Executive Summary
The Worcester City Council met on October 20, 2026, and addressed key policy matters concerning local governance, municipal services, and upcoming ballot initiatives. The Council approved a resolution opposing statewide ballot Question 8, which sought to repeal adult-use cannabis legalization, and unanimously passed a resolution affirming solidarity with workers' rights following testimony from municipal contracted janitorial staff. Significant discussion focused on public works, specifically delays in the city's street and sidewalk resurfacing programs, the procurement calendar, and the process of prioritizing neighborhood infrastructure repairs. Additionally, the Council addressed park restroom conditions at Institute Park, debated municipal authority over proposed commercial drone delivery services from neighboring communities, and voted to file a previously tabled communication concerning the Department of Justice report on the Worcester Police Department.
Proclamation of Dysautonomia Awareness Month
- Mayor Joseph M. Petty presented an official proclamation designating October 2026 as Dysautonomia Awareness Month in the City of Worcester.
- The proclamation highlighted the impacts of autonomic nervous system disorders, the need for increased medical research and support, and noted that City Hall was illuminated in turquoise in recognition of the campaign.
- A representative from the Dissolve Dysautonomia campaign addressed the Council in appreciation of the city's advocacy and public education efforts.
Public Participation
- A member of the public spoke regarding Amazon drone proposals (Items 9H and 9I), opposing private commercial drone operations while advocating that drone use be limited to law enforcement and fire services. The speaker also urged the Council to support Question 8 opposition (Item 10A) to prevent illicit sales and protect tax revenues, and supported worker protections (Item 10B).
- A resident spoke in support of installing toilet seats at Institute Park (Item 9B), advocated voting "no" on Question 8 (Item 10A) to protect local cannabis retail businesses, and spoke in favor of workers' rights (Item 10B).
- A contracted municipal cleaner and a translator addressed the Council regarding labor conditions under Pro City Facility Services, stating: "Since their arrival, we have lost our pension and benefits, and we are even down two members from our original crew. To be treated this way by the City of Worcester is demoralizing and unacceptable." They urged the Council to ensure union-standard wages and benefits.
- A resident urged the Council to take concrete action to resolve neighborhood infrastructure delays rather than repeatedly sending reports to committees.
- Ryan Dominguez, Chair of the Stop the Repeal Campaign, testified in support of the resolution opposing Question 8 (Item 10A), noting that Massachusetts has built a strictly regulated system and that Worcester has collected $8.54 million in local cannabis excise tax revenue since legalization, with $1.89 million generated in the last year alone.
- Michael Caine, representing the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, voiced support for the resolution opposing Question 8 (Item 10A), citing economic stability, local jobs, and mandatory testing protections against illicit markets.
- Alex Mazin, owner of Bud's Goods, spoke against Question 8 (Item 10A), stating that repeal would close 14 dispensaries in Worcester, jeopardize over 350 local jobs, and eliminate over $350 million in statewide annual tax revenue.
- Local dispensary owners Peter DiCaro (Resonate) and an operator of Major Bloom testified against Question 8 (Item 10A), noting the harm repeal would cause to social equity operators, patients managing chronic pain and anxiety, and municipal budgets.
- A resident opposed the Council issuing voting recommendations on Question 8, arguing voters should decide independently, and called for citywide traffic enforcement (Item 9F).
- A remote commenter voiced support for drone oversight (Items 9H and 9I), workers' rights (Item 10B), and addressed discrepancies related to Department of Justice findings and public records requests (Item 14F).
Petitions for Infrastructure, Traffic Signage, and Crosswalks (Items 7A–7Y)
- Petition 7A was referred to the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cemetery.
- Petitions 7B and 7D were referred to the Committee on Public Works.
- Petitions 7E through 7U were taken up and referred to the Committee on Traffic and Parking.
- A resident spoke on Petitions 7I, 7J, and 7K regarding hazardous pedestrian crossings and high traffic speeds at the intersections of Cambridge Street, Canterbury Street, Fremont Street, and South Crystal Street, urging enhanced visibility, signage, and sidewalk repairs for individuals with mobility challenges.
- Councilor Khrystian King moved that the administration evaluate and provide data to rule out or consider a pedestrian hybrid beacon system at the Cambridge, Canterbury, and Fremont Street intersection (Item 7K). The motion was adopted.
- Petitions 7V through 7X regarding utility conduit locations were scheduled for public hearings on November 10, 2026.
- Petition 7Y was referred to the City Manager.
Opposition to statewide ballot Question 8 regarding adult-use cannabis legalization (Item 10A)
- The Council considered a resolution stating: "That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record in opposition to statewide ballot Question 8, and urges the residents of Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to vote no on Question 8 on November 3, 2026."
- Mayor Petty and supporting councilors outlined the public safety and fiscal reasons for opposition, noting that repeal would eliminate over $8.5 million in local excise tax revenues, threaten 14 to 16 licensed retail stores and 350 local jobs in Worcester, and redirect commerce to an unregulated illicit market.
- Several councilors voiced agreement with the economic and safety benefits of regulated cannabis but stated that as elected officials they should not tell voters how to vote on statewide ballot initiatives, announcing their intention to abstain.
- Vote: Passed 6-0 (Abstained: Morris Bergman, Tony Economou, John Fresolo, Satya Mitra, Kathleen Toomey; Voting Yes: Robert Bilotta, Khrystian King, Luis Ojeda, Jose Rivera, Gary Rosen, Joseph Petty).
- A companion motion by Councilor Toomey requesting that the administration prepare an informational summary of the facts and positive aspects regarding the cannabis regulatory framework was adopted.
Support for workers' rights and labor standards (Item 10B)
- The Council considered a resolution stating: "That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby affirm its support for workers' rights and stands in solidarity with working people in Worcester and beyond."
- Councilor King highlighted concerns raised by municipal cleaning contractors working in City Hall and the public library, urging the city administration to negotiate in good faith, support fair wages and benefits, and maintain labor standards.
- Vote: Adopted 11-0.
Driveway repair at Corbin Avenue basketball courts (Item 9A)
- Councilor Bilotta requested that the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery inspect and repair the washed-out driveway at the Corbin Avenue basketball courts.
- The order was referred to the City Manager.
Toilet seat installation in Institute Park restrooms (Item 9B)
- Councilor Rosen introduced an order requesting funding to install toilet seats on the newly installed porcelain toilets in the Institute Park restrooms, noting public complaints regarding seatless fixtures.
- The City Manager explained that the Parks Department piloted low-maintenance fixtures designed without seats to reduce vandalism and repair costs, but confirmed the city is working to replace them with standard seated units following public feedback.
- Councilor King proposed a friendly amendment requesting a comprehensive report on public restroom accessibility across city parks and modern municipal restroom standards.
- The order was referred to the City Manager as amended.
Administrative streamlining of street and sidewalk resurfacing requests (Item 9C)
- Councilor Economou proposed amending city ordinances to allow public street and sidewalk resurfacing requests to be routed directly to the Department of Public Works pending list rather than requiring preliminary review by the Public Works Subcommittee.
- Discussion addressed Worcester's unique council-selection model, noting that district lists contain hundreds of deteriorating streets with a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) below 50, and that administrative routing could prevent multi-year delays.
- The order was referred to the Committee on Public Works.
Accelerating bid posting and contract award timelines for street and sidewalk resurfacing (Item 9D)
- Councilor Economou introduced an order requesting the Commissioner of Public Works and the Chief Financial Officer identify methods to accelerate procurement timelines so construction can commence earlier in the spring season.
- Councilors cited specific project delays, including Massasoit Road, Cargill Avenue, Vernon Street, and long patching on Lake Avenue, as well as complications arising from utility holds and the July 1 fiscal year budget cycle.
- The City Manager and councilors agreed to review procurement schedules, monthly capital reports, and coordination with utility companies at an upcoming Public Works Committee meeting.
- The order was referred to the City Manager for a report to the Committee on Public Works.
Report and draft ordinance regarding fees on chronic vacant and underdeveloped parcels (Item 9E)
- Councilor Bilotta requested an update on a previously adopted order regarding an escalating fee structure for vacant parcels underdeveloped for more than five years, offering an amendment to focus specifically on neglected and blighted properties.
- The City Manager noted that while the city enforces maintenance and anti-dumping codes, penalizing owners solely for failing to develop property presents significant legal risks, citing previous litigation from 2010.
- Councilor Rosen moved to file the order based on legal concerns and property rights.
- Vote on motion to file: Failed 2-9 (Voting Yes: Tony Economou, Gary Rosen; Voting No: Morris Bergman, Robert Bilotta, John Fresolo, Khrystian King, Satya Mitra, Luis Ojeda, Jose Rivera, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty).
- Councilor Bilotta moved to amend the order to focus on blighted properties and refer it to the Committee on Economic Development.
- Vote on referral as amended: Passed 11-0.
Traffic enforcement on Goddard Memorial Drive (Item 9F)
- Councilor Rivera requested increased speed and traffic enforcement on Goddard Memorial Drive in the vicinity of Beatrice Drive.
- The order was adopted and referred to the City Manager.
Tree planting requirements in sidewalk and curb reconfiguration contracts (Item 9G)
- Councilor Rivera introduced an order to evaluate contractual requirements for planting one tree per property during curb and sidewalk reconstruction.
- Following clarification from the City Manager that current municipal policy already incorporates tree planting into capital reconstruction projects while allowing property owners to adjust planting locations, Councilor Rivera withdrew the item.
- The order was filed.
Community forum and zoning regulations regarding Amazon drone delivery operations (Items 9H and 9I)
- Councilor Rosen introduced Item 9H requesting a community forum in the affected neighborhood with Amazon representatives regarding proposed drone deliveries launched from Westborough.
- Vote on Item 9H: Passed 11-0.
- Councilor Rosen introduced Item 9I requesting a legal report from the City Solicitor on potential zoning ordinance revisions to regulate commercial drone launch sites.
- The City Solicitor advised that while municipalities cannot regulate navigable airspace or flight operations, they may enact narrow zoning regulations governing land-use permits, launch pad dimensions, operating hours, and local privacy or noise standards.
- Several councilors argued that action was premature given ongoing legal review of a similar bylaw enacted in Westborough.
- Vote on Item 9I: Failed 5-6 (Voting Yes: Tony Economou, John Fresolo, Jose Rivera, Gary Rosen, Joseph Petty; Voting No: Morris Bergman, Robert Bilotta, Khrystian King, Satya Mitra, Luis Ojeda, Kathleen Toomey).
- Vote on motion to reconsider Item 9I: Failed 1-10 (Voting Yes: Gary Rosen; Voting No: Morris Bergman, Robert Bilotta, Tony Economou, John Fresolo, Khrystian King, Satya Mitra, Luis Ojeda, Jose Rivera, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty).
Proactive annual pothole and sidewalk repair inspection program (Item 9J)
- Councilor Mitra requested a report on the feasibility of establishing an annual proactive survey program where Department of Public Works staff systematically identify and repair potholes and damaged pedestrian sidewalks without relying exclusively on 311 constituent submissions.
- The order was referred to the City Manager.
Survey and repair of damaged or missing street and traffic signs (Item 9K)
- Councilor Mitra requested a citywide survey to replace and repair faded, damaged, or missing street and traffic signs.
- Councilor Bergman offered a friendly amendment requesting a report outlining the reporting procedures used by field employees (such as sanitation or public works crews) when identifying damaged signs.
- The order was referred to the City Manager as amended.
Election Update and Early Voting Schedule
- Under suspension of the rules, the City Clerk provided an update on the November election, reporting that approximately 18,000 mail-in ballots had been issued, with 6,500 returned to date.
- In-person early voting at the Worcester Public Library had processed nearly 900 voters over the first four days, averaging 200 to 300 daily participants, alongside roughly 200 daily ballots retrieved from municipal drop boxes.
City Manager communication regarding Department of Justice report on Police Department (Item 14F)
- Councilor Rivera moved to remove Item 14F from the table, a communication from the City Manager transmitting information regarding the U.S. Department of Justice report on the Worcester Police Department.
- Vote to take from table: Passed 11-0.
- Councilor Rivera moved to file the communication, noting ongoing reforms and communication with the Police Chief.
- Councilor King objected to filing, stating that the communication was incomplete regarding areas of agreement and differentiation with the DOJ findings, and moved to re-table the item.
- Vote to table: Failed 2-9 (Voting Yes: Khrystian King, Luis Ojeda; Voting No: Morris Bergman, Robert Bilotta, Tony Economou, John Fresolo, Satya Mitra, Jose Rivera, Gary Rosen, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty).
- Vote on motion to file Item 14F: Passed 10-1 (Voting No: Khrystian King).
- Councilor King introduced a motion under suspension of the rules requesting an updated report regarding the outstanding information. The chair ruled the new request would appear on the next meeting's agenda in accordance with open meeting notice requirements.