PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 3:07 p.m.

Adjourned: 5:10 p.m.

Present were: Chairperson Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.

Councilor Philip P. Palmieri

Councilor Joffrey A. Smith

Councilor Gary Rosen

Councilor Barbara G. Haller

Also: DPWP Commissioner Robert L. Moylan, Jr.

DPWP Staff Matthew Labovites, Paul Moosey, David Martin, Konstantin Eliadi

Acting Commissioner Public Health James Gardiner

Public Health Staff Michael Monfredo

Assistant City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk

Communications of the City Manager:

1. Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) Program Status Report.

#12E CM October 17, 2006

In Committee November 6, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

2. Transmitting informational communication relative to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Order against the City of Worcester concerning the unauthorized discharge of Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) into the wastewater collection system.

#12E CM November 28, 2006

Recommend Hold

Speakers:

1. John McGrath, Worcester

2. Jeanne Richard, Worcester

3. Gary Witkes, Worcester

4. Tuan Vo, Worcester

5. Paul Barbour, Worcester

6. Michael Kenneway, Worcester

7. Bruce Potter, Northborough

Chairman’s Orders:

1. Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report itemizing how many of the six hundred sixty six establishments that have opened since January 1, 2006 that are not in compliance with the FOG ordinance.

2. Request City Manager consider recommending to the City Council an amendment to the FOG ordinance that would add language to require food establishments to physically separate fats, oils and grease into containers for proper disposal.

3. Request City Manager recommend to the City Council an amendment to the FOG ordinance so as to allow businesses that have been built or reconstructed since January 1, 2004 be given more time to comply with the ordinance solely because they had recently taken the steps that were required at the time their businesses were established.

4. Request City Manager consider recommending the use of Community Development Block Grant monies to assist small business owners that are food establishment to alleviate some of the costs of compliance with the FOG ordinance.

5. Request City Manager extend an invitation to an EPA representative to an upcoming meeting for the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works to hear the concerns of business owners as well as to allow business owners to hear the perspectives of the EPA.

6. Request City Manager consider recommending to the City Council an amendment to the FOG ordinance so as to incorporate an educational element for citizens as to the disposal of fats, oils and grease in their own households.

7. Request City Manager consider recommending to the City Council an amendment to the FOG ordinance that would provide for an appeal for non compliance based on the type and use of the businesses.