CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:38 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of September 18, 2012.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for conduit locations: FRONT ST. EXT., TRUMBULL ST., FOSTER ST. AND FRANKLIN ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit locations: FRONT ST. EXT., TRUMBULL ST., FOSTER ST. AND FRANKLIN ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for pole location: CASCADE ROAD Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for pole location: CASCADE ROAD

Mayor Petty welcomed and recognized Cub Scout Pack 37 from Christ the King Church for being present at the City Council meeting; the Cub Scouts present were Stephen Gollaz, Quinlan Harrity, Caleb Cormier, Domini Lanava, Paul Bellin, Sean Bellin, Daniel Arnold, James Farrell, Matthew Sweeney and Lucas Walter accompanied by Scout Leaders Dan Arnold and Ben Walter.

Mayor Petty recognized the following persons who spoke to items on the agenda:
1. Jo Hart, Worcester Resident
2. Luis da Rosa, Worcester Resident

Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Rosalie Tirella request banning the use of exotic animals for entertainment purposes in the city of Worcester.

Karen Eurenius request sidewalk repair at the corner of Blue Bell Rd. and Burncoat St.

Councilor George J. Russell request street resurfacing of Aetna St. from Providence St. to Penn Ave.

Councilor George J. Russell request street resurfacing of Trenton Street.

Melvin Goss request paving of the portion of Proctor St. that borders (front) of 57 Proctor St.

State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of David Johnson request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 1 West Upsala St.

Robert Rousseau Jr. request installation of handicap parking space in front of 4 Doane St.

Kathryn Nguyen et al request the One Hour Parking zone in front of 505 Chandler St. be changed to a Residential Permit Parking area.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Kathleen Powers request the installation of 20 MPH signs in Jones St.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Kathleen Powers request a traffic study be conducted in Jones St. and request recommendations to enhance public safety

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement at the intersection of Salisbury St. & Forest St.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider including in the project for road improvements at the intersection of Forest and Salisbury Streets the following: 1). Install three (3) “Do not block Driveway” signs for the Ott, Sinnott and Noroian properties; 2). Make contact information available to residents during the project; 3). Install Signage for calming speed such as “Thickly Settled”, and posting of speed Limit for historic district; and 4). Paint roadway markings to ensure visibility.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks develop a clear and concise manner for notifying neighbors when a public works project takes place.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS -Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works develop a long term plan for more improvements at the intersection of Forest and Salisbury Street.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks submit to City Council the final plan of the road improvements to Forest and Salisbury Streets with modifications that were suggested at the public hearing. Further, request a presentation of these modifications and reasons why suggested changes were appropriate and reason some suggestions were not feasible.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a study of traffic flowing into downtown at the intersection of Forest and Salisbury Streets.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING AND PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request whether or not having a “bump out” in the roadway at the intersection of Forest and Salisbury Streets could effect the response times for fire apparatus when responding to fires.

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Parks review the directional signage for all designated travel lanes at the intersection of Green, Franklin and Foster Streets and Francis McGrath Boulevard and improve the notice given to motorists in the interest of public safety and better traffic flow. (Russell)

Request City Manager report on the status of public outreach regarding the Worcester Energy Rebate Pilot Program to residential property owners. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report on property transfers to non-profit entities in the past 3 years and the purchase price and assessed value of said properties. (Lukes)

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to "Fare Play? Regulating Worcester's Livery Vehicles and Taxis".

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Carol Ventresca, et al request the two handicap parking spaces across from 148 Coburn Ave. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Wing Yee Lau request the handicap parking space in front of 12 Denny St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Martina Andujar request installation of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 9 Shawmut St: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for one space in front of 7 Shawmut St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Yvette Valentin request installation of handicap parking space in front of 12-A Home St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Leonard Dunphy request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 8 Mendon St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Luz Aponte request installation of handicap parking space in front of or near 193 Chino Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance .

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Katty Perez request a handicap parking space be installed in front of 40 Lakeside Ave. #4: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for handicap parking opposite 40 Lake Ave.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Marion Byfield request a handicap parking space be installed in front of 35 Maple Tree Lane: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request a No Parking Zone be installed on the odd side of Hawley St. along the basketball courts: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Thomas Gentry, Operations Director of DTC Dental Care, request to increase the parking time on Salem St. from thirty minutes 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to two hours 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for installation of parking meters along the west side of Salem St. allowing for 2 hour parking 8am - 9pm.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request the installation of a No Parking Zone on the west side of Main St. from Marble St.to a point 70 feet north of said intersection: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Isaac Boateng Berko request installation of a stop sign in Caroline St. at Plantation St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND TRAFFIC & PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request to reinstate the “passing lane” in Salisbury St. eastbound at Forest St. to allow for thru traffic: recommend Petition be placed on file.

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support Senate Bill 610, an act protecting condominium owners filed by Senator Harriette Chandler and Senator Richard Moore. (Tabled - O'Brien July 19, 2011)

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Administration’s efforts to negotiate the maximum hiring of local residents in Tax Increment Financing agreements and other tools used to attract business and to expand our tax base. (Tabled - O'Brien September 13, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the status of #5 May Street. (Tabled - O'Brien January 31, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting communication expanding upon the newspaper article regarding the human error factor which occurred in the city's recount. (Tabled - Lukes February 7, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Finance for Housing Developments within the City of Worcester. (Tabled - O'Brien February 28, 2012)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council support more diverse new housing development with an emphasis on market-rate housing with a maximum of 10% affordable units if there are going to any units available for development in the downtown Worcester area: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Lukes May 1, 2012)

PETITION of Ivan Machicote request a freeze to the residential construction project at a lot located at the intersection of Sophia Dr. & Lilac Lane to prevent a continuance of violations that are against the interest of neighboring property owners. (Tabled - Russell August 14, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the First Circuit Court's Decision of the Upper Blackstone District's Appeal of the EPA's 2008 NPDES Permit. (Tabled - Lukes August 14, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Out of State Residents Working on Local Projects and Not Meeting the State's Health Care Mandates. (Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien August 14, 2012) (Tabled - Lukes September 4, 2012)

ORDER of Councilor Michael J. Germain - Request City Manager recommend to City Council an ordinance similar to the “Unruly Gathering Ordinance” in effect in Narragansett, Rhode Island in light of the fact that recent enforcement actions relied upon to control gatherings have not resulted in a permanent solution to the problems negatively affecting quality of life in our neighborhoods in close proximity to colleges. (Tabled Under Privilege - Germain September 4, 2012) (Tabled - Germain September 11, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. (Tabled - Russell September 18, 2012)

Motion Toomey @ #6 CC – Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks to consider including in the project for road improvements at the intersection of Forest and Salisbury Streets two (2) “Do Not Block Driveway” signs at the daRosa and Keche residences.

Motion Petty @ #6 CC – Request City Manager provide the documents and maps concerning the Forest St. and Salisbury St. intersection to Luis da Rosa.

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide to City Council a report concerning the proposed state roadway project at Tatnuck Square.

PETITION – Councilor William J. Eddy request Maxdale Rd. be resurfaced

PETITION – Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of the Diocese of Worcester and residents of Spaulding St. request Spaulding St. be made public.

Motion Eddy – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager contact the Boston City Solicitor regarding their efforts for breed specific legislation.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules - Request the Mayor prepare a proclamation for Bernard Murphy, a WWII veteran who was present during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and honor him for his service to this country as well as his service to the city of Worcester as a member of the Worcester Fire Department.

PETITION – Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request sidewalk repair in front of 16 Sturgis St.

PETITION – Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request March St. be resurfaced.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider installing speed controls and line markings to assist residents entering and exiting their driveways in Belmont St. from Seabury Heights to the Piccadilly Plaza.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to the future of professional baseball in the city.

Motion O’Brien – Suspension of Rules - Request City Clerk email City Council a status report concerning the postcard mailings to inactive voters.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager contact the owner of 20 Wetherell St. concerning tree plantings.

PETITION - Councilor William J. Eddy request to install a pedestrian crossing sign for the crosswalk at Moore Ave. and Pleasant St.