (and readiness).
