CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:13 P.

Adjourned:  11:08 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Robert Cote

                                     Adams Square Baptist Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL  - All present except Councillor Abraham who arrived at 7:20 P.M.

 

HEARINGS AND ORDERS – 7:00 P.M.

 

          4 – Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 9-0 (Abraham absent) Hearing held

 

4.       MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  MURRAY AVE.  (Attachments)

 

          5 & 6 Hearings held

 

5.       VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for pole relocation on:  CAMP ST.  (Attachments)

 

6.       NSTAR for gas main location on:  SALISBURY ST. (Attachments)

 

          4a – Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 9-0 (Abraham absent) Order adopted

 

4a.     Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  MURRAY AVE.

 

          5a & 6a Orders Adopted

 

5a.     Granting permission to VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for pole relocation on:  CAMP ST.

 

6a.     Granting permission to NSTAR for gas main location on:  SALISBURY ST.

 

7.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

7a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          8-11 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

8.       Carolyn & Sam Gordon request sidewalk repair in front of 41 Ellis Dr.  (Attachments)

 

9.       Mayor Timothy Murray on behalf of Helen Pritsoulis request sidewalk repair at 95 Sussex Lane.  (Attachments)

 

10.     Raymond Mariano, Executive Director, Worcester Housing Authority request resurfacing of entire length of Haven Lane.  (Attachments)

 

11.     Attorney Samuel DeSimone on behalf of Mercer Properties request to enter City of Worcester drainage system from 1 Envelope Terrace to Shrewsbury St.   (Attachments)

 

11a.   Councillor Philip Palmieri request sidewalk repair at 12 & 20 Atlanta St.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

          (Attachments)

 

          12-19 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

12.     Pablo Torres & Monserrate Pacheco request handicap parking in front of 84 Murray Ave.  (Attachments)

 

13.     Michael Madulka request installation of a traffic/pedestrian light at 193 Lake Ave. to a slow traffic traveling north and south and allow a visible site for crossing.   (Attachments)

 

14.     Victor Bovenzi request handicap parking at 6 Muskeego St. (Attachments)

 

15.     Robert Stevens request handicap parking in front of 4 Lund St. (Attachments)

 

16.     Chris Weber request to designate two of the existing diagonal parking spaces on Chandler St. at the Jesse Burkett field as handicapped.  (Attachments)

 

17.     Chris Weber request to remove diagonal parking spaces on Chandler St. at the Jesse Burkett field that may be blocking driveway access.  (Attachments)

 

18.     Chris Weber request installation of crosswalk on Chandler St. at Jesse Burkett field.  (Attachments)

 

19.     Chris Weber request installation of fluorescent Playground signs in both directions on Chandler St. at the Jesse Burkett field.  (Attachments)

 

          20-24 – 20-23 Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 7-0 (Palmieri, Patton, Perotto absent) HEARINGS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2003 – 7:00 P.M.

 

20.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  GROVE ST.  (Attachments)

 

21.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  KINGSBURY ST.  (Attachments)

 

22.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  LINCOLN ST.  (Attachments)

 

23.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. for cable and conduit system on:  WELLINGTON ST.  (Attachments)

 

24.     VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for conduit location on:  SALISBURY ST.  (Attachments)

 

25.     William S. Coleman, III request an opportunity to address City Council regarding petitions pending before the Sub-Committee on Legislative Affairs.  (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

         

25a.   Request Administration to review the lot lines and the impact the development on Randolph Rd. might have on park land.  Motion-Palmieri @ #17C CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25b.   Request City Manager to report on the status of the concept of a Design Review Board and whether it could be a part of the updated zoning regulations.  Motion-Lukes @ #17C CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25c.   Request City Manager to communicate with the Mayor of Springfield and report monthly on the progress of the Canadian Drug Plan, including what type of savings are taking place and what the FDA has to say about this program.  Motion-Clancy @ #14A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25d.   Request City Manager, beginning in October, to provide a monthly report as to the number of tickets issued, by department, relative to the illegal dumping ordinances.   Motion-Murray @ #15D CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25e.   Request City Manager report as to whether Worcester Police who patrol Lake Quinsigamond can enforce State noise laws.  Motion-Irish @ #15G CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25f.    Request City Manager to work with area colleges to assess what the City has and what will be needed for a telecommunications system for government buildings, both on the school side and the City side.  Motion-Petty @ #15H CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25g.   Request City Manager report to City Council when the steering committee is formed for the telecommunications master plan as to who is on the committee and to also keep City Council apprised periodically as to the progress of development of the plan.  Motion-Haller @ #15H CM – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

25h.   Request City Manager to add the Telecommunications Master Plan to the monthly economic development report.  Motion-Petty @ #15H CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25i.    Request City Manager report if a restrictive clause regarding cell towers can be added to approval of the zone change at 442 Southwest Cutoff.  Further, request report as to whether the City has in place an ordinance restricting the number of towers on a square foot site.  Motion-Clancy @ #17A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25j.    Request City Manager report as to which City buildings have backup generators and could those generators survive a blackout.  Motion-Lukes @ #18A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25k.   Request City Manager to provide City Council, within one month, with an update on the MOC sewer project along Cambridge St. and Newton Square.   Motion-Murray @ #23C CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25L.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with an analysis of what the City would receive in tax revenue if the City could tax the potential 1,600,000 square feet of commercial development and the 800 residential units east of Millbury St. and in the Granite St. area and would that be sufficient to pay back the bond.  Motion-Murray @ #23E CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25m.  Request Administration bring to City Council’s attention any problem with the plan of access to Union Station before the 45 days, if necessary.  Motion-Lukes @ #23F CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25n.   That $10,000.00 be transferred from Account #91C716, Union Station holding account and appropriated to Account #04C704, Union Station project account for the purpose of constructing an island break at Washington Square and Front St. as recommended by the Commissioner of Public Works.  Motion-Irish @ #23F CM – Adopted on a roll call 11-0 – Reconsideration denied on a roll call 0-11  (Attachments)

 

25o.   Request City Manager to recommend a funding appropriation on the September 30, 2003 Calendar to allow yard waste drop off sites to open on Sunday for the months of October and November.  Motion-Murray @ #23G CM – Adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Abraham absent)   (Attachments)

 

25p.   Request Police and Fire Departments to report as to what type of interference is created on public safety radios by multiple cell towers on one site.   Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25q.   Request City Manager to remove an abandoned vehicle from in front of 9 Ormond St. and enforcement of parking regulations relative to proximity to driveways. Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

25r.    Request Administration to check for illegal dumping on Farber Field.  Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25s.   Request Administration to report on the status of 722 Plantation St. and how property was disposed of.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

25t.    Request City Manager to request the School Department report on trees that were cut down on the former Indian Hill parcel.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

RESOLUTION

 

25u.   That the City Council hereby congratulates Jose Rivera as the new Welterweight Champion of the World.   Perotto – Suspension of Rules - Adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Abraham absent) (Attachments)

 

REPORT

 

25v.   REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to temporary entrance to Union Station from Washington Square:  recommend accept City Manager traffic configuration “A” with Administration reporting after 45 days of implementation and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.  Under Suspension of Rules Council accepted the Report of the Committee on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 5 Nays (Yea-Abraham, Gomez, Haller, Irish, Lukes, Petty) (Nay-Clancy, Palmieri, Patton, Perotto, Murray) (Attachments)

 

26.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

4. ASSESSORS:

         

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

6. CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

7. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Average Tenure of an Employee in the Communication Department, broken down by category. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to stART on the Street Festival 2003. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

9. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Senior Center Survey. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Elder Affairs Committee

 

B.      Request adoption of a resolution relative to New Tenants at the Senior Center. (Attachments)

 

          Resolution adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to the State of Massachusetts approving additional funding for Council on Aging grants across the state.  (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Elder Affairs Committee

 

10. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

 

12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13. FIRE:

 

14. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.      Communication relative to the Canadian Drug Plan. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

15. LAW:

 

A.      Communication relative to Advertising 18-21 Year Old Entry to Adult Entertainment. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Charter Communication obligation to update the 10:00 P.M. news on Cable Channel 3. (Attachments)

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

C.      Request City Council adoption authorizing the filing of special legislation which would allow the City to use “special process Servers” in lieu of Police Officers in Housing Court enforcement actions. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

D.      Request City Council adoption of four Ordinance Amendments concerning illegal dumping. (Attachments)

 

Voted to advertise proposed Ordinances on a roll call 11-0

 

E.      Communication relative to Copies of Legislation filed concerning reforms to the Cable Industry. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee

 

F.      Communication relative to a correction of the residential address of Mr. Carlos Cintron and an update on events relating to his failure to abide by the terms of his sentence for illegal dumping. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

G.      Request adoption of two amendments to the Revised Ordinances, which would regulate sound levels in the City of Worcester. (Attachments)

 

Voted to advertise proposed Ordinances on a roll call 9-0

(Abraham, Patton absent)

 

H.      Communication relative to a Telecommunications Master Plan. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

16. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

A.      Communication relative to Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission – License Application Fee Increase. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

17. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to a request for a Zone Change at 442 Southwest Cutoff. (Attachments)

 

Tabled

 

B.      Request to Amend the Zoning Ordinance. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Land Use Committee

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Burncoat Park (Randolph Rd. development).   (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Land Use Committee

 

18. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Back-Up Generator at the MNG  Facility at Green Hill Park. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to an Invitation to a Public Hearing – Bell Hill Playground. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Request adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for the Land and Water Conservation Fund/Urban s Self Help Program to acquire the K of C and the Fenton Parcels. (Attachments)

 

Resolution adopted – Also referred to Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee for informational purposes

 

19. POLICE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Monthly Report on the Categories of Complaints made on the Complaint Line. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Recommend that City Council accept with gratitude a donation from the Anti-defamation League to send a Worcester Police Officer to Washington, D.C. for a seminar on Extremist & Terrorist Threats. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted with gratitude

 

C.      Communication relative to Number of Arrests made with regard to prostitution by month for 2003. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

D.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to candidates for the position of Chief of Police.   (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

20. PUBLIC HEALTH:

 

A.      Communication relative to Efforts Made to Improve the Outcome of Pregnancies of Worcester Residents. . (Attachments)

 

Referred to Health Committee

 

21. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

22. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

23. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Grimewatch Program – July 2003 Activity. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Brittan Square Municipal Parking Lot. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to Schedule and Scope of MOC Sewer project along Cambridge Street and Newton Square. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Requiring Leaves to be Bagged During Leaf Collection Period. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to Granite Street Area Infrastructure Study. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

F.      Communication relative to an Alternate Configuration to provide access to Union Station from Washington Square. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

G.      Communication relative to Opening Yard Waste Sites on Sundays. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

H.      Communication relative to news conference held regarding Kane “A” and “B” segments of the Route 146 Project. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

24. PURCHASING:

 

25. TECHNICAL SERVICES:

 

26. TREASURY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Payroll Process Flowchart. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

27. VETERANS SERVICES:

 

28. FINANCE:

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

TABLED ITEMS

 

27.     Communication of the Manager relative to the address for Carlos Cintron.  (Tabled August 12, 2003)  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and placed on file

 

28.     REPORT OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Robert Picking requesting to change RS-7 zoned part of property at 442 Southwest Cutoff to ML-0.5.  (Tabled September 9, 2003)  (Attachments)

 

          No Action Taken

 

29.     REPORT OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Joe Boynton & Members of the Planning Board requesting to amend Article IV, Section 7A(1), Article V, Section 2A, Article V, Table 5.1, Article IV, Table 4.2 and Table 4.4 of the Zoning Ordinance.  (Tabled September 9, 2003) (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and referred to Land Use Committee

 

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

SEPTEMBER 15, 2003    PUBLIC SERVICE &       COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:30 P.M.                   TRANSPORTATION

 

 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2003           TRAFFIC &              COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.                           PARKING

 

 

SEPTEMBER 22, 2003         MUNICIPAL               COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:30 P.M.                       OPERATIONS

 

 

SEPTEMBER 29, 2003   PUBLIC SERVICE &       COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:30 P.M.                  TRANSPORTATION