CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 6:15 P.M.

Recessed: 6:18 PM
Reconvened: 7:30 PM
Adjourned: 7:50 PM

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Mayor Lukes read a proclamation declaring the week of June 4th as Literacy Week - Worcester the City that reads. Councilor Rosen presented the proclamation to School Committee member John F. Monfredo who spoke.

Mayor Lukes read a proclamation declaring the month of May as Community Action Month in Worcester. Councilor Haller presented the proclamation to Donna McGrath who spoke.

Stephen Campbell, Trustee of Hilltop Realty Trust, request to make public private portion of Fourth St.

Stephen Campbell, Trustee of Hilltop Realty Trust, request to make public Eastview Dr.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Richard Raskett request zone change at 1223-1267 Grafton St. and adjoining properties from BL-1.0 to RL-7.

Mary Zogas request repair/replacement of sidewalk in front of 785 Pleasant St.

Janet Paskauskas request abatement of street assessment #24558 in the amount of $6,334.92 in Diana St.

Susan LePage request abatement of street assessment #24568 in the amount of $5,130.45 in Waycross St.

Tuan Van Nguyen request abatement of street assessment #24527 in the amount of $9,457.38 in Roy St.

Wilfredo Santana, Jr. request sidewalk repair in front of 932b Main St.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Michael Arcure request sidewalk repair at 1 Rice Sq.

Richard Hollyer et al request private street maintenance in private portion of Brigham Rd.

Benedicta & Patrick Gyamfi request removal of Handicap Parking signs in front of 40 King St.

Mary Vilorio request a "Do Not Block Driveway" sign in front of 27 Duxbury Rd.

FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE MILL STREET BUSINESS CORRIDOR - Request City Manager to request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to consider removing the fencing from the Coes Knife Park and in place thereof, install wooden guardrails.

FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE MILL STREET BUSINESS CORRIDOR - Request City Manager request the Police Chief to work with officials of Plaza Properties and Worcester Mill LLC to rid the parking lot at 195 Mill Street of trespassing vehicles.

FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE MILL STREET BUSINESS CORRIDOR - Request City Council communicate in writing with the Golub family and principals of the Price Chopper Company to request that they meet with the Council, the members of the Administration and neighborhood representatives to discuss the importance of the parcel of property at 195 Mill Street to the economic and aesthetic vitality of the Mill Street corridor and the greater Coes Pond neighborhood. Further, request that the Lt. Governor, the local State Senator and local State Representative be invited to attend the planned discussion and site visit.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the reasoning for a setback from transmission lines and property lines at 1.1 times the height of the tower.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to install “Do Not Block Intersection” signs in all approaches to the intersection of Chandler and Mill Streets.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to report to the City Council regarding it's ability to regulate on-street traffic concerns caused as the result of motorists queuing at drive through food service windows.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the License Commission to work with the owner/operator of the Dunkin Donuts at 648 Chandler Street to alter their curb cuts, driveways and/or drive-up food service windows so as to alleviate the on-street congestion in Chandler Street and, in turn, improve public safety.

Roberta R. Schaefer, Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Cutting the Core: Rethinking Municipal Services in FY08 and Beyond.

James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of April 30, 2007.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to responses from the Administration to the questions asked at the City Council Finance Committee of May 22, 2007.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of tithe Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to revised version to the proposed Wind Energy Conversion Facilities amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mary Holley request to extend the BG-3.0 zone in Bellevue St. to include 33 Bellevue St. which is currently zoned RG-5: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the City of Worcester's military pay benefits afforded to City employees who are reservists and are called into active duty: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Amend Section 2 Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to a Zone Change in the Grafton Street Area.

Amend Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 Providing for Stop Sign on Eunice Ave. at Brandon Rd. facing northbound traffic on Eunice Ave.

Amend Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for a Stop Sign on Thenius St. at Stebbins St. facing northbound traffic on Thenius St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Prohibit Parking on the north side of Thayer St. from Lovell St. to a point 78' east of Lovell St.

Amend Section 68 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make Euclid Ave. from Montrose St. to Perry Ave. Two Way Traffic. Amend Section 31 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for a "Yield" sign at Euclid Ave. and Montrose St. faces westbound traffic on Montrose St.

Resolution of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of Senate Bill #290 an Act to Improve Dropout Prevention and Reporting of Graduation Rates introduced by Senator Edward M. Augustus, Jr. et al. (Tabled -Lukes May 22, 2007)

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled - Murray April 25, 2006)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request the City Manager take all steps to have the WRTA #11 bus rerouted to serve the Island part of Harding Street (south of Kelley Square) to take residents, especially the elderly, to and from the Route 20 Fair Shopping Plaza. Further request that this service be provided several times in the mornings and again in the afternoons, both outbound and inbound. This service was formerly provided by the old #4 Millbury City Line and eliminated on January 28th, 2006 creating a serious hardship and reduction in the quality of life for residents in the Green Island neighborhood. (Tabled - Haller August 29, 2006)

Chairman's Order from the Committee on Military Affairs - Request City Manager consider communicating to City Council a recommendation for funding section 2 of Chapter 157 of M.G.L. in the amount of $1.1 million. (Tabled - Clancy March 6, 2007)

Resolution of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton, Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in favor of Senate Bill 536: A bill banning the use of dish detergent that contains phosphorus that contributes towards the degradation of our waterways including the Blackstone River. Passage of this bill will potentially reduce between 10 and 34 percent of the daily load being discharged into the Blackstone River from the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District sewerage treatment plant. A substantial reduction in the phosphorus discharge into the Blackstone River from the sewerage treatment plant will help the rate payers meet the newest Environmental Protection Agency mandates without additional costs through rate increases. This Bill, if enacted, will give further support to the idea the EPA should look to treating other non-point sources causing discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus to improve the Blackstone River and protect the ratepayers. (Tabled-Perotto May 22, 2007)

Motion-Irish @ #10b CC - Request City Auditor provide a report relative to the status of the uncollected parking fines. Further, request City Manager request City Solicitor advise City Council as to whether or not our current outside contractor arrangement will allow the City bundle the uncollected fines and put them out for bid. Request these reports by next week's City Council meeting. (Irish)

PETITION - Councilor Barbara G. Haller et al request to repave Pelham St.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request to fix the sunken pavement in front of the driveway at 84 Clark St.

RESOLUTION - Rushton and Toomey - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record requesting the Worcester School Department name the driveway leading into Sullivan Middle School "Nate Mencow Way" in honor of his dedication and service to the City of Worcester.