Council reads three capital loan orders totaling $463m for first reading; Braden says Alston‑Brighton remains underfunded

The Boston City Council on Wednesday read for the first time three capital loan orders that together would authorize new bond borrowing for capital projects across the city.

Docket 0828 would authorize $266,100,000 for city departments including parks, public works, police, fire, public-health and the mayor’s Office of Housing. Docket 0829 would authorize $196,900,000 for Boston Public Schools capital projects. Docket 0830 would authorize up to $40,000,000 in lease-purchase or installment agreements to acquire equipment and vehicles.

Councilor Brian Worrell, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, described the loan orders as the mechanism that authorizes the city to issue bonds to finance libraries, community centers, school renovations, sidewalks and other projects included in the five‑year capital plan.

Councilor Bethany Braden pressed for greater equity in capital allocations and said Alston‑Brighton has been “consistently underfunded” over multiple administrations. Braden showed council data indicating Alston‑Brighton received little or no new capital authorization in several past years and said the district’s community center remains a long-standing unmet need.

The council conducted first‑reading roll calls; docket 0828 passed its first reading with 11 affirmative votes, with Councilor Braden and Councilor Mejia recorded as no votes on that first reading. Dockets 0829 and 0830 also received first‑reading approval and are assigned for further action and committee review.