City Council 09/29/2026

Executive Summary

At its September 29, 2026 meeting, the Worcester City Council reviewed significant municipal initiatives, most notably an extensive presentation and discussion regarding the Burncoat Middle and High School building project, which carries an estimated cost of up to $640 million split with the MSBA and could require substantial future tax levy increases. The Council addressed public safety staffing challenges and traffic enforcement with the Police Chief, as well as an operational update regarding non-functioning fire hydrants with the Fire Chief. Multiple orders related to public health and homelessness were debated, including proposals to implement public restrooms, during which Item 10G was held following a disputed procedural vote.

Call to Order, Ceremonial Observances, and Roll Call

Mayor Petty called the meeting of the Worcester City Council to order on September 29, 2026.
A moment of silence was held for Paul Giorgio.
Roll call was conducted. Present: Councilor Bergman, Councilor Bilotta, Councilor Economou, Councilor Fresolo, Councilor King, Councilor Mitra, Councilor Ojeda, Councilor Rivera, Councilor Rosen, Councilor Toomey, and Mayor Petty.

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 15, 2026.
Passed 11-0.

Hold Request on Tax Increment Financing for Franklin Street (Item 10H)

Councilor King requested to hold Item 10H (TIF for Franklin Street) for a second time, requiring four votes under Council rules.
Passed 11-0 to hold Item 10H.

Proclamation: Week Without Driving

Mayor Petty proclaimed October 1 through October 8, 2026, as "Week Without Driving in Worcester, Massachusetts."
Councilor Bilotta read a statement on behalf of WalkBike Worcester emphasizing that 16% of Worcester residents are non-drivers, with some areas as high as 38%, and urged elected officials to take a pledge and support multi-modal transportation.

Public Participation

A member of the public raised concerns regarding broken fire hydrants across the city (Item 8.12), anticipated police retirements following the death of Officer Solomon (Item 8.13C), and urged strict enforcement of the noise ordinance (Item 10A).
A member of the public supported tenant summits (Item 10D), opposed TIF for Optiline (Item 10H), and emphasized the critical need for public bathrooms (Items 10F and 10G) and shelters/services for the homeless (Items 10O through 10U).
A member of the public spoke on public bathrooms and homelessness, noting automated restrooms with 10-minute limits as a potential model and stating that living on the street is a "choice of last resort."
A member of the public criticized the Council's record on homelessness and Council divisiveness.
A member of the public requested that Esper Avenue and Midgley Avenue be converted to public roads due to extreme erosion, 20-foot by 20-foot potholes, and lack of emergency vehicle access.
A member of the public spoke in favor of Councilor King's orders (Items 10F through 10U), noting that Worcester has over 1,100 unhoused individuals and fewer than 200 adult shelter beds, urging investments in permanent supportive housing.
Thomas Duffy, President of NEPBA Local 911 (Police Patrolman's Union), addressed Item 8.13C, stating that the department has worked without a contract for over a year and is down over 75 officers. He noted that over the past 365 days, 819 prisoners were brought to hospitals, pulling officers off the street for 9,430 hours.
John Haynes Honeycutt of NeighborLinks proposed a decentralized infrastructure initiative to share revenue with the city.
A member of the public commented on the unsafe conditions at the Queen Street homeless shelter and advocated on behalf of Project Priceless.
A remote speaker supported citizen petitions regarding the ADA transition plan (Item 7M), e-bike regulations (Item 8.11), and expressed concerns about police accountability and retirements.
A remote speaker opposed Item 7H regarding parking restrictions on Mill Street and supported public restrooms.
Echo Toussaint Collins commented on e-bike safety, stating that UMass Memorial reported treating 3 to 5 e-bike and scooter trauma cases weekly, mostly between the ages of 8 and 18, and encouraged an educational campaign for youth and caregivers.
A member of the public reiterated the request for Esper Avenue and Midgley Avenue to be converted into public ways.

Petitions: Midgley Avenue and Esper Avenue Public Way Requests (Items 7A and 7B)

Petitions requesting Midgley Avenue and Esper Avenue become public streets were referred to Traffic and the Planning Board.
Passed 11-0.

Batch Referral of Petitions (Items 7C through 7L)

Item 7C referred to Public Works.
Items 7D through 7H referred to Traffic and Parking.
Item 7I referred to Veterans Memorials, Parks and Recreation.
Items 7J through 7L set a hearing date of October 6, 2026, for joint pole locations on Coes Pond Road, Lincoln Street, and Bauer Street.
Passed 11-0.

Petition: Update on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan (Item 7M)

Petition requesting City Council request the City Manager provide an update concerning the City of Worcester Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan and the process relative to how it is monitored.
Councilor Bilotta noted he had requested this report six months prior. The City Manager indicated work is ongoing internally and he will follow up with department heads to establish a timeline.
Motion to refer Item 7M to the City Manager.
Passed 11-0.

Appointments to the Advisory Commission on Youth (Item 8.232A)

Recommended appointments of Echo Toussaint Collins and Sharon Boateng to the Advisory Commission on Youth.
Passed 11-0.

Regulations Pertaining to E-Scooters and E-Bikes (Item 8.11A)

Transmitting information and communication concerning regulations pertaining to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes.
Councilor Ojeda and the Police Chief discussed helmet enforcement for operators under 16, with the Chief emphasizing that education is prioritized over citations. The City Manager and Chief agreed to explore grants or partnerships (such as with UMass Medical) to equip cruiser sergeants with helmets to distribute.
Councilor Toomey requested that the administration incorporate an earlier approved order from June 9 regarding regulatory bylaws and enforcement.
Motion to refer Item 8.11A to Traffic and Parking.
Passed 11-0.

Identification, Repair, and Markings of Non-Functioning Fire Hydrants (Item 8.12B)

Transmitting information and communication relative to the identification, repair, and markings of non-functioning fire hydrants.
Fire Chief Dyer reported that out of 6,084 hydrants in the city, 39 are currently out of service (under 1%). He noted that hydrants with out-of-service black bonnets are logged in the Water Department work order system and mapped directly onto iPads in all fire apparatus, allowing dispatchers and responding units to establish redundancy through alternate hydrants or apparatus tanks.
Chief Dyer detailed that repairs often involve main shutoffs and are coordinated with larger road resurfacing projects to avoid multiple disruptions.
Councilor King requested an order for data on DPW's maintenance program and the tiering of hydrant repairs based on risk.
Councilor Ojeda raised specific concerns regarding three hydrants out of service for around a year in District 4 (including May Street and Beacon Street).
Councilor Rosen and Councilor King asked about fire apparatus navigating speed humps versus speed cushions; Chief Dyer noted speed cushions can also be difficult to align at speed during emergency responses. Councilor King requested a report comparing speed humps versus speed cushions.
Motion to refer the item to Public Safety along with the requested reports.
"The ayes have it."

Language Translation Services Used by the Worcester Fire Department (Item 8.12A)

Transmitting information and communication related to the language translation services used by the Worcester Fire Department.
Councilor Mitra highlighted the app utilizing 290 languages. The City Manager confirmed that while this initiative was integrated onto Fire Department iPads, language line translation services managed by the DEI department are available to all municipal employees.
Motion to refer Item 8.12A to Public Safety.
"The ayes have it."

Police Department Traffic Enforcement Measures and Retirement Projections (Items 8.13A and 8.13C)

Transmitting information and communication relative to traffic enforcement measures (Item 8.13A) and Worcester Police Department retirement projections (Item 8.13C).
Councilor Toomey recused herself from Items 8.13A and 8.13C.
Key discussion points included:
- The Traffic Division handled 1,466 traffic complaint assignments and issued 4,508 citations year-to-date, but is down 5 senior officers to retirement alongside broader departmental shortages.
- Department authorized staffing currently stands at 478. Chief stated his target goal is 538 officers to implement a 4-day on, 4-day off 10-hour shift schedule with 55 officers per shift and 20 per route.
- Approximately 140 officers are eligible for retirement by 2027 (at age 55 with 32 years of service).
- Recruitment efforts include expanding civil service age caps (32 to 39 years old), lateral transfers (7 brought over), and a planned January recruit class targeting 43 seats.
- Councilor King requested orders concerning evidence-based research on "ghost vehicles" (unoccupied patrol vehicles as deterrents) and feasibility for a hybrid pedestrian beacon on Lake Avenue.
- Councilor Rosen inquired about police department accreditation; the Chief responded that compliance work is ongoing with an aim for full accreditation within the year.
- Councilor King requested a report on restructuring cadet program models after the prior program was disbanded.
Motion to refer Items 8.13A and 8.13C to Public Safety with the requested reports.
"The ayes have it."

Police Department Drone Usage Reports (Item 8.13B)

Transmitting information and communication relative to quarterly reports of drone usage.
Councilor Toomey recused herself.
Motion to refer Item 8.13B to Public Safety.
"The ayes have it."

Burncoat Middle and High School Building Project (Item 8.22A)

Transmitting information and communication relative to the Burncoat School Building Project.
Jim Bedard (Chief of Public Facilities) and Russ Adams (Director of Capital Projects) briefed Council on the Preliminary Design Program (PDP) scheduled for a vote by the School Building Committee to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
Eight conceptual options were presented, ranging from base repairs to combined new construction. The estimated cost for a new co-located middle and high school (serving 2,125 students) is $635 million to $640 million.
Assuming a 50-50 cost split with the MSBA, the city's debt service would reach roughly $30 million annually at maximum borrowing.
CFO McGurthy and City Manager Batista advised that to finance the debt, the city is contemplating an allocation from the unused tax levy capacity ($15 million) in the FY28 budget alongside $7.5 million from free cash to forward-fund a reserve/stabilization account.
McGurthy presented the projected annual household tax impact of a $15 million levy allocation based on current rates:
- Average single-family residential: $192 per year ($48 per quarter).
- Average three-family residential: $283 per year ($70 per quarter).
- Average apartment property: $824 per year ($206 per quarter).
- Average Commercial/Industrial/Personal (CIP) property: $1,345 per year ($336 per quarter).
- Median CIP property: $500 per year ($125 per quarter).
Motion to refer Item 8.22A to the Education Committee.
"The ayes have it."

Appropriations and Financial Items (Items 8.35A-D, 8.36A-D, 8.37A-C)

Councilor Fresolo highlighted Item 8.36C, recommending $21,000 from Community Fund Gate Fees to fund a traffic study regarding restricting tractor-trailer traffic on Lake Avenue and Hamilton Street.
Councilor King questioned the status of district-based advisory committees to disperse gate fee funds.
Motion to adopt Items 8.35A through D, 8.36A through D, and 8.37A through C on roll call.
Passed 11-0.

Ordinance Enactments (Item 9A)

Ordaining of proposed ordinance.
Passed 11-0.

Draft Ordinance Increasing Fines for Excessive Noise Violations (Item 10A)

Order requesting the City Solicitor provide City Council with a draft ordinance amending the city's noise ordinance by increasing fines associated with violations of excessive noise.
Councilor Toomey recused herself.
Councilor King opposed the order, calling it a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated property on Lincoln Street without citywide data showing an uptick in violations.
Councilors Economou, Bilotta, Rivera, and Bergman argued that noise complaints are pervasive across multiple districts and defended increased fines as a necessary tool.
Motion to adopt Item 10A.
Passed 9-1 (Roll call: Councilor King voting No; Councilor Toomey recused).

Public Hearing Requirements for One-Day Event Licenses (Item 10B)

Order requesting the City Manager review the feasibility of requiring public hearings before the License Commission for all one-day event license applications, with abutter notices sent to the vicinity.
Councilor Toomey recused herself.
Councilor King voiced concern that requiring abutter notifications and hearings would place unnecessary bureaucratic and financial burdens on organizers of community cultural events.
Motion by Councilor Rosen to file the item.
Passed 7-3 to file (Roll call: Councilors Bergman, Economou, and Mitra voting No; Councilor Toomey recused).

Feasibility of Staffing Two Police Officers Per Patrol Route (Item 10C)

Order requesting the City Manager provide a report detailing the feasibility of increasing Police Department personnel to ensure staffing of two officers per route, including cost and operational analyses.
Councilor Toomey recused herself.
Motion to adopt Item 10C as amended to include evidence-based research.
"The ayes have it."

Inaugural Homeowner and Tenant Summit (Item 10D)

Order requesting the City Manager request the Chief Development Officer coordinate with housing partners to establish a Tenant Summit educating residents on housing programs, benefits, and tenants' rights.
Councilors King, Rosen, and Bilotta signed on.
Adopted as amended.

Standardized Mitigation and Community Benefits Policy for New Developments (Item 10E)

Order requesting the City Manager establish a development policy standardizing mitigation and community benefits for new developments.
Councilors King, Rosen, and Bilotta signed on.
Adopted as amended.

Public Bathroom Maintenance and Monitoring via Opioid Settlement Funds (Item 10F)

Order requesting the City Manager utilize opioid settlement funds to hire public bathroom monitoring and maintenance staff modeled after programs in Miami and New York City.
Motion to adopt Item 10F.
"The ayes have it."

Permanent and Temporary Public Restroom Locations in District 2 (Item 10G)

Order requesting the City Manager identify locations throughout the city, beginning in District 2, to create permanent public bathrooms and deploy temporary port-a-potties.
Councilor King offered an amendment specifying that the process include community and business interface and feedback.
Councilor Bergman moved a substitute amendment requesting the manager to "consider a process" before identifying specific locations to avoid conflicts with local businesses.
Council voted on Councilor King's amendment to Item 10G.
Failed 5-6 (Roll call: Councilors Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, and Toomey voting No).
When Councilor Bergman reintroduced his substitute amendment, Councilor King objected on a point of order that it was duplicative and moved to hold the item.
Roll call on the motion to hold Item 10G (requiring 4 votes):
Item held 4-7 (Roll call: Councilors Bilotta, Fresolo, King, and Ojeda voting Yes to hold; Councilors Bergman, Economou, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, and Mayor Petty voting No).

Pothole Repair on Orient Street (Item 10H / Subsequent Order)

Order requesting the Commissioner of Public Works fill potholes on Orient Street as soon as possible.
Adopted.

Pavement Repair on Bay State Road and Bellingham Road (Item 10I)

Order requesting the Commissioner of Public Works review and repair pavement around sunken manhole covers at Bay State Road and Bellingham Road.
Adopted.

Sidewalk Slab Emergency Repair at 2 Intervale Road (Item 10J)

Order requesting immediate emergency repair of unstable sidewalk slabs at 2 Intervale Road.
Adopted 11-0.

Traffic Safety Review Near Columbus Park Preparatory School (Item 10K)

Order requesting the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility report recommendations for safe pedestrian crossing on May Street and Lovell Street near Columbus Park Preparatory School.
Adopted 11-0.

Traffic Enforcement Near Worcester State University and May Street School (Item 10L)

Order requesting the Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement on Chandler Street and May Street to protect children and crossing guards.
Councilor Toomey recused herself.
Adopted 10-0 (Councilor Toomey recused).

Maintenance and Mowing Oversight at Doherty Memorial High School Parcel (Item 10M)

Order requesting the City Manager determine municipal or school department jurisdiction for clearing an overgrown plot adjacent to the new Doherty Memorial High School on Highland Street.
Adopted 11-0.

Homeless Strategic Plan, Day Resource Center, and Encampment Protocols (Items 10O, 10P, and 10R)

Orders requesting updates on the city's Homeless Strategic Plan including congregate/non-congregate shelters (Item 10O), a codified timeline on the Day Resource Center (Item 10P), and outreach protocols during state encampment sweeps (Item 10R).
Adopted 11-0.

Federal and State Earmark Advocacy for Homeless Services (Items 10Q and 10S)

Orders requesting updates on advocacy with federal representatives for funding (Item 10Q) and identifying state legislative earmarks for homeless services (Item 10S).
Councilor King called for an increase in clinicians and outreach workers within the Department of Health and Human Services without increasing the tax levy.
Adopted 11-0.

Municipal Identification Card Program Implementation (Item 10T)

Order requesting the Commissioner of Health and Human Services submit a report within 45 days regarding the implementation of a Worcester Municipal ID program, covering vendor models, eligibility verification, privacy protocols, and cost data.
Councilor Rivera and Councilor King amended the order to include verification mechanisms for unhoused individuals lacking standard documentation.
Adopted 11-0 as amended.

Public Archive and Reporting of Homeless Steering Committee (Item 10U)

Order requesting the Commissioner of Health and Human Services publish Homeless Steering Committee agendas, attendance, and notes monthly online, provide an annual report on goals, and urge the immediate appointment of all nine members to the Homeless Commission.
Adopted 11-0.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the City Council meeting.
Adopted 11-0.