City Council 12/23/2025

Governing Body: Worcester City Council Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Meeting Date: December 23, 2025, at 12:00 AM Attendees: Morris Bergman, Donna Colorio, Etel Haxhiaj, Khrystian King, Candy Mero-Carlson, Luis Ojeda, Jenny Pacillo, George Russell, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty (Mayor)

• The meeting was called to order by Mayor Joseph Petty.
• The Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner were recited.

• Councilors present: Morris Bergman, Donna Colorio, Etel Haxhiaj, Khrystian King, Candy Mero-Carlson, Luis Ojeda, Jenny Pacillo, George Russell, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty (Mayor).

• Recognition of Katelyn McCarthy:
  • Mayor Petty honored Katelyn McCarthy, a public school teacher and screenwriter, for her outstanding contributions to the arts and DES Advocacy.
  • Ms. McCarthy received the "Key to the City of Worcester."
  • Ms. McCarthy expressed gratitude, highlighting Worcester as a city of opportunity and her commitment to representing it with care, pride, and respect.
• Recognition of John G. Aneth:
  • Mayor Petty honored John G. Aneth, a Board Certified Patient Advocate and founder of the Golden Hour Service Foundation, for his compassionate service to patients in Worcester hospitals.
  • Mr. Aneth received the "Key to the City of Worcester."
  • Mr. Aneth emphasized the importance of patient-centered care and Worcester's role as a city that embodies "CARE."
• Farewell to Departing Councilors:
  • Mayor Petty and other Councilors recognized the service of departing Councilors Etel Haxhiaj, Jenny Pacillo, and George Russell.
  • Councilor Etel Haxhiaj (District 5): Recognized for dedicated service from 2022-2025 and commitment to District 5 residents as Chair of the Public Education Standing Committee. Presented with a plaque, ballot, and chair.
  • Councilor Jenny Pacillo (District 1): Recognized for dedicated service from 2024-2025 and commitment to District 1 residents as Chair of the Veterans Memorial Parks and Recreation Standing Committee. Presented with a plaque, ballot, and chair.
  • Councilor George Russell (District 3): Recognized for 14 years of dedicated service as District 3 City Councilor and Chair of the Public Works Committee. Presented with a plaque, ballot (from 1981 and 1985 elections), and a Certificate of Perfect Attendance at City Council meetings.

• Motion: To approve the minutes from December 9, 2025.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: So ordered.

• Fred Nathan (Worcester):
  • Item 9.7B (Water Main Breaks): Expressed concern about potential future loan audits for water infrastructure repairs.
  • Item 9.11B (Grafton Street): Highlighted traffic safety issues near Roosevelt School, suggesting the city could be liable for accidents due to delayed resolution.
  • Wished departing Councilors luck and good health.
• Brad Wyatt (Boylston):
  • Read a letter from Donald J. Trump thanking Donna Colorio for her public service.
• Sue Mailman (Worcester):
  • Wished Candy Carlson and Donna Colorio good health.
  • Thanked George Russell for candid conversations.
  • Admired Jenny Pacillo's work ethic while raising young children.
  • Acknowledged Councilors Nguyen and Haxhiaj as historic first-generation and non-binary elected officials, respectively.
  • Praised Councilor Haxhiaj's courage and advocacy, particularly regarding the Eureka Street incident.
• Gary Hunter (Worcester):
  • Expressed appreciation for departing Councilors, especially Etel Haxhiaj, for her dedication.
  • Questioned the Council's accomplishments over the past year, particularly regarding the DOJ report and accountability.
  • Criticized the Council's vote on a migrant bill, citing negative views from some Councilors.
  • Raised concerns about public discussion being cut short.
• Grace Ross (Oxford Street):
  • Item 9.1 (Constable Appointments): Raised concerns about constables violating orders regarding use of force and carrying firearms.
  • Cited Daniel Gately and Trapasso as examples of constables allegedly violating regulations.
  • Mentioned Angel Santana allegedly bringing a gun to evictions despite being told not to.
  • Requested a communication system to prevent relicensing of non-compliant constables.
• Anastasia St. Cloud (Rutland):
  • Expressed concern about lack of red light cameras, traffic signal timing, crosswalk safety, road markings, and traffic enforcement.
  • Noted drivers frequently run red lights, citing personal experience with an accident.
  • Requested evaluation of traffic light timing, advanced signage, additional turn lanes, enhanced pedestrian crosswalk safety, increased police presence, and reconsideration of red light cameras.
• Nellie Medina (District 5):
  • Thanked Councilors Haxhiaj, King, and Nguyen for their integrity and service.
  • Item 8H8INHJ (Eversource Gas Main Locations): Raised concerns about Eversource's GSEP filing proposing $90 million for 44 new gas main projects in 2026 and 219 projects for 2027-2030.
  • Argued that these projects represent a long-lived investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, contradicting Worcester's decarbonization goals and net-zero by 2050 commitment.
• Luis Juarez (60 Altos Street):
  • Item 9.11 (Department of Transportation and Mobility): Requested tabling the matter until Roosevelt School families are notified and consulted.
  • Stated that families have not been duly notified or asked for their opinion on the issue.
• Joseph Mangiamelli (Grafton Hill, Worcester - Online):
  • Item 11D (Vacant Lots): Expressed frustration over lack of progress on utilizing vacant lots for urban farming, a recommendation from previous research.
  • Suggested exploring urban farming and raising chickens, noting a two-year-old petition for chickens awaiting a City Manager report.
  • Criticized the limited time for public speaking.

• 7A. National Grid for Conduit Location, Austin Street:
  • Motion: To open the hearing.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
  • No opposition to the conduit location was expressed.
  • Motion: To close the hearing and adopt.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 8A-8F. Petitions:
  • Motion: To refer to the Traffic and Parking Committee.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 8G-8J. Study Hearing:
  • Motion: To schedule a study hearing for January 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.

• 9.1A and 9.1B. Constable Notifications:
  • Motion: To file.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.

• 9.4A. Lease Deed for Former Clinton Street Right-of-Way:
  • Motion: To adopt on a roll call vote.
  • Roll Call Vote:
    • Bergman: Yes
    • Colorio: Yes
    • Haxhiaj: Yes
    • King: Yes
    • Mero-Carlson: Yes
    • Ojeda: Yes
    • Pacillo: Yes
    • Russell: Yes
    • Toomey: Yes
    • Petty: Yes
  • Outcome: Passed (10-0).
  • Reconsideration: A motion was made to reconsider the vote due to a procedural error requiring eight votes for passage.
  • Roll Call Vote on Reconsideration:
    • Bergman: Yes
    • Colorio: Yes
    • Haxhiaj: Yes
    • King: Yes
    • Mero-Carlson: Yes
    • Ojeda: Yes
    • Pacillo: Yes
    • Russell: Yes
    • Toomey: Yes
    • Petty: Yes
  • Outcome: The motion to reconsider passed (10-0).
  • Decision: The item was held under personal privilege for the next meeting, as the City Manager confirmed it was not immediately urgent.

• 9.7A. Report Concerning Department's Performance During First Snowstorm of 2025-2026 Winter Season:
  • Motion: To send to Public Works.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 9.7B. Update on Recent Water Breaks:
  • Councilor King requested an explanation of the cause of recent water breaks and preventative measures.
  • John Westerling, Commissioner of Public Works:
    • Reported a 24-inch water main break on Norton Drive (installed 1975) on December 6, found to be corroded to "paper thin" thickness. This pipe had also broken in 2018.
    • A 24-inch main feeder pipe on Frontage Road broke on December 8.
    • A third break occurred on Norton Drive on December 11.
    • The section of pipe on Norton Drive (gray on map) has been isolated and will be replaced in the spring.
    • The other 16 water main breaks (2-inch to 16-inch, cast iron to ductile iron, installed 1915-1970) were attributed to pressure increases in the system.
    • The Indian Hill tanks, fed by the Frontage Road main, were being filled by smaller diameter water mains when the Frontage Road pipe was out of commission, causing higher pressures.
    • The second pump on Olean Street was operated manually during this period to monitor and control pressures.
    • The last break occurred on December 15.
    • The Frontage Road pipe has been reactivated, and the system is believed to have reached equilibrium.
    • The 50-year-old pipe on Norton Drive is considered relatively young for a water main in Worcester.
    • The cause of the extreme corrosion is being investigated (soil acidity, corrosive conditions). New pipes are wrapped in polyethylene to prevent direct contact with soil.
    • Suggested that the location on I-190 ramps with heavy winter treatment might contribute to corrosion.
    • The city invests $10-20 million annually in water and sewer infrastructure.
    • Lesson Learned: Continue to invest in the integrated plan for pipe replacement and in the Department of Public Works.
    • DPW monitors the system 24/7 and uses "I hydrants" to monitor pressures.
  • Councilor Petty thanked DPW workers and Ricciardi Brothers for their efforts.
  • Councilor Bergman inquired about the cause of multiple simultaneous breaks and the role of pressure maintenance.
  • Councilor Toomey commended DPW and inquired about ongoing work on Lake Ave (sewer pump station rehabilitation) and other preventative actions.
  • Motion: To send to Public Works and send the motion to the City Manager.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 9.10A. Elm Park Media Notification:
  • Councilor Bergman acknowledged efforts to organize a public meeting on January 26 at Parkview Tower/Cornerstone Bank to discuss Elm Park improvements.
  • Motion: To place on file.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 9.11A. Construction Progress Report for Month Ending November 30, 2025:
  • Motion: To send to Councilor Russell.
  • Councilor Russell inquired about the Lake Avenue project listed in the report.
  • Mr. Raleigh (Department of Transportation and Mobility):
    • Confirmed the project is for intersection improvements at Bigelow Davis Parkway, with design work extending several hundred feet.
    • This project will lay groundwork for discussions about longer-term improvements to the entire Lake Avenue corridor.
    • The final contract with the consultant is being negotiated, and work will begin later this winter.
  • Motion: To send to Public Works.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 9.11B. Proposed Order to Establish a No-Parking, Anytime Zone on a Portion of Grafton Street on a 90-Day Trial Basis:
  • Councilor Russell thanked Mr. Raleigh and the administration for addressing traffic issues near Roosevelt School.
  • Noted 33 empty parking spaces at Roosevelt School on November 20, despite cars piling up on Grafton Street.
  • Mr. Raleigh: Confirmed that "no parking" includes "no standing" and "no stopping" per local ordinance.
  • The proposal includes a 90-day trial and referral to the Traffic and Parking Committee for potential permanent ordinance.
  • City Manager: Confirmed the Police Department would enforce the no-parking zone.
  • Councilor Russell expressed concern about not having eight votes to pass the temporary ordinance immediately.
  • Decision: Councilor Russell held the item under personal privilege for the next Council meeting.
  • Councilor Russell also requested the administration to explore utilizing or leasing additional parking spaces in the neighborhood.
  • Councilor Toomey supported Councilor Russell's advocacy and suggested exploring parking options with property owners like the mall.
  • Motion: To hold under privilege and send motions to the City Manager.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.
• 9.15A. Recommended Adoption of the Alliance, Incorporating the Commission of the African American and Black Affairs, and Commission of the LGBTQIA Plus Affairs:
  • Motion: To send to MLO (Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee).
  • Councilor King inquired about the nature of the changes.
  • City Manager: Stated these are minor but important changes related to the name of the LGBTQIA+ committee and filing/articulation of an article.
  • A procedural question arose regarding the need for a public hearing and committee review for commission changes.
  • Motion: To send to committee.
  • Vote: All in favor.
  • Outcome: So ordered.

• 9.35A-E, 9.36A-C, and 9.37A-F. Various Appropriations:
  • Motion: To adopt on a roll call vote.
  • Roll Call Vote:
    • Brueggemann: Yes
    • Colorio: Yes
    • Haxhiaj: Yes
    • King: Yes
    • Mero-Carlson: Yes
    • Ojeda: Yes
    • Pacillo: Yes
    • Russell: Yes
    • Toomey: Yes
    • Petty: Yes
  • Outcome: Passed (10-0).
• 9.38A. Loan Order for $7 Million MSBA Solar Repair Project at Rice Square and Beaumont Street School:
  • Decision: Held under privilege for the next meeting.

• Motion: To adjourn.
• Mayor Petty wished everyone happy holidays and a happy new year.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: So ordered.