City Council 04/28/2026

• Date: April 28, 2026
• Governing Body: Worcester City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Mayor Joseph 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 (Arrived late)
  • City Manager

• Idella (Worcester): Spoke on Item 7A regarding the Central Mass Health Links. Expressed urgency due to recent overdoses on Coral and Grafton Streets, stating, "Human lives we're talking about... while we're waiting for stakeholders, we are losing people."
• Gary Hunter: Supported Item 7A and opposed Item 18A (marijuana rollback). He also advocated for rent stabilization.
• Mauro DiPasquale (WCCA-TV): Spoke on Item 16J, advocating for increased funding for public access media to promote local voices and career pathways.
• Cara Goodyear (Treasurer, SEIU 509): Spoke on Item 7A, emphasizing that CHL is a "lifeline" for thousands and warned against program disruptions for dual-diagnosis clients.
• Ariana Power (Former CHL Employee): Highlighted the risk to hundreds of staff jobs and the "ripple effect" on emergency rooms and shelters if services are disrupted.
• Thomasina Levake (CHL Worker): Insisted that "no deal should be approved without the caregivers staying in their positions."
• Livia Keller (CHL Employee): Provided data on shrinking services, noting the detox program capacity dropped from 26 to 12 beds due to staff uncertainty.
• Tracy Novick (Worcester): Discussed Union Station trains (16C) and the WRRB report (20A), advocating for trip lengths competitive with driving times.
• Tom Marino (Worcester): Criticized the Council's handling of the stretch code (8.4B) as "stunning incompetence."
• David Webb: Supported Item 7A and criticized the use of ShotSpotter (9A) and the legal handling of the stretch code (27C).
• Jenny Papagni (Worcester): Petitioned for streetlights (14I, 14J) near 16 Kelly Square and Milbury Street due to safety concerns for elderly residents.

The Council considered a resolution to support UMass Memorial Health in immediately convening stakeholders—including municipal government, state government, and SEIU union representation—to discuss a transition plan for Community Health Link (CHL) services.

• Key Discussion: Councilor King emphasized the intersection of public safety and public health, noting the reduction in substance abuse treatment beds. Councilor Rosen expressed distrust of UMass Memorial's financial claims and insisted on maintaining services.
• Action: The resolution was adopted.
• Vote Outcome: 11-0 (Unanimous).
  • Yes: Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty.

The Council discussed supporting state legislation aimed at increasing the number of primary care physicians in Massachusetts.

• Key Discussion: Councilor Rosen noted that only 5% of medical graduates enter primary care. The Council heard testimony from health experts regarding three legislative bills intended to address this shortage.
• Action: Motion to accept and adopt.
• Vote Outcome: 10-0-1.
  • Yes: Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty.
  • Recused: Bergman.

Councilor Toomey requested a report concerning the current process for mental health-related emergencies and the integration of clinicians with the Worcester Police Department (WPD).

• Key Discussion: Councilor King requested specific data on diversion from arrests and inpatient outcomes. The City Manager noted that while some co-response work continues, CHL is not currently involved due to certification issues (CBHC) and ongoing litigation.
• Action: Request sent to the City Manager.
• Vote Outcome: 11-0 (Unanimous).

The Council reviewed a detailed report on the 2025-2026 Winter Operations.

• Financials: The city spent over $10 million on snow removal for 79.4 inches of snow, compared to $5.6 million for 91.9 inches in 2017-2018.
• Key Findings:
  • Need for higher pay scales for private contractors to remain competitive with MassDOT.
  • Recommendation to replace three deteriorated salt storage facilities and add a fourth on the west side.
  • Implementation of in-house CDL training to address staffing shortages.
• Action: Report referred to committee.

The Council considered a resolution to go on record in opposition to a November state ballot question seeking to roll back recreational marijuana legislation.

• Key Discussion: Councilor Rosen highlighted the $8 billion in gross sales and $1 billion in taxes generated statewide. Councilor King noted the impact on criminal justice reform. Councilors Bergman and Toomey expressed concerns regarding health impacts on youth and addiction.
• Action: Resolution adopted.
• Vote Outcome: 9-0-2.
  • Yes: Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Petty.
  • Abstain: Bergman, Toomey.

The Council reviewed an administration recommendation to maintain the current prohibition on residential chickens.

• Key Discussion: The City Manager and Commissioner of Inspectional Services cited concerns over rodent populations, noise, and the administrative burden of a special permit process. Councilor King argued that other cities like Boston successfully manage chicken ordinances.
• Action: Motion to file (supporting the administration's recommendation to maintain the ban).
• Vote Outcome: 9-2.
  • Yes: Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty.
  • No: King, Ojeda.

The City Manager provided a report regarding the proposed pause in the enforcement of the Specialized Stretch Code.

• Legal Finding: The City Solicitor and the State confirmed that under Massachusetts General Law, once a municipality adopts the Specialized Stretch Code, it cannot be rescinded or paused for a period of three years.
• Key Discussion: Councilor Bergman expressed frustration over inaccurate information provided during the initial adoption. Councilor King noted that housing permits actually increased by 44% post-adoption, though the Commissioner noted a 16% drop in new residential permits specifically.
• Action: Item placed on file.

• Item 21A: Adopted a resolution for a certified project designation and tax agreement for Resource Center Worcester, LLC (11-0).
• Item 27B: Approved a Housing Development Certified Project/TIF amendment for 39 Green Island Boulevard, transferring the project from Madison Properties to GFI Partners (11-0).
• Item 15.36E: Transferred $37,087.17 from Damage Settlements to the Police Department for vehicle repairs. Councilor King's motion for a comprehensive accident report passed 7-4.