CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:13 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:30 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Paul P. Clancy Jr. William J. Eddy
Michael J. Germain Barbara G. Haller
Konstantina B. Lukes Philip P. Palmieri City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Joseph M. Petty Frederick C. Rushton
Joffrey A. Smith Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by two students from Woodland Academy

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - ALL SAINTS CHURCH CHOIR

3.

ROLL CALL - All present except Councilors Clancy, Eddy and Germain with the Mayor in the Chair. Councilor Germain arrived at 7:40 P.M. and Councilor Eddy arrived at 8:19 P.M.

4.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

4a.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 5, 2011.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

5.

HEARING & ORDER

5a.

Hearing - NEW ENGLAND POWER d/b/a NATIONAL GRID for conduit locations at: CORAL ST, WAVERLY ST, GRAFTON ST, FRANKLIN ST, NORFOLK ST, VILLA NOVA ST, FRANKLIN ST, PLANTATION ST. AND NORTHBORO ST.

Granting permission to NEW ENGLAND POWER d/b/a NATIONAL GRID for conduit locations at: CORAL ST, WAVERLY ST, GRAFTON ST, FRANKLIN ST, NORFOLK ST, VILLA NOVA ST, FRANKLIN ST, PLANTATION ST. AND NORTHBORO ST.

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien opened the hearing and recognized Attorney Robert Longdon who was present to represent the petitioner. He addressed City Council and offered to answer any questions. Councilor Palmieri moved to table the item - Hearing closed Tabled - Palmieri

 

6.

ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

6a.

The Mayor recognized the presence of two delegations present in the gallery; a group of eight medical professionals from Ukraine and a group of three educators from Egypt here in Worcester as visitors arranged through the International Center of Worcester.

 

6b.

The Mayor O'Brien read a Proclamation declaring Saturday, April 30th 2011 as REC Earth Day Cleanup Day and Mayor O'Brien recognized Steven Fischer, Executive Director of REC who said of a few words concerning the event and to encourage people to join in the effort.

Attachments

 

6c.

Councilor Haller requested to suspend the rules to allow Acting Director Derek Brindisi for the Worcester Department of Public Health to brief City Council and the listening public concerning the upcoming Drug Take Back Day on April 30, 2011.

 

7.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

8.

PETITIONS

8a.

Alan Dang et al, student of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences request for a bike rack to be installed on the sidewalk of Foster St. between the intersections of Norwich St. and Commercial St.

Attachments

Refer to Commissioner of Public Works & Parks

 

8b.

Jeffrey Fisher request that a catch basin be installed in front of 24 Circuit Ave. East.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8c.

Ninozka Delacruz request sidewalk repair in front of 6 Imperial Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8d.

Matthew Mullaney request sidewalk repair in front of 2 Ascadilla Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8e.

Barbara Kopka request sidewalk repair in front of 55 Ward St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8f.

Mullen Sawyer, Director of the Oak Hill Community Development Corp., request sidewalk in front of the parking lot at 74 Providence St. be repaired.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8g.

Michael Maldonado request Greenhill Ave. be repaved

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8h.

Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Nancy Willett request sidewalk repair in front of 18 Arbutus Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8i.

Joyce & Leo Messier request sidewalk repair at 77 Summerhill Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8j.

Alicia Esquivel request a Passenger Zone be installed in front of 43 Sigel St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8k.

Cynthia Beaudoin request handicap parking space be installed in front of 51 Gates St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8l.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller on behalf of George Valeri request a "No Parking" sign between 15 and 21 Oread St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8m.

Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Kenzo Restaurant request changing the winter parking restrictions on Seward St. from a permanent ban to a declared ban.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8n.

MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. d/b/a NATIONAL GRID for conduit location : GRAFTON AND RUGBY STS.

Attachments

Set hearing for May 3, 2011 - 7:00 P.M.

 

8o.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for two pole locations: WEST BOYLSTON DR.

Attachments

Set hearing for May 3, 2011 - 7:00 P.M.

 

8p.

Leonard Zalauskas request to speak at the April 26, 2011 City Council meeting in regards to Health Insurance for the City of Worcester.

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien recognized the Petitioner who spoke before City Council Placed on file

 

9.

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

9.1

APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
 

9.2

APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
 

9.3

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
A.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Health Insurance Plans.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

9.4

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development Division
A.

Recommend City Council's Approval to Transfer Janice Nadeau Way from the Office of Economic Development to the Department of Public Works and Parks for Street Purposes.

Attachments

Referred to Planning Board

 
 

9.5

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Neighborhoods and Housing Development Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Affordable Housing Funding Allocations.

Attachments

Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee

 
B.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Grant Funding from the Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development through the Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program--NSP 3.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
 

9.6

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Planning and Regulatory Services Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Sign Allowances for Home Occupations.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

9.7

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Workforce Development Operations Division
 

9.8

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board
 

9.9

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Youth Opportunities Division
 

9.10

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Worcester Regional Airport Commission Division
 

9.11

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Cable Services Division
 

9.12

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Administration Division
 

9.13

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
 

9.14

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Operations Division
 

9.15

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Parks Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on Plans for the Upcoming Chemical Treatments against the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

Attachments

Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee

 
 

9.16

FIRE DEPARTMENT
 

9.17

POLICE DEPARTMENT
 

9.18

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
 

9.19

LICENSE COMMISSION
 

9.20

LAW DEPARTMENT
 

9.21

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
 

9.22

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
 

9.23

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
 

9.24

DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept a District Incentive Planning Grant in the Amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($15,000) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the Planning Phase of the Central Massachusetts Regional Health District.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
 

9.25

DIVISION OF ELDER AFFAIRS
 

9.26

WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
 

9.27

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Human Services Division
 

9.28

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
 

9.29

PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
 

9.30

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on the City Council's Authority to Increase Elder Exemption Limits on Annual Income and Asset Limits.

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien moved to tabled the item Councilor Lukes moved to have this item as the First Item of Business on the next City Council agenda Tabled - O'Brien and First Item of Business on May 3, 2011

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a List of Massachusetts Communities that Employ the Small Business Tax Exemptions.

Attachments

Recommitted to the City Manager

 
 

9.31

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
 

9.32

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
 

9.33

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Technical Services Division
 

9.34

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
 

9.35

FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
A.

Recommend that One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
B.

Recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7411B, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C742, Street Resurfacing (Ext Pavement), to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
C.

Recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7131B, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C720, Water Mains, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
D.

Recommend that Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($70,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7411F, Street Construction, and be appropriated to Account #41C7440, Providence/Winthrop/Heywood Streets to allow for the payment of current and future engineering service obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
E.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7141A, Water Pumping Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #4C726, Water Pumping Stations, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
F.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Water Account #45C704, Water Building Rehabilitation, to provide funding for pending invoices and anticipated obligations for the rehabilitation of the Water Enterprise buildings.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
G.

Recommend that Three Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Eight Dollars And No Cents ($3,278.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7311A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
 

9.36

FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7411D, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C768, Private Street Construction, to provide funds for the payment of current and future expenditures.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy absent)

 
 

9.37

FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
 

9.38

FINANCE
Loan Orders
 

9.39

MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Second Annual Stand Against Racism Event.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
B.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
10.

COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY AUDITOR

10a.

Transmitting Auditor's Report for March 2011.

Attachments

Referred to Finance Committee

 

11.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

11a.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works to communicate to the City Council the number of funded, unfilled positions in his department during Fiscal Year 2011 and the status of those same positions in the proposed Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

11b.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request the City Manager post to the city's web site the various "As I See It" articles written by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works & Parks, and further, to request the mailing addresses of appropriate federal regulators be posted alongside these articles so that Worcester residents/rate payers may write in support of the Commissioner's positions.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

11c.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request sewers be installed in Vivian Street.

Attachments

Referred to Planning Board

 

11d.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request sewers be installed in Pine View Ave., from Carleton St. to Vivian St.

Attachments

Referred to Planning Board

 

11e.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request sewers be installed in Carleton St.

Attachments

Referred to Planning Board

 

12.

ORDERS

12a.

Request City Manager recommend to City Council a funding source for the installation of traffic signals that have been approved for more than ten years for making safer for pedestrian crossings in the intersection of May and Woodland Streets. (Haller, O'Brien)

Attachments

Councilor Haller moved to suspend the rules to allow public testimony. Mayor O'Brien recognized the following speakers: 1. Patricia Padilla, Principal of Woodland Academy 2. Steve Teasdale, Worcester resident 3. Wilson Montalvo, Worcester resident 4. Jabian Gutierrez, Worcester resident Order adopted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy , Eddy, Germain absent)

 

12b.

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks consider placing an emergency patch in the travelled way at the intersection of Albany St. and Muskeego St. (Palmieri)

Attachments

Placed on file

 

12c.

That the ban on the sale of tobacco products be implemented three months from the date of the final Council vote in order for those businesses and entities affected to be able to sell off their current tobacco inventories so as to resolve the negative economic impact of having had to prepay the state sales tax when purchasing those tobacco products and being unable to recoup their costs prior to the tobacco ordinances effective date which would be the date of the Council vote. (Lukes)

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien moved to table the item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien

 

12d.

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report to the City Council concerning options that the city has available to implement a residency ordinance for new City of Worcester and Worcester Public School hires. (O'Brien, Haller, Smith, Toomey, Petty, Rushton, Palmieri, Eddy)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

12e.

Request City Manager research what programs and incentives other cities are using to encourage their municipal employees to live and purchase their primary residence in the communities in which they work. (O'Brien, Haller, Smith, Toomey, Petty, Rushton, Palmieri, Eddy)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

12f.

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the number of municipal employees by bargaining unit whose legal residence is in the City of Worcester and also a list of the communities of residence of all employees. (O'Brien, Haller, Smith, Toomey, Petty, Rushton, Palmieri, Eddy)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

12g.

Request the City Manager update City Council concerning the process whereby the Commonwealth School Building Assistance Council prioritizes funding for school building requests with particular insight into knowing how funding requests for work at both Doherty Memorial and Burncoat High Schools might be received. (Petty, O'Brien, Rushton, Smith)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

12h.

Request City Manager report on the number and locations of real estate owned by
Worcester Community Development Corporations and the number and locations of units and buildings rehabilitated and/or constructed by them in the past five (5) years. (Lukes)

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien moved to amend: Further, request that this report include any future commitments relative to HOME funding. Councilor Haller moved to amend: Further, request this report include other similar organizations that do housing rehabilitation work such as Matthew 25 and WCHR. Order adopted as amended

 

12i.

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: ERIE AVE.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

12j.

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS: HAZEL ST.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

13.

RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE

13a.

#9a CC June 22, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for May 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13b.

#4a CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for July 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13c.

#4b CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting reports on the budgetary basis financial results of operations for the City in fiscal 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13d.

#13a CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for August 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13e.

#11a CC October 12, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for September 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13f.

#9.31A CM October 19, 2010
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on Year-to-Date Revenues, As of August 31, 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13g.

#13a CC November 23, 2010
Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to a detailed update relative to Financial Forecasts for next Fiscal Year (FY2012) and projections through 2017, per the Five Point Financial Plan.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13h.

#9a CC November 23, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication regarding a letter from the Department of Revenue certifying that "Free Cash" for fiscal 2011.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13i.

#9b CC November 23, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for October 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13j.

#10a CC December 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for November 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13k.

#10b CC December 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13l.

#10c CC December 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the audited financial statements of the DCU Center, Arena Component and Convention Center Component, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13m.

#17k CC January 4, 2011
Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes -That the City Council hereby requests the City Manager consider eliminating the $40K for traveling from the future budget.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13n.

#8.33A CM January 25, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13o.

#8.39B CM January 25, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Employee Health Care Costs.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13p.

#8.39D CM January 25, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Governor Deval Patrick's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget of January 21, 2011.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13q.

#9a CC January 25, 2011
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for December 2010.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13r.

#9.31A CM February 1, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Governor's Proposed Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2012.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13s.

#9.31C CM February 1, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's 2nd Quarter Fiscal Update.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13t.

#9b CC February 8, 2011
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for January 2011.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13u.

#8.39B CM March 1, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Process.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13v.

#8a CC March 8, 2011
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the management letter done in conjunction with the City's audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 by the City's auditors Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13w.

#8.20A CM March 15, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on a Legal Opinion Relative to Grant Administration Fees.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13x.

#8.31A CM March 15, 2011
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's FY2011 Revenue Report for January and February 2011.

Attachments

No action taken

 

13y.

#9a CC March 22, 2011
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for February 2011.

Attachments

No action taken

 

14.

COMMUNICATION

14a.

Kyle Fair, TEC Associates, transmitting communication relative to Railroad Vegetation Management Plan.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

15.

REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD

15a.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Anne O'Connor, Chair of the Worcester Planning Board requesting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Article VI-Floodplain Overlay District.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 

15b.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of John Dower request the developer's portion of Heath St., from Malvern Rd. a distance of approximately 510 feet be converted to a public street.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

15c.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Spyridon Frangos request the City abandon and remove from the Official Map approximately 35' of the public portion of Taylor St. from the I-290 wall westerly.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

15d.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil on behalf of Rodney Perro request to amend the Zoning Map by changing the zoning classification three parcels of land located at 395, 405, and 413 Grafton St. and 359A (aka 355) Grafton St. abutting said street to a depth of 100 feet from RG-5 to BL-1.0.

Attachments

Accepted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 1 Nay (Yeas - Eddy, Haller, Palmieri, Petty, Rushton, Smith, Toomey, O'Brien) (Nay - Lukes) (Clancy , Germain absent)

 

15e.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert Longden, on behalf of CSX Transportation, Inc. request to remove Barbara Lane from the Official City Map.

Attachments

Councilor Palmieri moved to table this item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri

 

16.

REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

16a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Fiscal Year 2012 Water and Sewer Rates: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed ordinance.

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to table this item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes

 

16b.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon Petition of Mohamed Zawahreh et al request construction of sewers for 2, 8 and 9 Winnipeg St. and 1117 Millbury St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Germain absent)

 

16c.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to a discontinuance of a portion of highway laid out by Mass Highway on behalf of the City (Parcel C-5 abutting Rte. 146 and Tobias Boland Way): recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Germain absent)

 

16d.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Brian LaForte request to change street name for Dixon Ave. (01603) as this street is often confused with Dixon Ave off Lincoln St. (01605): recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to change the street name from Dixon Avenue (01603) to Dixon Avenue South.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Germain absent)

 

16e.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager request authorization to accept a deed of easement for street purposes from CSX Transportation, Inc., in and over a certain parcel of land extending northerly from Grafton St., as shown on Exhibit C and layout and decree the parcel a public way: recommend adoption of the accompanying two (2) Orders to accept deed of easement for street purposes from CSX Transportation, Inc. over a parcel of land extending northerly from Grafton St.; and authorize CSX at its sole expense to design and construct a new way extending northerly from Grafton St. and direct the City Solicitor under the direction of the City Manager to prepare the necessary decree to lay out said new street.

Attachments

Councilor Palmieri moved to table the item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri

 

16f.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting to accept a deed of easement for street purposes from CSX Transportation Inc, or its nominee over a parcel of land at the terminus of Foch Ave, and layout and decree the parcel public, as part of the Foch Ave. public street layout: recommend adoption of the accompanying Two (2)Orders to accept deed of easement for street purposes from CSX Transportation, Inc. over a parcel of land at the terminus of Foch Ave.; and authorize CSX at its sole expense to design and construct Foch Ave. from Franklin St. to CSX's property and direct the City Solicitor under the direction of the City Manager to prepare the necessary decree to lay out Foch Ave. as extended.

Attachments

Councilor Palmieri moved to table the item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri

 

16g.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending City Council Approval for Certain Actions (Petitions E, G and H) Relative to CSX Corporation: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to make one way a portion of Coral St. and recommend approval of Petitions E and G. (see item #16e and 16f)

Attachments

Councilor Palmieri moved to table the item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri

 

16h.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Robert Clark, Wildwood Development, LLC, request to make public Rodi Circle: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Attachments

Accepted & Adopted

 

16i.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Louis Delolio & Marek Basta request Pineland Ave., from Hara St. to Pinecrest Dr., be make public: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Attachments

Accepted & Adopted

 

16j.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Neil Davis request to make public Stark Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Attachments

Accepted & Adopted

 

16k.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting to layout and decree public the existing Foch Ave: recommend approval of Report and Communication (see item #16f).

Attachments

Councilor Palmieri moved to table the item under privilege Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri

 

16l.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Commuication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Petitions and Zone Changes and the Environmental Notification Form for the CSX Worcester Intermodal Facility Improvement Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16m.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on the CSX Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16n.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to CSX Corporation and the Environmental Impact Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16o.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting additional communication relative to CSX Corporation: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16p.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative proposals for development at the Greenwood Street Landfill: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16q.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of September 2010: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16r.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for October 2010: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16s.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of November 2010: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16t.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of December 2010: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16u.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Ronald P. D'Eramo request to make public Vivian St: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16v.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Ronald D'Eramo request to make public Pine View Ave, from Carleton St. to Vivian St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16w.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Ronald D'Eramo request to make public Carleton St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16x.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Kimberly Abraham request private street conversion of Swan Ave., from Mill St. to Outlook Dr. : recommend Petition be denied.

Attachments

Accepted

 

16y.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Audrey Hunter and Shawn Tivnan request to make public private portion of Acushnet Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

Attachments

Accepted

 

17.

TO BE ORDAINED

17a.

Amending Article IV of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 by deleting the existing Section 6 relative to Signs in it entirety and inserting a new Section 6 relative to Signs.

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to amend the proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment as follows: 1) That Table 4.3.1, Note 2 be amended to include the following sentence: “All home occupations are permitted only wall and window signs” and; 2) That Table 4.3.2, Note 6 be amend to add the following to the last sentence: “- this exclusion does not apply to home occupations”. Adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent) Ordained as amended on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent) Councilor Lukes move to suspend the rules to allow reconsideration - Approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent) Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 0 Yeas and 9 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent)

 

17b.

Amending Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 Section 1 of Article III establishing sign overlay districts by inserting following designations: Downtown/Blackstone Canal Sign Overlay District; Blackstone River Parkway Sign Overlay District; Union Station View Corridor Sign Overlay District.

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent) Councilor Lukes move to suspend the rules to allow reconsideration - Approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent) Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 0 Yeas and 9 Nays (Clancy, Eddy absent)

 

18.

TABLED ITEMS

18a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and State Representative Vincent Pedone request to install a trailer truck ban in Mulberry St. between Shrewsbury St. and East Central St.: recommend the passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Petty June 8, 2010)

Attachments

No Action Taken

 

18b.

PETITION of NATIONAL GRID for conduit location on: HARLEM ST. and WARD ST. (Tabled - Haller March 22, 2011)

Attachments

No Action Taken

 

19.

NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES

19a.

Motion Rushton @ #12a CC - Request City Manager consider implementing a capital improvement plan to tackle the traffic signal improvement list.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19b.

Motion Petty @ #12a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a complete list and estimated costs for installation of all approved traffic signals.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19c.

Motion Toomey @ #12a CC - Request City Manager request the School Administration to provide a copy of their existing safety plan for Woodland Academy.

Order adopted

 

19d.

Motion Haller @ #9.30A CM - Request City Manager comment on any impacts that the Administration can identify, if the city should move to the full maximum benefit allowed to elder real estate exemption limits and include any reasons for not choosing the maximum limit and moving to a lesser limit.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19e.

Motion Lukes @ #9.30A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a definition of an elder exemption and then explain the budgetary implications that could ensue from choosing to increase this exemption.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19f.

Motion Petty @ #9.30A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with the costs associated, with different scenarios, for increasing the elder exemption.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19g.

Motion O'Brien @ #9.30A CM - Request City Manager report whether or not this increase to elder exemptions can be implemented for this years tax bills.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19h.

Motion Lukes @ #9.30B CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with the definition of a small business tax exemption and report what will be the impact to the tax rate; the legal authority to effectuate a change in the tax rate by voting this exemption and obtain any regulations from the DOR on this topic.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19i.

Motion Councilors Lukes, Eddy, Germain, Haller, Palmieri, Petty, Rushton, Smith and Toomey and Mayor O'Brien @ #9.39A CM - Request City Manager organize immediately a response to the recent incidents of racism in the city demonstrating that this city will not tolerate this type of behavior.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19j.

Motion Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager coordinate with the Canal Zone Businesses to improve upkeep to the municipal parking lots under I-290 across from the Osgood Bradley building.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19k.

PETITION - Councilor Barbara G. Haller request emergency sidewalk repair in front of 16 Stoneland Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

19l.

Motion Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request CSX Management see if the practice of CSX trains blowing the train horns could be stopped during the hours between midnight and 5 am in the vicinity of Gates and Illinois Streets.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19m.

Motion Smith - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the upkeep of fire hydrants around the city for their operability, include the number of fire hydrants and their locations, how many are in working order, and maintenance schedule.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19n.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager investigate safety situation on Meadow Lane.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

19o.

PETITION - Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien request to install parking meters in the west side of Main Street from 484 to corner of Chatham Street.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee