Executive Summary
The Worcester City Council meeting held on March 24, 2026, focused on public infrastructure, safety enhancements, and environmental management. Key actions included the proclamation of Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Period, the approval of an affordable housing restriction for Habitat for Humanity, and the relaunch of the 'Alert Worcester' emergency notification system. Significant discussion occurred regarding a proposed policy to allow alcohol consumption at specific municipal parks, the management of invasive species and geese at city lakes, and the allocation of CSX community funding for the Canal District. The Council also addressed a Level 3 Critical Drought declaration, mandating restrictions on non-essential outdoor water usage despite high reservoir levels.
Call to Order and Attendance
- Meeting Date: March 24, 2026
- Governing Body: Worcester City Council
- Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
- Attendees:
- 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
- City Manager
- City Clerk
Proclamations
- Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Period: Mayor Petty proclaimed March 24, 2026, through April 30, 2026, as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Period in the City of Worcester.
- Guests: Paul Cody and Brett St. Pierre were present to accept the proclamation, which aligns with a similar declaration by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Public Participation
- Fred Nathan (Worcester): Questioned several financial items, including a $1.3 million increase to the cable fund, $100,000 in CSX funding for the Canal District Ambassador Program, and $58,000 in police vendor expenses.
- Carlos Diaz (35 Euclid Ave): Reported poor street and sidewalk conditions on Perry Avenue, noting potholes and lack of tar. He also raised concerns regarding dog waste in Crompton Park.
- Joe Karsha (North Lincoln St): Commented on Item 6A, criticizing the performance of at-large councilors regarding constituent complaints and suggesting salary cuts for the City Council.
- Natalie Gibson: Requested information on Item 8.35 D regarding the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. She expressed concern that the $100,000 grant might be used for drones rather than supporting volunteer neighborhood crime watch groups. "I'm trying to figure out how this money is going to help us, the neighborhood leaders, help the community. And it's not about drones."
- Council Response: Councilor Toomey and Mayor Petty condemned discriminatory language used by a caller (William Pierce) who attempted to speak on a non-agenda item.
Executive Session
- Purpose: To discuss litigation strategy regarding the case of Talon Holden v. Department of Conservation and Recreation and the City of Worcester.
- Action: The Council voted to enter Executive Session and later reconvened in open session.
- Roll Call Vote: Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, and Mayor Petty all voted in the affirmative.
Appointments and Resolutions
- Constable Appointments: The Council approved the appointments of David Hoffman and Steve Meade as Constables. (Placed on file).
- Affordable Housing Restriction: The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an affordable housing restriction under M.G.L. Chapter 184 for a Habitat for Humanity project.
- Action: Approved on a roll call vote of 11-0.
- Clarification: City Manager confirmed the deed restriction is in perpetuity.
Public Service and Infrastructure
- Leaf Collection and Street Sweeping (Items 8.7A & 8.7B):
- The 2025 Fall Leaf Collection program cost approximately $350,000 in contractor fees and overtime.
- Spring street sweeping is scheduled to begin April 1, 2026.
- Councilor Rosen clarified that spring sweeping is for sand and salt, while fall collection is for organic yard waste.
- Drought Declaration (Item 8.7C):
- The State declared a Level 3 Critical Drought for Central Massachusetts.
- Restriction: All non-essential outdoor water uses (lawn watering, car washing, hosing driveways) are banned.
- Status: Worcester reservoirs were at 89.1% capacity as of March 21, 2026.
Parks and Recreation
- Alcohol Policy Change (Item 8.11C): The Parks Commission is reviewing a policy to allow alcohol sales via special event permits at five parks: Greenhill Park, Elm Park, Institute Park, East Park, and Christopher Colombo Park.
- Details: Permits would be one-day only, approved by the License Commission. The city does not currently take a percentage of revenue from these sales.
- Master Plans: Updates were provided for the Newton Hill at Elm Park Master Plan and the Worcester Common Master Plan, including upcoming paver replacements on Franklin and Main Streets.
Public Safety
- Alert Worcester Relaunch (Item 8.14C): The city launched a new emergency notification system following a previous cybersecurity breach.
- Features: Residents can text "JOINAW" to 65513 to enroll. The system allows for targeted alerts (trash delays, parking bans, weather).
- Outreach: Councilor Mitra emphasized the need for senior-specific outreach at the Senior Center.
- Police Department Reports: The Council referred the Worcester Police Department drone report and the MPAC accreditation update to the Standing Committee on Public Safety.
Finance and Economic Development
- CSX Community Funding (Item 8.36C): The Council authorized the transfer of $100,000 from the CSX Community Investment Fund to the Canal District Ambassador Program.
- Discussion: Councilor Fresolo raised concerns regarding the long-term impact of CSX operations on Grafton Hill traffic and infrastructure. He requested a report on the CSX Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement and job creation numbers.
- Action: Approved on a roll call vote of 11-0.
- Financial Update: The financial report for the period ending January 31, 2026, was placed on file.
Environment and Sustainability
- State of the Lakes (Item 8.32A):
- Indian Lake: Discussion focused on managing Elodea (native weed) and the success of the recent lake drawdown. Oxygen levels are being monitored to prevent fish kills.
- Geese Management: The administration is piloting new deterrents (horns, temporary fencing, and potentially dog rentals) to keep geese off public beaches.
- Sustainability Projects (Item 8.32B):
- Wu Bins: The city has 150 textile recycling bins. Approximately 10% face issues with illegal dumping.
- Zero Waste: The city is partnering with schools on food waste diversion and "shared bins" for uneaten fruit.