2026-08-18 - City Council
Summary
Based on the official minutes and auto-generated captions, which may contain misheard names and figures (for example, Bilotta, Fresolo, Mitra and Ojeda are rendered many different ways in the captions).
Time on topic (from transcript timestamps; approximate, includes side talk):
| Topic | Minutes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other orders | 28 | 23% |
| Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage | 20 | 17% |
| Traffic Speed Cameras | 10 | 8% |
| Petitions, City Manager items and committee reports | 9 | 7% |
| Worcester Common Safety | 9 | 8% |
| Redevelopment Authority Appointment (Candice Mero-Carlson) | 9 | 8% |
| Held items and public participation | 8 | 7% |
| Motion to postpone the meeting | 5 | 4% |
| Route 20 Sewer Force Main Failures (23 Southwest Cutoff) | 5 | 4% |
| Other business | 5 | 5% |
| DPW Staffing and Civil Service Hiring | 4 | 4% |
| CSX Railcar Odors and Derailment | 3 | 2% |
| 600-604 Lincoln Street Zone Change | 2 | 2% |
| City Council Office Staff and Operations | 1 | 1% |
| Lakeside and Garland Avenues UCH-TIF | 0 | 0% |
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Met 6:05 to 8:02 PM.
- Tony Economou was absent all night; Khrystian E. King joined at 6:10 and Luis A. Ojeda at 6:44 (King, Ojeda and Kathleen M. Toomey took part remotely).
Held items and public participation
2:28-10:20
- Before the roll call Joseph M. Petty announced two held items: Toomey held her order for a Public Safety discussion of the closed Department of Justice investigation of the police (13l), and Petty held the Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board communication (23f) for a second time, 8-0.
- A councilor asked whether the public could speak on held items; Petty said he would prefer people wait for the next meeting but could not stop them, and that anyone who spoke now could not speak on the item later.
- Remote speaker David Webb called that "a gross abuse of power" and, in a long, harsh statement, attacked the police, the Quality of Life task force, the Redevelopment Authority appointment and the $57,556 police boat transfer.
- Fred Nathan praised the Nobel laureates order, asked why the city still has stormwater and sewer problems despite heavy spending, said CSX should be made to pay for road damage, and asked for more information on the Greenwood St. rezoning.
Motion to postpone the meeting
10:20-15:20
- After public participation King moved to suspend the rules and postpone the whole meeting "given the horrific events that have taken place today" (the captions never say what happened), as a gesture of solidarity and to give the community space.
- Morris A. Bergman objected that no department had asked for a postponement and the Council would not meet for three weeks (September 8); Petty proposed doing only the petitions and financial items.
- The motion failed 5-4 (yes: Bilotta, King, Mitra, Rosen, Petty; no: Bergman, Fresolo, Rivera, Toomey), since a schedule change needs six votes per the minutes.
- Later King's motion to reconsider, which needs eight votes, failed 5-5.
Petitions, City Manager items and committee reports
15:20-16:09, 18:35-19:57, 20:07-26:40
- The Council then worked through the agenda: conduit hearings (9-0), petitions referred in bulk, the City Manager's items, committee reports, and ordinances to advertise or ordain.
- Petitions referred included the Flock License Plate Readers removal petition to Traffic and Parking, and an attorney's petition, for the property owner, to extend the Henchman St. sewer to serve 1 Frederick Street (ZB-2026-072) and 114 Lincoln Street to Public Works.
- About thirty grants, donations and transfers were adopted 9-0 (including $5.5 million HUD lead hazard, $1.65 million MassWorks, $1 million EPA Brownfields and the $57,556 police patrol boat for Lake Quinsigamond).
- The Traffic and Parking and Public Works reports and the salary and traffic ordinances were adopted, advertised or ordained 9-0.
- A trash-placement ordinance amendment was advertised.
600-604 Lincoln Street Zone Change
16:09-18:35
- Nathan Nicks (Hicks in the captions), who said he speaks for the North Lincoln Street Neighborhood Association, asked the Council to file rather than refer the Kennedy Community Health Center's rezoning of 600 and 604 Lincoln St.
- He said the center had not explained its plans and kept sending representatives instead of Stephen Kerrigan.
- The item was nevertheless referred to Economic Development 9-0.
Lakeside and Garland Avenues UCH-TIF
19:57-20:07
- The UCH-TIF for 16-32 Lakeside Ave. and 18-20 Garland Ave. went to Economic Development.
Traffic Speed Cameras
34:30-39:50, 43:21-48:04
- Gary Rosen asked that the Traffic and Parking Committee hold hearings on state legislation expected to allow up to 40 speed cameras (fines up to $100 for going 11 mph over the 25 mph limit), saying he was neither for nor against.
- Referred 8-0 with King abstaining.
- After Ojeda joined he asked for reconsideration (10-0) and then asked the City Manager about the delayed statutory 25 mph signs.
- Eric D. Batista said a change in state law now allows them citywide, the work is contracted, arterials come first, and Transportation and Mobility will measure the effect.
- Referred again 8-0, King abstaining.
Route 20 Sewer Force Main Failures (23 Southwest Cutoff)
26:40-31:31
- John P. Fresolo's order on the roughly 15,000-gallon sewer overflow near 23 Southwest Cutoff drew a detailed answer from the Public Works commissioner.
- Two 16-inch force mains about ten years old, five or six failures, cause still unknown, air release valves already replaced.
- Placed on file.
DPW Staffing and Civil Service Hiring
1:22:14-1:26:30
- Robert A. Bilotta's order on DPW staffing.
- Batista said civil service lists can take four to six months and two HR staff are dedicated to DPW hiring.
Worcester Common Safety
56:36-1:02:27, 1:09:02-1:12:38
- Satya B. Mitra's order for a Worcester Common safety report, amended by Toomey to add outreach to the homeless community and arrest information, passed 7-3.
- After Bilotta moved to reconsider he explained that he did not oppose a report but feared repeated reports feed a narrative that downtown is unsafe; King agreed and criticized Chamber of Commerce statements.
- Re-adopted 7-3 (Bilotta, King, Ojeda opposed).
CSX Railcar Odors and Derailment
1:12:38-1:15:37
- Petty's CSX railcar odor meeting order was amended to add a report on the August 14 derailment (four empty cars).
- Adopted 9-0 with King presiding.
Other orders
31:31-34:30, 39:50-43:21, 48:04-56:36, 1:02:27-1:08:50, 1:15:37-1:22:14
- Adopted 9-0 or 10-0: Japanese knotweed at 45 Marcy St., Lincoln St. crosswalk safety, fire station renovations (Toomey), long-range fixes for the Coes Reservoir and Indian Lake closures, an event with Nobel laureates Victor Ambros and Craig Mello, a speeding and traffic compliance report, overgrowth along Route 20, and utility trenches and vacant lots on Eastern Ave. and Franklin St.
- Fire station, Coes and Indian Lake, Nobel and traffic orders passed without debate.
Redevelopment Authority Appointment (Candice Mero-Carlson)
1:27:28-1:36:08, 1:57:53-1:58:37
- Among the held items, the Council confirmed the City Manager's appointment of Candice Mero-Carlson to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority 7-3 (no: Bilotta, King, Ojeda) after King's motion to recommit failed 3-7.
- King objected that an outside investigation of a complaint against her, which Batista said was unresolved after about a year, had disrupted the Council office.
- Bergman defended her qualifications and said an allegation is not proof.
- A later Bergman motion to reconsider failed 0-10.
Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage
1:37:56-1:57:53
- King's orders for signage that city property may not be used for civil immigration enforcement (modeled on a bilingual Lynn sign), a draft enforcement ordinance, a locations and cost report, and multilingual signage were taken together and denied 5-5 (yes: Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty; no: Bergman, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey).
- The City Solicitor (Alexandra H. Kalkounis) said the City Manager's executive order already bars use of city property for civil immigration enforcement, that the city cannot bind federal agents, and that a sign would give notice.
- Bergman called the sign a "paper tiger" and worried about violent offenders; Rivera questioned spending scarce sign money.
- Petty said he had visited the Haitian community on three weekends and found people very frightened; Bilotta backed the signs.
- King and Bergman traded sharp words over the debate.
City Council Office Staff and Operations
1:26:30-1:27:28
- The City Clerk's Council office survey and staffing communications went to Municipal and Legislative Operations 10-0.
Other business
0:00-2:28, 1:36:08-1:37:56, 1:58:37-1:59:49
- Appointments of Jared Madison (Trust Funds Commission) and Che Anderson (Civic Center Commission) passed 10-0.
- Bilotta's quarterly Canal District outreach and police activity report order passed 10-0.
- Tabled items saw no action.
- The meeting ended with a reminder of a Saturday family fun day at the Coal Mine in District 5 (11 AM to 2 PM) and birthday wishes to Ojeda.
Issues discussed: Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board, Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage, Traffic Speed Cameras, Worcester Common Safety, CSX Railcar Odors and Derailment, Flock License Plate Readers, 600-604 Lincoln Street Zone Change, Lakeside and Garland Avenues UCH-TIF, Redevelopment Authority Appointment (Candice Mero-Carlson), Route 20 Sewer Force Main Failures (23 Southwest Cutoff), DPW Staffing and Civil Service Hiring, Coes Reservoir and Indian Lake Closures, Marcy Street Japanese Knotweed, Citywide Overgrowth Strategy, Fire Station Renovations and Conditions, 321 Greenwood Street Zone Change, City Council Office Staff and Operations, Hope Avenue Speed Limit and Pedestrian Safety, Grafton Street No Parking Anytime Ordinance, Main Street Parking Regulations, WRTA Bus Service Improvements, 114 Lincoln Street, 1 Frederick Street (ZB-2026-072)
Official Minutes
Journal of the City Council, posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers and footers removed.
CITY OF WORCESTER
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 6:05 P.M.
Adjourned: 8:02 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS
Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou - District 1
Khrystian E. King Robert A. Bilotta - District 2
Satya B. Mitra John P. Fresolo - District 3
Gary Rosen
Luis A. Ojeda - District 4
Kathleen M. Toomey
Jose A. Rivera - District 5
www.worcesterma.gov
CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR
Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as the Chair, except for Councilors
Economou, King and Ojeda. Councilor King arrived at 6:10 P.M. and Councilor
Ojeda arrived at 6:44 P.M. Councilors King, Ojeda and Toomey participated
remotely.
4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of
the City Council Meeting of June 30, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 8 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, King, Ojeda absent)
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6a. Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following Speakers:
1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #13g CC and #13j CC and
spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to items #13m CC and #25h CC
2. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #23g CC through #23i CC,
#24f CC, #24d CC, and #24e CC and spoke in opposition to items #11.36A CM and #13l
CC
3. Nathan Nicks, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #16a CC
7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS
7a. Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 38-40
SOUTHBRIDGE ST.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at:
38-40 SOUTHBRIDGE ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to open the hearings for items #7a CC
through #7e CC. Mayor Petty’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent).
Mayor Petty asked if any abutters wished to be heard on the item. Hearing no speakers, Mayor
Petty moved for a roll call vote to close the hearings. Mayor Petty’s motion was approved on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the item. Hearing held and Order adopted on a
roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
7b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FLORENCE ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FLORENCE ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #7a CC)
7c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #7a CC)
7d. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GROVE ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GROVE ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #7a CC)
7e. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned
pole at: WEST BOYLSTON ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a
jointly-owned pole at: WEST BOYLSTON ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #7a CC)
8. PETITIONS
8a. Patrick Grady request the picnic tables at Morgan Landing, located at 580 Grove St., be
replaced.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #8a CC and #8b CC to the
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery. Referred to the Department of Parks, Recreation
and Cemetery on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
8b. Patrick Grady request the tennis/pickleball court at Morgan Landing, located at 580
Grove St., be repaired and repainted.
Referred to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0
Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
8c. Brian Dutremble request the banning of the sale of miniature alcohol bottles, or "nips,"
in the city to reduce litter and alcohol abuse.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Public Health and
Human Services Committee. Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
8d. Councilor Khrystian E. King on behalf of Thomas and Charlene Keefe request
installation of sidewalks on the even side of Clark St. from Burncoat St. to Mountain St.
East.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #8d CC through #8z CC,
except item #8r CC, to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
8e. Narissa Whyte request the existing sidewalk on Upland St. be extended from Mallard
Rd./Bella Cir. to Greenwood St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8f. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Daniel Bradley request Laconia Rd. be
resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8g. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of June Vo request installation of “Please Pick Up
After Your Dog” signage at the intersection of Malden St. and West Boylston St. that
includes the penalty for not picking up after your dog.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8h. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of additional street lighting, with a
preference for pedestrian scale lighting, on both sides of Lincoln St. between Norton St.
and Harlow St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8i. Edward Weisser request installation of sidewalks on Lake Ave. North from
Quinsigamond State Park, located at 10 Lake Ave. North, to Lincoln St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8j. Edward Weisser request installation of sidewalks on Winneconnett Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8k. Edward Weisser request installation of sidewalks on Dominion Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8l. Edward Weisser request installation of sidewalks on Belcourt Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8m. Edward Weisser request installation of sidewalks on Natural History Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8n. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Pamela Stefanllari request Neptune Rd. be
resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8o. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Pamela Stefanllari request the sidewalks on
Neptune Rd. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8p. Donald J. O'Neil, Attorney, on behalf of Tiffany Nguyen request extension, at the
expense of the petitioner, the combined sewer main in Henchman St. from its current
terminus, near the vicinity of Moen St. and Henchman St., easterly a distance of
approximately 146 feet to provide sewer service to the petitioner's properties located at 1
Frederick St. and 114 Lincoln St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8q. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Sheila Loughnane request removal of the
streetlight in the vicinity of 10 Ware St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8r. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Paul Foster request Marmion Ave., from Kalmar
St. north to King Philip Rd., be converted from a private street to a public street.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to Planning Board. Referred to Planning
Board on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
8s. Councilor Satya B. Mitra request Marconi Rd. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8t. Councilor Tony Economou request installation of a sidewalk on the odd side of
Northeast Cutoff from the David Clark Company at 125 Northeast Cutoff to the
intersection of Clark St., in the interest of public safety.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8u. Idella Hazard request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 75 Providence St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8v. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Clifford Rose request sidewalk resurfacing in
front of 50 Marland Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8w. David Pederson request removal of sidewalk mural on the corner of Elm St. and
Chestnut St., with no further sidewalk murals being installed due to concerns over
chemicals being dumped into the drains.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8x. Sherry Rice request streetlight in the vicinity of 76 Copperfield Rd. be reviewed to
ensure it does not shine in on personal property.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8y. Brian Dutremble request electronic notification be sent to residents prior to the
occurrence of street sweeping actions.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
8z. Caleigh McLaren and Stefanie Covino request additional information be provided
concerning the Long Term Control Plan to address Combined Sewer Overflow (see
attached).
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #8d CC)
9. PETITIONS - Part II
9a. Councilor John P. Fresolo on behalf of Joseph Monfette request installation of speed
humps on Vale St. in the vicinity of Acton St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #9a CC through #9z CC,
except item #9h CC, to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking
Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
9b. Councilor John P. Fresolo on behalf of Devan Wilson request “No Parking Anytime”
signage on the even side of McGill St. be removed.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9c. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Sheila Reid request traffic enforcement of the
stop signs at the intersection of Beechmont St. and Bancroft Tower Rd., in the interest in
public safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9d. Councilor Tony Economou request installation of a stop sign and stop bar on Pasadena
Pkwy. at its intersection with Tacoma St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9e. Daily Toribio request installation of a handicap parking space with ADA accessible curb
cut at 62 Circuit Ave. North.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9f. Omar Almsoni et al. request installation of additional speed limit signage on Bauer St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9g. Omar Almsoni et al. request installation of speed humps on Bauer St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9h. Vilson Castelo Branco request sidewalk repairs on Norfolk St. from Suffolk St. to Groton
Pl.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee. Referred to
Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #9a CC)
9i. Jose A. DeJesus and Margarita Aguilar request installation of a handicap parking space
in front of 90 Chino Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9j. Samia Fatima request a traffic study be conducted at the intersection of Oriol Dr. and
Lincoln St. for traffic calming solutions.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9k. Joanna Parafinowicz request the handicap parking space in the vicinity of 78 Seymour
St. be removed.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9l. Cheryl and Michael Brennan request a traffic study be conducted on Kenberma Rd. for
traffic calming solutions.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9m. Tanya Gaston request the handicap parking space located at 14 Ingalls St. be relocated
across the street.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9n. Iva Lika et al. request installation of speed humps on Ledgecrest Dr.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9o. Ian McGinnes request the existing resident permit parking on Shamrock St. be extended
to include 36 and 38 Shamrock St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9p. Dayana Mora request installation of One Hour Parking in front of 326 Shrewsbury St.
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9q. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bill Hurley request increased speed enforcement
on West Chester St., in the interest of public safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9r. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bill Hurley request installation of “Not A Truck
Route” signage at the intersection of West Chester St. and Chester St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9s. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bill Hurley request installation of “Not A Truck
Route” signage at the intersection of Chester St. and Grove St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9t. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Christine Dolat request increased speed and traffic
enforcement on Delawanda Dr., in an effort to deter speeding and illegal vehicle use in
the neighborhood.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9u. Sheryl Reidy request installation of stop signage on Leeds St. at its intersection with
Fales St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9v. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Carol Shaw request installation of speed humps
on Institute Rd. between Park Ave. and Haviland St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9w. Enxhi Muharremi request installation of speed limit signage on Whittier St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9x. Thomas Vincent request the traffic lights at the intersection of Shore Dr. and Norton Dr.
be reviewed for the purpose of extending the Shore Dr. light turning onto Norton Dr.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9y. Thomas Vincent request installation of additional wayfinding signage on West Boylston
Dr. for the purpose of directing trucks onto MA-12 to access the interstate.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
9z. Thomas Vincent request the green left turn signal on Shore Dr. at its intersection with
Holden St. be extended.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #9a CC)
10. PETITIONS - Part III
10a. Thomas Vincent request a traffic study on Shore Dr. in the vicinity of Bancroft School,
located at 110 Shore Dr., for the purpose of reconfiguring traffic patterns for vehicles
entering and exiting the school.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #10a CC through #10r CC
to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote
of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
10b. William A. Soucy request installation of speed humps on Lakewood St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10c. William A. Soucy request installation of stop signage on Lakewood St. at its intersection
with Baker St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10d. William A. Soucy request installation of stop signage on Lakewood St. at its intersection
with Elmer St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10e. William A. Soucy request installation of stop signage on Lakewood St. at its intersection
with Manomet St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10f. William A. Soucy request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the through
traffic of trucks and busses on Lakewood St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10g. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Jack Arakelian request installation of speed humps
on Bailey St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10h. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ronald Prapuolenis request installation of
“Thickly Settled” signage on Mountain St. West in the vicinity of West Boylston St. and
Pullman St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10i. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ronald Prapuolenis request increased speed
enforcement on Mountain St. West between West Boylston St. and Pullman St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10j. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a speed hump at or in the vicinity of 42
Vincent Cir.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10k. Raymond Eliason request removal of a handicap parking space at 8 Shepard St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10l. Raymond Eliason request installation of a handicap parking space at 50 Whipple St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10m. Zainabu Hakili request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 67 Hollis St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10n. Jody Gaucher request removal of the speed humps in the vicinity of 109 Heywood St.,
due to concerns over flooding at the location.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10o. Julia Coyle request installation of two (2) large-scale gateway identification signs be
installed on I-290, with one (1) sign being installed for traffic entering from Shrewsbury
and one (1) being installed for traffic entering from Auburn (see attached for an image of
proposed signage).
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10p. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of speed humps on Lawton St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10q. Christina Foley request installation of a crosswalk and flashing crosswalk alert signal at
the intersection of Miscoe Rd. and Massasoit Rd.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10r. Danica Rose request the recommissioning, disconnecting and permanent removal of
Flock and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRS) in the city.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10a CC)
10s. Christina Foley request the city spray park hours of operation for the 2027 season be
extended to provide earlier morning hours.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #10s CC and #10t CC to
Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee. Referred to Veterans' Memorials, Parks
and Recreation Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
10t. Patrick Grady request the court lights at Morgan Landing, located at 580 Grove St., be
repaired.
Referred to Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas
and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #10s CC)
10u. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: VELANDER ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to set hearings for items #10u CC through
#10w CC on September 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Hearing set for September 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. on a
roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
10v. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WASHINGTON SQ.
Hearing set for September 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10u CC)
10w. NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole at:
CHRISTINE ST.
Hearing set for September 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #10u CC)
10x. Patrick Grady request "Pickleball Court" be added as a dropdown option under search
park features on the city's website.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to the City Manager.
Referred to the City Manager on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
11. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
11.1 APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of
Alex Monaco to the Worcester Arts Council.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
11.2 APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
11.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer
11.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer
A. Recommending adoption of an order authorizing the municipality's
purchasing director to procure a contract with a four-year term.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll all vote to adopt the item. Order
adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
B. Recommending adoption of a resolution to approve an Urban Center
Housing - Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Agreement for 16 - 32
Lakeside Avenue and 18 - 20 Garland Avenue.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to
Economic Development Committee. Referred to Economic Development Committee
on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
11.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer
11.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Division of Human Rights and Accessibility
Patricia M. LaFore, Director
11.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Administration Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
A. Recommending adoption of an ordinance amendment relative to the
placement of items for trash collection.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to advertise the proposed
Ordinance. Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0
Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
11.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
11.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Operations Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
11.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETERY
Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner
11.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY
Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the functional
classification of streets in Worcester.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #11.11A CM
through #11.11C CM to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and
Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent)
B. Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester's
Vision Zero Annual Report.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.11A CM)
C. Recommending adoption of the proposed ordinance amendment to establish
a tow zone on portions of Albany Street and Fantasia Drive.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.11A CM)
11.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT
Martin Dyer, Fire Chief
11.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief
11.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner
11.15 LAW DEPARTMENT
Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor
11.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner
11.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner
11.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
Lee R. Hall, Director
11.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration
Seema Dixit, Commissioner
11.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs
Amy Vogel Waters, Director
11.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Veterans Services
Alex R. Arriaga, Interim Veterans Services Director
11.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Youth Opportunities
Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director
11.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Jason L. Homer, Executive Director
11.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk
11.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Brian Allen, Superintendent
11.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Administration
Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to a financial update for
the period ending June 30, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent)
11.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor
11.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
Erin E. Taylor, Director
11.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
Christopher Gagliastro, Director
11.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
11.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities
11.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer
11.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer
11.34 FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
11.35 FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations
A. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of up to Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents
($900,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs under the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness
Program.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt items #11.35A CM
through #11.35V CM, #11.36A CM, and #11.37A CM through #11.37H CM.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent)
B. Recommend the approval of a resolution to file and accept a grant from the
Massachusetts Department of Transportation of 25 mph statutory speed limit
signs at no cost.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
C. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Five Dollars and No
Cents ($199,005.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation
(MassDOT) for the Shared Streets Equipment Grant Program.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
D. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) from Jill and
Bret Goldberg in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester
Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
E. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($50.00) from Cynthia and
Dennis Henderson in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester
Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
F. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) from Dana
and Joe Kelly in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester
Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
G. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Twenty-Five Dollars and No Cents ($25.00) from CJ Posk
in memory of Fran Nase in support of the Worcester Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
H. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($200.00) from
Shrewsbury SNF Operations, LLC., in support of the Worcester Senior
Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
I. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) from Anna
and Christopher Shultz in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the
Worcester Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
J. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) from Heather
and Duncan Stewart in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the
Worcester Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
K. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($250.00) from
United HealthCare Svs, Inc. in support of the Worcester Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
L. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Supplemental Grant in the amount of One
Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00) from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Brownfields Program.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
M. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents
($5,500,000.00) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Lead Hazard Reduction Program.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
N. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a
MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant in the amount of One Million Six
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,650,000.00) from the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
O. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of Two Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars
and No Cents ($249,800.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of
Economic Development.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
P. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
of Three Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Three Dollars and No Cents
($3,263.00) from Ms. Jean Casello for the purchase and installation of a
memorial bench and plaque at Green Hill Golf Course.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
Q. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,000.00) in
Memory of Danny Rossetti for the Green Hill Golf Course, Junior Golf
Program.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
R. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a grant in the
amount of Forty-Four Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($44,000.00) from the
MassHire North Central Workforce Board.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
S. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents
($13,500.00) for the Nancy Meyers Bates Basketball Court at Greenwood
Park from various donors.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
T. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount
of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($250.00) from an anonymous
donor to support the Worcester Fire Department.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #11.35A CM)
U. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of Ninety-Two Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($92,000.00)
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jail Diversion/Arrest
Diversion Grant Program.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
V. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in
the amount of Forty Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars and No Cents
($40,800.00) from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for
the Central Mass Digital Preservation Hub Initiative.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
11.36 FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A. Recommend that Fifty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars and
No Cents ($57,556.00) be transferred from GFT-1138, Community
Fund/Gate Fees, and be appropriated to PRJ-100065, Neighborhood
Improvements - CSX, for the purchase of a Worcester Police Department
patrol boat for Lake Quinsigamond.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
11.37 FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
A. Recommend that One Hundred Ninety Dollars and Seventy Two Centers
($190.72) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center #CC1038, Police
Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
B. Recommend that One Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Six Dollars and Eighty
One Cents ($1,496.81) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center
#CC1044, Fire Ordinary Maintenance for the payment of prior year invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
C. Recommend that Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents
($4,500) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center #CC1062,
Treasury Ordinary Maintenance for the payment of a prior year invoice.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
D. Recommend that Two Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars and
Twenty-Eight Cents ($2,176.28) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2027
Parks cost centers for payment of prior year invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
E. Recommend that Five Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Dollars and No
Cents ($5,780.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center
#CC1063, Health Insurance Fringe Benefits for payment of prior year
invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
F. Recommend that Twenty-Two Thousand One Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars
and Fifty-Five Cents ($22,148.55) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost
Center #CC1081, Transportation & Mobility Ordinary Maintenance for the
payment of a prior year invoice.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
G. Recommend that Fifty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and
Seventy-Four Cents ($52,239.74) be authorized from various Fiscal Year
2027 Department of Public Works cost centers for the payment of prior year
invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
H. Recommend that Ten Thousand Twelve Dollars and Seventy-One Cents
($10,012.71) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center #CC1007,
Public Facilities Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year
invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
(See Item #11.35A CM)
11.38 FINANCE
Loan Orders
11.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
12. CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS
12a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION -
Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility work with
Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) administrators to ensure rapid transit and
transit signal prioritization are implemented on Lincoln St., Main St., and Grafton St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt items #12a CC through #12h
CC. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
12b. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION -
Request City Manager encourage Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA)
administrators to apply for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program and Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)
Community Transit Grant Program.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12c. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Public Works, and other departments as needed, inspect the culvert
located in the vicinity of 102 Wildwood Ave. and provide City Council with a report
detailing the cause of current flooding conditions in the area. Further, request said report
include remedial steps that can be taken to address raised water gates and/or manhole
covers sticking out of the ground at the location.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12d. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility work with the School Department
and the District Councilor to address traffic related issues around student pickup and
dropoff at Roosevelt Elementary School, located at 1006 Grafton St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12e. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install stop bars at the existing
stop signs on Delmont Ave. facing Bedford Ave.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12f. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install stop bars at existing stop
signs on Farrar Ave. facing Bedford Ave.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12g. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
work with the Superintendent of Public Schools to ensure school bus drivers do not
speed in the Westport Rd. neighborhood.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
12h. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility evaluate and install the
appropriate horizontal curve and advisory speed plaques in advance of the driveways at
425 Lake Ave.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #12a
CC)
13. ORDERS
13a. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works conduct an immediate
review of the overgrowth of Japanese knotweed in the vicinity of 45 Marcy St. and
remediate the invasive plant issue at the location. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
13b. Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking proactively hold one or more
hearings to gauge public pro and con interest in having the City Council adopt
legislation the state will likely pass allowing cities to install traffic speed cameras in
school zones and on municipal streets. Said hearings should include discussion related to
the regulation being tied to the legislature's $575 million economic development bill, as
well as that it would allow for the installation of forty (40) speed cameras in the city,
which would lead to fines for drivers exceeding posted speed limits by 11 mph up to
one-hundred dollars ($100) per offense. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Traffic and Parking Committee.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 0 Nays (King
abstained) (Economou, Ojeda absent)
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who moved for a roll call vote to reconsider the item.
Reconsideration approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Ojeda.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Traffic and Parking Committee.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 0 Nays (King
abstained) (Bilotta, Economou absent)
13c. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review the
existing crosswalk on Lincoln St. in the vicinity of 274 Lincoln St. for the purpose of
making both short and long-term safety improvements to the crosswalk. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13d. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility work with
the Commissioner of Public Works to ensure the step off the sidewalk at the intersection
of King Philip Rd. and Marmion Ave., which is currently at an eleven (11) to twelve (12)
inch step, is brought up to an acceptable and safe standard (see attached). (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13e. Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a comprehensive
report concerning the status of renovations and improvements to fire stations throughout
the city. Said report should include the status of equipment, including but not limited to
extractors, exhaust fans, bathroom fixtures, etc., as well as all structural improvements to
be completed at each station. Further, request said report also include both a timeline and
estimated budget for each project. (Toomey)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13f. Request City Manager provide City Council with long-range recommendation steps the
city can and should take to prevent the frequent summer closures at Coes Reservoir and
Indian Lake, which necessarily ban swimming, boating, fishing, and pet contact due to
high levels of bacteria and toxins. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 0 Nays (Bilotta, Economou absent)
13g. Request City Manager organize an event where the city’s Nobel laureates, Dr. Victor
Ambros and Dr. Craig C. Mello of UMass Chan Medical School, are given the
opportunity to speak in front of the city’s youth regarding their lives and discoveries.
Further, request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Public Schools to ensure
all high school-aged seniors are prominently included in such an event in hopes of
inspiring the students as they continue their own educational ventures. Further, request
Mayor consider providing said Nobel laureates with appropriate recognitions, including
Keys to the City, at said event. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13h. Request City Manager work with the Police Chief and Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility to provide City Council with a report concerning the measures currently in
place to ensure motorists are obeying speed and traffic laws in the city. Further, request
City Manager include in said report information concerning additional measures and
practices the city can implement to increase speeding and traffic law compliance
throughout the city. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13i. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning public safety,
cleanliness, maintenance and enforcement activation in the Worcester Common and its
surrounding streets. Said report should include current conditions, existing enforcement
and outreach efforts and recommended measures that can be implemented to ensure the
Worcester Common is safe, welcoming and usable as a public park for residents,
workers, families and visitors. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to amend the item to include, “Further,
request said report include outreach efforts made by all city departments as it relates to the
homeless community on the Worcester Common, as well as information related to various arrests
occurring on the Worcester Common.”
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey,
Petty) (Nays – Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Economou absent)
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved for a roll call vote to reconsider the item.
Reconsideration approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta and Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey,
Petty) (Nays – Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Economou absent)
13j. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with
a report concerning the sanitary sewer overflow of approximately 15,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater that was discharged from an underground pipe in the vicinity of 23
Southwest Cutoff (Route 20) on July 24, 2026. (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to questions raised by
Councilor Fresolo.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file. Placed on file on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
13k. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the current
strategies in place to mitigate overgrowth in the city. Said report should also include
information relative to any additional strategies the city is planning to implement
concerning the issue, as well as information related to specific plans to mitigate
overgrowth in the vicinity of the jersey barriers located on Route 20. (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13l. Request Standing Committee on Public Safety hold a public discussion regarding the
closure of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of the Worcester Police
Department (WPD) and City of Worcester. (Toomey)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Toomey
13m. Request City Manager organize a meeting between the city, state delegates, and
representatives from CSX to ensure railcars carrying solid waste do not idle in the city,
causing foul odors to remain in the air in areas including the businesses and residential
properties on and around Canterbury St. (Petty)
Mayor Petty read the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who moved to amend the item:
“Further, request said report include any other areas of the city impacted by this issue. Further,
request said report include information relative to the August 14, 2026 CSX freight train
derailment and methods to prevent such an accident from occurring again in the future.”
Vice Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item as amended. Order
adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13n. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility install either a double or single yellow line on West Chester
St., as soon as possible and in the interest of public safety. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13o. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility repaint the double yellow lines on Barry Rd. Ext., as soon as
possible and in the interest of public safety. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13p. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility research installing in-road warning light crosswalk systems
in the city to enhance pedestrian and motor vehicle safety in areas with high pedestrian
traffic (see attached for links to example videos on YouTube). (King, Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - King
13q. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works immediately review and
repair the stone wall in the vicinity of Burncoat Street Preparatory School, located at 526
Burncoat St., which was hit by a plow during winter snow operations. (Petty)
Vice Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke
concerning the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a
roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13r. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility review and repair the damaged curb cut at the crosswalk on
the northern side of Foster St. at its intersection with Norwich St. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13s. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works ensure the trenches
created by utilities at intersection of Eastern Ave., East Central St. and Mt. Carmel Way
be resurfaced. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Rosen absent)
13t. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Inspectional Services review and
address concerns associated with the empty lots located at 0 Ascension St., 478 Franklin
St. and 498 Franklin St. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
13u. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the open positions
and overall staffing levels in the Department of Public Works. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta and Councilor Fresolo, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Fresolo.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
14. COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY CLERK
14a. Transmitting an informational communication clarifying the process used by the City
Clerk's Office to establish death records in the city.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee
on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
15. COMMUNICATION
15a. Kristi L. Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee, transmitting a request for the City
Council to authorize the Worcester Public Schools (WPS) and City of Worcester to enter
into an additional three (3) year Software License and Services Agreement with
Renaissance Learning, Inc. to support reading, mathematics, and early literacy
instruction.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
16. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
16a. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Stephen J. Kerrigan on
behalf of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Inc. request the zoning map of
the city, as referenced in Article III of the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance, be
amended to wholly encompass the properties at 600 and 604 Lincoln St. in the Business,
Limited 1.0 (BL-1.0) zoning district.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Economic
Development Committee. Referred to Economic Development Committee on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
17. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
17a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
Upon the Report of the Committee on Public Service and Transportation Upon the Order
of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing
Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet with the WRTA Administrator to
provide City Council with a report concerning the WRTA’s winter weather plan,
especially including information as to how snow will be removed at each of the bus
stops: recommend Report be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept the item. Accepted on a roll call
vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
18. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTE ON PUBLIC WORKS
18a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael
Kollios request installation of new sidewalk in front of 360 May St.: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #18a CC
through #18j CC. Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent)
18b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 15 Coombs Rd.: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 5 Coombs Rd.: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing on the odd side of Lovell St. from Columbus
St. to Garland St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Joe
Williams request street surfacing on Mellor Ave.: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jocelyn
Casassa request Doris St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying
Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Robert A. Bilotta request East Central St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Robert A. Bilotta request North Parkway be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Satya B. Mitra request installation of “No Littering” signage on North St. along the
property line of Rural Cemetery and Crematory, located at 180 Grove St.: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Gloria St. Marie request installation of “No Dumping”
signage that includes information regarding fine amounts at the end of Chatanika Ave.
where it borders Cascade Park: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #18a CC)
18k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Brian
Dutremble request the city institute a ban on lift kits for city-owned trucks: recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #18k CC through #18s
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
18l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the
Planning Board Upon the Petition of Timothy Bateman request Wildwood Ave. from
Apricot St. to 301 Wildwood Ave. be made public: recommend Report be denied.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig
Thomas request construction of new sidewalks on upper portion of Orient St.:
recommend Petition be denied.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig
Thomas request construction of a new sidewalk on Orient St. from Sultan St. to
Plantation St.: recommend Petition be denied.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Etel Haxhiaj request installation of a new sidewalk on Heard St. that that abuts 215
Heard St., 231 Heard St., 233 Heard St., 235 Heard St. and 48 Royal Rd. Further, request
the fees associated with installing said sidewalk be waived, as the sidewalk is needed to
provide a safe walking route to Heard Street Discovery Academy, 200 Heard St.:
recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Daniel
James Bradley request sidewalk repair in front of 29 Laconia Rd. to 31 Laconia Rd.:
recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18q. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Demitrios
Voyiatzis request street resurfacing on Sagamore Rd. in the vicinity of 53 Sagamore Rd.:
recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18r. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Christine
Giza request First St. be resurfaced: recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
18s. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Daniel
James Bradley request street resurfacing in front of 31 Laconia Rd.: recommend Petition
be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #18k CC)
19. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - PART I
19a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Kayla Marie Lebron request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 159
Ingleside Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to advertise the proposed Ordinances
associated with items #19a CC through #19v CC. Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll
call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
19b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou request installation of a handicap parking space on Main St.
near its corner with Maple St. and in front of 370 Main St.: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Kellie Watts request removal of the handicap parking space in the vicinity of 3 and 5
Commonwealth Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of Adam Henderson request removal of the
handicap parking space across from 118 Tower St.: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Eva Clark request installation of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 195 Lincoln
St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Jen Martell et al. request installation of "No Left Turn" signage on Grafton St.
northbound in the vicinity of Roosevelt Elementary School, located at 1006 Grafton St.:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
John Mulryan and Timothy Johnson, on behalf of 22 Waverly LLC, request installation
of "No Parking Anytime" signage along the entire frontage of 22 Waverly St.:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage on the
DeMarco Ter. side of 179 Shrewsbury St.: recommend passage of the accompanying
proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Julia C. Chilton request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on the even side of
Sterling St. from Seymour St. to Euclid Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying
proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Lilian Sorto Cruz and Pedro Cruz request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage
from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in front of 3 Thayer St.: recommend
passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of an ordinance to
permanently establish No Parking Anytime on portions of both sides of Grafton Street:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of a stop sign on Dryden St. at its
intersection with Edgeworth St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed
Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
John Charron request installation of stop signage at the intersection of Sophia Dr. and
Tennyson St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Kerri Wentworth request installation of a stop sign
at the intersection of Wedgewood Rd. and Westmorland Dr.: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of a stop sign on Whittier St. at its
intersection with Edgeworth St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed
Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of an ordinance establishing a
commercial loading zone and two-hour metered parking on a portion of Main Street:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19q. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mohammad Arman Hossain request installation of 15-minute parking zone on Grand St.
in the vicinity of 103 Canterbury St. (Amended February 25, 2026): recommend passage
of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19r. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Lydia I. Rios request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 9 Preston St.:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19s. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Donna Livingston request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 23
Kendrick Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19t. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mallorie Niro et al. request installation of a handicap parking space at 72 Richland St.:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19u. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Fatima Husseini request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 117
Merrifield St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19v. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Leocadia V. Vasquez request installation of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal, located at 151 Chandler St.: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #19a CC)
19w. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Huong Nguyen request removal of handicap signage in front of 21 Vineyard St.:
recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #19w CC
through #19z CC. Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent)
19x. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Matthew Garafalo, Project Manager of Sustainable
Comfort Inc., request installation of a handicap parking space on Bowdoin St. side of 55
Linden St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #19w CC)
19y. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Shauna Gaffney request installation of crosswalk and lighted crosswalk signage at the
bus stop located at 150 Blackstone River Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying
Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #19w CC)
19z. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Carli Leong request installation of a crosswalk with flashing beacons on Southbridge St.
at Washburn St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #19w CC)
20. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - PART II
20a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Maureen Schwab on behalf of the Green Island Residents Neighborhood Group request
installation of "One Way/No Left Turn" signage on Canton St. in the vicinity of the
Crompton Park parking lot exit: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #20a CC
through #20h CC. Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou,
Ojeda absent) (See Item #20a CC)
20b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Maureen Schwab on behalf of the Green Island Residents Neighborhood Group request
installation of additional "One Way and Do Not Enter" signage on Lafayette St.:
recommend adoption of the accompanying six (6) Orders.
Accepted and Adopted Six (6) Orders on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #20a CC)
20c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of a dead-end sign at the entrance of East
Park Terrace: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #20a CC)
20d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Patrick Grady request installation of signage indicating Assumption Ave. is a private
road: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #20a CC)
20e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bob McCauley request installation of a truck
ban/weight restriction on Ararat St. that would augment where the State has restrictions,
in an effort to ensure truck ban/weight restriction limits can be enforced on the street:
recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #20a CC)
20f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Lois Bourget
request installation of additional truck ban/weight restriction-related signage on Mount
Ave. warning truck drivers the road is not appropriate for tractor trailers: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #20a CC)
20g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of a
stop sign on Peabody St. at its intersection with Plantation St.: recommend adoption of
the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See
Item #20a CC)
20h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of twenty (20) ft. “No Parking Here to
Corner” signage along Hamilton St., at its intersections with Commonwealth Ave.,
Middlesex Ave. and Boston Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying three (3)
Orders.
Accepted and Adopted Three (3) Orders on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda
absent) (See Item #20a CC)
20i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Joseph Scanlon request the pedestrian crossing signals at the Webster St., Cambridge St.,
and Main St. intersection be reviewed and fixed to activate only when the crosswalk
button is pressed: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #20i CC through #20z CC.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
20j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage along
the bike path routes on Burncoat St., in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition
be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Lisa McHugh request Standish St. be made a one-way street: recommend Petition be
placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Abdul Ghani request installation of parking meters in front of 241 Lincoln St:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Beechmont St. request white
stop lines be painted at the existing stop signs at the intersection of Beechmont St. and
Bancroft Tower Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Satya B. Mitra request installation of three (3) way stop signage at the
intersection of Chester St. and West Chester St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection
of Delmont Ave. and Bedford Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection
of Farrar Ave. and Bedford Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20q. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Maureen Schwab on behalf of the Green Island Residents Neighborhood Group request
installation of additional "One Way and Do Not Enter" signage on Canton St. at its
intersection with Quinsigamond Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20r. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Satya B. Mitra on behalf of the residents of Westport Rd. request installation
of “Go Slow, Children Playing" signage in the vicinity of 10 Westport Rd.: recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20s. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of “Go Slow Children” signage on
Kenwood Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20t. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Patrick Grady request installation of "Not a Thru Street" signage at the entrance of
Assumption Ave. on West Boylston St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20u. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Abigail Bose request installation of "Blind Driveway" signage in the vicinity of 85
Mountain St. East.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20v. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Juan Perez request the “STOP,” “ONE WAY,”
and “DO NOT ENTER,” signage at the intersection of Pasadena Pkwy. and Tacoma St.
be moved out of the bushes to a more visible location, in the interest of public safety:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20w. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Abigail Bose request installation of a convex mirror in the vicinity of 85 Mountain St.
East: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20x. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Patrick Grady request installation of left turn arrow traffic signals on West Boylston St.
southbound at its intersection with Loop Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20y. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mike Rejaey request installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Bigelow Davis
Parkway and Lake Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
20z. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Joseph Corazzini request a traffic study be conducted on Salisbury St. that tracks vehicle
speed and the amount of vehicles utilizing the street: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #20i CC)
21. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - PART III
21a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative
to 2026 speed hump installations: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #21a CC through #21g
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
21b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative
to the Mobility Action Plan Annual Report: recommend Communication be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
21c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Matthew Germain request installation of a right turn only lane on Lincoln St. at its
intersection with Plantation St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
21d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of a stop sign on Indian Hill Rd. at
Marconi Rd. Further, request installation of a Do Not Block Intersection signage at said
intersection. (Amended November 19, 2025): recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
21e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Henry Halpern request installation of "Do Not Block Intersection" signage at the
intersection of Indian Hill Rd. and Marconi Rd., as well as street markings with an "X"
where cars should not block said intersection: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
21f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Adam Och request installation of "Blind Driveway" signage in front of 425 Lake Ave.
North to warn drivers traveling towards Lincoln St. of said blind driveway: recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
21g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Kimpa L. Barnes, Jr. request installation of "Do Not Block Driveway" signage in front of
15 Windham St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #21a CC)
22. TO BE ORDAINED
22a. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group EM –
Executive Management for the Central Region WIOA Youth Director Position.
Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group R – Laborer
and Craftsman for the Traffic Laborer Position.
Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group A –
Administrative and Supervisory for the Municipal Hearing Officer Position.
Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group A –
Administrative and Supervisory for the Resource Development/Program Manager and
Director of Youth, Central Region WIOA Positions.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to ordain items #22a CC through #22n
CC. Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent)
22b. Amending Section 40 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Establish
Resident Permit Parking On One Side Of Lodi Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22c. Amending Sections 29 And 31 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To
Remove A Stop Sign Facing Chester Street At Parkton Avenue.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22d. Amending Sections 29 And 31 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To
Remove A Stop Sign And Place A Yield Sign On Parkton Avenue At Chester Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22e. Amending Section 31 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For
A Yield Sign On Westbrook Road At Greenbriar Lane.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22f. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide
Handicap Parking In Front Of #151 Beacon Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22g. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Remove
Handicap Parking In The Vicinity Of #19 Kosta Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22h. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide
Handicap Loading Zone In Front Of #188 Austin Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22i. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide
Handicap Parking On Arlington Street Adjacent To #61 Dorchester Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22j. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Remove
Handicap Parking In The Vicinity Of #26A Marjorie Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22k. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Remove
Handicap Parking In The Vicinity Of #7 Lucian Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22l. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Remove
Handicap Parking On Maxwell Street In The Vicinity Of #605 Millbury Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22m. Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide
Handicap Parking In Front Of #20 Shepard Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
22n. Amending Sections 29, 68 And 74 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008
To Establish Two-Way Travel On A Portion Of Beaver Street Near Park Avenue, And
Implement Stop Control And Right Turn Only For Westbound Traffic On Beaver Street
At Park Avenue.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent) (See Item #22a CC)
23. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE
23a. COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting an annual survey to the City Council
regarding the administration and operations of the City Council Office. (Held Under
Privilege - King June 23, 2026 and July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #23a CC and #23b CC to
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative
Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
23b. COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting an informational communication
concerning the process required for City Council to hire and oversee City Council Office
Staff. (Held Under Privilege - King June 23, 2026 and July 21, 2026)
Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0
Nays (Economou absent) (See Item #23a CC)
23c. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending the appointment of Candice
Mero-Carlson to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority. (Held Under Privilege -
Bilotta July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to recommit the item to the City Manager.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to recommit the item to the City Manager. Motion to
recommit the item to the City Manager denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 7 Nays (Yeas –
Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Nays – Bergman, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Economou
absent)
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment. Confirmed on a roll call vote of
7 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Nays –
Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Economou absent)
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman for a second time, who moved for a roll call vote to
reconsider the item. Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 0 Yeas and 10 Nays (Economou
absent)
23d. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending the appointment of Jared
Madison to the Trust Funds Commission. (Held Under Privilege - Bilotta July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment. Confirmed
on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
23e. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending the appointment of Che
Anderson to the Civic Center Commission. (Held Under Privilege - Bilotta July 21,
2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment. Confirmed
on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
23f. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication
relative to a report and recommendation regarding a municipal civilian review board.
(Held Under Privilege - King July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to Hold the Item Under Privilege for a
second time. Held Under Privilege for a second time on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 0 Nays
(Economou, King, Ojeda absent).
Held Under Privilege – Petty
23g. ORDER of Councilor Robert A. Bilotta - Request City Manager provide City Council
with quarterly reports concerning outreach efforts and police activity in the Canal
District regarding unhoused individuals. Said report should include caseworker and
outreach data from service providers, the city’s Health and Human Services department,
and Quality of Life team. Further, said report should also include police data on service
calls and arrests of any unhoused individuals. (Held Under Privilege - Bilotta July 21,
2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
23h. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager install signage at
appropriate locations throughout the city stating the property may not be used for civil
immigration enforcement activities. Further, request City Manager create a draft
ordinance for City Council consideration related to the enforcement of such signage (see
attached for an image of such signage in the City of Lynn). (Held Under Privilege - King
July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #23i CC.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to amend the item to include, “Further, request City Manager provide
City Council with a report detailing proposed locations for installation and an estimated cost
analysis to install and enforce such signage.”
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Solicitor, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Bergman.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Rivera, Mayor Petty, and Councilor
Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, Councilor Rivera, and Councilor Bergman for second
times, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item as amended. Order denied on a roll call
vote of 5 Yeas and 5 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays – Bergman, Mitra,
Rivera, Rosen, Toomey) (Economou absent)
23i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager, as part of any draft
ordinance related to the prohibition of civil immigration enforcement activities on certain
and appropriate properties, ensure language be included in said ordinance that requires
signage be listed at such properties in all appropriate languages. (Held Under Privilege -
King July 21, 2026)
Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 5 Nays (Economou absent) (See Item #23h CC)
23j. COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting an informational communication
relative to one (1) vacancy within the support staff of the Office of the City Council.
(Held Under Privilege - King July 21, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee
on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou absent)
24. TABLED ITEMS
24a. ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City
Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a
residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a
program. (Held Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019
and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)
No action taken
24b. RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia
Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination
Bill. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February
23, 2021)
No action taken
24c. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager
work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing
Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in
the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact
policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Held Under
Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023)
No action taken
24d. PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public
Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings
included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024)
No action taken
24e. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager conduct an equity audit
of all city departments every five (5) years. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson
December 10, 2024 and Held Under Privilege - Toomey December 17, 2024 and Tabled -
Nguyen January 7, 2025)
No action taken
24f. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication
relative to how the U.S. Department of Justice's report on the Worcester Police
Department differs from the account of the municipality. (Held Under Privilege - King
April 29, 2025 and May 6, 2025 and Tabled - King May 13, 2025)
No action taken
25. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the July 21, 2026 City Council meeting.
25a. ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does
hereby suspend its rules to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on
July 21, 2026 to occur one (1) hour beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes. –
Item #29a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
25b. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report detailing timelines associated with instances of excessive and unreasonable
noise stemming from functions hosted at St. Joan of Arc Church. Said timeline should
include efforts to mitigate chronic neighborhood noise, any reports, correspondence
and/or notices received relative to continued noise violations, the status the church’s
event permits, and the rules of engagement around excessive and unreasonable noise
violations. – Item #29b CC Order adopted
25c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report outlining concerns related to public indecency at all locations throughout
the city. – Item #29c CC Order adopted
25d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning efforts to enhance pedestrian safety in the vicinity of 137 Hope
Ave., including increased lighting in the area. – Item #29d CC Order adopted
25e. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning any issues related to traffic patterns or markings in the vicinity
of 137 Hope Ave. that contributed to the fatal accident at the location, in an effort to
ensure said issues are remedied and not present in other parts of the city. – Item #29e CC
Order adopted
25f. ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager ensure signage
related to the statutory speed limit of 25 miles per hour be immediately installed
following the rescinding of the special speed limit on Hope Ave. Further, request said
statutory 25 mph speed limit signage be reviewed and installed where appropriate
throughout the city. – Item #29f CC Order adopted
25g. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning the strategy and priorities the city intends to follow relative to a
capital investment program for the improvement of street repaving and infrastructure
repairs throughout the city. – Item #29g CC Order adopted
25h. ORDER of Councilor John P. Fresolo – Request City Manager request Chief
Development Officer provide City Council with a detailed report concerning the project
associated with the proposed zone change at 321 Greenwood St. – Item #29h CC Order
adopted
26. NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the August 18, 2026 City Council meeting.
26a. Motion King – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council of the City of Worcester
does hereby postpone its August 18, 2026 meeting and move all items, except for items
#8a CC through #8z CC, #9a CC through #9z CC, #10a CC through #10x CC, #11.35A
CM through #10.35V CC, #10.36A CM, and #11.37A CM through #11.37H CM to its
next scheduled meeting on September 8, 2026.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved for a roll call vote to Suspend the Rules.
Motion approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Economou, Ojeda absent).
Councilor King then introduced the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas
and 4 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, King, Mitra, Rosen, Petty) (Nays – Bergman, Fresolo, Rivera, Toomey)
(Economou, Ojeda absent).
(Note: The City Council Meeting Schedule may be amended by a majority vote of the City Council
which requires the affirmative vote of at least six (6) members regardless of the number present
and voting per Rules 8 and 28 of the Worcester City Council).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved for a roll call vote to reconsider the item. Reconsideration denied on a
roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 5 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, King, Ojeda, Rosen, Petty) (Nays – Bergman,
Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Toomey) (Economou absent).
(Note: The motion to reconsider an item requires the affirmative vote of at least eight (8) members
regardless of the number present and voting per Rules 28 and 30 of the Worcester City Council).
Sources
- Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5rGD-7WBX3I
- Minutes: https://worcesterma.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=76023&compileOutputType=1
Video
Transcript
Auto-generated YouTube captions; names and terms are likely misheard.
Transcript
0:01Okay, good evening everyone. Welcome to
0:02the Lister City Council meeting.
0:04If you can, please stand for the Pledge
0:06of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled
0:07Banner.
0:25>> Oh, [singing] say can
0:29you see
0:31by the dawn's
0:33early [singing] light,
0:35what so proudly
0:38>> [singing]
0:38>> we hailed
0:41at the twilight's [music]
0:43last gleaming,
0:45whose broad stripes and [singing] bright
0:48stars
0:50through the perilous
0:53>> [singing]
0:54>> fight, o'er the ramparts
0:56>> [music]
0:57>> we [singing]
0:58watched,
1:00were so gallantly
1:03streaming? [singing]
1:05And the rockets'
1:07red glare,
1:09the [singing] bombs bursting
1:13in air,
1:13>> [music]
1:14>> gave
1:16proof through the [singing]
1:18night
1:19that our flag was still there.
1:24O say, [singing]
1:26does
1:28that star-spangled
1:30banner yet
1:32>> [singing]
1:33>> wave
1:33>> [music]
1:37>> o'er the [singing] land
1:38>> [music]
1:41>> of the free
1:44and the
1:44>> [singing]
1:45>> home of
1:48>> [music]
1:49>> the brave?
2:05>> Roll call.
2:07Councilor Bergman?
2:08>> Here.
2:09>> Councilor Balata?
2:11>> Here.
2:11>> Councilor Economou?
2:13Councilor Brazolo?
2:14>> Here.
2:15>> Councilor King?
2:17Councilor Mitra?
2:17>> Here.
2:18>> Councilor Ojeda?
2:21Councilor Rivera?
2:22>> Here.
2:22>> Councilor Rosen?
2:23>> Here.
2:24>> Councilor Toomey?
2:25>> Here.
2:25>> And Mayor Petty?
2:27>> Here.
2:28>> Okay, we have a couple items to be held.
2:30Kate Toomey's holding 13L, which is the
2:32DOJ
2:33request. And I'm going to hold
2:3723F, which is the Civilian Review Board.
2:40And need a roll call for that.
2:43Roll call.
2:44>> Mr. Chairman,
2:44>> Yeah.
2:45>> are any public discussions to be allowed
2:47on that, or is it just being held?
2:48>> I'm going to ask people to maybe wait
2:51for the comments to the next meeting,
2:52but I can't prevent people from talking.
2:54But if you talk at this meeting, you
2:55can't talk at the next meeting.
2:56>> All right, thank you.
2:57>> Okay.
2:58Okay, roll call.
3:01Councilor Bergman?
3:01>> Yes.
3:02>> Councilor Balata?
3:03>> Yes.
3:03>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Brazolo?
3:06>> Yes.
3:07>> Councilor King? Councilor Mitra?
3:08>> Yes.
3:09>> Councilor Ojeda?
3:11Councilor Rivera?
3:12>> Yes.
3:12>> Councilor Rosen?
3:13>> Yes.
3:13>> Councilor Toomey?
3:14>> Yes.
3:15>> And Mayor Petty?
3:16>> Yes. So, we have approval of the
3:17minutes.
3:19Uh roll call.
3:22Councilor Bergman?
3:22>> Yes.
3:23>> Councilor Balata?
3:24>> Yes.
3:24>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Brazolo?
3:26>> Yes.
3:26>> Councilor King?
3:28Councilor Mitra?
3:29>> Yes.
3:29>> Councilor Ojeda? Councilor Rivera?
3:31>> Yes.
3:32>> Councilor Rosen?
3:32>> Yes.
3:33>> Councilor Toomey?
3:34>> Yes.
3:35>> And Mayor Petty?
3:36>> Yes. Uh Mr. Clerk.
3:40>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
3:44Rule 39, items of public interest. At
3:46every meeting of the City Council, under
3:48the public participation portion of the
3:49agenda, the chair shall recognize any
3:51person seeking such recognition for the
3:53purpose of addressing the council on any
3:55eligible item on the agenda for the
3:56meeting both in person
3:58and remotely. Any person who wishes to
4:00speak on more than one agenda item
4:02shall combine their testimony to
4:04the microphone in one appearance
4:06and shall speak no more than 2 minutes
4:09for any one speaker or 30 minutes for
4:10all speakers.
4:12Rule 40 petitions. On the first occasion
4:14any petition appears on the city council
4:16agenda, the prime petitioner may address
4:17the council for no more than 3 minutes
4:19on the subject of their petition.
4:21>> Thank you. Thank you.
4:23So, public participation, a person may
4:24speak for no more than 2 minutes on the
4:26agenda. State your name, city residence,
4:28and agenda item.
4:29>> Uh Fred Nathan Wooster.
4:31Item number 13G.
4:34The item by Councillor Mitra to get uh
4:38uh the two uh winners of the Nobel uh
4:41prizes from UMass Chan
4:44to uh speak to the kids. I think that is
4:46a great idea.
4:49Um
4:5213J.
4:55With all the money
4:57uh that's being spent in the city on
4:59sewers, on water filtration that was
5:02done years ago,
5:04uh we still have
5:06uh water issues
5:09from the
5:11uh the different uh storm water.
5:14I I would think with all the money we
5:15spend, we can get this solved.
5:19Um 13M.
5:22CSX. I wonder how many more years we're
5:24going to hear about CSX,
5:27CSX,
5:28CSX. I think it's time to up the ante
5:31that they
5:32uh that they contribute to the city for
5:34every truck that they come in here for
5:36selling for all the damage they've
5:38caused on the over the roads like
5:40Councillor Frazier had talked about
5:42almost every week.
5:44At some point, we need CSX held
5:48responsible.
5:50I always hear people talking about
5:52holding this one responsible, holding
5:54that responsible, holding that
5:55everything responsible. Well, that's the
5:57proof is in the pudding.
6:00And one more item here.
6:04Oh, yes.
6:07Um
6:1125 H
6:19All the things that are going on here in
6:21the city,
6:22we need to have people accountable. If
6:25if it's a developer that wants to uh
6:27develop this parcel of land in Greenwood
6:29Street, more information should be known
6:32>> Okay.
6:32>> to the people.
6:33>> Thank you.
6:44Mr. Mayor, we have one caller user on
6:45line.
6:47David Webb, I'm going to try to meet the
6:49resident now.
6:58Can you please state your name and city
6:59of residence?
7:01>> Can you hear me?
7:04>> Can you please state your name and city
7:05of residence?
7:07Yes, we can hear you.
7:10>> [clears throat]
7:11>> Are you able to hear me?
7:13>> Yes.
7:14>> Okay, thank you. Uh David Webb, city of
7:17Worcester, unfortunately. Um sh- I guess
7:19I have to go to my backup script.
7:21So, um
7:22saying [clears throat] people can't talk
7:23at the next meeting if they do at this
7:24one is a gross abuse of power of the
7:26chair, but if this city cannot handle
7:27emergencies or important topics when
7:29they matter most, and your magistracy
7:31needs to protect cop feelings and cater
7:33to their unions, but I guess I can
7:34address that specific item at another
7:36time.
7:3723 G, acknowledging that the so-called
7:39quality of life task force isn't
7:40actually helping anyone, just displacing
7:42unhoused people and funneling them to
7:44the neighborhood response team so they
7:45can be locked up instead of help. I
7:47guess I'm supportive of that discussion.
7:4923H, 23I, acknowledging that ICE never
7:52left Worcester and the city
7:53administration has done nothing to stop
7:54it. On the same note, I think it's worth
7:56mentioning that Alex Merayo has been
7:57known to threaten people with ICE to get
7:59cooperation during drug cases.
8:0224F, the discrepancy between the
8:03Department of Justice report and how the
8:05Worcester Police Department sees itself,
8:06aka why it hasn't done anything about
8:08the rapists, racists, racists, and liars
8:10on it.
8:11I'm in support of having a conversation
8:13about the discrepancy, but it seems like
8:15uh
8:16other people need to avoid that
8:17conversation. 136A, maybe make sure
8:20they're not beating their wives before
8:21giving them 60 grand for a boat that was
8:23supposed to be used for road
8:24infrastructure. That CSX train yard
8:26really is former Councilor Carlson's
8:27gift that keeps on giving, huh?
8:29Speaking of which, how about we don't
8:31keep the Carlson developer family in the
8:32Redevelopment Authority so they can keep
8:34paying themselves instead of caring
8:35about constituents. And don't forget
8:3713L, celebrating with the city of
8:39Worcester with with the Department of
8:40Justice and avoided accountability
8:41without firing any of the rapists,
8:43racists, or ensuring apologists were
8:44promoted.
8:46And of course 24E, 24D, acknowledging
8:48that the city cannot actually look into
8:49its own traumatic practices because it
8:51doesn't want to stop any of them.
8:53The Worcester government is not going to
8:54hold itself accountable, it cannot
8:55financially afford to, and it does not
8:57want to. So, does the city want
8:58accountability? Then make it happen.
9:00Start recording cops. Maybe a little
9:02less loudly than me when you ask what do
9:04they deserve, who do they protect, but
9:06get their badge numbers. Ask them their
9:07name and write it down. This council
9:09doesn't have the heart or balls to do
9:11anything, so do it yourself. Hold the
9:12cops accountable, step up people, make
9:14your city safer. Thank you.
9:17>> Thank you.
9:18Okay, seeing nobody else, we're going to
9:20go over the hearings and orders.
9:22>> Mr. Chairman.
9:23>> Who's who's who's speaking there? I'm
9:25sorry.
9:27>> Mr. Chairman.
9:28>> Oh, is that Chris? No. Councilor King?
9:31>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to
9:32make a motion to suspend the rules.
9:35>> For what?
9:37>> For what?
9:43>> It's non-debatable.
9:45>> Okay.
9:46Roll call.
9:53>> Councilor Bergman?
9:54>> Yes.
9:55>> Councilor Balata?
9:56>> Yes.
9:57>> Councilor Canamo? Councilor Zola?
9:58>> Yes.
9:59>> Councilor King?
10:00>> Yes.
10:01>> Councilor Mitra?
10:02>> Yes.
10:03>> Councilor O'Heda?
10:04Councilor Rivera?
10:05>> Yes.
10:06>> Councilor Rosen?
10:07>> Yes.
10:08>> Councilor Toomey?
10:12Councilor Toomey?
10:17>> Yes.
10:18>> And Mayor Petty?
10:19>> Yep.
10:20>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
10:23Mr. Chairman, colleagues,
10:25um given the horrific events that have
10:27taken place today, I appreciate um the
10:29mayor um
10:31holding the item um that he chose to
10:34hold and the other related items. Um
10:38Mr. Chairman, colleagues, I do believe
10:41that it's important that we pause
10:42tonight
10:44out of respect and in solidarity with
10:46everyone impacted, Mr. Chairman.
10:49I'm asking that we suspend tonight's
10:50meetings.
10:52Um I did not want to interject in the
10:53public process.
10:55Um so I waited until it was done.
10:57There are moments when our
10:58responsibility, Mr. Chairman and
11:00colleagues, not to move forward with
11:01business as usual,
11:03but to recognize when our community
11:05needs space.
11:07As a social worker, I know the
11:08importance of the space that's needed to
11:10grieve, to process, and to come
11:12together.
11:14Tonight, our thoughts, I know, are with
11:16those directly impacted, their families,
11:18everyone in the community who is
11:19hurting. Out of respect for them, Mr.
11:22Chairman,
11:23I believe the right thing to do is to
11:25pause City Council
11:30and postpone. Mr. Chairman, that would
11:32be my
11:35>> We thought about doing that and we we
11:37had some minutes to try to get through.
11:40>> That's That's the motion, Mr. Chairman.
11:42Are you saying that there's a couple
11:43items you'd like to do?
11:44>> Yeah, just the some some petitions and
11:46>> would stand minus the items that you'd
11:49like to do, but I I do think that
11:51tonight is a night of solidarity.
11:53>> Yeah, petitions and the financial items.
11:56>> That would be my motion, Mr. Chairman,
11:57minus those items.
11:59>> Okay.
12:01And this is roll call.
12:04Councilor Councilor Bergman Councilor
12:06Bergman
12:06>> Has anybody from
12:08any other department asked us to
12:11postpone tonight's meeting?
12:13Any city agency, any departments?
12:15Mr. Mayor, no.
12:17And when do we meet next?
12:18>> September 8th.
12:20>> So, that's 3 weeks from now.
12:25I don't want to be disrespectful in any
12:26way. Nobody's asked us to cancel it. We
12:29got a lot of work to do and we don't
12:30meet for 3 weeks.
12:32I'm I'm
12:33concerned about we either
12:35to cherry-pick and do a few items, it
12:37seems to me we should just go through
12:39the entire agenda. That's just the way I
12:40feel.
12:41>> Well, most of the items are the the
12:42council items. I think we go through the
12:44other ones pretty quickly.
12:46>> We go through council orders, too?
12:47>> No, no, we can we can skip those, but
12:49the rest of stuff is going to take like
12:505 minutes.
12:53>> And nobody's asked us to cancel the
12:54meeting, so that's why I'm puzzled by
12:57it, but all right, thank you.
12:58>> Okay, so I guess there's there's a roll
13:00call.
13:01>> Councilor Bergman
13:04>> [sighs]
13:04>> No.
13:05>> Councilor Ballada
13:06>> Yes.
13:07>> Councilor Economou, Councilor Rozzolo
13:08>> No.
13:09>> Councilor King
13:11>> Yes.
13:11>> Councilor Mitra
13:12>> Yes.
13:13>> Councilor O'Heda, Councilor Rivera
13:15>> No.
13:16>> Councilor Rosen
13:17>> Yes.
13:18>> Councilor Toomey
13:19>> No.
13:20>> And Mayor Petty
13:22>> Yes.
13:23>> So, Mr. Mayor, we need eight votes. We
13:25have 1 2 3 4 5 votes yes, 1 2 3 4 and 5
13:29votes no. I'm sorry, 4 votes no.
13:31>> Okay, so let's just go go on. So, do the
13:33petitions then we'll go to the Let's
13:35save the eyes for the last anyways.
13:37See where we are.
13:39Okay.
13:41So, if you lose the eyes, motion is open
13:43the hearing. Roll call.
13:45>> Councilor Bergman?
13:46>> Yes.
13:46>> Councilor Balada?
13:47>> Yes.
13:47>> Councilor Kanemo? Councilor Rizzolo?
13:49>> Yes.
13:50>> Councilor King?
13:53>> Yes.
13:55>> Councilor Mitra?
13:56>> Yes.
13:56>> Councilor O'Heda?
13:58Councilor Rivera?
13:59>> Yes.
14:00>> Councilor Rosa?
14:00>> Yes.
14:01>> Councilor Toomey?
14:02>> No. Yes. Sorry.
14:03>> And Mayor Petty?
14:04>> Yes. Any be opposed to this item?
14:07Any of these items? Anybody opposed?
14:08Motion is to close the hearing to adopt.
14:10Roll call.
14:11>> Councilor Bergman?
14:12>> Yes.
14:12>> Councilor Balada?
14:13>> Yes.
14:14>> Councilor Kanemo? Councilor Rizzolo?
14:15>> Yes.
14:16>> Councilor King?
14:17>> Yes.
14:17>> Councilor Mitra?
14:18>> Yes.
14:19>> Councilor O'Heda? Councilor Rivera?
14:20>> Yes.
14:21>> Councilor Rosa?
14:22>> Yes.
14:22>> Councilor Toomey?
14:23>> Yes.
14:24>> And Mayor Petty?
14:25>> Yes.
14:25Petitions 8A to 8B
14:28and 8C. 8A to 8B refer to Department of
14:31Parks and Rec and Cemetery. 8C refer to
14:34Public Health and Human Services.
14:368D to 8Z refer to Public Works. Roll
14:39call.
14:42>> Councilor Bergman?
14:42>> Yes.
14:43>> Councilor Balada?
14:44>> Yes.
14:44>> Councilor Kanemo? Councilor Rizzolo?
14:46>> Yes.
14:46>> Councilor King?
14:51Councilor King?
14:54>> Yes.
14:55>> Councilor Mitra?
14:56>> Yes.
14:56>> Councilor O'Heda?
14:57Councilor Rivera?
14:58>> Yes.
14:59>> Councilor Rosa?
14:59>> Yes.
15:00>> Councilor Toomey?
15:01>> Yes.
15:01>> And Mayor Petty?
15:03>> Yes.
15:04Okay, petitions 9A to 9Z refer to
15:07Traffic and Parking.
15:09Roll call.
15:10>> Councilor Bergman?
15:11>> Yes.
15:11>> Councilor Balada?
15:12>> Yes.
15:12>> Councilor Kanemo?
15:15Councilor Rizzolo?
15:16>> Yes.
15:16>> Councilor King?
15:19>> Yes.
15:20>> Councilor Mitra?
15:21>> Yes.
15:21>> Councilor O'Heda?
15:23Council Rivera?
15:24>> Yes.
15:24>> Council Rosen?
15:25>> Yes.
15:25>> Council Toomey?
15:26>> Yes.
15:27>> And Mayor Petty?
15:28>> Yes. 10A to 10I refer to traffic and
15:30parking.
15:31And then we have 10S to 10T refer to the
15:33vets vets memorial parks. 10U to 10W set
15:37here for September 8th, 2026.
15:40And 10X refer to the city manager. 10Z
15:42refer to the city manager. I'm sorry,
15:4310X. Roll call.
15:45>> Council Bergman?
15:46>> Yes.
15:46>> Council Barada?
15:47>> Yes.
15:48>> Council Economou? Council Rosso Lo?
15:50>> Yes.
15:51>> Council King?
15:53>> Yes.
15:53>> Council Mitra?
15:54>> Yes.
15:55>> Council O'Heda?
15:57Council Rivera?
15:58>> Yes.
15:58>> Council Rosen?
15:59>> Yes.
15:59>> Council Toomey?
16:00>> Yes.
16:01>> And Mayor Petty?
16:02>> Yes. So, we have Anybody here for any
16:04petitions? I should have asked that
16:05before.
16:08Sir, do you want to You have a petition?
16:09I'm sorry, go ahead. Your name, city
16:11residence, and the item number.
16:19>> How you doing? Uh Nathan Hicks, 608
16:21Lincoln Street, uh
16:2316A, the planning board for the petition
16:26of the Stephen Kerrigan
16:28uh Kennedy Health Center right there.
16:31>> Yep.
16:32>> Uh
16:32stand by a second.
16:35I'm losing it. So, as the director of
16:38butter and
16:41to Kennedy Health Center and as a rep of
16:43the North Lincoln Street Neighborhood
16:44Association, I respectfully ask you to
16:47consider making a motion to file item
16:4916A, which would otherwise refer Stephen
16:52J. Kerrigan's petition to amend the
16:53zoning map uh for 600 604 Lincoln Street
16:57to the Economic Development Committee.
16:59Our concern is that the Edward Kennedy
17:01Health Center has not provided residents
17:03with sufficient information about the
17:04intended use of these properties or what
17:06they ultimately plans uh to build. The
17:09descriptions provided thus far have been
17:11vague, leaving the residents unable to
17:13make an informed assessment of the
17:14proposal. Approving a zoning change
17:16without understanding of the proposed
17:19uh use could open the door to large
17:21commercial development activities that
17:23may be disruptive to the surrounding
17:25neighborhood and bring them closer to
17:27the single-family residence of
17:28properties on the Pasadena Parkway in
17:30Seattle
17:31Street.
17:33Requesting that Mr. Kerrigan and the
17:34health center
17:36have a specific project in mind for
17:37these properties. We believe that they
17:39should present a formal specific
17:41proposal and pursue the appropriate site
17:43plan review.
17:46And any necessary variances with
17:48meaningful
17:49input to the abiding residents. The
17:52neighborhood should not be asked to
17:53support a zoning change without first
17:55knowing what is exactly being proposed.
17:57We are also concerned that Mr. Kerrigan
17:59has repeatedly relied on the
18:00representatives to appear on his behalf
18:03rather than attending these meetings
18:04himself. Given the significance of this
18:06request and the potential impact on the
18:08surrounding neighborhood, residents
18:09deserve the opportunity to hear directly
18:11from the person seeking the zoning
18:13change and to receive a clear answer to
18:15their questions. Thank you for this
18:16consideration and attention to our
18:18concerns.
18:20>> Thank you. That's the motion is a Well,
18:22we'll get to it later, but it goes to
18:24the committee. We'll let you know if it
18:25goes to the committee when the hammer
18:26will be.
18:27And we can we'll invite you to that.
18:30Okay. You can you maybe tomorrow you can
18:32call the clerk, leave your name and
18:33number, or write down and give it to him
18:35tonight.
18:36Okay.
18:38Okay.
18:40Where did we leave off?
18:41Oh, we did all the petitions, right?
18:45Okay, we are on the appointments.
18:48Okay, motions to file, which is mayor's
18:50information communication, roll to the
18:52appointment of Alex Monaco and to the
18:54Winston Ops Council. Motions to file,
18:56roll call.
19:00>> Councilman Bergman?
19:01>> Yes.
19:02>> Councilman Balota?
19:02>> Yes.
19:03>> Councilman Economou? Councilman Rizzo?
19:05>> Yes.
19:05>> Councilman King?
19:09>> Yes.
19:11>> Councilman Mitra?
19:11>> Yes.
19:12>> Councilwoman O'Heda?
19:14Councilwoman Rivera?
19:15>> Yes.
19:15>> Councilwoman Rosen?
19:16>> Yes.
19:16>> Councilwoman Toomey?
19:17>> Yes.
19:18>> Mayor Petty?
19:20>> Yes.
19:21>> Okay.
19:23Motion on 11.4A is adopted. Roll call.
19:26Roll call is Roll call.
19:27>> Mr. Chairman, could you read the item,
19:29please?
19:29>> Sure. Recommend the adoption of an order
19:31authorizing the municipality's
19:32purchasing director to procure a
19:34five-year contract with a four-year
19:35term.
19:37Roll call.
19:39>> Councilman Bergman?
19:40>> Yes.
19:40>> Councilwoman Bilotta?
19:41>> Yes.
19:42>> Councilman Economou? Councilwoman Rizzo?
19:43>> Yes.
19:44>> Councilman King?
19:46>> Yes.
19:46>> Councilwoman Mitra?
19:47>> Yes.
19:47>> Councilwoman O'Heda?
19:49Councilwoman Rivera?
19:50>> Yes.
19:51>> Councilwoman Rosen?
19:51>> Yes.
19:52>> Councilwoman Toomey?
19:53>> Yes.
19:54>> Mayor Petty?
19:55>> Yes. I recommend the adoption of the
19:57resolution to approve the Urban Center
19:58Housing Tax Increment Financing
20:00Agreement uh
20:02for 16 to 32 Lakeside Avenue and 18 to
20:0520 Galen Avenue.
20:07Uh motion is referred to Economic
20:08Development.
20:09Roll call.
20:12>> Councilman Bergman?
20:13>> Yes.
20:13>> Councilwoman Bilotta?
20:14>> Yes.
20:14>> Councilman Economou? Councilwoman Rizzo?
20:16>> Yes.
20:17>> Councilman King?
20:18>> Yes.
20:19>> Councilwoman Mitra?
20:20>> Yes.
20:20>> Councilwoman O'Heda?
20:23Councilwoman Rivera?
20:24>> Yes.
20:24>> Councilwoman Rosen?
20:25>> Yes.
20:25>> Councilwoman Toomey?
20:26>> Yes.
20:27>> Mayor Petty?
20:28>> Yes.
20:29>> Um Public Works uh motions to advertise
20:32regarding adoption of an ordinance
20:34amendment relative to the placement of
20:35items over for trash collection. Roll
20:37call.
20:40>> Councilman Bergman?
20:40>> Yes.
20:41>> Councilwoman Bilotta?
20:42>> Yes.
20:42>> Councilman Economou?
20:44Councilwoman Rizzo?
20:46>> Yes.
20:46>> Councilman King?
20:48>> Yes.
20:48>> Councilwoman Mitra?
20:49>> Yes.
20:49>> Councilwoman O'Heda? Councilwoman
20:51Rivera?
20:51>> Yes.
20:52>> Councilwoman Rosen?
20:53>> Yes.
20:53>> Councilwoman Toomey?
20:54>> Yes.
20:55>> Mayor Petty?
20:56>> Yes. We have three items everyone will
20:58be forwarded Traffic and Parking from
21:00Department of Transportation Mobility.
21:02A is transmitting information relative
21:04to
21:05the functional classification of streets
21:07in Worcester.
21:08B, transmit information communication
21:10from the city of Worcester Vision Zero
21:12annual report. And C, recommend adoption
21:15of the proposed ordinance amendment to
21:16the establishing of tow zone on portions
21:18of Albany Street and Fantasia Drive.
21:21I think those collectively. Roll call.
21:24>> Councilor Bergman.
21:25>> Yes.
21:25>> Councilor Bilotta.
21:26>> Yes.
21:27>> Councilor Economos. Councilor Rushton.
21:29>> Yes.
21:30>> Councilor King.
21:35Did we lose him?
21:36>> Yes.
21:37>> Councilor Mero.
21:38>> Yes.
21:38>> Councilor O'Brien. Councilor Rivera.
21:40>> Yes.
21:40>> Councilor Rosen.
21:41>> Yes.
21:42>> Councilor Toomey.
21:43>> Yes.
21:44>> And Mayor Petty.
21:45>> Yes.
21:4611.26H is our information communication
21:49of the financial update for the period
21:50ending June 30th, 2026. Motion is sent
21:53to MOL. Roll call.
21:57>> Councilor Bergman.
21:57>> Yes.
21:58>> Councilor Bilotta.
21:59>> Yes.
21:59>> Councilor Economos. Councilor Rushton.
22:01>> Yes.
22:02>> Councilor King.
22:05>> Yes.
22:06>> Councilor Mero. Yes. Councilor O'Brien.
22:09Councilor Rivera.
22:10>> Yes.
22:11>> Councilor Rosen.
22:11>> Yes.
22:12>> Councilor Toomey.
22:13>> Yes.
22:14>> And Mayor Petty.
22:15>> Yes. We have a finance items 11.35A
22:18through V, 11.36A,
22:2111.37A through H.
22:24Motions adopt on the roll call.
22:27>> Councilor Bergman.
22:28>> Yes.
22:29>> Councilor Bilotta.
22:30>> Yes.
22:30>> Councilor Economos. Councilor Rushton.
22:32>> Yes.
22:32>> Councilor King.
22:35>> Yes.
22:36>> Councilor Mero.
22:37>> Yes.
22:37>> Councilor O'Brien.
22:40Councilor Rivera.
22:41>> Yes.
22:41>> Councilor Rosen.
22:42>> Yes.
22:43>> Councilor Toomey.
22:44>> Yes.
22:44>> And Mayor Petty.
22:45>> Yes. Chairman's orders 12A to 12H.
22:49Motions to adopt.
22:52Roll call.
22:54>> Councilor Bergman.
22:55>> Yes.
22:55>> Councilor Bilotta.
22:56>> Yes.
22:56>> Councilor Economos.
22:58Councilor Rushton.
22:59>> Yes.
22:59>> Councilor King.
23:01>> [snorts]
23:03>> Yes.
23:03>> Councilor Mero.
23:04>> Yes.
23:05>> Council O'Heda?
23:06Council Rivera?
23:07>> Yes.
23:08>> Council Rosen?
23:08>> Yes.
23:09>> Council Toomey?
23:10>> Yes.
23:11>> And Mayor Petty?
23:12>> Yes.
23:13We have orders. We can come back to
23:15those who just go through so people who
23:17are here
23:18uh
23:19the rest of the council agenda.
23:2114A is referred to municipal operations
23:25and I transmit information communication
23:27to process used by the city court will
23:29have to establish death records in the
23:30city. Send that to MLO. Roll call.
23:34>> Council Bergman?
23:35>> Yes.
23:35>> Council Ballada?
23:36>> Yes.
23:37>> Council Economo? Council Rizzolo?
23:39>> Yes.
23:39>> Council King?
23:42>> Yes.
23:43>> Council Mitrano?
23:44>> Yes.
23:44>> Council O'Heda?
23:47Council Rivera?
23:47>> Yes.
23:48>> Council Rosen?
23:49>> Yes.
23:49>> Council Toomey?
23:50>> Yes.
23:51>> And Mayor Petty?
23:52>> Yes. 15A motion to adopt and roll call.
23:57>> Council Bergman?
23:57>> 15A Mr. Chairman. Sure. It's uh Kristy
24:00Turgeon, clerk of the school committee,
24:01who has made a request to city council
24:03authorize with the public schools Seal
24:05Wester to enter into an additional three
24:07year
24:08software license and service agreement
24:10with the Renaissance Learning
24:13to support reading, mathematics, and
24:15early literacy.
24:17Roll call.
24:18>> Council Bergman?
24:19>> Yes.
24:19>> Council Ballada?
24:20>> Yes.
24:21>> Council Economo? Council Rizzolo?
24:23>> Yes.
24:24>> Council King?
24:24>> Yes.
24:25>> Council Mitrano?
24:26>> Yes.
24:26>> Council O'Heda?
24:28Council Rivera?
24:29>> Yes.
24:30>> Council Rosen?
24:30>> Yes.
24:31>> Council Toomey?
24:32>> Yes.
24:33>> And Mayor Petty?
24:34>> Yes. 16A motion to forward economic
24:36development. Roll call.
24:38>> Council Bergman?
24:39>> Yes.
24:39>> Council Ballada?
24:40>> Yes.
24:41>> Council Economo?
24:43Council Rizzolo?
24:43>> Yes.
24:44>> Council King?
24:45>> Yes.
24:45>> Council Mitrano?
24:46>> Yes.
24:47>> Council O'Heda?
24:49Council Rivera?
24:50>> Yes.
24:50>> Council Rosen?
24:51>> Yes.
24:52>> Council Toomey?
24:53>> Yes.
24:53>> And Mayor Petty?
24:55>> Yes. 17A
24:57motion to accept, 18A motions accept and
25:00adopt on the roll call.
25:0218B to 18J motions accept and adopt, 18K
25:05to 18S
25:07motions to accept.
25:10And we have also the ordinances on 19A
25:12to 19V motions to advertise the proposed
25:15ordinances.
25:16Roll call.
25:18>> Councilor Bergman?
25:19>> Yes.
25:20>> Councilor Bellata?
25:21>> Yes.
25:21>> Councilor Economo? Councilor Fazzola?
25:23>> Yes.
25:24>> Councilor King?
25:25>> Yes.
25:26>> Councilor Mitra?
25:26>> Yes.
25:27>> Councilor O'Hare? Councilor Rivera?
25:29>> Yes.
25:29>> Councilor Rosen?
25:30>> Yes.
25:30>> Councilor Toomey?
25:31>> Yes.
25:32>> Mayor Petty?
25:33>> Yes, 19W to 19C motions accept and
25:36adopt.
25:3720A to 20H motions accept and adopt.
25:4120I to 20
25:43>> What's
25:43>> Z motions to accept. 21A to 21G motions
25:48to accept.
25:50And 22A to 22N is a day on the roll
25:53call.
25:54>> Mr. Chairman
25:54>> Can you Can you just slow down, please?
25:56>> What's that?
25:57>> I'm I'm trying to keep up here.
25:59>> Okay.
26:00>> Um the last one was 22A.
26:03>> Yeah, we can hold that We'll do everyone
26:04except 22A.
26:05>> No, no, I'm I'm just asking. So, it's
26:0722A through 22 N.
26:11>> Yep.
26:17>> Okay. Thank you.
26:19>> Roll call.
26:19>> Councilor Bergman?
26:20>> Yes.
26:21>> Councilor Bellata?
26:21>> Yes.
26:22>> Councilor Economo? Councilor Fazzola?
26:24>> Yes.
26:24>> Councilor King?
26:26>> Yes.
26:26>> Councilor Mitra?
26:27>> Yes.
26:28>> Councilor O'Hare?
26:29Councilor Rivera?
26:30>> Yes.
26:31>> Councilor Rosen?
26:31>> Yes.
26:32>> Councilor Toomey?
26:33>> Yes.
26:34>> Mayor Petty?
26:35>> Yes, so we're back to the council
26:37orders.
26:38>> What item is that, Mr. Chairman?
26:40>> We are on 13A.
26:43Councilor Fazzola had notified me we
26:44want to take out of order. You said
26:46>> 13A.
26:50>> 13A. inches You want to take 13 J out of
26:52order?
26:53Okay.
26:55Go ahead.
26:56No.
26:59>> Mr. Chairman, through you.
27:02Uh
27:04we had the uh
27:06pipe break and surge uh
27:09>> I should read the I. I'm sorry. Request
27:11you may I request uh
27:13could Commissioner of Public Works
27:14provide Council with a report concerning
27:16this sanitary sewer overflow of
27:18approximately 15,000 gallons of
27:20untreated wastewater that was discharged
27:22from the underground pipe in the
27:23vicinity of 23 Southwest Cutoff.
27:25Councilor Fizeau.
27:27>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, through
27:28you. Uh
27:30I was contacted by many residents. Uh
27:33at least a dozen residents that
27:36have lived in that Lake Ave Route 20
27:38area for uh decades.
27:41Uh they educated me saying that this is
27:44uh
27:45at least uh five or six times that uh
27:47we've had issues with uh
27:50a surge into the lake.
27:52And uh I see the Commissioner of DPW
27:55sitting here tonight. I was hoping
27:57he could uh address what the city they
28:00they'd like the city to go after
28:02uh
28:04uh the contractors uh that do the work
28:07in that area. And uh
28:09I told them I would uh have that
28:12addressed. And uh with the Commissioner
28:14here, I'd like to see if he could answer
28:17uh what the game plan is to go forth
28:20regarding uh
28:23the incident uh that occurred.
28:26>> Commissioner.
28:26>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
28:31Through the chair, good evening to the
28:33councilors.
28:34Um
28:35a report is forthcoming on the breaks.
28:38Um just as a little bit of background,
28:40there are two force mains that run down
28:42Route 20, and they are
28:45uh both 16 inches in diameter and they
28:49are discharge pipes from the Whitla
28:52Drive sewer pump station.
28:54They are both approximately 10 years
28:56old. Uh they were both installed as part
29:00of the same contract by the same
29:01contractor
29:03and as the counselor stated it's there's
29:05been failures of five or six times
29:09but the report will will articulate the
29:11exact number.
29:13Both pipes have failed at one time or
29:16another.
29:17Uh what the DPW has done is we're
29:20working with both the engineers who were
29:23part of the design and the inspection of
29:26the work and also another engineering
29:29firm to to try to determine exactly what
29:31the cause is. At this point we have
29:33checked the material properties of the
29:35sewer pipe. We didn't find anything out
29:38of the ordinary there.
29:39Uh we have replaced air release valves
29:42in both sewer force mains uh in the
29:45event that there was a build-up of
29:47pressure.
29:48That hasn't solved the problem so the
29:50investigation goes on. At this point we
29:53don't have an answer
29:55to the actual problem but we're not done
29:57with our investigation.
30:01>> Mr. Commissioner through you Mr.
30:03Chairman. I appreciate the update.
30:06I wanted to educate the general public
30:09and those constituents that contacted me
30:12and I appreciate your
30:15answering your response. So if we could
30:18you know keep the vigilance on on that
30:20I'd appreciate it. Thank you Mr.
30:22Chairman.
30:23>> If I may Mr. Chairman I just want to
30:25give credit to the the sewer division
30:27and the folks at the DPW. They every
30:30time there's been a break there they
30:31have
30:33responded almost immediately
30:35have turned off the pumps that are that
30:37are serving that the failed pipes
30:40to try to limit any any discharges and
30:43not all of those dis- not all of those
30:46breaks have resulted in a discharge into
30:48Lake Quinsigamond. The most recent one
30:49certainly did,
30:51but giving credit to them and our our
30:54partners at R.H. White who are very
30:57responsive to making those repairs in a
30:59short order as well as MassDOT.
31:03Thank you.
31:04>> Thank you. So, we'll file that item.
31:07Roll roll call.
31:13>> Councilor Bergman
31:13>> Yes.
31:14>> Councilor Wally Rada
31:15>> Yes.
31:16>> Councilor Economos, Councilor Fizolo
31:18>> Yes.
31:18>> Councilor King
31:19>> Yes.
31:20>> Councilor Mitra
31:21>> Yes.
31:21>> Councilor O'Heir Da
31:22Councilor Rivera
31:23>> Yes.
31:24>> Councilor Rosen
31:24>> Yes.
31:25>> Councilor Toomey
31:26>> Yes.
31:27>> And Mayor Petty
31:28>> Yes.
31:29>> Okay, we are
31:31on to A.
31:33From Councilor Matthew request
31:34Commissioner of Public Works conduct
31:35immediate review of the overgrowth of
31:37Japanese
31:38knotweed in the vicinity of 45
31:41Is that Massy Street and remediate the
31:43invasive plant issue at that location?
31:45Councilor Rivera
31:48>> Thank you Mr. Chair.
31:50I just pretty much just
31:52that Atlas parcel lines indicate that
31:5426, 47, and 49 Massy all adjoin.
31:5845 the assessors records show that 26 is
32:01a single family residential lot.
32:0347 is a small developable residential
32:06parcels and 49 is a separate larger
32:09parcel. The 47 and 49 records list
32:12different owners but use the same
32:13assessor mailing
32:15mailing contact through Myron Katz. I do
32:17not think any of that establishes
32:19whether or not we started or which
32:21property is responsible for it.
32:23It does show that the problem may cross
32:25several private parcels as well as the
32:27Massy Street right-of-way.
32:29Rather than assuming the city
32:30right-of-way is the source, I think the
32:33city should determine where the
32:34significant knotweed colonies around 45
32:36actually lie
32:38within the right of way on 2647 or 49
32:41Marcy
32:42who cross more than one of those
32:43boundaries and then decide what
32:45coordination is needed.
32:47I think it is important to look at the
32:49whole roadside and adjacent parcel
32:51situation rather than treating this
32:53simply as a private property vegetation
32:55complaint at 45.
32:58If we can get confirmation of the Marcy
33:00Street right away around 45
33:02um field determination of where the
33:04major knotweed stands are actually
33:06located um an assessment of whether the
33:09infestation crosses public and private
33:11property lines and a recommendation for
33:13coordinated management and follow-up.
33:15We want to avoid letting this become a
33:17simply cutting the visible plants once.
33:20Japanese knotweed usually requires
33:22follow-up management and treating one
33:24portion while leaving an adjacent colony
33:26untouched may not solve the resident's
33:29problems.
33:30Um I can tell you that um
33:33I've been learning a lot about this
33:35knotweed problem and during my council
33:38term and
33:39uh it it is much more significant than
33:42than I even I thought. So, hoping that
33:44we can uh
33:46get to the bottom of this. Thank you.
33:48>> Okay.
33:49So, the motion is referred to the
33:51Commissioner of Public Works.
33:53Um roll call.
34:01>> [clears throat]
34:04>> Councilor Bergman. Councilor Balada.
34:07>> Yes.
34:07>> Councilor Economou.
34:09Councilor Fazzola.
34:10>> Yes.
34:11>> Councilor King.
34:11>> Yes.
34:12>> Councilor Mitra.
34:13>> Yes.
34:13>> Councilor Ojeda.
34:17Councilor Rivera.
34:17>> Yes.
34:18>> Councilor Rosen.
34:19>> Yes.
34:19>> Councilor Tumia.
34:20>> Yes.
34:21>> Mayor Petty.
34:23>> Yes.
34:24Um yes.
34:30>> 13B
34:33Request in community traffic and parking
34:34for item hold on to one more hearings to
34:36gauge public pro and con interest in
34:38having the City Council adopt this
34:40legislation.
34:41That will be passed the following cities
34:42to install traffic speed cameras in the
34:44school zones in the municipal streets.
34:46Said hearing
34:47should include discussion related to the
34:48regulation being tied to the
34:50legislature's $575 million economic
34:52development plan as well as allow for
34:55the legislature
34:56uh installation of 40 speed cameras in
34:58the city which would lead to the fines
35:00to drivers exceeding
35:01uh posted speed limits by 11 mph up to
35:04$100
35:06per offense. Councilor Rosen.
35:08>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman,
35:09as we all know, especially by the
35:11numbers, speed humps that have
35:13have been and will be installed in the
35:15City of Worcester, we do have a speeding
35:17problem on the streets in the City of
35:20Worcester.
35:21And even though I don't think it's been
35:23completed yet and voted on yet, the
35:26state's economic development bill, $575
35:29million, has this very interesting item
35:32in it about curbing speeding in cities
35:34and towns by erecting speed cameras. Not
35:38the red light cameras, doesn't deal with
35:39those.
35:40And I know that's very controversial.
35:42Doesn't deal with cameras like Flock
35:44cameras, which even more controversial.
35:46These are just speed cameras and it
35:48would give the City of Worcester
35:51uh the right to install up to 40 of
35:53these cameras if we were to vote that.
35:55And if someone exceeded the 25 mph pre-
35:59prelim uh speed limit in Worcester by 11
36:02mph, so if they went 36 mph and above,
36:05they could be facing a $100 fine, up to
36:08$100 fine per
36:10offense. Now,
36:12my intention is not to say that I agree
36:14with this policy or I disagree. You
36:16know, we certainly need a discussion and
36:17study. I thought it would be good just
36:19to get ahead of it, get it into our
36:21Traffic and Parking Committee and the
36:23chairman of that committee can decide if
36:26and when they want to hold a public
36:27hearing at two. And before we ever take
36:30a vote in this, let's hear from the
36:31public on what they think about speed
36:33cameras here in the city of Worcester.
36:35They seem to favor speed humps, and
36:37maybe speed cameras is something that
36:40they would favor because maybe it would
36:41slow traffic down, and maybe it would
36:44save lives and different injuries here
36:46in the city of Worcester. So, I'm not
36:47advocating for or against it. I'm just
36:49saying let's send it to committee, have
36:51it there. Looks like soon this fall this
36:54uh
36:55economic development bill with the speed
36:57camera item in it will be passed by the
36:59legislature. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
37:03>> Thank you. We'll send that to the
37:04committee.
37:05>> Mr. Chairman.
37:06>> Councilor King.
37:07>> Um
37:09>> Councilor Economou.
37:10>> Yeah. Um
37:12I I'll do it after this. I just have a
37:13point of order after this vote.
37:16>> Okay. So, we'll send that to the
37:17committee. Roll call.
37:22>> Councilor Bergman.
37:23>> Yes.
37:24>> Councilor Balderrama.
37:25>> Yes.
37:25>> Councilor Economou. Councilor Perisolo.
37:27>> Yes.
37:27>> Councilor King.
37:28>> Abstain.
37:30>> Councilor Mero-Diaz.
37:31>> Yes.
37:31>> Councilor Aslanian.
37:35Councilor Aslanian.
37:38I think he's on, but uh Councilor
37:40Aslanian, can you hear us?
37:42>> Yes, but I am
37:43>> [clears throat]
37:46>> Councilor Aslanian, can you hear us?
37:48Go ahead. Go on.
37:50Okay. Councilor Rivera.
37:51>> Yes.
37:52>> Councilor Rosen.
37:53>> Yes.
37:53>> Councilor Toomey.
37:55>> Yes.
37:56>> Councilor Petty.
37:57>> Yes. Councilor King.
37:59>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
38:02Appreciate that. I I just as a a point
38:04of order, uh
38:06I'd like to do a reconsideration. My
38:08understanding is I can explain it, but
38:09it's non-debatable. Just want to confirm
38:11that with the clerk, and it could be
38:12done at any time.
38:15>> Um through the chair, to the council,
38:16correct. So, you can ask for
38:18reconsideration. You need eight votes to
38:20a reconsidered item.
38:21>> Okay. Thank
38:21>> you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make
38:23a motion to reconsideration
38:25of postponement of this meeting.
38:27I have been contacted by folks in the
38:30community who have been impacted by this
38:33in multiple districts including folks
38:35who
38:35>> Well, we can ask for reconsideration.
38:37You can speak on it when you ask for
38:38reconsideration.
38:39>> Excuse me?
38:40>> You can speak on it after the
38:41reconsideration.
38:42>> Okay, but that's the purpose of the
38:43reconsideration, right? To state it.
38:45That's the reason that I'm doing it.
38:48>> That's not the rule of law.
38:50>> multiple folks. I just want to give
38:51folks an opportunity
38:52>> That's not the rule of law.
38:53>> with their vote. Thank you, Mr.
38:54Chairman.
38:55>> Okay. Reconsideration?
38:58>> Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
38:59>> Roll call.
39:04Councilor Bergman?
39:06>> No.
39:08>> Councilor Balado?
39:11>> Yes.
39:12>> Councilor Conover?
39:14Councilor Rizzolo?
39:14>> No.
39:15>> Councilor King?
39:16>> Yes.
39:17>> Councilor Mitra?
39:18>> No.
39:18>> Councilor O'Heda?
39:21>> Yes.
39:22>> Councilor Rivera?
39:23>> No.
39:24>> Councilor Rosen?
39:25>> Yes.
39:26>> Councilor Toomey?
39:27>> No.
39:28>> The Mayor Petty?
39:29>> Yes.
39:31>> So, what can we have?
39:32So, that's 5.
39:34>> What were the numbers, Mr. Chairman?
39:36>> 5 to 4.
39:38Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, Mr. Clerk. I'm
39:40sorry.
39:40>> I think it was Councilor O'Heda. It was
39:41not me, but it was 1 2 3 4 5.
39:46>> 5 to 5.
39:46>> 5 to 5.
39:47>> Okay, the reconsideration fails.
39:50>> Thank you.
39:50>> Going back to 13C, request to manage
39:53request the Commissioner of
39:54Transportation and Mobility review the
39:55existing crosswalk on Lincoln Street at
39:57224 Lincoln Street for the purpose of
40:00making both short and long-term safety
40:01improvements to the crosswalk.
40:03Uh, Councilor Balado?
40:05>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
40:07we did a a walk audit in this area of
40:10Lincoln Street earlier this summer with
40:12uh
40:13folks from the Economic Development
40:14Department, DTM, and and representatives
40:16from the Lincoln Street neighborhood.
40:18So, we're really, you know, trying to do
40:19some improvements here and take a look
40:22at improving lower Lincoln Street
40:23holistically. So, this is one of the
40:25issues that we wanted to tackle. So,
40:26this is why this petition's here. So, or
40:28excuse me, order. So, thank you.
40:30>> Okay, refer to the manager. Roll call.
40:40Councilor Bergman.
40:41>> Yes.
40:42>> Councilor Balada.
40:43>> Yes.
40:44>> Councilor Economos.
40:45Councilor Rizzo.
40:46>> Yes.
40:46>> Councilor King.
40:48>> Yes.
40:48>> Councilor Mitra.
40:49>> Yes.
40:49>> Councilor Waheedah.
40:52>> Yes.
40:53>> Councilor Rivera.
40:53>> Yes.
40:54>> Councilor Rosen.
40:55>> Yes.
40:55>> Councilor Toomey.
40:56>> Yes.
40:57>> And Mayor Petty.
40:58>> Yes. 13D request to see manager request
41:00the Commissioner of Transportation
41:01Mobility work with the Commissioner of
41:02Public Works and ensure that the step
41:04off the sidewalk at the intersection of
41:06King Philip's Road and
41:08um
41:09what's that? Mamian Ave, which is
41:11currently at the 11 to 12-in
41:14step is brought to the acceptable and
41:16safe standard. Councilor Economos.
41:18He's not here, so send that to the
41:20um city manager.
41:22Roll call.
41:23>> Councilor Bergman.
41:23>> Yes.
41:24>> Councilor Balada.
41:25>> Yes.
41:25>> Councilor Economos.
41:27Councilor Rizzo.
41:28>> Yes.
41:28>> Councilor King.
41:29>> Yes.
41:30>> Councilor Mitra.
41:31>> Yes.
41:31>> Councilor Waheedah.
41:33>> Yes.
41:34>> Councilor Rivera.
41:35>> Yes.
41:35>> Councilor Rosen.
41:36>> Yes.
41:36>> Councilor Toomey.
41:37>> Yes.
41:38>> And Mayor Petty.
41:39>> Yes. 13A request the manager request the
41:41fire chief provide council with a
41:43comprehensive report concerning the
41:45status of renovations and improvements
41:46to the fire stations throughout the
41:47city. Said report to include the status
41:49of equipment including but not limited
41:51to um
41:52extractors, exhaust fans, bathroom
41:55fixtures, as well as structural
41:57improvements to be complete at the uh
41:59each station. Further requests the said
42:01report also include both a timeline and
42:03estimated budget for each project.
42:05Councilor Toomey.
42:06>> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Um certainly
42:08that's going to top of the discussion um
42:10with the recent release of um the movie
42:13that was done locally, um
42:16which we are, by the way, spending
42:18$43 million to replace that station. We
42:21recognize the
42:22importance of making sure that our fire
42:25stations are
42:26places that are healthy for firefighters
42:29to work and
42:31to live in.
42:32>> We'll be back after this.
42:34>> Excuse me?
42:36>> I'm sorry. I was just talking to the
42:38clerk.
42:39>> Okay. Um, so uh this is I think it
42:42pretty much speaks for itself and it's
42:44important that we have a full
42:46uh understanding of what has been done,
42:48what can be done, what needs to be done,
42:51and planning for future budgets. Thank
42:53you.
42:53>> Thank you.
42:55Okay, we'll send that to uh
42:57city manager. Roll call.
43:00>> Councilor Bergman?
43:01>> Yes.
43:02>> Councilor Balada?
43:03>> Yes.
43:03>> Councilor Economou?
43:04Councilor Rizzo?
43:06>> Yes.
43:06>> Councilor King?
43:08>> Yes.
43:08>> Councilor Mitra?
43:09>> Yes.
43:10>> Councilor O'Malley?
43:12>> Yeah.
43:12>> Councilor Rivera?
43:13>> Yes.
43:14>> Councilor Rosen?
43:14>> Yes.
43:15>> Councilor Toomey?
43:16>> Yes.
43:16>> And Mayor Petty?
43:18>> Yes.
43:19>> 13 uh Councilor O'Malley has asked us to
43:21go back to 13B, Councilor Rosen's item.
43:25We can consider that so he can talk on
43:27it and uh he tried to and I think I cut
43:29him off by accident. So, roll call.
43:32>> What What's the motion to reconsider?
43:34>> Yeah, just to go back to the item.
43:36>> 13B?
43:38Okay.
43:39Is that the item we're going back to?
43:40>> 13B on the cameras.
43:42>> Oh, okay. Got you.
43:43>> Okay.
43:45Councilor Bergman?
43:46>> Yes.
43:47>> Councilor Balada?
43:47>> Yes.
43:48>> Councilor Economou?
43:50Councilor Rizzo?
43:51>> Yes.
43:51>> Councilor King?
43:52>> Yes.
43:52>> Councilor Mitra?
43:53>> Yes.
43:54>> Councilor O'Malley?
43:56>> Yeah.
43:57>> Councilor Rivera?
43:58>> Yes.
43:58>> Councilor Rosen?
43:59>> Yes.
43:59>> Councilor Toomey?
44:01>> Yes.
44:01>> And Mayor Petty?
44:02>> Yes.
44:04>> Councilor O'Malley?
44:06>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh I'll be
44:08quick I I'm sorry I had issues getting
44:10on earlier. But um I just had a question
44:13regarding where are we at with our uh
44:16the new speed signs that were supposed
44:18to be posting up. I know, you know, this
44:20is something that, you know, a lot of
44:21residents have been asking about. And um
44:24you know, talking about speed cameras in
44:26the city and things like that. Um
44:29But at the end of day, where are we at
44:31with that? And now this becomes a
44:32different question, but can
44:34uh
44:35through the through the chair to the to
44:36the manager, can you let us know where
44:38we're at with uh speed signs?
44:40>> Speed humps?
44:42Okay.
44:43Well
44:45I think so. I think
44:46>> You have the speed limit signs?
44:47>> Is that on 13B?
44:50Oh, speed speed sign, I'm sorry,
44:52counselor. I didn't cut out a little bit
44:53there. You talking about the speed humps
44:55or signs or
44:58>> The speed signs. Correct. The speed
45:00limit signs.
45:01>> Okay, got you. Thank you.
45:04>> Uh through the chair to the counselor,
45:05yes, I think the commissioner of
45:07uh transportation and mobility has
45:09spoken to this about before. One of the
45:10challenges is that there was state
45:12statute that wouldn't allow us to to
45:15uh to um
45:16to implement signs across the city. We
45:18tried to put some in some of the
45:19peripheries. Uh that legislation changed
45:22in the state of Massachusetts, so it has
45:24allowed us now to be able to do that.
45:26We've contracted uh that process, so we
45:29should be able to uh be on the way in um
45:32in putting up uh those signs across the
45:33city. There's an effort that's going to
45:35be um
45:37uh on many different fronts on many
45:38different uh streets. Now, there's a lot
45:40of neighborhood streets you won't see
45:42those signs. They're going to be more so
45:43the arterials. Um uh but that's going to
45:46be an effort that's going to happen uh
45:47starting soon and hopefully through the
45:49fall.
45:52>> Okay, thank you. And through the chair,
45:53is what type of um
45:56assessment is going to be done to know
45:58if these um locations are
46:01uh beneficial and and if these signs are
46:02really working uh for our city.
46:06>> Uh Mr. Manager.
46:09>> Yeah, um through the chair to the
46:10council, just I'm just trying to
46:12understand the question. You're talking
46:13about the signs are beneficial or the
46:15actual reduction of speed uh in those
46:18areas. Uh
46:20So, what what what we're going to do is
46:22we're going to
46:23Yeah, well
46:24>> Yeah, what I'm asking is
46:26because it seems like, you know, with
46:29roads and
46:30uh requests
46:32to have, you know, uh meetings or some
46:36gate public, I really want to see where
46:38we stand with these signs first uh
46:40before we continue in that in that
46:42direction.
46:43So, how would we know
46:45if, you know, the speed is reducing?
46:49>> Mr. Manager.
46:50>> Yeah, through the chair to the council,
46:51I think there's going to be some efforts
46:52across the city where the the Department
46:54of Transportation and Mobility will
46:55assess different road uh different roads
46:58and different arterials where or um to
47:00understand if there has been changes and
47:02how the efficacy of the 25 mph statute
47:05uh has done in the city. We've seen some
47:08areas already that they can they have
47:09data uh that can show for that and
47:11that's something that um we're going to
47:13plan to uh communicate to the council
47:15and try to keep people up to date, but
47:18there is some benefits to it. Um but
47:20again, it's an ongoing work to evaluate
47:21the effect efficacy of the actual
47:24statutory uh speed limits.
47:27>> Okay, thank you. Um
47:29yeah, I would love to see see that data
47:30when when it's available.
47:32>> Okay, we'll send that to the standing
47:33committee. Roll call.
47:35>> [snorts]
47:38>> Councilor Bergman.
47:39>> Yes.
47:40>> Councilor Balow.
47:42Councilor Economo.
47:45Councilor Rosso.
47:46>> Yes.
47:46>> Councilor King.
47:48>> Abstain.
47:49>> Councilor Mitra.
47:51>> Yes.
47:51>> Councilor Heda.
47:54>> Yes.
47:56>> Councilor Rivera.
47:56>> Yes.
47:57>> Councilor Rosen.
47:58>> Yes.
47:58>> Councilor Toomey.
47:59>> Yes.
48:00>> And Mayor Petty?
48:00>> Yes.
48:03>> Okay.
48:04We are on 13F,
48:06Council Rosen. Request manager provide
48:09council with a long-range recommendation
48:10steps the city can and should take to
48:12prevent the frequent summer closures at
48:14Coes Reservoir and Indian Lake, which
48:17necessarily ban swimming, boating,
48:19uh fishing and direct connect
48:22contact due to the high levels of
48:23bacteria and toxins. Council Rosen.
48:26>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
48:28>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
48:30Uh every hot, humid summer
48:33we can be sure these two things that
48:36somewhere along somewhere along the way,
48:38probably once or twice anyway,
48:40Coes Reservoir swimming,
48:43boating, fishing,
48:45animal involvement there, contact with
48:47the water.
48:48And same at Indian Lake, especially the
48:50swimming area for all the families and
48:52kids. And these two these two beaches
48:54are heavily used when they're clean and
48:56they're safe to be used.
48:58But we can be sure that
49:00in 2027
49:02Coes Reservoir, Indian Lake will be
49:04closed at least twice each. Every year
49:07it happens, and it's too bad it happens,
49:10and it's nature and all that, but
49:12it seems to me we have a lot of months
49:14ahead of us now,
49:15Mr. Manager, to try to figure out how we
49:18can stop this from happening.
49:20So, it would be good if we can take some
49:21steps,
49:23and we got WPI, Worcester Polytechnic
49:26Institute. They're always looking for
49:29projects.
49:30Here's two locations for them. I would
49:32think this would be good projects for
49:34the students over there. I mean, there
49:35must be some way we can get these two
49:37beaches under control so we don't have
49:40to close them down during the months of
49:42July and August when they see obviously
49:45the most used during summer vacation.
49:48So, I would ask the city manager to take
49:51a look at that and don't hesitate. And I
49:52just mentioned WPI, but there's Clark
49:55University, Holy Cross, and they all
49:57have good science and ecology programs.
50:00But WPI was my alma mater, so I always
50:03give them a little extra publicity.
50:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
50:08>> Awesome.
50:10Okay, we will
50:12send out to the manager. Rocco.
50:14Councilor Bergman.
50:15>> Yes.
50:16>> Councilor Rivera. Councilor Economou.
50:18Councilor Rushton.
50:19>> Yes.
50:20>> Councilor King.
50:21>> Yes.
50:21>> Councilor Mero.
50:23>> Yes.
50:23>> Councilor O'Connell.
50:25>> Yes.
50:26>> Councilor Rivera.
50:27>> Yes.
50:27>> Councilor Rosen.
50:28>> Yes.
50:29>> Councilor Toomey.
50:30>> Yes.
50:30>> Mayor Petty.
50:32Yes. 13G requests the City Manager
50:34organize an event with the city's Nobel
50:37Nobel laureate laureates, Dr. Victor
50:40Ambros and Dr. Craig Mello of UMass Chan
50:43Medical School, are given the
50:44opportunity to speak in front of the
50:45city's youth regarding their lives and
50:48discoveries. Further requests the City
50:50Manager work with the Superintendent of
50:51Public Schools to ensure that all high
50:52school age seniors are permanently
50:53included in such an event in hopes of
50:55inspiring the students as they continue
50:57with their own educational ventures.
50:59Further requests the Mayor consider
51:00providing said Nobel
51:02Nobel laureates with the appropriate
51:04recognitions, including keys to the city
51:06of Worcester at said event.
51:08Councilor Mero.
51:10>> Thank you, Mr. Chair, to you to the City
51:12Manager.
51:14This order that I have placed here has
51:16already been I discussed about it with
51:19the City Manager in one-on-one meeting
51:21with him. I am putting this order really
51:24to see how we can inspire our young
51:26students, particularly those who are
51:28graduating class. This would be one good
51:32opportunity because we are really
51:33blessed to have these two world-renowned
51:36you know, Nobel laureates in our own
51:38city,
51:39Dr. Victor Ambros and Dr. Craig Mello,
51:42who have received Nobel Prize. And I
51:45always thought and dreamt that maybe our
51:47students should get an opportunity to
51:49listen to them, to see their
51:52Nobel medal, and kind of listen to them
51:54and see how they have achieved all these
51:57and make it possible for any student can
52:00get inspired that I can also do it. With
52:03that thought, I thought it would be
52:04great idea they're being in our own city
52:07and it would be probably easy for the
52:08manager to contact them and with the
52:10superintendent also to see this could be
52:12done. I had also spoken to Mr.
52:15Superintendent and he's very much
52:17excited about it. So, I'd like to make
52:19that happen. At the same time, I think
52:21when we invite these Nobel laureates to
52:25organize this event any any venue, maybe
52:28Mechanics Hall or maybe where the
52:30students can be accommodated. I'd
52:32request Mr. Mayor, if it is not been
52:35done to also recognize them with the
52:37city's key or any way you think would be
52:40most appropriate. I think it would be
52:41very nice gesture from our side if it is
52:44not done yet. At the same time, it would
52:46inspire probably even if one student
52:49gets inspired that, "Hey, I can do it. I
52:51met a Nobel laureate. I think I'll make
52:54my dream come true." So, with that's the
52:55order here. I appreciate if this could
52:57be
52:58really organized. Thank you.
53:02>> Okay, we'll send that to the manager.
53:03Roll call.
53:06Councilor Bergman?
53:07>> Yes.
53:07>> Councilor Bavota?
53:08>> Yes.
53:08>> Councilor Economou?
53:10Mr. Pizzolla?
53:11>> Yes.
53:12>> Councilor King?
53:14>> Yes.
53:15>> Councilor Misha?
53:15>> Yes.
53:16>> Councilor Heda?
53:18>> Yes.
53:19>> Councilor Rivera?
53:20>> Yes.
53:20>> Councilor Rosen?
53:21>> Yes.
53:22>> Councilor Toomey?
53:23>> Yes.
53:23>> And Mayor Petty?
53:24>> Yes, 13 nature request manager work with
53:26the police chief and commissioner of
53:27transportation and mobility to provide a
53:29city council with a report concerning
53:31the measures currently in place to
53:32ensure motorists are obeying speed and
53:34traffic laws in the city. Further
53:36request the city manager include in the
53:37said report information concerning
53:39information measures, additional
53:41measures, and practices in the city can
53:43implement to ensure speeding and traffic
53:45laws compliance throughout the city.
53:47Uh Councilman Metro.
53:50>> Thank you again, Mr. Chair.
53:51Um to you, to the city manager again. I
53:54think uh we have come to that crossroads
53:57in our city that we see, we hear every
54:00neighborhood meeting that I go to and on
54:03the residents have been complaining that
54:05most people are driving um
54:08too high speed and we have citywide 5
54:11mph posted, but we don't have a
54:13monitoring system for a good reason that
54:16we don't have enough law enforcement
54:17officers. At the same time as uh we were
54:20been talking about the maybe you can put
54:22the speed uh camera that could detect
54:25the speed and also detect the license
54:27plate number so we can
54:29uh make sure that is announced properly.
54:31Everybody knows that the city is going
54:33to have the camera so nobody is
54:34surprised. So, I know there is a privacy
54:37law that's in in force there. So, uh
54:40then what can we do? I think we cannot
54:42just give excuses that we cannot put the
54:44camera. We we don't have the enough law
54:47enforcement officers. Should we have our
54:49retired officers to come and help us out
54:52in this? Or should we give them overtime
54:54to the current officers to kind of
54:57monitor the speed limit? I think 25 mph
55:00we is a good uh speed limit to maintain
55:03the reduce the you know, accident. So,
55:06but if this not monitored, people are
55:08driving 40 miles, 50 miles an hour. We
55:11hear that all the time from residents
55:12that everybody's going through the red
55:14light, everybody's speeding high. My
55:16goal was to see the what can we do, what
55:18measure can we uh take to really really
55:21reduce uh this uh possibility of
55:24accidents and bring some safety in our
55:26city. So, that was my request if you
55:28could if you could really consider uh
55:31finding a report on how is the 25 mph
55:34working? How many speeding tickets we
55:36have given? Has it increased?
55:39Where we stand and what measure we can
55:41take? Can we do the cameras after we
55:44make a city-wide announcement that
55:46everybody should know it's not secret
55:48that everybody knows that we're going to
55:49have the cameras, so they will better
55:52shape up and not drive beyond the limit
55:54of the speed limit that has been
55:55designated by the city. So, it's my
55:57concern about the safety. It's my
55:59concern about the
56:01not having the accident losing lives or
56:03getting people injured. So, that's the
56:05request, Mr. Manager, if there is
56:07anything you can do
56:08considering consulting with the police
56:10chief what other measures that we can
56:12take. Thank you.
56:15>> Thank you, Susan. That's a manager. Roll
56:17call.
56:20Councilor Bergman.
56:20>> Yes.
56:21>> Councilor Wally.
56:22>> Yes.
56:23>> Councilor Economos, Councilor Rezollo.
56:25>> Yes.
56:25>> Councilor King.
56:27>> Yes.
56:28>> Councilor Metra.
56:29>> Yes.
56:29>> Councilor Ojeda.
56:32>> Yes.
56:32>> Councilor Rivera.
56:33>> Yes.
56:33>> Councilor Rosen.
56:34>> Yes.
56:35>> Councilor Toomey.
56:36>> Yes.
56:37>> And Mayor Petty.
56:38>> Yes.
56:39>> Request the manager to provide council
56:40with the report concerning public
56:41safety, cleanliness, maintenance, and
56:43enforcement act
56:45active in the Worcester Common and
56:47surrounding streets. Said report to
56:48include current conditions, existing
56:50enforcement outreach efforts, recommend
56:52measures that can be implemented to
56:54ensure the Worcester Common is safe,
56:55welcoming,
56:56and usable as a public park as
56:59residents, workers, families, and
57:00visitors come to meet you.
57:03>> Thank you again, Mr. Chair, for
57:05giving me the opportunity to talk about
57:06it.
57:07Mr. Manager,
57:10again, we know that there were some
57:11disturbances in the
57:14Worcester Common in the past and I see
57:16some of the law enforcement officers are
57:18now situated in the Common.
57:21But, you know, many people those who are
57:23doing businesses there, those who are
57:25coming to visit there, those who are
57:27coming for eating and having dinner
57:29there there night time, I think many
57:31people have been concerned.
57:34I just like to get a report on what uh
57:36have we done or what are we doing to
57:38really bring some safety there and bring
57:40some kind of peace in the minds of
57:42people who are trying to visit the
57:43downtown area of the businesses
57:46so that the business owners can feel
57:48that, "Hey, we have some measures taken
57:50by the city and uh we should not have
57:53any disturbance in our business, in our
57:55having our clients or customers come to
57:57our place. And there is an opportunity
58:00for everybody to feel safe. So, once
58:02again, just like the traffic, this is
58:04like it in the downtown area. There was
58:06a there is a report I read, maybe you
58:08can take a look at it. This is in
58:09Philadelphia where they have created
58:11some kind of system with the private
58:14equity to kind of uh from make a reach
58:17out to people and try to help everyone
58:19and I'll give you this report that that
58:21kind of gives you something that we can
58:23probably
58:24uh we can probably talk about. It's
58:25called the
58:27um
58:27Here by the Center City of Philadelphia
58:29Development Corporation as a private
58:32sector
58:34private
58:35private sector business improvement
58:37district and
58:39uh and approved by the city council
58:41under the Pennsylvania uh
58:44municipality law. So, I think I can give
58:47you this and it's I thought it was a
58:48very good article that uh what we can
58:50probably also use maybe to bring some
58:53safety in our downtown area which is
58:55which is growing where we are getting so
58:57many businesses coming in. We're going
58:58and ribbon cutting almost every week
59:00which is great. We want them to stay
59:02here, feel safe and with all these news
59:05that we have had some time back, I think
59:08people are a little bit fearful. We want
59:10to take that fear out of their mind and
59:12provide some uh some kind of
59:14civilization safety so that they can do
59:16their business in a proper way without
59:18any difficulties uh facing difficulties
59:20of of any kind of terrorism or any kind
59:23of uh you know, bad activities in there.
59:26So, that was my request to see if we can
59:28do anything and I'll give you this
59:30article to read that might help you to
59:32kind of see if we can do something like
59:33that that Philadelphia has adopted.
59:36Thank you.
59:36>> Okay, thank you.
59:37Councilwoman Toomey.
59:39>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um
59:40>> What purpose do you arise?
59:42>> I rise to file an amendment if not then
59:46a separate order.
59:48I thank my colleague for filing this.
59:51That's certainly something I've asked
59:52for in the past few months as well.
59:56I know that a great deal has been done
59:58because I'm involved in a lot of
1:00:00different meetings on this issue.
1:00:02But I think it's very important that if
1:00:04you don't mind as an amendment that we
1:00:07ask for an explanation of what has
1:00:10happened. I know
1:00:12within the first I believe 30 days of
1:00:15this being an issue
1:00:17there were over 100
1:00:18arrests for for for real violent reasons
1:00:23um
1:00:24violence and drug use etc.
1:00:27And find out what happened to those
1:00:29arrests
1:00:31and you'll find that they were they were
1:00:33those folks were released.
1:00:35So I think that we need [clears throat]
1:00:36to have everybody at the table.
1:00:38So could include all all of the efforts
1:00:40that have happened and what the
1:00:42results have been
1:00:43in addition to the fact that
1:00:46you know we've had a lot more people who
1:00:48are out on the streets that are
1:00:50providing services.
1:00:52I think it's also important to hear from
1:00:55our crisis intervention team, quality
1:00:58life team.
1:00:59I know
1:01:01Shawn Lovelace, Officer Lovelace
1:01:04has had a lot of concerns about how many
1:01:07people are coming into the city that we
1:01:09don't even know who they are. Very
1:01:11recently.
1:01:12And so I think that's all important to
1:01:14include in this.
1:01:16If my colleague does
1:01:17>> Absolutely.
1:01:18I'll set Dr. Mitchell if you ma'am.
1:01:20>> good with do Thank you very much.
1:01:22>> So for eyes on mandates send that to the
1:01:24manager.
1:01:25Roll call.
1:01:26>> Mr. Chairman, what was the amendment?
1:01:27>> I I didn't get the amendment.
1:01:29>> I think it was a Council Can you uh
1:01:30repeat your amendment? I thought it was
1:01:32for the uh
1:01:33Go ahead.
1:01:35>> So it was basically to add
1:01:38all the information about all of the
1:01:40things that have been done and and what
1:01:42has and what
1:01:43what has worked and why it hasn't, what
1:01:45has worked and why it hasn't.
1:01:47>> Okay.
1:01:47>> Uh as well as include people who are
1:01:50actually on the street, have real
1:01:51comments from them uh because they're
1:01:53involved in the day-to-day issues.
1:01:55>> Okay.
1:01:57That sounds like a manager's amended.
1:01:58Roll call.
1:01:59>> Councilor Bergman.
1:02:00>> Yes.
1:02:01>> Councilor Balducci.
1:02:03>> No.
1:02:05>> Councilor Economou. Councilor Rizzolo.
1:02:07>> Yes.
1:02:07>> Councilor King.
1:02:08>> No.
1:02:09>> Councilor Mitra.
1:02:10>> Yes.
1:02:11>> Councilor O'Reilly.
1:02:13>> No.
1:02:14>> Councilor Rivera.
1:02:15>> Yes.
1:02:15>> Councilor Rosen.
1:02:16>> Yes.
1:02:17>> Councilor Toomey.
1:02:18>> Yes.
1:02:19>> And Mayor Petty.
1:02:20>> Yes.
1:02:21>> Okay.
1:02:24Okay.
1:02:26J we did.
1:02:27All right. K, request the manager write
1:02:29the Council a report concerning the
1:02:30current strategies in place to mitigate
1:02:32overgrowth in the city. Said report
1:02:34shall also include information relative
1:02:35to any additional strategies
1:02:37the city has planned to implement
1:02:38concerning the issue as well as
1:02:40information related to specific plans to
1:02:42mitigate overgrowth in the vicinity of
1:02:44Jersey barriers located Route 20.
1:02:46Councilor Rizzolo.
1:02:48>> Through you, Mr. Chairman.
1:02:51I rise to uh
1:02:54speak on the overgrowth throughout
1:02:57uh I'll just
1:02:59uh
1:03:00pertaining to my district alone. Uh this
1:03:02year it just seems to be
1:03:04uh above and beyond uh
1:03:06what
1:03:07what I've seen in the past
1:03:09and uh
1:03:11I know the manager has put a team
1:03:13together to uh address the tree pits
1:03:17that uh
1:03:18are growing from again the ground and
1:03:21the base of the tree so
1:03:24they they look more like a bush than a
1:03:26tree but we're we're addressing that and
1:03:28I appreciate the manager taking that
1:03:31into
1:03:32aggressive approach.
1:03:34I also
1:03:36uh
1:03:38I also remember
1:03:40the last conservation commission meeting
1:03:43that
1:03:44an item was filed by the Commonwealth
1:03:47DCR and DOT that they had a plan to
1:03:51address overgrowth
1:03:53in certain
1:03:55areas of our city that uh
1:03:58come under their control and
1:04:01again I was surprised to see that they
1:04:03mentioned Jersey barriers uh as
1:04:06something that they
1:04:08uh will address with some type of spray
1:04:11I believe
1:04:12that they had to go in front of
1:04:14uh conservation commission and make them
1:04:17knowledgeable what their plan was
1:04:19and uh
1:04:22on Route 20 from Granite Street to
1:04:26going
1:04:27west down to the Blackstone treatment
1:04:31plant
1:04:32uh there are Jersey barriers there and
1:04:36to my colleagues and to the general
1:04:37public I don't know if you've been by
1:04:39but
1:04:40there are actually
1:04:43weeds three and four feet high growing
1:04:45out of the barrier
1:04:47a it looks like a tree that the the
1:04:49branches turned into a tree that's about
1:04:51four or five feet high
1:04:53and I spoke to the manager about it I
1:04:56know we put a call in to DOT
1:04:59and uh
1:05:02it still hasn't been addressed but I
1:05:04know I know
1:05:05they'll be able to to address that but
1:05:09uh it looks like a third world country I
1:05:11really I can't believe how bad it looks
1:05:15in that area. And
1:05:16>> [snorts]
1:05:16>> not to toot my horn, but when I was in
1:05:18the legislature, when things like that
1:05:20would happen, I would call uh
1:05:23the O T up and get them
1:05:26uh to go out and address
1:05:28uh clean
1:05:30uh that type of
1:05:32that type of overgrowth.
1:05:34Uh I also mentioned to the managers that
1:05:37uh I the state
1:05:40owned property, uh the bridge over 146
1:05:44uh going toward
1:05:46Walmart.
1:05:47Uh
1:05:49huge overgrowth on the uh
1:05:51the islands and the uh
1:05:55uh
1:05:56the medium strips
1:05:57on that uh bridge. And I went by today
1:06:02to make sure
1:06:03uh
1:06:05what I
1:06:06wanted to speak about tonight to see if
1:06:08it was addressed, and I was surprised
1:06:10that the grass on the medium strips were
1:06:13cut,
1:06:14but the uh weeds that grow out of the
1:06:17curb and uh the curb where it connects
1:06:21to the street are still uh quite high.
1:06:24So,
1:06:25uh maybe the uh
1:06:26Commonwealth sent people down and and uh
1:06:29mowed the the grass and the high weeds
1:06:32on the grass, but it still exists. So,
1:06:36uh
1:06:39in the end, uh
1:06:42I would like to encourage the general
1:06:44public
1:06:46and the business owners
1:06:48of this city
1:06:49to go out and clean in front of your
1:06:52house and clean in front of your
1:06:53business.
1:06:55If you would, help us out because uh
1:06:58it's a total total eyesore when uh the
1:07:02weeds get that high, and you actually
1:07:05need shears to cut them. You cannot pull
1:07:07the weed out of the ground. You need
1:07:09shears to cut the weeds. So, I would
1:07:10encourage people, if they would, to take
1:07:13some pride in
1:07:15in our city and help out. But, I know
1:07:18again, the manager has uh
1:07:20come up with a team that are going out
1:07:22to uh
1:07:24address this issue, and I appreciate
1:07:25that. And uh
1:07:28I'd be curious to see I'm I'm going to
1:07:30uh
1:07:31contact the Conservation Commission and
1:07:33see exactly what the state intends to do
1:07:37with their properties, but I appreciate
1:07:40them uh
1:07:41coming to
1:07:43the city and and uh helping out, which
1:07:48in all honesty, it's their property, so
1:07:49they should be taking care of it. So, uh
1:07:52again, I would also
1:07:54uh
1:07:55ask the general public to uh call their
1:07:57state reps and their state senators when
1:08:00they see uh
1:08:02overgrowth on
1:08:04uh a roadway like Route 20 or uh
1:08:08122. I'm just using those two
1:08:11uh state routes because they're in
1:08:12District 3. Uh
1:08:15They're there. They drive by them. They
1:08:17have to see it, and obviously uh no
1:08:19calls have been made, but uh
1:08:22Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the
1:08:23opportunity to address this issue, and
1:08:26again, I thank the city manager for his
1:08:28uh
1:08:30seriousness in trying to address the
1:08:32overgrowth that we have
1:08:34here in our city. Thank you.
1:08:38>> Thank you. It was uh sent out to the
1:08:40manager. Roll call.
1:08:42Councilor Bergman?
1:08:43>> Yes.
1:08:43>> Councilor Balwada?
1:08:44>> Yes.
1:08:45>> Councilor Caradonna?
1:08:46Councilor Rizzolo?
1:08:47>> Yes.
1:08:47>> Councilor King?
1:08:49>> Yes.
1:08:50>> Councilor Mitra?
1:08:51>> Yes.
1:08:52>> Councilor Ojeda?
1:08:54>> Yes.
1:08:54>> Councilor Rivera?
1:08:55>> Yes.
1:08:56>> Councilor Rosen?
1:08:56>> Yes.
1:08:57>> Councilor Toomey?
1:08:58>> Yes.
1:08:59>> And Mayor Petty?
1:09:00>> Yes. Councilor Wise has said we
1:09:02reconsider 13i.
1:09:06Let's do a roll call. Roll call.
1:09:1013i, right, Council?
1:09:12>> Yeah, I just wanted the opportunity to
1:09:13just
1:09:14>> Okay, go ahead.
1:09:14>> Yeah.
1:09:15>> 13i.
1:09:16>> Councilor Bergman.
1:09:18>> Yes.
1:09:18>> Councilor Boada.
1:09:19>> Yes.
1:09:20>> Councilor Economos. Councilor Rosen.
1:09:22>> Yes.
1:09:22>> Councilor King.
1:09:23>> Yes.
1:09:23>> Councilor Mehtra.
1:09:24>> Yes.
1:09:24>> Councilor O'Hara.
1:09:27>> Yes.
1:09:27>> Councilor Rivera.
1:09:28>> Yes.
1:09:29>> Councilor Rosen.
1:09:30>> Yes.
1:09:30>> Councilor Toomey.
1:09:31>> Yes.
1:09:32>> And Mayor Petty.
1:09:33>> Yes.
1:09:34>> Councilor Boada.
1:09:35>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um not
1:09:37that I'm opposed to this order, but I I
1:09:38just worry that um
1:09:41you know, there's a kind of continuing
1:09:42narrative that you know, the common in
1:09:44downtown Worcester
1:09:46you know, is not safe, welcoming, and
1:09:48usable as a public park. Um and I think,
1:09:51you know, there's been a lot of work
1:09:52happening this summer, particularly
1:09:54since we had two, you know, uh
1:09:56unfortunate violent incidences on the
1:09:58common. Um
1:10:00you know, the police have been have been
1:10:01down there. I think the city's done an
1:10:03excellent job with activating that
1:10:04space. We've had tons of festivals down
1:10:06there this summer. Um
1:10:08you know, downtown I believe is is
1:10:11becoming more safe and more vibrant. And
1:10:12I and I just worry that kind of the
1:10:14chilling effect that we keep asking for
1:10:16these reports that I think with
1:10:18just communications amongst councilors
1:10:20and to the city manager and to the
1:10:22administration, we can find out this
1:10:23information. Um
1:10:25so, I just wanted to felt you know, my
1:10:27colleagues and the public deserve
1:10:29explanation to uh renew over because I
1:10:31think there is a lot already happening
1:10:33to address these issues. So, thank you.
1:10:36>> Thank you.
1:10:36>> Mr. Chairman.
1:10:38>> Councilor King.
1:10:40>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um my vote was
1:10:42in the negative as well for similar
1:10:44reasons.
1:10:45Um and I'll reiterate that vote.
1:10:48Um
1:10:49I will say that
1:10:51uh
1:10:52>> [snorts]
1:10:52>> I don't question the intent of the filer
1:10:54of the motion, um but I too am very
1:10:57concerned
1:10:58um, about the labeling of the city of
1:11:01Worcester. Uh, we're proud to be from
1:11:03the city and while that's not the intent
1:11:05here, when you couple it with um,
1:11:07statements that have been made um,
1:11:10by the Chamber of Commerce, Tim Murray
1:11:12of the Chamber of Commerce,
1:11:14um,
1:11:14the attack upon the city um, that we're
1:11:17not doing enough or we're not doing
1:11:19anything. The city manager's not doing
1:11:21anything. All of those um, inferences
1:11:24have a negative impact on us here in the
1:11:26city of Worcester, Mr. Chairman. And
1:11:28again,
1:11:29um, I understand that's not the intent
1:11:31of the filer of the motion. Um, I don't
1:11:33question the intent whatsoever. Um, but
1:11:35I want to be very calculated uh,
1:11:38regarding describing my name
1:11:40to things where folks will infer that
1:11:42it's not safe here. And as mentioned,
1:11:44we've had a number of events. Um, you
1:11:48know, I've worked in the parks um, in a
1:11:51in um, capacities with youth sports for
1:11:53over 30 years and I know firsthand and
1:11:55so live next to a park um, that the more
1:11:58activated it is, that's the best
1:12:00response. Community involvement,
1:12:01community engagement, people being
1:12:03present um,
1:12:05you know, and and scheduling of events,
1:12:07etc. Um, is really what what makes
1:12:10things safe. The people make things
1:12:12safe. And um,
1:12:14you know, that's that's the reason for
1:12:15my vote. Thank you.
1:12:16>> Thank you.
1:12:17Roll call.
1:12:20Councilor Bergman?
1:12:22>> Yes.
1:12:22>> Councilor Belisle?
1:12:23>> No.
1:12:24>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Zollo?
1:12:26>> Yes.
1:12:26>> Councilor King?
1:12:27>> No.
1:12:28>> Councilor Mejia?
1:12:29>> Yes.
1:12:29>> Councilor Nguyen?
1:12:32>> No.
1:12:32>> Councilor Rivera?
1:12:33>> Yes.
1:12:34>> Councilor Rosen?
1:12:35>> Yes.
1:12:35>> Councilor Toomey?
1:12:37>> Yes.
1:12:37>> Mayor Petty?
1:12:38>> Yes. 13 L's withheld on the privilege.
1:12:4213 M requested a manager organize a
1:12:44meeting between the city state delegates
1:12:46and the representatives of C 60 in
1:12:47Shrewsbury.
1:12:49Real cards carrying solid waste to not
1:12:51idle in the city.
1:12:53Causing causing foul odors to remain in
1:12:55the air around the business and
1:12:56residential properties around Cambridge
1:12:58Street and
1:13:00uh other streets in the area.
1:13:02Uh I'll be real quick, Council King. Go.
1:13:25>> Mayor Petty on 13M.
1:13:33>> Okay, uh
1:13:35as you know, I think we've seen some of
1:13:37the in the press uh
1:13:39and some of the complaints I received
1:13:41regarding the foul odor coming out of
1:13:43CSX vehicles. Uh
1:13:46most of that's trash and it's sealed
1:13:48even in containers. I had Chief to talk
1:13:50to CSX after I filed the order
1:13:52and uh they moved the trains.
1:13:55Uh but he can't guarantee
1:13:57uh there's a lot of things going on
1:13:58nationally. Uh a lot of the uh
1:14:01the sites where you drop uh the
1:14:03landfills are closed.
1:14:05And so, things get on the trains gets
1:14:08backed up. It has to travel down south.
1:14:11Uh so, maybe a good meeting with them
1:14:14just to understand uh how we can prevent
1:14:16this cuz this is not down in the and I
1:14:18heard complaints up in the Franklin
1:14:19Street area, too.
1:14:21Uh so, and also, to amend this, I'd like
1:14:23to also get a report on the derailment
1:14:27uh that occurred was it like last week?
1:14:29Uh there were four empty cars. All I All
1:14:32I All I could think of was
1:14:35what if something was in those cars
1:14:37and it was waiting in them and it fell
1:14:38over.
1:14:39So, I just want to get a report what
1:14:40happened in that derailment and how we
1:14:42prevent that going forward. And uh this
1:14:45affected a lot of residents were
1:14:46complaining on the odor, going back to
1:14:47that. Along with the some restaurants in
1:14:51the area. And the
1:14:52wasn't a When I was down there, you
1:14:54could smell it. So, it was pretty bad.
1:14:56So, I'll send that to you, Mr. Manager.
1:14:58>> So, the motion will be to send it to the
1:15:00city manager with the amendment to
1:15:04include a report related to the
1:15:06derailment
1:15:07that occurred recently. Roll call.
1:15:09>> Councilor Bergman?
1:15:10>> Yes.
1:15:11>> Councilor Bavota?
1:15:11>> Yes.
1:15:12>> Councilor Economou?
1:15:14Councilor Rosen? Yes.
1:15:15>> Yes.
1:15:16>> Councilor Metra?
1:15:17>> Yes.
1:15:17>> Councilor O'Brien?
1:15:19>> Yes.
1:15:20>> Councilor Rivera?
1:15:21>> Yes.
1:15:21>> Councilor Rosen?
1:15:26With the
1:15:27Councilor Toomey?
1:15:28>> Yes.
1:15:29>> Mayor Petty?
1:15:30>> Yes.
1:15:31>> And Vice Chair Councilor King?
1:15:32>> Yes.
1:15:37>> 13 Q.
1:15:3913 Q.
1:15:45>> So, motion is that we're going to go out
1:15:46of order and take item 13 Q.
1:15:49Um do we need a vote on to take it out
1:15:51of order, Mr. Clerk?
1:15:52>> No.
1:15:52>> Okay. So, let's take out of order 13 Q.
1:15:55Request the city manager request the
1:15:57Commissioner of Public Works immediately
1:15:58review and repair the stone wall in the
1:16:01vicinity of the Burncoat Street
1:16:03Preparatory School located at 526
1:16:06Burncoat Street, which was hit by a plow
1:16:09during winter snow operations. Filed by
1:16:12Joe Petty. Mr. Pet- uh Mayor Petty.
1:16:15>> Uh thank you. And I think the District
1:16:17Council, the previous District Council
1:16:18had brought this up before. And this
1:16:21See, my understanding is a meeting
1:16:22probably next week cuz we have a lot of
1:16:24these in the city of Worcester. We have
1:16:26these poles and on these streets which
1:16:28has caused damage. So, this is probably
1:16:30one of these. You can add that to the
1:16:31list. And let's see if we can get this
1:16:33fixed.
1:16:34Okay.
1:16:35>> The motion will be to send to the city
1:16:36manager. Roll call.
1:16:38>> Councilor Bergman?
1:16:39>> Yes.
1:16:40>> Councilor Bavota?
1:16:40>> Yes.
1:16:41>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Rosen?
1:16:43>> Yes.
1:16:43>> Councilor Metra?
1:16:44>> Yes.
1:16:45>> Councilwoman Rohleder?
1:16:47>> Yes.
1:16:47>> Councilwoman Rivera?
1:16:48>> Yes.
1:16:48>> Councilwoman Rosen?
1:16:51Councilwoman Toomey?
1:16:52>> Yes.
1:16:53>> Mayor Petty?
1:16:54>> Yes.
1:16:54>> And Vice Chair Councilman
1:16:55>> Yes.
1:17:18>> Okay.
1:17:22We are on 13N.
1:17:24I request the mayor to request the
1:17:26Commissioner of Public Works and
1:17:27Commissioner of Transportation Mobility
1:17:28install either a double or single yellow
1:17:30line
1:17:31on Westchester Street as soon as
1:17:34possible in the interest of public
1:17:35safety.
1:17:37Roll call.
1:17:40Councilwoman Bergman?
1:17:40>> Yes.
1:17:41>> Councilwoman Balada?
1:17:42>> Yes.
1:17:42>> Councilwoman Cannamo? Councilwoman
1:17:44Zullo?
1:17:44>> Yes.
1:17:45>> Councilwoman King?
1:17:46>> Yes.
1:17:46>> Councilwoman Mitra?
1:17:47>> Yes.
1:17:47>> Councilwoman Rohleder?
1:17:49>> Yes.
1:17:50>> Councilwoman Rivera?
1:17:51>> Yes.
1:17:51>> Councilwoman Rosen?
1:17:53Councilwoman Toomey?
1:17:55>> Yes.
1:17:55>> And Mayor Petty?
1:17:57Yes. Request CM to request the
1:17:59Commissioner of Public Works and
1:18:00Commissioner of Transportation Mobility
1:18:01repaint the double yellow lines on Perry
1:18:03Road Extension as soon as possible in
1:18:06the interest of public safety.
1:18:07Councilwoman Cannamo? Roll call.
1:18:10Councilwoman Bergman?
1:18:11>> Yes.
1:18:11>> Councilwoman Balada?
1:18:12>> Yes.
1:18:13>> Councilwoman Cannamo? Councilwoman
1:18:14Zullo?
1:18:14>> Yes.
1:18:15>> Councilwoman King?
1:18:16>> Yes.
1:18:16>> Councilwoman Mitra?
1:18:17>> Yes.
1:18:17>> Councilwoman Rohleder?
1:18:19>> Yes.
1:18:20>> Councilwoman Rivera?
1:18:20>> Yes.
1:18:21>> Councilwoman Rosen? Councilwoman Toomey?
1:18:24>> Yes.
1:18:24>> And Mayor [snorts] Petty?
1:18:26>> Yes.
1:18:27>> Okay. 13R.
1:18:30I request the CM to request the
1:18:31Commissioner of Public Works and
1:18:32Commissioner of Transportation Mobility
1:18:33renew
1:18:34review and repair the damaged curb cut
1:18:37at the crosswalk on northern side of
1:18:39Foster Street at the intersection of
1:18:40Norwood Street, Councillor Ballotta.
1:18:42>> As it reads.
1:18:42>> Point of order, Mr. Chairman.
1:18:44>> Councillor King.
1:18:45>> 13P is held, right? I held that one.
1:18:46>> Yeah, I'm about to say that. 13P was
1:18:48held in the privilege by Councillor
1:18:50King.
1:18:51Okay, so on the Councillor Ballotta's
1:18:53item, we're going to vote on. Roll call.
1:18:55>> Councillor Bergman.
1:18:56>> Yes.
1:18:57>> Councillor Ballotta.
1:18:58>> Yes.
1:18:58>> Councillor Economou. Councillor Brezola.
1:19:00>> Yes.
1:19:01>> Councillor King.
1:19:01>> Yes.
1:19:02>> Councillor Mitra.
1:19:03>> Yes.
1:19:03>> Councillor Ojeda.
1:19:05>> Yes.
1:19:06>> Councillor Rivera.
1:19:07>> Yes.
1:19:08>> Councillor Rosen.
1:19:10Councillor Toomey.
1:19:11>> Yes.
1:19:12>> And Mayor Petty.
1:19:13>> Yes.
1:19:14>> 13S request city manager request
1:19:15Commissioner of Public Works ensure the
1:19:17trenches created by utilities at the
1:19:19intersection of Eastern Ave, East
1:19:20Central Street and Mount Carmel Way be
1:19:21resurfaced, Councillor Ballotta.
1:19:23>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
1:19:25I've had conversations, you know, uh
1:19:27through uh
1:19:29Excuse me, I've had con- conversations
1:19:31with the city manager, with um the
1:19:33Commissioner of of Public Works, um
1:19:36since being elected about this area of
1:19:38this intersection Eastern Ave, East
1:19:39Central Street and Mount Carmel Way, um
1:19:42because of the the um
1:19:45recent development Alta on the row, the,
1:19:47you know, the roads are are cut up
1:19:48pretty bad. And I've, you know, asked
1:19:50repeatedly for this to get addressed. I
1:19:52know there's a lot on our plate, uh but
1:19:54I wanted to bring this to council and
1:19:56put it here in hopes of finally getting
1:19:58this addressed. So, I'd appreciate if we
1:19:59could have some movement on this. Um I
1:20:01know sometime I don't not sure if
1:20:03there's any additional utility work
1:20:05scheduled, but again, these utility
1:20:07trenches are are in very bad shape. And
1:20:09this is an area that has uh extensive
1:20:11amount of traffic. So, I'd appreciate if
1:20:12we could just get some type of movement
1:20:13on this. I'd appreciate it. Thank you.
1:20:15>> Okay. Roll call.
1:20:18>> Councillor Bergman.
1:20:19>> Yes.
1:20:20>> Councillor Ballotta.
1:20:21>> Yes.
1:20:21>> Councillor Economou. Councillor Brezola.
1:20:24>> Yes.
1:20:24>> Councillor King.
1:20:25>> Yes.
1:20:26>> Councillor Mitra.
1:20:27>> Yes.
1:20:28>> Councillor Ojeda.
1:20:30>> Yes.
1:20:30>> Councillor Rivera.
1:20:31>> Yes.
1:20:32>> Councillor Rosen.
1:20:33Councillor Toomey.
1:20:34>> Yes.
1:20:35>> And Mayor Petty?
1:20:36>> Yes. 13 T requests the city manager
1:20:39request commissioner of inspectional
1:20:40services review and address concerns
1:20:42associated with the empty lots located
1:20:44on zero Ascension Street, 478 Franklin
1:20:47Street, and four uh 98 Franklin Street.
1:20:50Councilor Bolduc.
1:20:51>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I've had
1:20:53conversations with the manager about
1:20:54this. I know there's something in the
1:20:55works to address these properties, a
1:20:57coordinated effort with inspectional
1:20:59services and Worcester Fire, um but the
1:21:02these properties, zero Ascension, which
1:21:04is on Franklin Street, but there's a
1:21:06paper street there. It's on the corner.
1:21:08Uh 478 Franklin and 498. These
1:21:11properties are horrible. They are
1:21:13deplorable. [snorts] There's um
1:21:14absolutely no the property owners have
1:21:17not secured these properties at all.
1:21:19There's significant runoff happening on
1:21:21the Franklin Street now, and they just
1:21:23look horrible. Uh so, I think it's
1:21:25really uh about time that we crack down
1:21:27on these property owners. Uh they're all
1:21:29absentee property owners, uh
1:21:31out of town, and the these lots have
1:21:33been
1:21:34vacant and empty and in horrible
1:21:36condition my entire life. Um I'm sure
1:21:38everyone in that neighborhood can speak
1:21:40to it as well, but I'm just really
1:21:41hoping that um not hoping, but you know,
1:21:44we really need to get a jump on these
1:21:45properties and start enforcing it
1:21:47because they're they're just terrible.
1:21:49Thank you.
1:21:50>> Thank you.
1:21:51The roll call.
1:21:54Councilor Bergman?
1:21:55>> Yes.
1:21:56>> Councilor Bolduc?
1:21:56>> Yes.
1:21:57>> Councilor Economou?
1:21:59Councilor Perzelo?
1:22:00>> Yes.
1:22:00>> Councilor King?
1:22:02>> Yes.
1:22:02>> Councilor Mitra?
1:22:04>> Yes.
1:22:04>> Councilor O'Connell?
1:22:07>> Yes.
1:22:07>> Councilor Rivera?
1:22:08>> Yes.
1:22:09>> Councilor Rosen?
1:22:09>> Yes.
1:22:10>> Councilor Toomey?
1:22:12>> Yes.
1:22:12>> And Mayor Petty?
1:22:14>> Yes. Request city manager provide
1:22:15council with a report concerning the
1:22:16open positions and overstaffing overall
1:22:18staffing levels in the Department of
1:22:20Public Works. Councilor Bolduc.
1:22:21>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh submitted
1:22:23this because I think it would be helpful
1:22:24for council and the public to have an
1:22:26understanding of what are some of the
1:22:28challenges DPW's facing if there are
1:22:31still staffing challenges.
1:22:33Um had some issues last week uh and this
1:22:36week with some trash routes not being
1:22:37picked up and I know it was because of
1:22:40uh or I was told some people were were
1:22:41called out uh or called out and there
1:22:43was a backup driver that didn't quite
1:22:45know the route. Uh also know that the
1:22:47Keep Worcester Clean initiative there
1:22:48were some vacancies this summer and it
1:22:50really does impact the ability of the
1:22:52DPW to keep our neighborhoods clean and
1:22:54to address issues. Uh
1:22:56so wanted to see if we can get a better
1:22:57picture on this and hopefully figure out
1:22:59some ways that we can
1:23:01really fill these seats and and and fill
1:23:03these positions
1:23:04uh to improve the the quality of work
1:23:06that DPW does cuz residents get a lot of
1:23:08complaints about different things
1:23:09throughout the district and I know um
1:23:12you know DPW does
1:23:14what what they can and I've had plenty
1:23:16of great um interactions with DPW.
1:23:18They've been incredibly helpful with
1:23:20with diff- with uh different constituent
1:23:22complaints but I know that there's still
1:23:23gaps and there's still challenges with
1:23:25getting some things addressed uh as with
1:23:27the urgency that they need. So would
1:23:28appreciate if we could get some type of
1:23:30feedback Chairman on this. Thank you.
1:23:34>> Chairman I Councilor Vassallo
1:23:35>> I stand for clarification. I'd like to
1:23:37know if possible uh through the city
1:23:40manager through you Mr. Chairman uh
1:23:44how are we doing with the uh vacancies?
1:23:47Um I know people that are on the civil
1:23:49service list that are looking for
1:23:51employment and have not got called and
1:23:54I hear the same um
1:23:56uh
1:23:57you know issues that we still have
1:23:59vacancies there. So uh can you clarify?
1:24:02Are we are we still aggressively trying
1:24:04to
1:24:05um fill those positions, please?
1:24:07>> Mr. Manager
1:24:09>> Uh through the City Council uh the clear
1:24:12answer is yes. We are doing everything
1:24:13we can to try to fill these positions.
1:24:16Uh we're filling them pretty quickly in
1:24:18anticipation of the winter uh season
1:24:20that's coming. We need a a number
1:24:22laborers. We need drivers. We need
1:24:24We need CDL folks, licensed CDL folks.
1:24:26We need a number of individuals in the
1:24:28department. I think one of the
1:24:29challenges related to the civil service
1:24:31is often times you get a list of 100,
1:24:33120 people on that list and you're going
1:24:35to go one by one on the certain
1:24:38prescribed
1:24:39processes that still civil service
1:24:41requires you to do before you then
1:24:45request another list. And so you may
1:24:47have a list that has 100, 120
1:24:49individuals, but then you may have
1:24:51another list that has 120 or so
1:24:53individuals waiting as well. That
1:24:55process to go through about 100, 120
1:24:57individuals or so
1:24:59to go to that
1:25:01prescribed process that civil service
1:25:02requires, it may take 4 months, it may
1:25:05take 6 months. And that's what we're
1:25:07trying to advance. We put an effort, the
1:25:10council put an effort in trying to
1:25:11remove ourselves from the civil service
1:25:13so it gives us the ability to move
1:25:15quicker and hire people much faster.
1:25:17That failed at the at the state level.
1:25:20That didn't move forward.
1:25:22And so we are working every single
1:25:24angle, every opportunity we can
1:25:28to move forward and go through those
1:25:30lists as quickly as possible.
1:25:32We're pretty hopeful that we'll have a
1:25:35larger number of folks
1:25:36added to the department for the upcoming
1:25:38season, the upcoming winter season.
1:25:40But right now actively HR and Department
1:25:43of Public Works every single day are
1:25:45actively we have a one person dedicated
1:25:47to DPW HR on hiring and recruiting,
1:25:51interviewing.
1:25:52That's actually we have more than one.
1:25:54We have two people right now dedicated
1:25:56100% of the time there in addition to
1:25:58all the support that HR is providing. So
1:26:01we're actively on that and we'd be happy
1:26:02to provide a kind of a status update
1:26:04where we can have better data to inform
1:26:06not only the council but the public.
1:26:09>> Okay.
1:26:10Roll call.
1:26:12>> Councilwoman Bergman.
1:26:13>> Yes.
1:26:13>> Councilman Balada.
1:26:14>> Yes.
1:26:14>> Councilman Iacono.
1:26:17Councilman Bozzolla.
1:26:17>> Yes.
1:26:18>> Councilman King.
1:26:19>> Yes.
1:26:20>> Councilor Mitra
1:26:21>> Yes.
1:26:21>> Councilor O'Heda
1:26:23>> Yes.
1:26:24>> Councilor Rivera
1:26:25>> Yes.
1:26:25>> Councilor Rosen
1:26:26>> Yes.
1:26:27>> Councilor Toomey
1:26:28>> Yes.
1:26:29>> The Mayor Petty
1:26:30>> Yes, we are on 23B.
1:26:35That's the communication city clerk
1:26:37transmitting information communication
1:26:38concerning the process required for city
1:26:41council to hire and oversee city council
1:26:42office staff.
1:26:45And send it to MLO.
1:26:47>> Can we take that concurrently with B?
1:26:51>> That was B, wasn't it? Did I say C?
1:26:52>> A and B.
1:26:54>> A, I must say, hang on, I'm sorry. Okay,
1:26:56A, you're right. Communication city
1:26:58clerk transmitting annual survey to the
1:26:59city council regarding the
1:27:00administration operations of the city
1:27:02council office.
1:27:03>> Thank you.
1:27:04>> So, we send both of those to MLO. Roll
1:27:07call.
1:27:09Councilor Bergman
1:27:10>> Yes.
1:27:11>> Councilor Rushton Olo
1:27:11>> Yes.
1:27:12>> Councilor Enomoto Councilor Rushton Olo
1:27:14>> Yes.
1:27:14>> Councilor King
1:27:15>> Yes.
1:27:16>> Councilor Mitra
1:27:17>> Yes.
1:27:17>> Councilor O'Heda
1:27:19>> Yes.
1:27:20>> Councilor Rivera
1:27:21>> Yes.
1:27:21>> Councilor Rosen
1:27:22>> Yes.
1:27:22>> Councilor Toomey
1:27:24>> Yes.
1:27:24>> The Mayor Petty
1:27:25>> Yes, 23C communication city manager
1:27:27recommending appointment of Candace
1:27:28Calhoun to the Worcester Redevelopment
1:27:30Authority.
1:27:32And
1:27:33on a
1:27:34confirm on a roll call. Roll call.
1:27:36Councilor Bergman
1:27:37>> Councilor King
1:27:38>> I'd like to speak on this.
1:27:41>> Councilor King
1:27:42>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm standing in
1:27:43opposition to this appointment. Um this
1:27:46particular appointment involves an
1:27:48individual
1:27:50um who um
1:27:52had allegations filed against them um
1:27:55that have not been resolved um with the
1:27:58personnel in this city
1:27:59um that initiated it. Um
1:28:03and if I stand corrected, I'd like to
1:28:05stand corrected um through the man
1:28:07through the through the mayor to the
1:28:08manager
1:28:10um whether or not that investigation has
1:28:11been completely finished. Um, in
1:28:14addition to that, um, has the, uh, folks
1:28:17that filed the complaints been informed
1:28:18that the investigation is complete and
1:28:21has it been fully resolved? Through the
1:28:22chair.
1:28:24>> Um, Mr. Manager.
1:28:26>> Yeah, through you chair, to the council
1:28:27at this time, the investigation has not
1:28:29been resolved and that's not something
1:28:30that I have available to the council.
1:28:32>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that it
1:28:34is irresponsible to make this, uh,
1:28:37recommendation.
1:28:38Um, this particular situation also
1:28:41involved, um, and had a direct impact on
1:28:44city council operations um, to the
1:28:47extent that, uh, we had to have folks
1:28:50perform their duties outside of the city
1:28:53hall building, um, due to concerns. Um,
1:28:57I would ask this matter be sent back to
1:28:59the city manager for further reconsid-
1:29:01uh, further consideration, Mr. Chairman.
1:29:03That's my motion.
1:29:06>> Councilor, um, Bergman.
1:29:08>> I I I strongly support the manager's
1:29:11recommendation, you know,
1:29:13that word allegation gets thrown around
1:29:15here so easily.
1:29:18Uh, as if something is proven just cuz
1:29:20something is alleged. All of us in
1:29:22public office have allegations that
1:29:24people that don't like us say every day
1:29:26on Facebook.
1:29:27Um, you know, my my background,
1:29:30education, training as an attorney, I I
1:29:33often offends me when I hear people
1:29:34assume that allegations are truth.
1:29:37Um, and they're not they could be, but
1:29:39they're not necessarily. They're
1:29:41allegations. That's why they're called a
1:29:42different word.
1:29:43Um,
1:29:45uh, the person can Mayor Carlson is
1:29:47being,
1:29:49uh, appointed or presumed appointed to
1:29:51the position has
1:29:53excellent qualifications and her time on
1:29:55the council in the economic development
1:29:57office.
1:29:59The dispute that, uh, my previous
1:30:01colleague speaks about, the allegations,
1:30:04I witnessed
1:30:06several of the councilors, if it's what
1:30:08I think the issue is, make the same
1:30:10misgender
1:30:12misgendering of the same person
1:30:15at various council meetings. The only
1:30:17difference was they claimed it was
1:30:19accidental, but they're willing to point
1:30:22a finger at councilor Merrell Council
1:30:24and say she's not deserving of this
1:30:26appointment because of an allegation
1:30:28that remains unproven. The chaos that
1:30:31came to the city council uh could have
1:30:33easily been avoided if the person
1:30:35um had showed up to work and uh I had
1:30:38said that multiple times, including an
1:30:40order asking this council to take action
1:30:43uh for the person's failure. And the
1:30:44chaos that happened over a year is
1:30:46because the person refused to come to
1:30:47work, took a paycheck, and uh
1:30:50unfortunately caused the rest of us uh
1:30:52to carry an extra load of the work. Uh I
1:30:56I I could go deeper into motivations for
1:30:59why the suggestion is that this be uh
1:31:02denied, but I think Mr. Manji you've
1:31:05given good thought to the qualifications
1:31:07of the person.
1:31:08And uh if we're all going to be judged
1:31:10by all allegations, we're all in big
1:31:11trouble. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1:31:13>> Okay, so the the uh the way the council
1:31:15rules work is that the re-committee
1:31:18would go first.
1:31:20Councilor King, for a second time?
1:31:22>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to
1:31:23respond um
1:31:26to the assertions that were made.
1:31:28And let me be clear.
1:31:31Mr. Chairman, we just heard from the
1:31:33city manager there's an ongoing
1:31:35investigation to this matter.
1:31:37We just heard uh could be true, uh could
1:31:40not be true.
1:31:42Mr. Chairman, that in and of itself is
1:31:44enough to pause.
1:31:46Um this particular matter wasn't about
1:31:49um
1:31:50a misgendering. It was about an
1:31:52allegation of calling it human and it.
1:31:56Mr. Chairman, um
1:31:58that happened quite some time ago.
1:32:00We're at a point right now in city
1:32:02government. We're talking about the
1:32:05office of diversity, equity, inclusion.
1:32:08I think that gentleman left.
1:32:09Um
1:32:11that they are investigating things.
1:32:14Mr. Chairman, through the chair to the
1:32:17administration, how long ago did this
1:32:19complaint come before you?
1:32:22>> Mr. Manager?
1:32:25Through the chair to the council, I
1:32:26don't know the exact time. Uh I know
1:32:28there's been uh perhaps about over a
1:32:30year.
1:32:31Um the current DEI office is not
1:32:33investigating this matter. This is an
1:32:35outside council, outside third-party
1:32:37entity that's investigating the matter.
1:32:39>> Through the chair to the administration,
1:32:40has DEI office been involved?
1:32:43>> Mr. Manager?
1:32:44Uh through the chair to the council, in
1:32:46this matter, no, because it pertains to
1:32:47a city councilor.
1:32:49>> DEI has been involved, Mr. Chairman.
1:32:51They have been involved.
1:32:53>> Through the chair to the council, DEI
1:32:54has not been involved directly with the
1:32:56city council matter. They have been
1:32:58involved with the
1:32:59individual related to the actual office,
1:33:02not the city council as
1:33:03>> what I referenced in my statement.
1:33:06So, this is being a bit misrepresented.
1:33:08I'm going to reiterate.
1:33:10This particular matter had an impact, as
1:33:13I stated, on the office of the city
1:33:15council.
1:33:17And as such, it had an impact on
1:33:19multiple
1:33:21elected officials and city councilors.
1:33:24And I'm saying, once again, I reiterate,
1:33:27it's not about allegations.
1:33:30There's an investigation. We had a
1:33:31situation where city council staff
1:33:36had to leave the building
1:33:39to conduct their work.
1:33:46It is irresponsible,
1:33:49given the fact that this matter has not
1:33:50been resolved,
1:33:53to make
1:33:55such a recommendation.
1:33:58Mr. Chairman, I'm going to reiterate
1:34:00this is the reason.
1:34:01It's not about allegations, it's not
1:34:03about misgendering, it's about slurring
1:34:06and allegations of slurring
1:34:08and the impact it has had on the
1:34:10workplace within City Hall.
1:34:15And that investigation is incomplete.
1:34:18Probably approaching a couple years now.
1:34:22The office of diversity, equity,
1:34:23inclusion has been involved with that.
1:34:28And if we're talking about oversight
1:34:30from that office,
1:34:32this is not
1:34:34an example
1:34:35of how effective it is.
1:34:40>> Okay, so the motion is to recommit. A
1:34:42yes vote would be recommit, a no vote
1:34:44would not to recommit. So if that
1:34:46passes, it's recommitted. If it doesn't
1:34:48pass, we'll then go vote on the
1:34:49appointment.
1:34:51>> Excuse me, can you repeat that again,
1:34:53please? I'm sorry.
1:34:54>> Okay, this is to the first
1:34:56uh under the rules of the council,
1:34:58there's a motion to recommit the item
1:34:59back to the city manager.
1:35:02So uh so the first motion is the first
1:35:04vote we take was on the recommittal. A
1:35:06yes vote would be
1:35:07recommitted, a no vote would uh not
1:35:10recommit it. Then if if that fails,
1:35:13we'll then go ahead and vote the
1:35:14confirmation.
1:35:17>> So the motion now is to recommit. That's
1:35:19a yes or a no.
1:35:23>> Roll call.
1:35:23>> Councilor Bergman?
1:35:24>> No.
1:35:25>> Councilor Ballada?
1:35:26>> Yes.
1:35:27>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Rizzolo?
1:35:28>> No.
1:35:29>> Councilor King?
1:35:30>> Yes.
1:35:30>> Councilor Mitra?
1:35:31>> No.
1:35:32>> Councilor O'Heda?
1:35:34>> Yes.
1:35:35>> Councilor Rivera?
1:35:36>> No.
1:35:36>> Councilor Rosen?
1:35:37>> No.
1:35:38>> Councilor Toomey?
1:35:39>> No.
1:35:40>> And Mayor Petty?
1:35:41>> Uh no. Motion is to confirm. Roll call.
1:35:45>> Councilor Bergman?
1:35:46>> Yes.
1:35:46>> Councilor Ballada?
1:35:47>> No.
1:35:48>> Councilor Economou? Councilor Rizzolo?
1:35:50>> Yes.
1:35:50>> Councilor King?
1:35:51>> No. Councilman Mitra? Yes. Councilman
1:35:53O'Heda?
1:35:55>> No.
1:35:56>> Councilman Rivera?
1:35:57>> Yes.
1:35:58>> Councilman Rosen?
1:35:58>> Yes.
1:35:59>> Councilman Toomey?
1:36:01>> Yes.
1:36:01>> And Mayor Petty?
1:36:02>> Yes.
1:36:04We are 23D Communications and Manager.
1:36:07Recommend the appointment of Jared
1:36:08Madison to the Trust Fund Commission.
1:36:11The motion is to affirm on the roll
1:36:12call.
1:36:14Roll call.
1:36:15Councilman Bergman?
1:36:16>> Yes.
1:36:17>> Councilman Balada?
1:36:17>> Yes.
1:36:18>> Councilman Economou? Councilman Rizolo?
1:36:20>> Yes.
1:36:21>> Councilman King?
1:36:23>> Yes.
1:36:24>> Councilman Mitra?
1:36:25>> Yes.
1:36:25>> Councilman O'Heda?
1:36:28>> Yes.
1:36:28>> Councilman Rivera?
1:36:29>> Yes.
1:36:29>> Councilman Rosen?
1:36:30>> Yes.
1:36:31>> Councilman Toomey?
1:36:32>> Yes.
1:36:32>> And Mayor Petty?
1:36:33>> Yes. Communications and Manager.
1:36:35Recommend the appointment of Jay
1:36:36Innocent to the Civic Sunny Commission.
1:36:39Roll call. Councilman Bergman?
1:36:41>> Yes.
1:36:42>> Councilman Balada?
1:36:43>> Yes.
1:36:43>> Councilman Economou? Councilman Rizolo?
1:36:45>> Yes.
1:36:45>> Councilman King?
1:36:46>> Yes.
1:36:47>> Councilman Mitra?
1:36:48>> Yes.
1:36:48>> Councilman O'Heda?
1:36:50>> Yes.
1:36:51>> Councilman Rivera?
1:36:52>> Yes.
1:36:52>> Councilman Rosen?
1:36:53>> Yes.
1:36:53>> Councilman Toomey?
1:36:54>> Yes.
1:36:55>> And Mayor Petty?
1:36:57>> Yes. 23G.
1:36:59Request the City Manager provide Council
1:37:00with a quarterly report concerning
1:37:02outreach efforts and police activity in
1:37:03the Canal District regarding
1:37:05unhoused individuals. Said report should
1:37:07include case worker and outreach data
1:37:09from service providers, the City's
1:37:11Health and Human Services Department,
1:37:12Quality of Life Team.
1:37:13First, said report should include
1:37:16police data on service calls and arrests
1:37:18of any unhoused individuals.
1:37:21Councillor Balada,
1:37:23did you follow that, Councillor?
1:37:24>> holding this one?
1:37:26>> Motion is to adopt.
1:37:28>> Yeah, as a re- just wanted to
1:37:29not as a re- excuse me.
1:37:32Was hoping wanted to get a report out to
1:37:34really address quarterly what's going on
1:37:36to do some outreach to unhoused
1:37:37individuals in the district and also
1:37:39what's going on with public safety.
1:37:40Thank you.
1:37:41>> Okay. Roll call.
1:37:43>> Councilman Bergman?
1:37:43>> Yes.
1:37:44>> Councilman Balada?
1:37:45>> Yes.
1:37:45>> Councilman Economou? Councilman Rizolo?
1:37:47>> Yes.
1:37:47>> Councilman King.
1:37:48>> Yes.
1:37:49>> Councilman Mejia.
1:37:50>> Yes.
1:37:50>> Councilman Ojeda.
1:37:53>> Yes.
1:37:54>> Councilman Rivera.
1:37:55>> Yes.
1:37:55>> Councilman Rosen.
1:37:56>> Yes.
1:37:56>> Councilman Toomey.
1:37:58>> Yes.
1:37:58>> And Mary Petty.
1:38:00>> Yes.
1:38:01>> 23H, request the manager install signage
1:38:04at the appropriate locations throughout
1:38:05the cities stating the property may not
1:38:07be used for civil immigration
1:38:09enforcement activities. Further request
1:38:10the manager create draft ordinance for
1:38:12the city council consideration related
1:38:14to the enforcement such signage.
1:38:15Councilman King.
1:38:18>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to
1:38:19ask the city clerk if he could pull up
1:38:21the image um that I'm referencing. Um
1:38:24this is being done in other
1:38:25municipalities. We've had the city
1:38:27administration um we've had state
1:38:30legislation um that speaks to this. I'm
1:38:32just going to wait till it's pulled up
1:38:34um and would like um the city manager um
1:38:39to go through the process um of
1:38:42uh
1:38:45Trying to find my item here.
1:38:47Which item is Mr. Chairman?
1:38:48>> 23H.
1:38:49>> 23H.
1:38:51Um
1:38:53Considering um I'd like to see a draft
1:38:56ordinance to allow us to do this in
1:38:58perpetuity. Um so we don't have to worry
1:39:00about um
1:39:02you know, who the city manager is, um
1:39:05what the political whims of the day are.
1:39:08Um Is that a large Through the chair to
1:39:10the clerk, can you just read the signage
1:39:12uh for the public through the chair?
1:39:15>> Through the chair to the council, the
1:39:16property of the city of Lynn may not be
1:39:18used for civil immigration enforcement
1:39:20activities and it's also bilingual.
1:39:24>> It's also bilingual, I think is what we
1:39:25said. Um Mr. Chairman, anything that we
1:39:28can do um to support our immigrants here
1:39:31in the city of Worcester that um upholds
1:39:34and reinforces
1:39:35um the executive orders of the city
1:39:37manager
1:39:38um Mass General Law Mr. Chairman, and
1:39:41the steps that this council has taken in
1:39:43regards to 287G and and other matters.
1:39:47Um as you know, as we're dealing with
1:39:49the situation Haiti and other
1:39:51um um countries, um you know, we have a
1:39:55host of folks here um who are not
1:39:59feeling safe. Um we need to continue to
1:40:02have a consistent message um that's put
1:40:05out. And and I would like a um cost
1:40:08analysis maybe to see from the city
1:40:10manager if in fact there was potential
1:40:13for this, um
1:40:14what would the locations be? Um and a
1:40:17draft ordinance for the consideration of
1:40:19the council, Mr. Chairman. And at that
1:40:21time, um you know, I'd hope that it
1:40:23would come back and the council could
1:40:24vote it up yea or nay um based on um
1:40:29a fully informed proposition, Mr.
1:40:32Chairman. Um thank you.
1:40:36>> Okay, Council Bergman.
1:40:39>> Mr. [clears throat] Chairman, if if I if
1:40:40I may, if I may, I rise with some
1:40:41clarification and possibly to oppose,
1:40:44but I need the clarification first. So,
1:40:46through you to the city solicitor,
1:40:49if I could
1:40:50ask her a question. I don't know if she
1:40:52wants to come down to the table.
1:41:00Thank you, through the chair. The city
1:41:02solicitor, as I read this language, the
1:41:05property of the city of Lynn may not be
1:41:06used for civil immigration enforcement
1:41:09activities. If that language was
1:41:10substituted for the city property of the
1:41:13city of Worcester may not be used for
1:41:15civil immigration enforcement activities
1:41:16on public properties in the city of
1:41:19Worcester as what's being proposed, uh
1:41:21do we have any
1:41:23teeth to enforce that?
1:41:27Um ma'am, solicitor.
1:41:28>> Uh through the chair. So, this Well, we
1:41:31currently have this in part of our um
1:41:33the executive order that the manager
1:41:35issued in the policy. So, that is
1:41:37something that we currently do put uh um
1:41:41immigration on you know on notice that
1:41:43we don't use any funds or public
1:41:44property is not used. Uh if you adopted
1:41:47an ordinance,
1:41:48um I don't know how much authority you
1:41:51would have, but it would be putting
1:41:52people on notice, putting a sign like
1:41:54that.
1:41:55>> But through the chair,
1:41:57do you know the federal authorities are
1:41:59obligated to abide by that?
1:42:02>> No. Um
1:42:03>> No, you don't know and you know
1:42:04>> No, they are not. So, the federal
1:42:06authorities ICE can come on to any
1:42:08property and they can um you know pursue
1:42:11a detainment or an order or I mean, we
1:42:13can't
1:42:15we can say that we're not using public
1:42:16property for civil enforcement. Um
1:42:19however, I I don't know what action you
1:42:21would take if they violated the
1:42:22ordinance, but
1:42:24>> So, if I understand you correctly, um
1:42:28putting a sign up really doesn't have
1:42:30any teeth, so to speak, as far as
1:42:34preventing federal agents from going on
1:42:36public property that's owned by the city
1:42:39of Worcester. Is that correct?
1:42:41>> I guess we would hope that they would
1:42:42comply with just the executive order
1:42:44that we have. Um
1:42:46again, you can't really
1:42:48um prevent the federal authorities from,
1:42:50you know, entering public property, but
1:42:54>> Okay, thank you.
1:42:56>> Mr. Chairman, I couldn't hear the answer
1:42:58to the question. Can you repeat that
1:43:00answer one more time?
1:43:01>> Um through the chair, the may the um
1:43:03councilor asked if putting a sign would
1:43:06uh have any authority against federal
1:43:08officers to you know, come on to public
1:43:10property. So, uh we currently have an
1:43:13executive order and policy that states
1:43:15that public property shall not be used
1:43:17for um civil enforcement of immigration
1:43:20laws. Um
1:43:22ultimately, do we have the authority to
1:43:24tell the federal agents, you know, not
1:43:26to use public property?
1:43:28I I I don't think that's been challenged
1:43:30anywhere. Um
1:43:32but we already have made that statement
1:43:33out there. The sign would just offer
1:43:35notice to the public.
1:43:37>> Councilor Bergman.
1:43:38>> I'm not
1:43:39>> I'm sorry, Councilor Bergman. Can I
1:43:40place that down?
1:43:41>> That's That's okay. Thank you.
1:43:43I'm all set with the city solicitor, but
1:43:45I just have a few moments of comment
1:43:47before I
1:43:48finish. I think I'm well within my first
1:43:515 minutes. So,
1:43:53if I may,
1:43:55I'm not convinced that putting a sign
1:43:58up's going to
1:44:00prevent federal authorities from
1:44:03pursuing
1:44:05immigration activities if they
1:44:07if they so choose.
1:44:09What concerns me is
1:44:11I think everybody's concerned. On the
1:44:13one hand, nobody wants to see
1:44:15goes to the debate of of of ICE and and
1:44:19the liberties of people that are here
1:44:21whether they're here documented or
1:44:22undocumented. I don't think anybody
1:44:24wants to see, you know, people that are
1:44:26here that have that have lived a life of
1:44:29law
1:44:31abiding by the law, have been productive
1:44:33citizens,
1:44:34whether they got here legally or
1:44:36otherwise, I don't think anybody wants
1:44:37to see
1:44:38a small infraction resulting in them
1:44:41being deported. But I I do have an issue
1:44:43with just saying that federal
1:44:45authorities can't go on public property,
1:44:47i.e. city property. Two reasons. One, I
1:44:50don't think the sign is anything. I
1:44:51think it's a paper tiger. I think
1:44:52federal authorities want to go on the
1:44:54property, they will. But number two, and
1:44:55equally perhaps even more concerning to
1:44:58me is I don't want to be answering the
1:45:00family
1:45:02whose family member got raped or
1:45:03murdered
1:45:05or assaulted
1:45:07that we
1:45:08prevented the federal authorities from
1:45:10stopping that person from committing the
1:45:12crime because there was kind of this
1:45:14free zone on Worcester property where
1:45:18even though they were present, nobody
1:45:20could go after them. So, there's this
1:45:22tough balance between not wanting to
1:45:23hurt good law-abiding people whether
1:45:26they got here through legal means or
1:45:28not, versus is somewhat of a blanket
1:45:30saying
1:45:32federal authorities cannot go on public
1:45:33property to enforce civil immigration
1:45:36law, which very well could mean that
1:45:38somebody who shouldn't be here because
1:45:41of a violent, and I mean violent,
1:45:43history
1:45:45gets away with not getting
1:45:48uh deported. And I I I have struggled
1:45:50with that. And if I'm going to have to
1:45:52err on the side of which way I'm going
1:45:54to go, since I don't think the the
1:45:56sign's going to accomplish anything
1:45:58anyways, cuz as the city solicitor said,
1:46:00and I agree, although it hasn't been
1:46:02challenged, I I know federal authorities
1:46:04don't have to stop say, "Uh-oh, city
1:46:06ordinance says we can't go on the
1:46:08common." They're not going to do that.
1:46:09Let's be realistic. So, um for those
1:46:12reasons, you know, granted the city of
1:46:14Lynn has done it, I'm sure other cities
1:46:16have done it. We're always looking at
1:46:17other cities for examples,
1:46:19um
1:46:20but many cities haven't, and uh I don't
1:46:23want to wade into that situation where
1:46:25we're second-guessing
1:46:27um
1:46:28anybody. Again, I don't want to see
1:46:31people that commit minor infractions
1:46:33deported. At the same time, do I want to
1:46:35see people that commit violent crimes
1:46:37deported? Yeah, I do.
1:46:39Thank you.
1:46:40>> Thank you.
1:46:42Um
1:46:42>> Who's next?
1:46:44Was it him or you?
1:46:45>> You want to go first?
1:46:47>> Councilor Rivera, District 5.
1:46:49>> Thank you. I I guess my only concern is
1:46:51that we understand that the city has
1:46:54their um
1:46:57their issue their stance on this is
1:46:59I'm already aware of how hard it is to
1:47:02get signage on on whether it's speed
1:47:06limit signage or crosswalk signage or
1:47:10park signage, all kind of stuff that the
1:47:12residents want, and we don't have the
1:47:14money for to spend money on signs that
1:47:18federal um ICE officers don't have to
1:47:22follow anyways. Um, so that's my only
1:47:25concern. I'm just
1:47:28>> Mayor Petty.
1:47:32>> Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman. Uh,
1:47:34I appreciate the order and I know
1:47:37probably over a month ago the city
1:47:38manager and myself called some of the
1:47:39government form the committee of what to
1:47:41provide us
1:47:43how do you assist the Haitians and other
1:47:45immigrant groups here in the city of
1:47:46Worcester.
1:47:48I have visited the Haitians over the
1:47:50last three weekends.
1:47:51And this you could argue this could be
1:47:53somewhat performative. The reality
1:47:55matter is we have a lot of scared
1:47:56people.
1:47:57And uh,
1:47:59very scared.
1:48:00People who go to work every day.
1:48:02Who pay taxes.
1:48:04And raise families. Afraid to send their
1:48:07kids to schools.
1:48:09Afraid to go to work.
1:48:11Uh, now they're in this situation. It's
1:48:13catch-22. We are trying to educate both
1:48:15employers cuz the Haitians, by the way,
1:48:19they're part of this economy in the city
1:48:21of Worcester.
1:48:22Big part of this economy.
1:48:25When the the health care, construction,
1:48:27number of different industries.
1:48:29And probably most of them work two
1:48:31shifts.
1:48:32And they're part of the community.
1:48:35Um, it's pretty sad when you go in to
1:48:38talk to the Haitians like I have and
1:48:40and how scared they are.
1:48:42Upset they are.
1:48:44Um,
1:48:46and so I know
1:48:47maybe the sign maybe not be anything but
1:48:50I think it would mean something to the
1:48:51some of the immigrants here in the city
1:48:52of Worcester.
1:48:54Um, and I know Council King has already
1:48:56amended to ask for a cost analysis.
1:48:59And see if it this can be done and what
1:49:00particular areas would you do it. I know
1:49:02we have our own policy we signed.
1:49:04The governor has come out
1:49:07naming the additional properties, uh,
1:49:09courthouses.
1:49:10Uh, what's that?
1:49:12The protection act of courthouses.
1:49:14Uh, schools. There's a few other um
1:49:18properties, public properties I think
1:49:20she had on there, but I don't think it
1:49:22and
1:49:23I have to get a clarification from who's
1:49:24churches or not. Um
1:49:26so, I'm not sure if it does or doesn't.
1:49:28I don't need it tonight, but um
1:49:30uh but I think it has some type of
1:49:32authority over certain non-public places
1:49:35and as long as it's not a place open to
1:49:38the public.
1:49:39But, uh so, I'm going to vote for this,
1:49:42but I think we I think Councillor Rivera
1:49:43has asked for a cost I think Councillor
1:49:45King has asked for a cost analysis,
1:49:46which was Councillor Rivera was also the
1:49:48asking for, too.
1:49:49Let's see how this would work out. And
1:49:52uh so, I'm going to vote for it anyways.
1:49:54Uh thank you.
1:49:55>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Chairman
1:49:56>> Um Mr. uh Sorry.
1:49:58>> Councillor Bellatty.
1:50:00>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to
1:50:01speak in support of this. Um
1:50:03what's happening right now with
1:50:04immigration enforcement in this country
1:50:07is
1:50:08uh
1:50:08a gross injustice and [snorts] I think
1:50:12when history looks back on this, we're
1:50:13we're we're we're going to
1:50:15it it's going to be very bad and it is
1:50:16bad. And to go off of what the mayor
1:50:19said, there are
1:50:21thousands of people in our city,
1:50:23residents that have come here, that send
1:50:25their children to school here, that live
1:50:27and work in our community, that are
1:50:29terrified. And and it's disgusting
1:50:32what's happening in this country right
1:50:33now and I have a big problem with the
1:50:35fellow Democrat
1:50:36casting dispersions on this and in one
1:50:40token saying that there is no teeth to
1:50:42it and then in the same breath saying
1:50:44that it's somehow going to prevent ICE
1:50:47from going after
1:50:48criminals and folks that should be
1:50:50deported. So, I don't quite understand
1:50:52that logic, but um
1:50:54actions matter
1:50:56and symbolism matters and we should be
1:50:58doing whatever we can to fight get back
1:51:01against just the
1:51:03terrible things that are happening in
1:51:04this country in in the name of
1:51:06immigration reform cuz it's not
1:51:08immigration reform, it's human rights
1:51:09violations and it's again gross
1:51:11injustice and we should be doing
1:51:13whatever we can. Thank you.
1:51:15>> Council Rivera and Council King first
1:51:16for second time and Council Rivera
1:51:20>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to
1:51:22reiterate the signage.
1:51:24The language is to be determined but the
1:51:26language that we were looking at is that
1:51:28there would be not participation in
1:51:31these areas in civil immigration
1:51:34enforcement activity.
1:51:38Now, there was an assertion
1:51:40there's a rape, there's a murder. Oh my
1:51:42god, there's a sign. We're not talking
1:51:45about criminal enforcement.
1:51:49To make the analogy by an attorney
1:51:53is less than disingenuous.
1:51:56We hear these talking points all the
1:51:57time right now in real time.
1:52:01Of course, we assist with murder and
1:52:04rape.
1:52:07Come on.
1:52:13It is not the same, Mr. Chairman.
1:52:16It is not the same.
1:52:20These false correlations are hurtful.
1:52:25We have kids, we have teachers, we have
1:52:27parents and schools that come up to me
1:52:30looking for more, happy with some of the
1:52:33leadership that we're doing.
1:52:35We're not looking to do anything outside
1:52:38of that.
1:52:39We're certainly not looking to harbor
1:52:42criminals.
1:52:47Come on.
1:52:49Mr. Chairman, it's just difficult to
1:52:51stand and not speak to that sort of
1:52:55Trumpian talking points.
1:52:57Um the executive order
1:53:00if that's the case, if folks disagree
1:53:02with the executive order, there's
1:53:03nothing we can do. Stand up in
1:53:05opposition to the executive order. I
1:53:08supported it.
1:53:10This is a simple measure that goes a
1:53:12long way.
1:53:13And I appreciate the support of the
1:53:14mayor,
1:53:15um and I'm looking forward to the vote.
1:53:17>> Councilor Rivera for a second time.
1:53:20>> Just for clarification purposes, we're
1:53:22talking about signage here. We're not
1:53:24talking about
1:53:26>> We're not talking about, you know,
1:53:29allowing ICE to come in here and have a
1:53:31free-for-all. We're not talking about
1:53:33stopping them, and we're just talking
1:53:34about signage, and you're talking about
1:53:35if if the city don't have no teeth,
1:53:39then why spend the money? That was my
1:53:42concern on the issue. That was it. When
1:53:44I um my my vote on this is not based on
1:53:48ICE should be going ramp- rampage on
1:53:51here. No, I mean, they have their laws,
1:53:54the state has the laws, we have
1:53:55executive orders. It is what it is, but
1:53:57if if but my thing is, why do our city
1:54:00council want to give money
1:54:02to something we can't can't has no teeth
1:54:04to it?
1:54:05That was it.
1:54:06>> Okay, thanks.
1:54:06>> That was my clarification.
1:54:08>> So, on the
1:54:09as amended.
1:54:10>> Legal.
1:54:11>> Um
1:54:12Councilor
1:54:13Councilor Bergman.
1:54:14>> Yeah,
1:54:15you know, I I don't know if uh uh
1:54:16Rivera's done.
1:54:18>> I'm done.
1:54:18>> He's done.
1:54:20Councilor Bergman for a second time.
1:54:21>> Yeah, I I'll be quick.
1:54:23You know, it's it's uh interesting that
1:54:26uh you know, the dumb lawyer stick has
1:54:30played out over the number of years I've
1:54:32been on the council. Oh, Councilor
1:54:33Bergman is a lawyer stick. You know, but
1:54:35I I know what I read, and I read it
1:54:37carefully before I said it. Officers may
1:54:39locate, question, arrest, or search
1:54:40non-citizens who are suspected of being
1:54:42in this country without legal permission
1:54:44or of violating visa terms. Well, guess
1:54:46what violating a visa term includes? It
1:54:49includes committing an act of of
1:54:50criminality. So, to say that
1:54:53ICE agents aren't looking for people
1:54:55committing serious crime is just
1:54:58foolishness.
1:54:59Just foolishness.
1:55:01That's all it is. So, yeah, I do do my
1:55:03homework. I'm not always asking where we
1:55:05are on the page this and that. I do know
1:55:07where we're at and what we're talking
1:55:09about. And whether I'm a lawyer or or
1:55:12just somebody who tries to know the
1:55:14topic, I'm not going to sit there and
1:55:16and take the dumb lawyer stick like I've
1:55:19been hearing for the last decade cuz
1:55:21I've done my homework and I would
1:55:22challenge anybody to say that I'm wrong
1:55:24on that issue. Now, you could be for or
1:55:26against the item. That that's your
1:55:28business. Um and I know Trumpian, you
1:55:31know, comments and fellow Democrat
1:55:33That's fine. I disagree with
1:55:37deporting people who have lived their
1:55:39lives in America and have lived them in
1:55:42accordance with our law.
1:55:44I disagree with that. But, I cannot say
1:55:47I disagree with deporting people who
1:55:49committed serious crimes. Sorry, I can't
1:55:51say it. I may be different. If the
1:55:53signage in any way inhibits that, I have
1:55:55a concern over it. Did I say it it's a
1:55:58toothless tiger? Probably is. But, as
1:56:00the
1:56:01city solicitor says, we don't know. It's
1:56:03been unchallenged. So, you know what? I
1:56:06said my first spoke, if I have to err on
1:56:08the side of making a decision on this,
1:56:10I'm going to err on the side of caution.
1:56:12That's that's simply what it is. Now,
1:56:13the insoles don't have to fly just cuz
1:56:15we disagree with each other, but I guess
1:56:17that's just the way things are.
1:56:19>> Okay, so we have a motion to adopt
1:56:23on this item.
1:56:25And I should just mention to all these
1:56:27people
1:56:28who came here illegally into the
1:56:30country. So, people should know that.
1:56:32Anyways.
1:56:33Okay, roll call.
1:56:36Motion to adopt.
1:56:38>> Councilor Bergman?
1:56:39>> No.
1:56:39>> Councilor Ballato?
1:56:40>> Yes.
1:56:41>> Councilor Economou?
1:56:43Councilor Brazolo?
1:56:44>> Yes.
1:56:44>> Councilor King?
1:56:45>> Yes.
1:56:46>> Councilor Mitra?
1:56:47>> No.
1:56:47>> Councilor O'Malley?
1:56:50>> Yes.
1:56:51>> Councilor Rivera?
1:56:52>> No.
1:56:52>> Councilor Rosen?
1:56:54>> No.
1:56:55>> Councilor Toomey?
1:56:58>> No.
1:56:59>> And Mayor Petty?
1:56:59>> Uh yes.
1:57:01>> So, Mayor, that motion fails 1 2 3 4 5
1:57:04votes. Councilor Balducci, Councilor
1:57:06Rizzolo, King, Ojeda, and Mayor Petty.
1:57:09>> Okay.
1:57:10Our next item is 23J,
1:57:14communication uh City Clerk transmitting
1:57:16information communication relative to
1:57:18one vacancy within the support staff of
1:57:20the office of the City Council.
1:57:23Motion is to send to MOO.
1:57:27Roll call.
1:57:29>> Councilor Bergman?
1:57:30>> Yes.
1:57:31>> Councilor Balducci?
1:57:31>> Yes.
1:57:32>> Councilor Cannizzo? Councilor Rizzolo?
1:57:34>> Yes.
1:57:35>> Councilor King?
1:57:36>> Yes.
1:57:36>> Councilor Mitra?
1:57:37>> Yes.
1:57:39>> Councilor Mitra?
1:57:40>> Yes.
1:57:41>> Councilor Ojeda?
1:57:43>> Yes.
1:57:43>> Councilor Rivera?
1:57:44>> Yes.
1:57:45>> Councilor Rosen?
1:57:46>> Yes.
1:57:46>> Councilor Toomey?
1:57:48>> Yes.
1:57:48>> And Mayor Petty?
1:57:50>> Yes.
1:57:51Okay, brings us to the end of the
1:57:52meeting, Councilor
1:57:53Councilor Rivera has asked for
1:57:55suspension of the rules. Roll call.
1:57:57>> Before we get to that, Mr. Chairman, I
1:57:59just asked for reconsideration on one
1:58:00item.
1:58:01Um I could have asked for it at the
1:58:03time, but we were moving pretty quickly.
1:58:05It was the appointment of Councilor
1:58:07Carlson 23C. I'd like to ask for
1:58:10reconsideration on that, so we can put
1:58:12that to bed.
1:58:13>> Reconsideration of 23C.
1:58:16Roll call.
1:58:17>> Councilor Bergman?
1:58:17>> No.
1:58:18>> Councilor Balducci?
1:58:19>> No.
1:58:20>> Councilor Cannizzo? Councilor Rizzolo?
1:58:22>> No.
1:58:22>> Councilor King?
1:58:24>> No.
1:58:24>> Councilor Mitra?
1:58:25>> No.
1:58:26>> Councilor Ojeda?
1:58:28>> No.
1:58:28>> Councilor Rivera?
1:58:29>> No.
1:58:30>> Councilor Rosen?
1:58:31>> No.
1:58:31>> Councilor Toomey?
1:58:32>> No.
1:58:33>> And Mayor Petty?
1:58:34>> No. Only Councilor Rivera's
1:58:37suspension of the rules. Roll call.
1:58:39I know it's only one quick comment.
1:58:41>> [laughter]
1:58:43>> Councilor Bergman?
1:58:44>> Yes.
1:58:45>> Councilor Balducci?
1:58:46>> Yes.
1:58:46>> Councilor Cannizzo? Councilor Rizzolo?
1:58:48>> Yes.
1:58:48>> Councilor King?
1:58:49>> Yes.
1:58:49>> Councilor Mitra?
1:58:50>> Yes.
1:58:51>> Councilor Ojeda?
1:58:53>> Yes.
1:58:53>> Councilor Rivera?
1:58:54>> Yes.
1:58:55>> Council Rosen.
1:58:56>> Yes.
1:58:56>> Council Toomey.
1:58:57>> Yes.
1:58:58>> Mayor Petty. Yes. Council Rivera.
1:59:00>> I just want to let remind folks here in
1:59:02the city of Worcester that uh this
1:59:03Saturday Coal Mine Family Fun Day at the
1:59:06It's going to be giving kids 11:00 a.m.
1:59:082:00 p.m.
1:59:10Backpacks, free haircuts,
1:59:12free food. Just come and enjoy the good
1:59:14time and Coal Mine there in District 5.
1:59:17Thank you.
1:59:18>> Okay. Motion is to adjourn.
1:59:20While you're doing so, Council uh
1:59:22>> I just uh wish Council O'Heda happy
1:59:24birthday tomorrow.
1:59:25>> Oh, Council O'Heda, happy birthday.
1:59:27>> Happens to be mine as well, but
1:59:28>> Okay. So, we are going to
1:59:31Okay. Motion is to adjourn. Roll call.
1:59:34Council Bergman.
1:59:35>> Yes.
1:59:35>> Council Bellatty.
1:59:36>> Yes.
1:59:36>> Council Economou. Council Zollo.
1:59:38>> Yes.
1:59:39>> Council King.
1:59:39>> Yes.
1:59:40>> Council Mejia.
1:59:41>> Yes.
1:59:41>> Council O'Heda.
1:59:43Council Rivera.
1:59:44>> Yes.
1:59:45>> Council Rosen.
1:59:46>> Yes.
1:59:46>> Council Toomey.
1:59:47>> Yes.
1:59:48>> Mayor Petty.
1:59:49>> Yes.