City Council 05/05/2026

• Governing Body: Worcester City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Date: May 5, 2026
• Attendees Present: Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Councilor Morris Bergman, Councilor Robert Bilotta, Councilor Tony Economou, Councilor John Fresolo, Councilor Khrystian King, Councilor Satya Mitra, Councilor Luis Ojeda, Councilor Jose Rivera, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Kathleen Toomey.
• Attendees Absent: Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor George Russell, Councilor Donna Colorio.

• Oasis at Dodge Park: Recognized for receiving the Caring.com Superstar Award for exceptional senior care.
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Day: Mayor Petty proclaimed May 5, 2026, as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Day.
  • Guest Speaker: Hiroshi Kanemoto, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, stated: "As long as I live, I want to do my best to spread the tragedy of the victims to the world... we will continue our activity to let the people of the world know about the real damage."
• National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive Day: Proclaimed for May 9, 2026.
  • Speaker: Mr. Cipro noted that Worcester collected over 125,000 pounds of food last year and emphasized the increasing need at local food pantries.

• Fred Nathan (Worcester): Questioned the allocation of $18 million in automobile excise tax collected in 2023, suggesting more should be spent on road repairs and potholes.
• Wilson Lamb (Worcester): Reported a significant increase in potholes, from 1,700 in 2020 to 4,000 in 2025, calling them a major safety hazard.
• Alex Corrales (Worcester): Spoke in support of Item 7C, renaming the GBV Playground to Roberto Clemente Park, noting Clemente's status as a humanitarian and symbol of pride for the Latino community.
• Callie Hess (Worcester): Presented Petition AA regarding dangerous intersections at Thorndike, Beverly, Monterey, and Bay State Roads. She requested better signage and crosswalks to protect students.
• Gil Goodell (Worcester): Commented on the budget and raised concerns regarding the city's response to domestic violence.
• David Webb (Remote): Criticized the $1 billion budget, specifically the increase in police funding, and called for more investment in mental health and housing.
• Natalie Gibson (Remote): Inquired about the use of $1.8 million in cannabis excise tax and expressed concern over the $5.5 million snow removal budget.

• Item 7C: Petition to rename Great Brook Valley Playground to "Roberto Clemente Park."
• Discussion: Councilor Economou noted the park is already colloquially known by this name. Councilor King requested the City Manager reach out to the Roberto Clemente family for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Councilor Ojeda highlighted the historical significance of the Roberto Clemente Softball League to the Puerto Rican community.
• Action: The item was amended to "Roberto Clemente Park" and referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Manager.

• Pavement Restoration Standards (Item 9.7D): The Council discussed a report on utility trench repairs and pothole maintenance.
  • Key Action: The Council moved to advertise an ordinance to modify street replacement requirements, extending the warranty period for utility patches from 24 months to 60 months.
  • Vote to Advertise: Approved 11-0 (Roll Call: Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty - All Yes).
• Infrastructure Discussion: Commissioner Wesselin reported that 80% of reported potholes have been addressed. Councilor Economou inquired about "infrared patching," which the Commissioner noted is effective but expensive and used primarily on primary roads.

• Board of Health: Joseph Kahara was appointed. Motion to file approved.
• Elections Commission: Susan LaDue was appointed.
  • Vote: Approved 11-0 (Roll Call: Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty - All Yes).

City Manager Eric Batista presented the proposed $1,000,000,000 budget for FY27.

• Financial Highlights:
  • Total Budget: $1 Billion (Historical milestone).
  • Unused Tax Levy Capacity: $25.8 million (7th highest in Massachusetts).
  • Education: $612 million (61.3% of total budget), a 6% increase driven by the final year of the Student Opportunity Act.
  • Public Works: 66% increase in capital funding for streets, sidewalks, and equipment.
  • Staffing: No net new positions; strategic reallocations include new electrical and plumbing inspectors and a small business support position in Economic Development.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilor King expressed concern over the closure of three alternative schools by Worcester Public Schools to save money despite the budget increase.
  • Councilor Bilotta questioned the $30,000 increase for special education, which the CFO clarified was an assessment for state-related transportation costs, not the total special education spend.
  • Councilor Rosen emphasized that while the budget is large, the discretionary "new money" for city operations was only approximately $2 million.
• Action: The budget items (9.26A, 9.38A, 9.39A, 9.39B) were referred to the Finance Committee for hearings beginning the following week.

• World War II Memorial (Item 9.19a): Discussion regarding the recognition of 265 Worcester residents who served in WWII but do not meet current criteria for the Common memorial. Referred to the Veterans Memorial Parks and Recreation Committee.
• St. Vincent School of Nursing: Under suspension of rules, Councilor Fresolo announced a $1.2 million federal earmark secured by Congressman Jim McGovern for asbestos remediation at the former nursing school to facilitate its conversion into approximately 100 senior housing units.