City Council

CITY OF WORCESTER AGENDA OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 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 December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 1 of 10  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 November 25, 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. SUSPENSION OF RULES TO TAKE UP A COMMITTEE REPORT AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS 7a Adopt on a roll call 7a. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – As Chair of the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works in accordance with Rule 33 (e) of the Rules of City Council, request City Council suspend its rules at its December 16, 2025 meeting to take up the Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program FY25 and FY26, as presented by the City Manager and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Works as Item #8.11B CM on the City Council agenda for February 4, 2025, and the Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the selection of local street resurfacing rehabilitation projects for FY27-28, as presented by the City Manager and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Works as Item #10.11A CM on the City Council agenda for December 9, 2025, along with related items pending before the Committee. December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 2 of 10  8. PETITIONS - a Petitioner may speak up to three (3) minutes the first time their petition appears on an agenda 8a - 8k Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee 8a. Jason Gerum, Director of Facilities for Worcester Academy, request the crosswalk at 121 and 124 Providence St. be reviewed for the feasibility of installing additional traffic control and lighting options at the location. 8b. Abdul Ghani request installation of parking meters in front of 241 Lincoln St. 8c. Stephen B. Harris request installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Chester St. and Holden St. 8d. Stephen B. Harris request installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Parkton St. and Holden St. 8e. Stephen B. Harris request continuation of bike lanes on Grove St. from the intersection of Grove St. and Forest St. to the intersection of Grove St. and West Boylston St., and from Grove St. to the Worcester/Holden city line along Holden St. 8f. Kristen Thurlow request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Ellsworth St. and Harding St. 8g. Patrick Grady request installation of clear markings and signage in the vicinity of the existing speed hump located at 19 Milton St. 8h. Adalberto Ruiz request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 97 Puritan Ave. 8i. Councilor Jenny Pacillo on behalf of Michael Benz request installation of a rapid flashing beacon, improved crosswalk signage and additional line painting at the intersection of Willowbrook Ln. and Salisbury St. 8j. Councilor Jenny Pacillo on behalf of Paula Janowski request installation of three (3) way stop sign signage at the intersection of Bjorklund Ave. and Stonegate Ln. 8k. Christela Dovil request removal of a handicap parking space in front of 29 Shamrock St. 8l Set Hearing for December 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. 8l. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: AUSTIN ST. December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 3 of 10  9. CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS 9a and 9b Adopt 9a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility work with the Commissioner of Public Works to explore the installation of traffic calming measures on Hamilton St. between Boston Ave. and Jonathan Cir. that caution drivers of the curve in the road. 9b. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works repair the loose handicap parking space signage located on Jonathan Cir. at its intersection with Hamilton St. 10. ORDERS 10a. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Inspectional Services provide City Council with a draft ordinance related to imposing escalating fees onto underdeveloped lots that have been underdeveloped and vacant for more than five (5) years. (Haxhiaj) 10b. Request City Manager request Police Chief provide residents who facilitate neighborhood meetings a stipend from the same grant that supports the Neighborhood Response Team (NRT). (Haxhiaj) 10c. Request City Auditor conduct an audit of the Worcester Police Department (WPS) Bureau of Professional Standards (BOPS) records to ensure the accuracy of: 1) all officer information cards; and 2) annual data compilations of investigations. (Haxhiaj) 10d. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility ensure the full City Council be made aware of all future road redesign projects, whether initiated by the Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) or initiated by MassDOT. Further, if said project is initiated by DTM, request said notice be given prior to the project's inception and, if said project is initiated by MassDOT, request said notice be given as soon as said project is known to the city. (Bergman) 10e. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning previously requested draft language to implement an institutional zoning ordinance, which would require institutions such as colleges, universities, and hospitals to file ten (10) year institutional master plans with the city. (Mero-Carlson) December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 4 of 10  10f. In light of the overwhelmingly successful non-binding question on the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election Ballot, which passed with support from seventy-four (74)-plus percent of city voters, request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the feasibility and process to require the city’s private universities to invest 0.5% of their endowment annual into a community impact fund to be administered locally to help finance needed housing, economic, and community development projects. (Mero-Carlson) 11. RESOLUTION 11a. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognize Thursday, December 18, 2025 as International Migrants Day in the City of Worcester and urge residents to observe the recognition of immigrants across the city, who are an integral part of our communities and workforce. (Haxhiaj) 12. RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE - No items pending 13. REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD 13a Refer to Economic Development Committee 13a. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of Centro Las Americas, Inc, request the Zoning Map be amended by extending the BG-3 zoning district and CCOD-E overlay district to wholly encompass 9, 15 and 25 Charlton St.; 26, 38, 42 and 46 Hermon St.; and 0 Beacon St. 13b Refer to Public Works Committee 13b. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Curtis Alexander request installation of sewer drains on Nixon Ave., in the vicinity of 11 Nixon Ave. 14. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 14a Advertise proposed Ordinance 14a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to Accessory Dwelling Units: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. 14b Accept 14b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Economic Development invite representatives from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to present to the Committee an overview of their investments and management processes at the Worcester Regional Airport to date. Said presentation should also include how the Worcester Regional Airport will be included in the recently announced Massport Strategic Planning Effort: recommend Order be placed on file. December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 5 of 10  15. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS 15a - 15d Accept and Adopt on a roll call 15a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request Sutton Ln. from Fremont St. to St. Johns Rd. be given the honorary street designation of The Perlman Family Way: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. 15b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Commercial St., from MLK Jr. Blvd. to Foster St., be given the honorary street name designation of Sandy L. Dunn Way: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. 15c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Geoffrey Lewis, on behalf of Benjamin Associates LLC, request installation of a new sewage system on Arctic St., as well as a new drainage system on Plastics St., as shown on the attached plans: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. 15d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of an additional streetlight in the vicinity of 6 and 8 Emily St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. 15e Accept 15e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Jenny Pacillo request sidewalk repair in front of 31 Brandon Rd.: recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw. 16. LOAN ORDER TO BE ADOPTED 16a Adopt on a roll call 16a. Recommend that the remaining balance of One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00) on Loan Order #LO-1171 be repurposed. 17. TABLED ITEMS 17a. 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) December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 6 of 10  17b. 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) 17c. 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) 17d. 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) 17e. 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) 17f. 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) 17g. 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) December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 7 of 10  17h. 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) 17i. 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) 17j. 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) 17k. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend Adoption of an Order Regarding the Jurisdiction and Disposition of Real Property at 100 Providence Street. (Held Under Privilege - Russell November 18, 2025 and November 25, 2025 and Tabled - Russell December 9, 2025) 18. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the December 9, 2025 City Council meeting. 18a. ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2026 be set at $13.30 for Residential Property and $28.98 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #22a CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 7 Nays 18b. ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025 be set at $13.28 for Residential Property and $29.06 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #22b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18c. ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report considering how the city can tax properties with nine (9) or more units. – Item #22c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a ten (20) to fifteen (15) year plan that would incrementally reduce the gap between Residential Property Tax Rate and the Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property Tax Rate. Said plan should include considerations around sustainability, as well as economic justice. – Item #22d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 8 of 10  18e. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the process for the city to adopt a small business tax exemption to allow tax relief to small businesses in the community. – Item #22e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18f. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – That the City Council does hereby suspend its rules to allow for additional time to speak concerning Item #12a CC on the December 9, 2025, City Council agenda. – Item #22f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18g. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing whether the city plans to rule out or rule into engaging in the Continuum of Care (CoC) funds litigation against the federal government. Further, request said report include actions taken by the cities of Boston and Cambridge and by Attorney General Andrea Campbell relative to said CoC litigation. – Item #22g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18h. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to a previously adopted order requesting details relating to the work being done by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) at the former Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) service center, located at 611 Main St. – Item #22h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Auditor attend the public hearing, once the item is selected by the Chairperson, to discuss the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting an informational communication of an analysis of the Worcester Police Department’s (WPD) Body Work Camera (BWC) Program Performance by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA). – Item #22i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18j. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager work with City Auditor to provide City Council with an annual review of the Worcester Police Department’s (WPD) Body Worn Camera (BWC) program performance. – Item #22j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18k. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the feasibility of housing artifacts associated with the Worcester Six (6) and Box Four (4) Special Services’ Canteen One (1) Freightliner van at 100 Providence St. Further, request said report include the cost associated with making such a commitment. – Item #22k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 9 of 10  18l. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the reason(s) as to why Union Station was not pursued as a location for a firefighter museum in the city. – Item #22l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 18m. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the capacity required to ensure that all the city’s unhoused individuals can be sheltered at a potential overflow shelter in the city. – Item #22m CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays Scheduled Meetings of the Standing Committees Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 Public Works Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 04:00 PM Chairperson George J. Russell, Candy Mero-Carlson, Jenny Pacillo Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:30 PM Chairperson Khrystian E. King, Morris A. Bergman, George J. Russell Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 Public Safety Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson Kathleen M. Toomey, Morris A. Bergman, Luis A. Ojeda Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson Jenny Pacillo, Etel Haxhiaj, Kathleen M. Toomey Contact Info: Worcester City Clerk City Hall Room 206 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-799-1124 clerk@worcesterma.gov December 16, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 10 of 10