The inspection services division and the Boston Public Schools (BPS) are the two city-run agencies most in need of reform, according to nine candidates running to fill four at-large seats on the city council.
The Reporter and Boston Municipal Research Bureau asked the citywide hopefuls to identify one city agency they view as in need of “urge” reform and why.
Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is “in need of healthy reform” because too many “residents and business owners alike often face delays, inconsistent communication, and unclear processes when trying to navigate inspections, permitting, or code enforcement.
“A more transparent, customer-focused approach, paired with better use of technology, could make ISD more efficient and accessible,” she wrote. “Streamlining timelines, improving follow-up, and ensuring consistent application of rules would also help build public trust and make it easier for residents and businesses to work with the City.”
Will Onuoha, who has worked at City Hall in a variety of posts since the Menino administration and is running for the first time this year, also chose ISD, which he said “needs to be reformed and modernized to handle the volume of work it takes to permit, oversee, and aid the city in some of its most important functions.”
Julia Mejia, an incumbent city councillor from Dorchester, wrote as a priority “the Boston Planning Development Agency (BPDA), which the Wu administration re-named the Boston Planning Dept. in 2024.
“While I appreciate the effort to transform the BPDA and bring City planning fully under a public department, I do not believe this alone will ensure true transformation. I have called for multiple hearings on initiatives like PLAN, Article 80, and Squares + Streets because, while community engagement may be happening on paper, we continue to hear that resident input is not being meaningfully incorporated.
We must move beyond surface-level engagement such as forums, surveys, and timed questions, to deep, sustained community involvement,” Mejia said.
Councillor Erin Murphy and newcomer Alexandra Valdez both zeroed-in on BPS issues.
“Despite significant investments in our schools, student outcomes remain deeply troubling,” wrote Murphy. “Only around 20 percent of Black students and roughly 11 percent of students with disabilities are reading at grade level. These dismal numbers highlight the urgent need for comprehensive change in how BPS operates, allocates resources, and supports its students.”
Valdez thinks the way BPS “serves early learners and English language learners” needs improvements. “While there are many dedicated educators and staff doing incredible work, the system still faces challenges in accessibility, equity, and the resources available to students who need extra support,” she wrote.
Marvin Mathelier also chose the BPS system, saying it needs “a new approach” including “investment, structural reforms, and improvements to physical school infrastructure.”
Rachel Miselman of East Boston said the city’s Department of Equity and Inclusion “needs an overhaul.” “There have been hate crimes against the Jewish community, and not much, if anything, has been done in response,” she wrote.
Henry Santana said the city’s “Coordinated Response Team that addresses the Mass. and Cass crisis” was his choice. “I wouldn’t call it urgent reform, but I do believe we need more investment and expansion,” he wrote.
Frank Baker did not respond to this question in the survey.
