During a 30-minute public-comment period, tenants and volunteers delivered sustained criticism of building management and detention-center operations.

Mercy Guadad, a tenant at the Willows at Symphony Hall managed by Ingerman, recounted years of problems since she moved in June 2023: electrical failures that affected stoves and HVAC, mold confirmed as penicillium and aspergillus, protracted delays in repairs, pest infestations, and what she described as inadequate responses from management and inconsistent code-enforcement follow-up. She said she paid nearly $400 for an independent mold inspection and ultimately had appliances replaced only after prolonged pressure and advocacy. She gave her address as 395 Halsey Street and asked the clerk to ensure follow-up.

Kimberly J. Ford, a neighbor and resident, said building residents were excluded from a seller meeting and proposed stipulations for any sale to MRK, including a six-month probation for management staff, confidential resident surveys, and required remediation and maintenance staffing paid from existing social-services funds.

Volunteers working at Delaney Hall, a migrant-detention facility, described hazardous visitation conditions in cold weather, lack of ADA access, and safety concerns for visitors. Adam Marshall, a volunteer, reported speeding vehicles at the waiting area, no indoor waiting for visitors and inconsistent signage and information; he asked for traffic controls, a temporary indoor waiting area, and meetings with public safety and emergency-management staff. Terry Seuss of the Eyes on Ice coalition urged immediate intervention, suggested fines or contract review of GEO Group if conditions do not improve, and asked elected officials to require written corrective-action plans and oversight.

Administration response: The business administrator urged that individuals bring verifiable data where possible. He defended the administration’s water-quality work and lead-service-line replacement program, which he said involved raising more than $100 million to replace over 23,000 lead service lines; he also invited residents to present empirical data on crime if they believe official statistics are inaccurate.

What’s next: Council staff said someone from the clerk’s office would follow up with tenants who provided addresses, and council members signaled openness to mediation with buyers, tenants and management regarding proposed sales.