City Council 10/06/2026

Members of the public addressed the Council on several agenda items:

• Council Meeting Schedule and Public Comment Limits (Item 12B): Multiple speakers opposed the proposed rule change to limit public participation to one hour between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, noting that an earlier start time creates hardships for working residents and families and restricts civic engagement.
• Public Restrooms and Sanitary Facilities (Items 8A, 10G, 17C): Speakers urged the city to provide accessible public restrooms for residents, families, and unhoused individuals. One commenter stressed that any permanent facilities must include gender-neutral accommodations.
• WCCA TV Community Access Funding (Item 10A): Mauro Di Pasquale, representing WCCA TV, highlighted the station's role as an educational and civic asset, noting it operates on approximately $400,000 annually while providing estimated millions in public production value, and requested city support for sponsorships.
• Traffic Calming and Stop Signs (Item 12W): Residents expressed divided views on the four-way stop signs installed at June, Brownell, and Hadwin Streets. Proponents cited pedestrian safety and traffic reduction near Midland Street School, while an abutting homeowner and a motorist reported severe bottlenecks, screeching tires, and increased noise.
• Other Matters: Commenters also voiced support for the municipal charter review signature drive (Item 11A), assistance for senior Medicare transitions (Item 12Q), expanded street sweeping (Item 12R), and the conversion of the former Providence Street nurses' dorms into housing (Item 12G).

The Council considered public utility petitions submitted by service providers:

• Charter Communications conduit location on Lincoln Street (Item 7B).
• National Grid and Verizon New England joint pole location on Bauer Street (Item 7C).

Following the public hearing, the Council approved the locations.

• Outcome: Adopted.

Councilor King moved to reconsider the Council's September 29, 2026 action on an order directing the City Manager to identify locations for permanent and temporary public restrooms and report on timelines, incorporating community and business feedback.

• Point of Order: Councilor Bergman raised a point of order seeking to speak on the item. Mayor Petty ruled that under Council Rule 30, a motion for reconsideration is non-debatable.
• Motion to Suspend Rule 30: Failed 3-8 (Councilors Bilotta, King, and Ojeda voting Aye; Councilors Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, and Mayor Petty voting Nay).
• Motion for Reconsideration: Failed 3-8 (Councilors Bilotta, King, and Ojeda voting Aye; Councilors Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, and Mayor Petty voting Nay).

The Council considered orders regarding public sanitation infrastructure:

• Order requesting the City Manager to consider a structured process to identify permanent public restroom sites citywide starting in District 2, and explore temporary placement of portable facilities while permanent units are developed (Item 17C).

• Councilor King withdrew related duplicate item 17B.

• Councilor Mitra proposed an amendment to explore renting self-contained mobile restroom and shower trailers that could be placed in municipal parking lots.

• Councilor Toomey requested a comprehensive cost report on capital, operational, and maintenance expenses, including identification of potential grants.

• The City Manager clarified that no funding is currently allocated in the municipal budget for public restrooms, and that the administration is preparing a formal proposal with the Department of Health and Human Services detailing options, costs, and stakeholder engagement requirements.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rosen requested an update regarding subcontractor Optiline Enterprises on the 64-unit residential development at 274 Franklin Street, a project receiving approximately $11 million in tax relief:

• The City Solicitor reported that following an emergency court hearing, the subcontractor's motion was denied and Optiline Enterprises has been demobilized and removed from the job site.

• The City Manager confirmed that the general contractor DF Pray and co-developers The Michaels Organization and GoVenture have taken steps to ensure compliance with city labor standards.

• Outcome: Order filed.

The Council processed several routine items:

• Petitions 9A through 9K were referred to the Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking.
• Petitions 9L through 9O were scheduled for public hearings on October 13, 2026.
• Petition 9P was referred to the relevant department for response.
• Items 10A through 10D were adopted.

The Council considered a resolution encouraging public efforts to collect signatures from 15% of the city's registered voters (approximately 16,000 to 17,000 signatures) to initiate a review of the city charter:

• Councilor Rosen reported on three meetings held by the Municipal Operations Committee, noting that Worcester has operated under its modified Plan E charter for over 40 years.

• The City Solicitor explained that significant alterations to the form of government or elected terms require a citizen-elected Charter Commission, whereas the City Council may place non-binding referenda on the municipal ballot with a minimum of six votes.

• Outcome: Passed 11-0.

The Council suspended the rules to reconsider Item 10A regarding alternative revenue strategies for WCCA TV:

• Councilors inquired whether the city could assist the station in securing commercial sponsorships to supplement contract revenue.

• The City Manager explained that municipal government cannot directly solicit commercial sponsorships for external entities and that marketing and revenue generation remain the responsibility of the station.

• Outcome: Adopted.

Councilor Rivera requested that the Department of Transportation and Mobility evaluate the entrance from Pleasant Street to Flag Street for potential road narrowing to slow vehicle speeds.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rivera introduced an order requesting the Committee on Municipal Operations to consider amending Council rules to commence all meetings at 5:30 PM, with public participation strictly conducted from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM:

• Proponents emphasized that establishing a predictable one-hour window would allow the Council to conduct official business in a timely manner rather than extending sessions past midnight.

• Opponents expressed concern that an earlier start time would disenfranchise working residents, commuting commuters, and parents who cannot arrive by 5:30 PM.

• Councilor King exercised Council privilege to hold the item for one week.

• Outcome: Held under privilege.

Councilor Economou requested emergency repairs to a 10-to-12-inch curb drop-off and damaged street apron at the intersection of King Philip Road and Marmion Avenue, noting delays linked to utility work by Eversource.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

The Council evaluated an order requesting a report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute's mandate requiring incoming first- and second-year students to live on campus beginning in Fall 2026:

• Councilor Economou raised concerns that the policy would harm neighborhood property owners who invested in student apartments, impact local small businesses along Highland and Grove Streets, and affect hotel properties acquired by the university.

• The City Manager confirmed that the city has no regulatory authority over university housing rules. He reported that two hotels acquired by WPI continue to operate as commercial hotels, paying full real estate, hotel, and meals taxes, with no active transition to dormitories.

• Councilor King and Councilor Bilotta noted that shifting students to campus dormitories could free up housing units for local families amidst low citywide rental vacancy rates (around 3% to 4%).

• Outcome: Passed 11-0.

Councilor Rivera requested that the Department of Public Works replace an uneven asphalt sidewalk patch with standard concrete in front of 2 Biltmore Road.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Fresolo requested a report on the feasibility of engaging private contractors to eliminate a backlog of more than 200 dead or hazardous city trees awaiting removal:

• The City Manager stated that tree removal funding fluctuates and is typically addressed through free cash allocations, which the administration plans to present to Council within the month.

• The City Solicitor outlined municipal liability standards, stating that the presence of a tree on a removal list does not automatically establish city liability for storm or wind damage without a showing of municipal negligence.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Fresolo requested an update regarding the redevelopment of the former St. Vincent Hospital nurses' dormitory on Providence Street into affordable senior housing:

• The City Manager reported that the designated developer is conducting due diligence, assembling project financing, and planning environmental abatement.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Fresolo requested that the Department of Public Works evaluate installing maintenance-free artificial turf rather than grass loam along narrowed street intersections currently being rebuilt on Massasoit Road from Rice Square to Sunderland Road.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Fresolo requested that the Department of Public Works prioritize resurfacing the deteriorated section of Vernon Street between Windham Street and 5th Avenue during the current paving season.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Toomey requested that MassDOT update directional signage on Interstate 190 and Belmont Street to remove references to defunct institutions, including Becker College.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Economou requested an evaluation by the Department of Transportation and Mobility regarding potential locations to reintroduce on-street parking along Burncoat Street following recent roadway reconfigurations.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rivera requested the administration pursue available federal grant programs to address environmental remediation and sustainability needs across the city.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rivera introduced an amended order requesting repairs to three stormwater outfalls along Olean Street that discharge runoff and sediment into Cook's Pond.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rivera requested a report evaluating the installation of rain gardens at the intersection of Circuit Avenue West and Gates Lane to manage local stormwater.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Rosen introduced an order seeking legal and administrative guidance on whether the city has authority to regulate or prohibit Amazon MK30 package delivery drones operating from a regional distribution facility in Westborough into Worcester:

• Councilors discussed concerns regarding residential privacy, noise, property liability, and potential impacts on local retail and logistics workforces.

• Councilors King and Mitra added amendments requesting data on workforce displacement and recommendations for local artificial intelligence and drone ordinances.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Mayor Petty requested an administrative report and outreach plan regarding the discontinuance of private Medicare Advantage plans by insurers such as UMass Memorial Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield, which affects an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Worcester seniors:

• Councilor King amended the order to include specific outreach strategies for unhoused and chronically unsheltered individuals vulnerable to losing healthcare benefits.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Bilotta requested a comprehensive report detailing DPW street sweeping schedules, operational protocols, and request procedures for targeted business corridors.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Bilotta requested that the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery institute monthly cleaning and maintenance of the Hamilton Street median.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Mitra requested the creation and placement of "Welcome to Worcester, Heart of the Commonwealth" and "Leaving Worcester, Come Back Soon" gateway signs at all major municipal border crossings:

• Councilor King opposed the order, stating the Council had recently declined to fund immigrant safety signage citing lack of funds.

• Outcome: Passed 10-1 (Councilor King voting Nay).

Councilor Mitra requested an inventory of municipal assets, equipment, facilities, and personnel following the organizational division of the Department of Public Works into distinct departments for Transportation and Mobility, Parks, and Water and Sewer Operations.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Ojeda requested an update on invasive plant overgrowth and fluctuating water levels at Elm Park Pond, including timelines for environmental permits required from the Conservation Commission.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Bergman requested information on the parameters and evaluation metrics of the 90-day trial for newly installed four-way stop signs at June, Brownell, and Hadwin Streets:

• The City Manager noted that the traffic order had already been formally ordained following committee review, but agreed to provide a data report on neighborhood traffic counts and speeds.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor King introduced an order directing the administration to consult with outreach workers and individuals with lived experience to establish performance metrics for recurrent trash cleanup sweeps, 311 service requests, and connections to housing services.

• Outcome: Adopted and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor King requested the development of clear municipal guidance distinguishing when businesses and residents should contact 311 versus 911 for dysregulated or unhoused individuals in non-emergency situations:

• The City Manager stated that emergencies and criminal activity require 911 dispatch, while non-emergencies are routed to 311 during business hours or co-response clinical teams.

• The Council added amendments requesting a public education campaign and tracked metrics on call response times.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Bergman proposed scheduling two separate Worcester Police Department recruit academy classes to graduate before the conclusion of calendar year 2027, utilizing FY27 and FY28 funding to address patrol staffing shortages and anticipated retirements:

• The City Manager indicated that academy training and extensive background checks span roughly seven months, and that committing FY28 funds before budget adoption requires detailed fiscal analysis.

• Councilor King offered an amendment requesting a full feasibility and cost-impact report from the Chief Financial Officer and Police Chief.

• Outcome: Adopted as amended and referred to the City Manager.

Councilor Fresolo introduced a resolution commending MassDOT District 3 Highway Director Barry J. Lorion for expediting the repaving of McKeon Road beneath the Interstate 290 overpass.

• Outcome: Passed 11-0.

The Council adopted routine administrative filings:

• Communications from the City Manager regarding boards and commissions were accepted (Items 14A-14F).

• City Council committee reports were accepted and adopted (Items 15A-15B).

• Proposed ordinances were ordered advertised (Item 16A) and additional board communications were accepted (Items 16B-16T).

• Outcome: Adopted.

Under suspension of the rules, Councilor Economou recognized four Worcester Public Schools—Francis J. McGrath Elementary School, Midland Street School, Worcester Arts Magnet School, and Columbus Park School—for achieving state recognition by ranking in the 20th percentile statewide for growth in English Language Arts and Mathematics.