CITY OF WORCESTER

Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:49 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Sean M Rose
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Khrystian E King
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose Councilor Morris A Bergman Councilor Khrystian E King
 
Also:Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Assistant Commissioner of Public Work and Parks Robert Antonelli Veterans’ Agent/Director Alex Arriaga City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk
 
1.

Communications of the City Manager

1a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Open Space & Recreation Plan Public Meeting. # 8.8A CM February 4, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who spoke to the status of the Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke to the item.

Chairperson Councilor Rose put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager revise the availability date for the city’s survey concerning the Open Space and Recreation Plan to a later date and have the survey be advertised through the City of Worcester's social media accounts.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote of recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager revise the availability date for the city’s survey concerning the Open Space and Recreation Plan to a later date and have the survey be advertised through the City of Worcester's social media accounts.

1b.

Transmitting informational communication relative to public meetings to discuss the Open Space and Recreation Plan for the City of Worcester. # 9.8A CM November 12, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

1c.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the revised Mulcahy Field Master Plan. # 9.8B CM November 12, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the revisions to the Mulcahy Field Master Plan.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized both Councilor Bergman and Councilor King, who spoke to supporting the item.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval on the item.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2.

Miscellaneous Items

2a.

Petition of Shelagh Davenport request the tennis courts at Institute Park be maintained to a reasonable, useable level. # 8y CC October 15, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Shelagh Davenport, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the Institute Park Master Plan, which plans to move the tennis courts, although there was no timetable due to funding. The Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks also discussed viewing the site to determine temporary maintenance that could occur at the location.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed WPI and Becker College’s involvement with the tennis courts with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed whether nets were found at the tennis courts prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Chairperson Councilor Rose put forth the following two Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a complete assessment of the damage to the Institute Park tennis courts, as well as any maintenance required to make the surface safe to use; and 2) Request City Manager consider reaching out to WPI and Becker College to inquire as to whether they would be interested in sponsoring or assisting in funding of maintaining and/or renovating the tennis courts at Institute Park.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote of hold the item. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a complete assessment of the damage to the Institute Park tennis courts, as well as any maintenance required to make the surface safe to use.

Request City Manager consider reaching out to WPI and Becker College to inquire as to whether they would be interested in sponsoring or assisting in funding of maintaining and/or renovating the tennis courts at Institute Park.

2b.

Petition of Alexander Valle request creation of a dog park at the end of West Boylston Dr. # 9u CC September 17, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and spoke to information pertaining to the item, including that State Representative Mahoney helped to provide funding to clear the overgrowth of the area. Chairperson Councilor Rose also explained public hearings will be held for its usage since, due to the agreement with the State, it cannot be used for any overt recreational use.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who explained the agreement with Mass DOT states that the property is for passive recreational use only and that the city’s plan is to get the site cleared, put down a wildflower mix and mow the area regularly with a masterplan for the location being made in the fall.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

2c.

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager review and report compliance with the BRAVE ACT and any costs associated with compliance. # 10e CC November 12, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Veterans’ Agent/Director, who explained the BRAVE Act was put into motion throughout the State and that he supports being in compliance with the act because it protects veterans and their veteran status.

Chairperson Councilor Rose stated a desire for information concerning the costs associated with the BRAVE Act.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman and Councilor King, who both stated a desire for more information pertaining to the Brave Act.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2d.

Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of the family of John D. Foley, who passed away in WWII, request that a memorial Square be erected in his honor and memory at or near 358 Chandler St. # 6k CC February 11, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Kevin Foley, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item and stated the family was willing to cover the costs of the monument.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke in favor of the item.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Veterans' Agent/Director, who spoke to completing the work as soon possible.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2e.

Petition of Paul Stankus, Office Manager Paul F. Cantiani Insurance Agency, request the monument at the corner of Plantation St. and Solferino St. be relocated. # 7d CC November 26, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Veterans’ Agent/Director, who stated that he needed more information on the monument prior to providing a recommendation to the committee.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2f.

Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally on behalf of Marilyn Williams request the installation of a memorial honoring PFC Ronald Williams for his service in the Vietnam War. # 8x CC October 15, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Veterans’ Agent/Director, who stated that he needed more information on the monument prior to providing a recommendation to the committee.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who stated he wished to see information concerning what is needed to be provided to make determination on whether the veteran is qualified for a monument.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2g.

Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request restoration and relocation of the Sullivan Memorial located in Melrose St. to a location approximately 50 feet north of its current location. # 7x CC February 26, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Andrea Mattei, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, Councilor Bergman and Councilor King, who all spoke in favor of the item.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

2h.

Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request the replacement/restoration of the "Trumbull Square" monument/marker. # 8f CC September 5, 2017

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized Councilor Bergman, who moved that the item be held.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who stated there was no new information on the Trumbull Square replacement/restoration.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays