At a press conference this week, Mayor Michelle Wu and city officials outlined the rules residents must follow to avoid fines and keep neighborhoods safe.
"It can feel a little hectic in our neighborhoods," Wu said at Thursday's press event. "That's why our administration has been hard at work to make sure that our students and families can move in as smoothly as possible."
"Allston Christmas" begins the days leading up to Sept. 1, when thousands of leases in Boston turn over. People moving out of their homes leave furniture and various knick-knacks on street corners, primarily in the student-heavy Allston-Brighton neighborhood, for passersby to take. Oftentimes, students walk around in groups "shopping" for new items for their homes.
Yet, the holiday presents a challenge for municipal workers tasked with maintaining the city's streets. Last year's move-in weekend saw more than 3,400 permits issued and inspectors dispatched across student-heavy neighborhoods.
This year, Boston is deploying extra inspectors, sanitation crews, and parking enforcement officers to handle the surge of students and moving trucks. More than 2,500 moving permits have already been issued for this weekend alone, and officials emphasized that residents must pay close attention to trash collection schedules, mattress disposal rules, and parking restrictions.
For many residents, that means knowing exactly when trash can go out. With the Labor Day holiday, most neighborhoods will see pickup delayed by one day, though parts of Fenway, the North End, and Roxbury will remain on schedule. Anything left on the curb outside of those times could lead to a citation.
"Everything dumped on a sidewalk this weekend is subject to a code violation," said Dennis Roache, superintendent of waste reduction for Boston Public Works. Code enforcement officers in yellow uniforms will be patrolling neighborhoods and answering questions about proper disposal.
Mattresses are another perennial headache. The city is reminding residents that curbside pickup must be scheduled in advance through the city's website, and that the free service only applies to buildings with six units or fewer.
For larger apartment buildings, tenants are required to work with their property manager or hire a private hauler, said Conor Newman, deputy director office neighborhood services.
In addition, Wu highlighted a new furniture pickup pilot program launched earlier this year. More than 50 discarded items were collected earlier this week by the nonprofit Household Goods, which will redirect items to new homes rather than letting them pile up on sidewalks.
The curb will be just as contested as the sidewalks, as parking enforcement is another major focus. Nick Gove, deputy chief of streets for transportation and BTD commissioner, said residents should be mindful of temporary restrictions in student neighborhoods and use moving zones quickly.
"We don't want to ticket and tow, so please pay attention to posted signs and do not double-park or block streets," Gove said.
Residents are also encouraged to use the 311 hotline or mobile app to report illegal dumping, rodent activity, or missed trash pickups. Wu noted that the city has been installing rat-proof trash cans and expanding mattress recycling to cut down on waste.
Boston may not be handing out partridges or pear trees, but officials say following the rules on trash and parking could be the best gift students give themselves and their neighbors this "Allston Christmas."