The City Council’s census and redistricting committee is scheduling five hearings this fall as its members weigh the redrawing the council district boundaries.
The Boston Redevelopment Authority maintains several areas in the southern part of the city, including in Dorchester and Mattapan, have lost population. The agency controversially transferred sections of Dorchester into Roxbury and Mattapan, according to a Reporter analysis.
The effort to redraw the boundaries, led by District 2 Councillor Bill Linehan, is similar to the undertaking of the state Legislature’s redistricting committee, which is redrawing Congressional, state Senate and state House district boundaries.
Per the release from Linehan’s office: “Given the 2010 Census results and the current delineation of Council districts, it is clear that many neighborhoods will be impacted and likely to see changes to the current City Council boundaries. While Boston experienced a significant population growth from 2000, up nearly 5% (589,141- 617,594), only five of nine districts located in the northern sections of the City saw the increases. The new district map will be in effect for the next ten years.”
— Thursday, September 8th 6-8pm, Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont Street
— Tuesday, September 20th 6-8pm, George Wright Golf Course, 420 West Street
— Thursday, October 13th 6-8pm, Franklin Park Golf Course, 1 Circuit Drive
— Tuesday, October 18th 6-8pm, Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont Street
— TBD- New England Carpenter’s Hall, 750 Dorchester Avenue
“It is imperative that these sessions are attended by a diverse group of residents,” Linehan said in a statement. “Folks should come to voice their opinion and state criteria they feel is important to drawing a new district map.”
The committee held a hearing earlier this year, which largely focused on reprecincting. More information is available here (second item).
