AGENDA

PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION

MAY 13, 2002

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:07 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:25 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councillor Joseph M. Petty

                             Councillor Michael C. Perotto

                             Councillor Stephen T. Patton

 

Also:                     Robert Spain, Charter Government Relations

                             Joe Parda, Charter Communications

                             David Poplawski, Charter Communications

Judy Warren, Telecommunications Officer

                             Robert Fiore, Assistant to Commissioner of DPW

                             City Solicitor David M. Moore

City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

CABLE

 

          Communications of the City Manager

1.       Relative to Charter Communications/Charter Digital Cable launches in Worcester.

          #17C CM  October 31, 2000

In Committee December 12, 2001 - Held

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

David Gauthier, 77 Haven Lane, Worcester appeared and spoke.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council

with a report on the resolution to consumer complaints regarding cable

service at 77 Haven Lane.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council

with a report listing the locations throughout the City where cable

television service is determined to be less than optimal.

 

2.       Relative to Charter Communication’s rate setting and programming.

#17A CM  January 23, 2001

In Committee December 12, 2001 - Held

                In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Solicitor provide the City Council

with a follow-up report concerning the Department of Public Utilities

hearing on Charter Communications' cable television rate increases to be

held May 30, 2002.

 

3.       Relative to the impaired signal quality for Public Access Channel 13.

          #16B CM  December 18, 2001

                In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

4.       Relative to the legal opinion regarding the terms of the franchise agreement with Charter Communications concerning local news coverage.

          #16D CM  December 18, 2001

                In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

5.       Relative to a letter from Charter Communications describing its plans for local news coverage.

          #16E CM  December 18, 2001

                In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

6.       Relative to a map from Charter Communications indicating the status of the build-out and deployment of Charter's digital cable and internet service.

          #16E CM  January 15, 2002

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an updated report and map detailing the build-out and deployment of Charter Communication’s digital cable and internet service.

 

7.       Report addressing a number of cable related issues in response to the Council's inquiries.

          #16A CM  January 29, 2002

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

8.       Relative to the sporadic operation of the cable used by the Worcester School Department.

          #23B CM  February 12, 2002

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

9.       Relative to cable-related issues in response to the Council's previous inquiries.

          #16B CM  February 12, 2002

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend File

 

10.     Relative to two items regarding Charter Communications.

          #16A CM  February 26, 2002

Recommend File

 

11.     Relative to specific phone number with Charter Communications Customer Service for City of Worcester residents to call with complaints or issues.

#16A CM  March 19, 2002

Recommend File

 

12.     Relative to competitors' rate and services in other cities and towns in Massachusetts for cable service.

#16A CM  April 2, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

13.     Relative to public shade tree impacts for proposed conduit locations - Charter Communications.

#19E CM  April 23, 2002

Recommend File

 

          Petitions

14.     Gary Salo et al request City Council to investigate the high rates that are being charged on the new bills from Charter Communications.

          #12 CC  January 15, 2002

          In Committee February 19, 2002 - Held

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

          STREET LIGHTS

 

          New Installation

15.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy Jr. on behalf of Bill Miley request street light in front of 846 Millbury St. be moved to a new location away from building.

          #5 CC April 10, 2001

          In Committee June 20, 2001 - Held

          In Committee October 15, 2001  - Held

          In Committee December 12, 2001 - Held

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

16.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy Jr. on behalf of Rick D'Otavio request street light outside 55 Everton Ave.

          #13 CC  December 4, 2001

Recommend Approval of installation of one 9,600 lumen light on pole

#16., subject to funding.  Also, under SR give Leave to Withdraw a

duplicate petition, # 7 CC of May 7, 2002.

 

17.     Councillor Stephen G. Abraham request the installation of additional street lighting in the vicinity of 8 Franconia St.

          #7 CC  February 12, 2002

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

Chairman’s Order request the Parks Commissioner trim the city shade trees in the vicinity of 8 Franconia Street so that existing street lights illuminate the traveled way.

 

18.     Frances Lish request City Council to install street lights between 25 through 31 Beechmont St., not to conflict with new trees.

          #8 CC  March 19, 2002

Recommend Hold        

 

19.     Councillor Michael C. Perotto and Councillor Paul P. Clancy Jr.  

on behalf of Jean Gray request installation of a street light at 23 Ida Rd.

          #15b CC January 23, 2001

 In Committee June 20, 2001 - Held

 In Committee October 15, 2001 - Held

 In Committee December 12, 2001 - Held

Recommend Approval of installation of one 9,600 lumen light in front of

23 Ida Road., subject to funding.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council

with a report stating the anticipated Fiscal Year 2002 surplus in the

street light ordinary maintenance account and further, request a listing

of what locations are approved for new installation and are awaiting

funding.

 

          Upgrade

20.     Ann Goddard request a larger light bulb on the light pole at the bottom of Seattle St. at the corner of Chino Ave. and Seattle St.

#11 CC  January 15, 2002

Recommend Approval to upgrade to a 16,000 lumen bulb in existing

street light fixture at the corner of Seattle Street and Chino Avenue.,

subject to funding

 

21.     Councillor Stephen G. Abraham request the installation of brighter street lighting in the vicinity of 75 James St. and the parking lot directly across from 75 James St. so that pedestrians are able to safely cross during hours of darkness.

#8 CC  February 12, 2002

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council

with a report listing the street lights that the City owns, and the

impact of owning lights versus leasing them from Mass Electric.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council

with a report on the street lighting portion of the Shrewsbury Street

Gateway project including pictures of the proposed lighting fixtures, the

timeline for installation and a map showing the scope of the affected area.