Boston city councilors unhappy with having to work this past New Year’s Day are seeking a change in the city charter that would prevent mayoral and council inaugurations from being held on a federal holiday.
Councilor Gabriela Coletta, chair of the government operations committee, is recommending that the body vote favorably Wednesday on a home rule petition that would amend the city charter by moving the inauguration date from the first Monday of January to the first weekday after Jan. 2.
If approved, Mayor Michelle Wu would need to sign off on the petition before it could be pitched to state lawmakers on Beacon Hill, who would also have to approve a charter change moving the end of mayoral and council terms in the same way.
“The purpose of this docket is to ensure that City of Boston employees will not be required to work on the federally observed holiday for Jan. 1 New Year’s Day solely to participate in and facilitate city council and mayoral inaugurations (and) the commencement of the municipal year,” Coletta wrote in a committee report.
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The docket for the petition, filed by Council Vice President Brian Worrell, drew laughter when it was read into the record by City Clerk Alex Geourntas at a Jan. 24 City Council meeting.
“Lots of snickering, I wonder why,” Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said at the time, perhaps alluding to the late-night celebrations that occurred on New Year’s Eve followed by the quick turnaround of a 10 a.m. inauguration, where the 13 councilors elected in November were required to take the oath of office.
A brief City Council meeting was also held at noon on New Year’s Day, where a vote was taken to select Louijeune as the body’s new president.
Worrell, in a Monday statement to the Herald, spoke to the strain that quick turnaround placed on the city’s public safety employees.
“This year, our first responders had to staff our inauguration 10 hours after First Night and New Year’s Eve,” Worrell said. “That’s too great a strain to put on our public safety officers. Other years, we wait till Jan. 7 to have an inauguration.
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“I’d rather get to work earlier,” he added. “This solution solves for both problems, updating a centuries-old document with an easy fix that will ensure inauguration is Jan. 3-5, which is more in line with federal standards and should increase civic engagement.”
In January, he said the home rule petition “follows Congress’ rule for the most part, which has its inauguration Jan. 3 so it would never fall on either New Year’s Day or its observed holiday.”
Louijeune also spoke favorably of the measure in January, saying that many council staff members had to work on the holiday this year as well, and were given the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend off to make up for it.
The tradition of swearing in on New Year’s Day is nothing unique to Boston. Media reports indicate that a number of mayors and city councilors were sworn into office in other Massachusetts municipalities this year on Jan. 1.
Under the city charter, the inauguration date, municipal years, and elected terms can fall from Jan. 1-7 as the “first Monday in January.” The petition seeks to change those dates to between Jan. 3-5, as the first weekday after Jan. 2.
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The act, if passed locally and by the state, would take effect starting with the elected terms and the municipal year that begins Jan. 5, 2026.
While 10 councilors signed onto Worrell’s petition after it was introduced in late January, two others didn’t: Ed Flynn, who was absent, and Erin Murphy. Both say they plan to vote ‘no’ if it is brought to a vote on Wednesday.
“As elected officials, I believe we have the obligation to serve the public at all times, even during a holiday,” Flynn said on Monday. “I’m honored to serve as a city councilor, and I will continue to work hard for my constituents day and night.”
Murphy said “winning an election and representing the City Council is an honor,” and that she doesn’t think working on a federal holiday for the inauguration is a “sacrifice.”
In terms of civic engagement, she said, having the ceremony on a federal holiday is “actually more convenient that family and others don’t have to take the day off work to join.”
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Murphy said there isn’t a need, in her opinion, to change the city charter, established in 1822, pointing to the lack of frequency with which the inauguration falls on a federal holiday.
It wouldn’t occur again until 2040, when the first Monday of the month is Jan. 2, the observed date. The inauguration would next fall on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, in 2046.
If the proposed charter change is because an inauguration “falls after people going out on New Year’s Eve,” Murphy said, “then I’m 100% against it.”
City Councilor Brian Worrell (Herald file)
Jaylen Brown came to Boston in 2016 as a raw lottery pick out of California; he leaves a decade later, following a stunning trade to Philadelphia, as an NBA champion and an essential piece of the city’s social fabric.
“What this trade does is show young fans what sports heartbreak is,” Celtics superfan Chris Soldani told the Herald. “There is now a huge void, and a lot of people don’t know how to process this situation.”
Look no further than Randolph for proof. Immediately after learning about the trade, 6-year-old Giovanni “Gio” Jean cried uncontrollably while wearing a No. 7 Celtics jersey autographed by Brown.
His mother, Gigi Durand, captured the moment on video as Gio sobbed, “You are my favorite player in the whole NBA.” Holding up a handmade sign pleading for his idol to “come back one day,” the youngster asked his mother to mail it.
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The footage went viral, racking up over 10 million views and drawing a direct response from Brown: “It’s ok lil bro,” he posted, adding a heart emoji. “We will always be friends.”
That instinct to connect directly with the fan base is exactly what drew superfans like Soldani to Brown.
In early May, Brown invited Soldani — known as “Caveman on Causeway” — and several others onto a Twitch livestream he hosted just after the 76ers eliminated Boston. The stream stirred controversy as the longtime Celtic described last year as the favorite of his career despite playing most of it without Jayson Tatum.
Soldani called the bond “one of the most unlikely connections.”
Under the blockbuster deal, Boston sends the 29-year-old 2024 Finals MVP to their bitter Atlantic Division rival for 36-year-old veteran Paul George and four draft picks. Fans say it will take time to overcome losing a superstar who doubled as one of Massachusetts’ most impactful civic anchors.
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“With all the impact that Jaylen has on the city, and the youth, and putting money into the city,” Soldani said, “it truly bankrupts the city as a community.”
This spring, Boston Magazine ranked Brown the eighth most influential Bostonian, detailing his work hosting fundraising bowling events and education fairs in Roxbury.
That legacy echoes across local sports talk radio as fans process the gamble taken by front-office architect Brad Stevens — a decision complicated by reports that Brown feels his decade of service ended without the mutual respect he earned.
Gov. Maura Healey noted on social media that it’s “hard to imagine” the Celtics without Brown. She added, “You’ll always have a home in Boston.”
In 2019, Brown founded the 7uice Foundation, a nonprofit providing healthcare, education, and digital literacy resources to underserved youth through its STEM-focused Bridge Program camp.
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The work recently drew criticism from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a state watchdog, after lawmakers approved a $700,000 state earmark for the charity.
“Jaylen Brown is expected to earn roughly $60 million this year,” the Alliance posted. “If he wants to support charitable work through his foundation, that’s commendable. But why are Massachusetts taxpayers being asked to subsidize the private foundation of a multi-millionaire?”
In 2024, Brown also launched the Boston XChange with teammate Jrue Holiday, an incubator aiming to generate $5 billion in wealth for communities of color by providing $100,000 in funding to 10 local businesses annually.
Superfan KJ Green, creator of the “Green Runs Deep” brand, cut straight to the raw reality: “I want to (expletive) die right now.”
Green, who also appeared on the May livestream, praised Brown for making fans feel seen and knowing them by name. “This guy cared about using his platform to build other people up,” Green said. “He helped so many businesses in Boston get to the next level.”
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For special education teacher Kaiya Santos, who partnered with Brown in 2023 to redesign a basketball court at Fenelon Street Playground in Dorchester, the loss is personal. “It was clear that the project was not just about beautifying a court,” Santos told the Herald. “It was about the role the space would play in the community. Boston will miss him.”
Mayor Michelle Wu thanked Brown for “shifting the energy” and always “showing up” for the city, even as he became a “Celtics great.”
“We won’t forget the looks on young players’ faces as you pulled up unannounced to tournaments in the park,” Wu posted, “or the hope and determination of entrepreneurs and students reaching for their dreams through the opportunities you made possible. Because of your example, kids in Boston know that faith, consistency, hard work pays off.”
For now, the city seems unwilling to let go: Brown’s larger-than-life posters still hang untouched inside the TD Garden ProShop and throughout the busy North Station concourses.
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The MLB action continues on Saturday as the Boston Red Sox visit the Los Angeles Angels.
Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels?
First pitch between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, July 4.
How to watch Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels on Saturday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 6:35 a.m.
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Matchup: BOS at LAA
Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 9:38 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Location: Anaheim, California
TV: NESN and Angels.Broadcast Television
Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for July 4 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
BOSTON (WHDH) – Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum responded to the team’s shocking trade of forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, reflecting on the near decade they spent together in Boston.
Tatum posted a tribute to Brown on his Instagram story Friday afternoon, writing, “9 years! Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player. From first round exits to winning a chip together I’m thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person! Looking forward to see how you attack this next chapter of your career and wish you nothing but the best for you! Continue to be special.”
The trade will become official Monday once the league-wide moratorium is lifted. The Celtics will welcome nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George, who they received from the 76ers, as well as new signings Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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