Boston Water & Sewer Commission Discrimination Verdict
At a glance
- What: Docket No. 1964, Flynn's order for a hearing on a recent Suffolk County jury verdict in a former Boston Water and Sewer Commission employee's civil suit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation (about $1 million awarded plus roughly $400,000 in punitive damages, as heard). Worrell and Mejia are co-sponsors.
- Where it stands: introduced October 21, 2026 and referred to the City Services Committee. The commission would be invited to testify.
- What to watch: whether the hearing looks at workforce protections for quasi-city agencies and the 2022 Fair Chance Act.
Key points
- Flynn said he does not have all the answers and wants accountability and transparency to ensure equal opportunity across city agencies.
- Worrell said the agency's quasi-city status cannot excuse retaliation, and that a complaint process means little if employees are afraid to use it.
- Mejia recalled working with commission employees in 2022 on the Fair Chance Act, said women and people of color still describe trouble with promotions and a culture of retaliation, and suggested revisiting the act.
Official minutes record
From the official minutes of the October 21, 2026 City Council meeting, which are the authority on motions and votes; the captions are less exact on tallies.
- Docket No. 1964, the order for a hearing on the recent verdict in the civil lawsuit against the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, was offered by Flynn; Rule 12 was invoked on his motion to add Worrell and Mejia as original co-sponsors. Referred to the Committee on City Services.
Sources
- 2026-10-21 - City Council (captioned recording)
- Minutes, October 21, 2026: https://boston.legistar1.com/boston/meetings/2026/10/14268_M_City_Council_26-10-21_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
Discussion time
About 5 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 - City Council | 5 |
Log
- 2026-10-21 - City Council - Introduced with remarks from Flynn, Worrell and Mejia; referred to City Services. Official minutes: Rule 12 used to add Worrell and Mejia; referred to City Services.