Executive Summary
On April 21, 2026, the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks held a hearing to discuss the appointment of Samira Ahmadi to the BERDO Review Board, an $860,000 appropriation for the Cemetery Division, and a $375,000 grant from the Boston Red Sox. Key discussions focused on the technical implementation of building decarbonization for affordable housing, the urgent need for future burial space planning as current capacity is estimated to last only two to three years, and the mitigation of community impacts in the Fenway neighborhood due to increased concert activity.
Meeting Information
- Governing Body: City Council Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks
- Meeting Type: Committee Hearing
- Date: April 21, 2026, at 11:01 AM
- Chair: Councilor Brian Worrell
- Councilors Present: Brian Worrell, John Fitzgerald, Sharon Durkan, and Ruthzee Louijeune.
- Administration and Appointees: Samira Ahmadi (BERDO Appointee), Thomas Sullivan (General Superintendent, Cemetery Division), Margaret Dyson (Trust Office), and Beata Colloy (Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Michelle Wu).
Docket #0260: Confirmation of Samira Ahmadi to the BERDO Review Board
The committee considered the following message: "Message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Samira Ahmadi as a member of the building emissions reduction and disclosure ordinance Review Board for a term expiring May 23rd, 2026."
Key Discussion Points:
- Background: Samira Ahmadi is the founding principal of NV Energy Studio with over 15 years of experience in energy and sustainability consulting. She has an architecture and engineering background and has worked extensively with affordable housing owners on decarbonization.
- Affordable Housing: Councilor Fitzgerald inquired about the challenges facing affordable housing developers regarding BERDO compliance. Ahmadi noted that owners often seek to phase decarbonization based on building occupancy and funding availability.
- Environmental Justice: Ahmadi emphasized her goal to "bring the environmental justice to these entities and to these buildings, meaning that they want to give them a healthier, more sustainable place."
- Outcome: Councilor Durkan and Chair Worrell expressed support for the appointee's qualifications. No formal vote was taken during the hearing.
Docket #0760: Cemetery Trust Fund Appropriation
The committee discussed: "Message in the order for your approval and appropriation in order in the amount of $860,000 for the Cemetery Division of the Parks and Recreation Department The Trust Office of the Treasury Department to be funded from the Cemetery Trust Fund established under Chapter 13 of the Act of 1961."
Financial Breakdown of Proposed Spending:
- $200,000: Engagement of a licensed professional to develop a plan for future burial needs. Superintendent Sullivan noted: "Currently we have new graves at our cemetery location in High Park and best estimate at the current rate... is about two to three years left at that location."
- $300,000: Improvements to pathways and water infrastructure at Mount Hope, Fairview, and Evergreen Cemeteries.
- $200,000: Landscape infrastructure improvements, including fencing and walls.
- $100,000: Improved signage for pathways, streets, and section names.
- $35,000: Digital access support for cemetery records and maps.
Operational Context:
- The city oversees 19 cemeteries (16 historic and 3 active) covering 265 acres.
- The active cemeteries (Mount Hope, Fairview, and Evergreen) perform 600 to 800 burials annually.
- Outcome: Councilors Fitzgerald and Durkan expressed support for the investment in both physical infrastructure and record digitization.
Docket #0761: Red Sox Arts in Parks Program Grant
The committee reviewed: "Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $375,000 in the form of a grant, Red Sox Arts in Parks Program Grant awarded by the Boston Red Sox to be administered by the Mayor's Office."
Key Details:
- This is the fourth year of an eight-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox. The grant amount increases by $25,000 annually.
- Community Impact: Beata Colloy stated: "This grant is especially important for the Fenway community area as the city approved a 13th Fenway concert earlier this year and so as a result would like to focus on the Fenway area receiving these funds."
- Discussion: Councilor Durkan highlighted the impact of 30,000 visitors per game/concert on the Fenway neighborhood and expressed support for using the funds to mitigate these impacts in collaboration with the Fenway Civic Association and the Charlesgate Alliance.
- Outcome: The committee expressed general support for the grant.
Public Testimony and Adjournment
- Public Testimony: No individuals signed up or spoke during the public testimony portion of the hearing.
- Adjournment: Chair Brian Worrell adjourned the hearing, noting that the matters would be moved forward to the next full City Council meeting.