Environmental Justice, Resiliency, & Parks Committee Hearing on Docket #1241 - September 10, 2026

The Boston City Council Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, & Parks, chaired by Councillor Brian Warrell, held a hearing on Docket #1241 on September 10, 2026, at 3:02 PM. The hearing examined the concentration of waste transfer facilities, illegal dumping, environmental justice, and fair housing impacts in residential and mixed-use neighborhoods, particularly in Roxbury. The docket was sponsored by Councillors Culpepper and Mejia. The hearing included pre-recorded video testimonies from residents, a panel of experts and community leaders, and live public testimony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diana Salazar (Roxbury resident, via video): Expressed that the community has been forced to deal with the impacts of waste transfer operations, including odors, fires, and hazardous conditions, reflecting long-term neglect. Called for meaningful action and buffer zone protections.
• Isabel Barentini (Roxbury resident, via video): Described living within one-tenth of a mile of two waste processing facilities, noting the March 2025 eight-alarm fire at the Gerard Street facility that caused $4 million in damage and hospitalized three firefighters. Argued that the geography of waste infrastructure in Boston is intentional and constitutes environmental injustice under Massachusetts Executive Order 552.
• Latoya (Roxbury resident, via video): Recounted experiencing the March 2025 fire, which triggered her asthma for over two days. Stated that the smell and pollution were unbearable and that no family should be forced to live with such conditions.
• Karema Rojas (Roxbury resident): Opposed the operation of the Cambridge/Roxbury transfer station near Orchard Gardens, citing fires, odors, and hazardous conditions. Noted that the facility accepts municipal solid waste, tires, and hazardous waste, and is located near a field being renovated into recreational facilities. Called for the city to stop the harmful practice.
• Kalamu Kyeta (Lifelong Roxbury resident, community organizer with DSNI): Supported removing waste transfer stations, calling them a "long-lasting stain of Boston's neglectful and racist past." Urged the council to finish the fight started by the "Don't Dump on Us" campaign 45 years ago and reclaim the land for community-led development.
• Sean O'Connor (Local resident): Described deafening truck noise at night, horrific summer smells, and a filthy environment around Norfolk and Gerard streets. Said the land could be put to better use, such as green space.
• Maranta (Roxbury/Dorchester border resident): Reported unidentified putrid smells and worsening asthma since moving to Boston. Noted that such smells are absent in wealthier neighborhoods like Brookline, and argued that Roxbury residents deserve the same respect and clean air.
• Renee Mardones (Boston resident): Proposed relocation of the Republic Services and Roxbury Resource facilities. Requested that the committee extend the comment period to the end of next week and hold a community listening session. Also requested a zoning amendment for the area.
• Vickiana Pitom (Community organizer, DSNI): Supported relocation of the trash transfer stations, calling the situation "legalized dumping." Highlighted multiple recent fires at the facilities, workers' strikes over hazardous conditions, and the lack of transparency. Urged re-examining zoning to match the actual residential and commercial use of the area.
• Asia Jackson (Lifelong Roxbury resident, Boston Public Health Commission board member): Questioned how many fires and how much exposure is needed before action is taken. Called for independent monitoring, real-time data, health tracking, transparency, and enforceable protections.
• Denise January (Coordinator, Environmental Justice Assistance Network at ACE): Expressed disheartenment over the fires and noted that the DEP states the facilities are in compliance despite community concerns. Urged the city council to take action and work collaboratively with the community.

Discussion Items

• Opening Remarks and Panel Presentations:
  • Councillor Culpepper (lead sponsor) emphasized that the concentration of waste facilities in Roxbury is a fair housing and environmental justice issue, noting the March 2025 fire and the disproportionate burden on historically disinvested communities. He advocated for stronger monitoring, enforcement, zoning changes, and a more equitable regional approach to waste management.
  • Chair Warrell highlighted that neighborhoods like Roxbury have more transfer stations and a history of disproportionate dumping, stressing the need for stricter enforcement and equitable siting decisions.
  • Councillor Murphy, Fitzgerald, Flynn, and Louis Jen each expressed support for the issue, with Flynn noting the high asthma rates in Chinatown and Louis Jen emphasizing environmental racism and health consequences.
• Panel Testimony:
  • John Smith (Executive Director, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative - DSNI): Provided historical context, noting that DSNI's first campaign was "Don't Dump on Us" against illegal dumping in the 1980s. Stated that the neighborhood has long borne disproportionate environmental burdens, with asthma and bronchitis rates roughly twice the rest of Boston. Emphasized that environmental issues affect health, housing, and economic development.
  • Marcos Belice (Roxbury resident, DSNI board member): Shared personal experiences of foul odors, truck noise, and fires over 25 years. Described how the transfer stations have contributed to illicit activity and made the area unsafe. Called for urgent action, noting that recent fires indicate the problem is intensifying.
  • Dan O'Brien (Professor, Northeastern University; Principal Investigator, Common Senses project): Presented data from 51 heat/noise and 23 air quality sensors deployed in the neighborhood around Blue Hill Avenue. Data from the March 2025 fire showed elevated particulate matter near the Gerard Street facility, though the wind blew most pollutants away from the sensors. He noted that the state's DEP monitoring site 1.5 miles away did not detect the event, highlighting limitations. Recommended tracking volatile organic compounds (VOCs) rather than particulate matter for better regulation, and suggested intentional sensor placement around the transfer station.
  • Tristan Thomas (Director of Policy and Law, Alternatives for Community and Environment - ACE): Framed the issue as an environmental justice, public health, and civil rights concern. Cited state data showing the area is in the 99th percentile for cumulative environmental burden, 98th for nitrogen dioxide exposure, 95th for diesel particulate matter, and 97th for heavy traffic. Health outcomes include 85th percentile for pediatric asthma and 77th for premature mortality. Noted that these facilities have never undergone a comprehensive environmental review.
• Councillor Questions and Discussion:
  • Councillor Culpepper asked about approaches to move Republic Services from the area. Prof. O'Brien recommended zoning amendments, such as prohibiting certain industrial uses within half a mile of residential zones. Culpepper noted a zoning amendment has already been filed and expressed interest in starting work immediately.
  • Councillor Culpepper also asked Tristan Thomas about ACE's definition of environmental justice and its application to the waste facilities. Thomas emphasized equal treatment before the law and community voice in decision-making.
  • Councillor Murphy asked about existing violations and enforcement. Thomas responded that despite repeated complaints, the DEP considers facilities in compliance. A $500,000 study in the state bond bill and provisions for warrantless inspections are being pursued. Murphy also questioned why Cambridge's trash is dumped in Roxbury and suggested reaching out to the Cambridge City Council for support.
  • Councillor Fitzgerald asked about the duration of the facilities (over 40 years), worker health protections, and the potential for a fee on waste from other communities. He also inquired about what should be tracked instead of particulate matter; Prof. O'Brien recommended VOC sensors.
  • Councillor Fitzgerald further asked about solutions for relocating the facilities. Panelists emphasized that the need to be near people (for services) does not apply to trash transfer stations; they can be sited away from residential areas. They expressed willingness to work collaboratively on a relocation plan.
  • Councillor Flynn noted the absence of an environmental study and expressed that he would not accept the Boston Public Health Commission's position as final. He asked about health data; John Smith confirmed links to health impacts through BMC partners. Flynn also expressed empathy for residents' struggles and offered his support.
  • Councillor Louis Jen asked about methods to bring Mass DEP directly into the community to hear complaints. Panelists agreed to follow up. He also asked about the number of transfer stations (believed to be two active ones) and the legal risks of sensor placement near the facilities. Prof. O'Brien acknowledged historical cease-and-desist threats. Louis Jen also asked about lessons from DSNI's past land reclamation efforts, which John Smith noted could inform community-controlled development of the site.
• Senator Liz Miranda (written testimony): Submitted a two-page letter urging the city council to review contractual relationships with Allied Waste Services/Republic Services and examine zoning and land use protections. Her letter highlighted a 2018 DEP penalty of nearly $50,000 and ongoing non-compliance concerns.

Key Outcomes

• The chair announced that written and virtual testimony will remain open; comments can be emailed to ccc.ep@boston.gov.
• Chair Warrell committed to working with Councillor Culpepper on coordinating a community listening session in Roxbury.
• Councillor Culpepper noted that a zoning amendment has already been filed and called for moving it forward through the appropriate committee.
• Councillor Culpepper also initiated a connection between his legislative director and Prof. O'Brien to begin working on zoning amendments immediately.
• No votes were taken; the hearing served as a fact-finding and discussion session. The hearing was adjourned.