Boston's Rodent Action Plan Has Not Had a Substantive Update Since 2024, Council Order Says; Hearing Set for Friday
Allston-Brighton and the Downtown, Chinatown, North End and South End area were named the top priority neighborhoods. Councilor Ed Flynn is renewing his call for a 'rat czar.'
The Boston City Council's Committee on City Services will hold a hearing Friday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. on the status of the Boston Rodent Action Plan, which the council's order says has not had a substantive update since its 2024 release.
The order, filed Sept. 23 by Councilors Liz Breadon and Edward M. Flynn with 10 co-sponsors, says Allston-Brighton and Ward 3, which covers Downtown, Chinatown, the North End, the South End and Haymarket, were identified as the two highest-priority neighborhoods based on 311 and inspection data, inspector input and surveys.
The order calls for the administration and Inspectional Services to report on progress, challenges, interdepartmental coordination and neighborhood-level data.
Flynn, who chairs the committee, said the plan falls short of his recommendation, and that of its author, rodent expert Bobby Corrigan, to create a dedicated "rat czar" position like New York City's, according to a statement published by Caught in Southie. He also disputed the Boston Public Health Commission's assessment that rats do not currently pose a high public health threat.
The public may testify in person at City Hall or virtually, and the hearing will be streamed at boston.gov/city-council-tv.
How we reported this
Built from the Boston City Council's Docket #1804 order and hearing notice and Councilor Flynn's statement as published by Caught in Southie. No coverage was found in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, WBUR or Universal Hub as of Oct. 20.
