City Council

CITY OF WORCESTER AGENDA OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Esther Howland (South) Chamber 6:30 P.M. MAYOR Joseph M. Petty AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS Morris A. Bergman Jenny Pacillo - District 1 Donna M. Colorio Candy Mero-Carlson - District 2 Khrystian E. King George J. Russell - District 3 Thu Nguyen Luis A. Ojeda - District 4 Kathleen M. Toomey Etel Haxhiaj - 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 Virtual Attendee Call-In Information: City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 _________________________________________________________________ To request a reasonable accommodation or interpretation or to submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office by email at clerk@worcesterma.gov. Please note that interpretation requests must be received no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Para solicitar una interpretación razonable, o enviar comentarios o preguntas por escrito antes de las reuniones municipales, por favor comuníquese con la oficina del Secretario Municipal por correo electrónico a clerk@worcesterma.gov. Por favor note que las solicitudes de interpretación deberán ser enviadas 48 horas antes de la reunión. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 1 of 11  3. ROLL CALL 4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 5a Adopt 5a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of August 19, 2025. 6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - a person may speak for no more than two (2) minutes on any items appearing on the agenda 6a. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the "Public Participation" section of the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 7. PETITIONS - a Petitioner may speak up to three (3) minutes the first time their petition appears on an agenda 7a Refer to Planning Board 7a. Kevin J. Breen, Head of Worcester Academy (fka Trustees of Worcester Academy), request Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the property located at and known as 232 Stafford St. aka 242 Stafford St. (MBL 28-042-00001) from the current zoning designation of RS-7 (Residence, Single Family) to RG-5 (Residence, General), as shown in the plan attached hereto. 7b Refer to Public Works Committee 7b. Idella Hazard request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 75 Providence St. 7c - 7l Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee 7c. Jacqualine Grampetro et al. request installation of speed humps on Mason St. 7d. Kelly Ann Druskis-Abreu request installation of resident permit parking on Elliott St. from the corner of Edward St. and Elliot St. intersection to Liberty St. September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 2 of 11  7e. Sheila F. Shea request "Private Way" signage on the street sign of Greenleaf Terrace be reinstalled. 7f. Holly Hartley request installation of handicap parking space in front of 2 Blodgett Pl. 7g. Robert Bilotta request installation of speed humps in the vicinity of 85 Merrifield St. 7h. Matthew C. Morse et al. request installation of a crosswalk in the vicinity of 974 Main St. at Beaver St. for daily usage by caregivers and students at Goddard School of Science and Technology. 7i. Paul Smith request installation of handicap parking space in front of 73 Florence St. 7j. Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Yessica Rivas request installation of speed humps on Malmo St. 7k. Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of William McCarthy et al. request installation of four-way stop signage at the intersection of Davenport St. and Electric St. 7l. Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of William McCarthy et al. request installation of four-way stop signage at the intersection of Davenport St. and Dutton St. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER 8.1 APPOINTMENTS Non-City Council Confirmation 8.2 APPOINTMENTS City Council Confirmation 8.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer 8.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer 8.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 3 of 11  8.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Division of Human Rights and Accessibility Patricia M. LaFore, Director 8.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 8.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Engineering and Architectural Services Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 8.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Operations Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 8.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETARY Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner 8.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the construction status of ongoing and forthcoming street and sidewalk projects as of Aug. 31, 2025. 8.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT Martin Dyer, Fire Chief Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the residential use of fire blankets. 8.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to a quarterly report regarding the Worcester Police Department's small Unmanned Aircraft System. September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 4 of 11  8.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the municipality's Tornado Response. 8.15 LAW DEPARTMENT Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor 8.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Administration Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner 8.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Building and Zoning Division David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner 8.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Housing and Health Inspections Division Lee R. Hall, Director 8.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration Dr. Matilde "Mattie" Castiel, M.D., Commissioner 8.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Elder Affairs Amy Vogel Waters, Director 8.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Veterans Services Dr. Joe Robinson, Veterans' Services Officer/Director 8.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Youth Services Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director 8.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY Jason L. Homer, Executive Director September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 5 of 11  8.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Election Commission Division Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk 8.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Rachel Monárrez, Superintendent 8.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Administration Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer 8.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Assessing Division Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor 8.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Budget Office Division Erin E. Taylor, Director 8.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Purchasing Division Christopher Gagliastro, Director 8.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Treasury and Collections Division Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes 8.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities 8.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer 8.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer 8.34 FINANCE ITEMS Capital Transfers September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 6 of 11  8.35 FINANCE ITEMS Grants and Donations Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Three Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Two Dollars And No Cents ($ 3,942.00) from the UMass Chan Medical School Prevention Research Center. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Sixty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Dollars and Zero Cents ($1,061,230.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM). Recommend Adoption On Roll Call C. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a donation in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($25,000.00) from The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation. 8.36 FINANCE ITEMS Operational Transfers 8.37 FINANCE ITEMS Prior Year Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend that Three Thousand Twenty-Seven Dollars and Sixty Cents ($3,027.60) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works cost centers for the payment of prior year invoices. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend that One Thousand Sixty-Four Dollars And No Cents ($1,064.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Center #CC1009, Law Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice. 8.38 FINANCE Loan Orders 8.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 7 of 11  9. TABLED ITEMS 9a. 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) 9b. 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) 9c. ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider prioritizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for REC Worcester’s capital project involving the development of the new REC Worcester headquarters and Center for Food Justice and Urban Agriculture (for Worcester and Central Massachusetts), in an effort to support community food security, as well as youth development and employment. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Held Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021) 9d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) 9e. 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 Order be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 8 of 11  9f. 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) 9g. 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) 9h. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager install metal detector safety equipment at City Hall whenever open, similar to the equipment used at Polar Park, the Worcester District Court and other public places, on or before December 31, 2024. (Held Under Privilege - Russell September 24, 2024 and October 1, 2024 and Tabled - Russell October 8, 2024) 9i. 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) 9j. 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) 10. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the September 9, 2025 City Council meeting. 10a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of MGL Ch 148, Section 26I, which mandates the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in residential buildings with four or more dwelling units: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #19a CC Accepted on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 4 Nays 10b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the city's fire sprinkler policies and the potential impact of adopting M.G.L. Chapter 148, Section 26I: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #19b CC Accepted on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 4 Nays September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 9 of 11  10c. CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any incentives the city can implement to encourage individuals to install sprinklers in their properties. – Item #19c CC Order adopted 10d. CHAIRMAN'S RESOLUTION FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby reaffirm its established commitment to fire safety and prevention. – Item #19d CC Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 10e. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the city plans to be more inclusive as it relates to providing information to the public as to the progress of construction projects in the city, including information concerning sidewalk repair projects and private street conversions. – Item #19e CC Order adopted 10f. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a report detailing any compliance work associated with the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreements, including details about citations and fines against TIF and TIE developers, over the past six (6) months. Further, request said report also include information concerning determinations made by the city against contractors and subcontractors working on such projects. – Item #19f Order adopted 10g. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer update future Semi-Annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Reports to include information concerning determinations relative to the requirements of the Responsible Development Ordinance, including information concerning citations and fines of contractors working on such projects. – Item #19g CC Order adopted 10h. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with updated information relative to rental agreements for all municipal properties, including but not limited to churches renting Worcester Public Schools properties. Said updated information should include all temporary arrangements in the city, including but not limited to such arrangements at Worcester Technical High School. – Item #19h CC Order adopted September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 10 of 11  10i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the timeline associated with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) project relative to creating a rotary at the intersection of May St. and Chandler St. in the vicinity of Worcester State University. – Item #19i CC Order adopted 10j. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request Standing Committee on Public Works hold a meeting to solicit input from the public regarding Zero Waste proposals and potential changes to the city’s current trash and recycling program. Further, request said meeting also include a discussion relative to the results of the Department of Public Works researching the contents of the city’s resident’s trash. – Item #19j CC Referred to Public Works Committee Scheduled Meetings of the Standing Committees Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025 Traffic and Parking Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson Donna M. Colorio, Thu Nguyen, Khrystian E. King Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025 Public Works Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson George J. Russell, Candy Mero-Carlson, Jenny Pacillo Contact Info: Worcester City Clerk City Hall Room 206 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-799-1124 clerk@worcesterma.gov September 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 11 of 11