Executive Summary
The Worcester City Council reconvened on June 9, 2026, to address the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget and various municipal orders. A significant portion of the meeting involved Councilor Khrystian King holding the FY 2027 budget under privilege until the next meeting. The Council also voted to move the start time of the June 16th meeting to 4:00 PM to accommodate a heavy agenda. Major discussions focused on public safety, including tree inspection backlogs, the regulation of e-bikes and scooters, and the procurement of a police patrol boat for Flint Pond. Additionally, the Council passed a resolution supporting State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's authority to audit the state legislature.
Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order as a reconvened session from June 2, 2026. Attendance:
- Present: Mayor Joseph Petty, Councilors Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, and Toomey.
- Absent at Roll Call: Councilor Bilotta (arrived later).
Official Action: The Council voted to take up items 33D and 33E collectively.
- Vote Outcome: 10-0 (Councilor Bilotta absent).
Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
The Council considered the recommendation for approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget as presented by the City Manager.
- Action: Councilor Khrystian King exercised his right to hold the budget under privilege. The item will be taken up at the next meeting.
- Discussion: Councilor Bergman requested that department heads be available for questioning during the final budget vote. The City Manager agreed to coordinate their availability.
Meeting Schedule Amendment
Councilor Economou moved to change the start time of the June 16, 2026, meeting to 4:00 PM due to the volume of business.
- Discussion: Councilor King opposed the change due to professional clinical obligations. Councilor Ojeda also noted an inability to arrive by 4:00 PM.
- Vote to meet at 4:00 PM:
- Yes (8): Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Mayor Petty.
- No (2): King, Ojeda.
- Absent (1): Bilotta.
- Outcome: Motion passed.
Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement
The Council addressed several items related to traffic calming and law enforcement:
- Item 10B: Requested increased speed and traffic enforcement at Burncoat Street and Clark Street. (Adopted)
- Item 10D: Requested enforcement against illegal dirt bike use in the Burncoat Street neighborhood. (Adopted)
- Item 10N: Requested the City Manager meet with MassDOT regarding traffic calming on Grove Street. (Adopted)
- Item 26I: Requested a report on the 'saturation point' for speed bumps and their impact on neighboring streets. (Adopted)
- Item 26K: Councilor Toomey requested a report on potential ordinances or bylaws to regulate e-bikes, scooters, and unicycles, citing safety concerns on sidewalks. (Adopted as amended)
Infrastructure and Public Works
Key infrastructure items included:
- Item 26E (Tree Inspections): Councilor Fresolo raised concerns regarding the backlog of tree inspection requests, noting some residents wait over a year for action. He requested a report on response times and metrics. Councilor King added a friendly amendment to analyze the use of private contractors for this work. (Adopted as amended)
- Item 26H: Councilor Economou requested that city contracts include language requiring work started in one season (e.g., sidewalk repairs) be completed within that same season to avoid safety hazards like those on Park Ave. (Adopted)
- Item 25A: Councilor Rosen requested the removal of 'decaying, rusty, and decrepit' industrial railroad cars behind the Walmart on Tobias Boland Way. (Adopted)
Economic Development and Housing
The Council discussed several matters impacting the downtown area and housing costs:
- Item 10I: Councilor Rosen requested a report on actions the city can take to address high rents, while expressing opposition to rent control ballot initiatives. (Adopted)
- Item 10K: Discussion regarding GBH News moving into the Worcester Public Library. The City Manager clarified there is no lease or free rent agreement; GBH may rent space like any other organization. (Filed)
- Item 10R: Requested a survey of the Downtown Business Improvement District regarding the sufficiency of public restrooms. (Adopted as amended)
School Department and Financial Matters
The Council reviewed school-related contracts and financial updates:
- Items 13A & 13B: Authorized three-year contract extensions for Parent Square ($350,070.80) and Custom Computers/Infinite Campus ($1.358 million).
- Vote: Approved. Councilor King abstained, citing a need for more information on the impact on net school spending.
- Item 22.26A/B: Financial updates for periods ending March 31 and April 30, 2026, were referred to the Municipal Operations Committee.
Resolutions and State Legislative Support
The Council took action on state-level and health-related resolutions:
- Item 12H: Resolution supporting State Auditor Diana DiZoglio in her efforts to audit the state legislature (Question 1). Councilor Rivera amended the motion to include a letter to Governor Healey requesting a veto of House Bill 5469.
- Roll Call Vote: 11-0 (All Yes).
- ALS Awareness: A resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month was adopted unanimously via roll call.