CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 18, 2001

7:00 P.M.

 

                                                                Convened:  7:04 P.M.

                                                              Adjourned:  8:46 P.M.

 

 

1.          INVOCATION – Rev. Henry G. Bowen

                                        St. Charles Borromeo Church

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.                 ROLL CALL – All present

 

Councillor Murray requested to be recognized to speak on the tenure of Councillor Nadeau.  Councillors Irish, Perotto, Gomez, Clancy, Patton, Abraham, Petty, Lukes, Mayor Mariano and City Manager Hoover also spoke.

 

Councillor Clancy requested to be recognized to speak on the tenure of Mayor Mariano.  Councillors Patton, Petty, Murray, Lukes, Nadeau, Gomez, Irish, Abraham, Perotto and City Manager Hoover also spoke.

 

4.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

4a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          5 REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION

             COMMITTEE

 

5.       Arthur Kevorkian request to meet with the Public Service & Transportation Committee before January 19, 2002 to prevent cuts and stopping of bus services on Sundays to Lincoln Park Towers and other areas.

 

          6 & 7 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

6.       Paul Bottis, Jr., Director, Physical Plant at Clark University request to install an electrical duct bank across Hawthorne St.  This duct bank will be located between property Clark University owns at 9 & 10 Hawthorne St.  All work to be done at the expense of Clark University and to City of Worcester specifications.

 

7.          Councillor Janice L. Nadeau request Department of Public Works resurface Hacker St.

 

7a.          Councillor Stephen Patton request resurfacing of public portion of West Chester St.  Suspension of Rules – Referred to Public Works Committee

 

7b.          Councillor Janice L. Nadeau request Public Works repair sidewalk on Hacker St.  Suspension of Rules – Referred to Public Works Committee

 

7c.          Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Joseph Capone request abatement of water and sewer bill from the previous owner of 15-17 Putnam Lane.  Suspension of Rules – Referred to Public Works Committee

 

7d.          Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Henry J. Camosse, Jr., President, Henry Camosse & Son, Inc. request City of Worcester to replace and repair water line feeding our manufacturing facility at 64 Southwest Cutoff.   Suspension of Rules – Referred to Public Works Committee

 

          8 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

8.          Councillor Timothy P. Murray request establishment of a right turn only lane on Lincoln St. going north where it intersects with Catharine St.

 

          9 HEARING SET FOR JANUARY 8, 2002

 

9.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a conduit location on:  CHANDLER ST.

 

ORDERS

                         

9a.          Request City Manager to schedule an Executive Session in January relative to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority’s Audit Report.  Motion-Murray @ #7E CM – Adopted

 

9b.          Request Administration report to City Council the court date relative to 22 Front St.  Motion-Murray @ #21E CM – Adopted

 

9c.          Request Administration to contact the owners of Webster Square Plaza regarding handicap parking signs.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

9d.          Request City Administration investigate the water main and relining of water pipes on Hacker St. because of rusty water.  Nadeau – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

RESOLUTION

 

9e.     That the City Council, on behalf of the Massachusetts Veteran’s Shelter, urges the Great and General Court to extend the current leasing arrangements for the National Guard Armory by means of a 30 year lease that would exempt the shelter from the full market value requirements because of the shelter’s investment in the armory of approximately $2 million and that the City Council supports the efforts of members of the Central Massachusetts delegation who have worked tirelessly to support the Massachusetts Veteran’s Shelter.   Lukes, Mariano, Murray, Clancy, Petty, Perotto, Irish, Abraham, Patton, Nadeau, Gomez – Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

10.          COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

                                     

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 18, 2001

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

          A.          Notification of Constable Appointments.

 

                    Beaucage, Leo                          Kelleher, Joseph W.

                    Cranston, Mark J.                     Kenary, Paul M.

                    Derry, Peter M. Jr.                      McCauley, Mary L.

                    Edwards, Frank C.                     McCauley, Robert F.

                    Evers, Derek A.                          McDonald, Kevin M.

                    George, William E.                    Moynihan, Edward L.

                    Guerry, Guy F.                         Nordberg, John F.

                    Hall, Lee R.                                      Richardson, Jeffrey

                    Hoffman, David                      Salmon, Philip G.

 

          Placed on file

 

          B.          SUPPLEMENTAL - Notification of Constable Appointments.

 

                    Mallett, David P.

                    Meyers, David A.

                    Quist, Amanda

 

                    Placed on file

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

4. ASSESSORS:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Tax Exempt Properties.

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

          B.          Communication relative to FY 2002 Certification of Tax Rates.

 

          Placed on file

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

6. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study Update.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Business Recruitment Committee.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Webster Square Fire Station.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Marketing the Ice Cats with the Marketing Corporation.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to Worcester Redevelopment Authority’s Audit Report.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

F.      Communication relative to Restrictions on Home Occupations in Residential Zones.

 

Referred to Land Use Committee

 

G.      Communication relative to the 2001 Annual report for the Greater Worcester Area Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

8. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

9. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

10. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

11. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

12. FIRE:

 

13. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

14. HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

A.      Communication relative to “NCCJ Calendar of Holidays and Festivals” for 2002 – 2004.

 

Placed on file

 

15. INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16. LAW:

 

A.      Communication relative to filing of special legislation involving the lease between the City and the Department of Capital Asset Management for Trial Court space in the Memorial Auditorium.

 

Order adopted – Reconsideration denied – Also referred to

Commerce & Development Committee for informational

purposes only

 

B.      Communication relative to the impaired signal quality for Public Access Channel 13.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to delays in the rollout of Charter Communications broadband services in the southeast section of the city.

 

Held to be First Item of Business January 8, 2002

 

D.      Communication relative to the legal opinion regarding the terms of the franchise agreement with Charter Communications concerning local new coverage.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to a letter from Charter Communications describing its plans for local news coverage.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

17. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Abandoned Vehicles.

 

          Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to the availability of grants in collaboration with the School Department to seek alternative energy proposals.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts.

         

          Referred to Community Development Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Walk.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

19. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Request adoption of a Resolution to accept a $600,000.00 Initiative from the State’s Mass Highway Department for Improvements to Skyline Drive in anticipation of the Dedication of the Massachusetts Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.

 

          Resolution adopted

 

B.      Request adoption of a Resolution to accept a Grant with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management for the Heritage Tree Care Grant Program to care for Heritage Trees at University (Crystal) Park.

 

Resolution adopted

 

20. POLICE:

 

A.      Request City Council accept with gratitude a donation to the Worcester Police Department DARE Account from Allmerica Financial Charitable Foundation.

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

21. PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

          A.          Communication relative to 3 King Street Property.

 

          Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Water Flow and Control Problems Relative to Construction on Dixon and Wakefield Streets.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Architectural Internship Program.

 

Placed on file

 

D.      Communication relative to Amendment Health/Code Table of Organization.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 10-1 (Lukes)

 

E.      Communication relative to 22 Front Street – Mid Town Mall Facade.

 

Placed on file

 

F.      Communication relative to the 78 Boston Avenue Property.

 

Placed on file

 

22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

24. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Grime Watch Program – October, 2001 Action.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Issues Involving Winter Parking Ban.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Status Report #6 – Street Resurfacing Projects.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

D.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to removal of telephone/electric poles when new ones are installed.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

25. PURCHASING:

 

26. TREASURY:

 

27. VETERAN’S SERVICES:

 

28. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Two Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($260,000.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C745, Sewer Reconstruction, and appropriated to Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, for the purpose of paying current and anticipated obligations, as approved in the Sewer Reconstruction Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

B.      Recommend that Twenty Three Thousand Seventy Nine Dollars and Ninety Five Cents ($23,079.95) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #45C703, Water Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of the following items:

          Portable Water Tanker              $19,844.00

          Snow Blower                            $  1,625.00

          Dell Computer and Printer         $  1,610.95

                                                          $23,079.95

          as approved in the fiscal 2002 Capital Equipment Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.      Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager’s Contingency Account, and appropriated to Account #040-92000, City Manager’s Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of funding the City’s sponsorship of the First Night 2002 celebration.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

D.      Recommend that Two Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Five Dollars ($2,495.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #44C704, Sewer Department Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing a high pressure washer, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

E.      Recommend that Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Four Dollars ($19,844.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #45C703, Water Department Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing a portable water tanker, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

          Recommitted to the City Manager

 

F.      Recommend that Eight Hundred Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Two Dollars and Sixty Eight Cents ($817,522.68) be transferred from Account #91C762, Webster Square Fire Station, and appropriated to Account #14C703, Public Safety, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations associated with the rehabilitation and construction of the Webster Square Fire Station, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

G.      Recommend that Six Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($680,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #50C704, School Department Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various Building Rehabilitation projects for the Worcester Public Schools as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

H.      Request that Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) from interest earned on Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Round IV be appropriated for use as follows:

          ACCOUNT                   DESCRIPTION                     AMOUNT

                        18S172                      LLEBG Round IV Interest                  $700.00

          and appropriated to:

          ACCOUNT                   DESCRIPTION                     AMOUNT

          18S172                  Abandoned Vehicle Hot Line          $700.00

 

          The purpose of the Abandoned Vehicle Hot Line, to be installed in the Office of Neighborhood Services Public Services Division, will be to provide the residents of Worcester an opportunity to report apparently abandoned or stolen vehicles, to allow for the appropriated City department(s) to investigate and remove the abandoned vehicle, and to provide follow-up information as to the action taken.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

I.       Recommend that Two Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($295,000.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #68C701, Information Services Capital Equipment, to provide funding to complete the Hardware Upgrade of the City’s Financial Platform project.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

 

 

J.       Recommend that Twenty Six Thousand One Dollar and Forty Three Cents ($26,001.43) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager’s Contingency Account, and appropriated to Account #122-92000, Property and Casualty Insurance, to provide funding for the cost increases for property, liability, and boiler & machinery premiums.

 

          Furthermore, recommend that Thirty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Three Dollars and Sixty Four Cents ($36,793.64) in funds available within the following accounts identified be appropriated for the purpose of paying increased insurance premiums for Fiscal 2002.

          ACCOUNTS       DESCRIPTION                     AMOUNT

          470-92000             Airport Ordinary Maint.             $1,769.41

          750-92000             Centrum Ordinary Maint.           $4,825.12

          46S-92000             Offstreet Parking Ord. Maint.    $5,667.44

          440-92000             Sewer Dept. Ordinary Maint.     $2,023.23

          450-92000             Water Dept. Ord. Maint.           $22,508.43

                                      Total                                        $36,793.64

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

K.      Recommend that Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($95,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711 City Wide Building Rehabilitation, into Account #11C702 City Messenger Building Rehabilitation to provide funds necessary to match the grant award Worcester will receive from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for work on the City hall Window replacement project.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

         

COMMUNICATIONS

 

11.          Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission transmitting 2001 Annual Report.

Placed on file

 

12.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City of Worcester’s 2001 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

13.          RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Action Taken

 

          FINANCE

 

a)                 #4B CM  June 19, 2001

 

Communication of the City Manager relative to Breakdown of New Growth Figures over the past 10 years.

 

REPORTS

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication requesting transfer of jurisdiction of land (1151 Main St., 4 Dudley Place and 10 Kilby St.), Chapter 40 Section 15A from the Tax Title Custodian to the Executive Office of Neighborhood Services:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. Accepted and Order adopted – Suspension of Rules

 

13b.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Tracy & Edward Johnson requesting to extend sewer main from Olean St. to 4 Dawson Rd. at owner’s expense: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.  Accepted and Order adopted – Suspension of Rules

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          14 Ordained on a roll call 10-1 (Lukes)

 

14.          Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to members of the Worcester Clerical Association.

 

                                         ___________________

 

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

DECEMBER 17, 2001          TRAFFIC &            COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.                          PARKING

 

 

DECEMBER 18, 2001        HOUSING &            COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:30 P.M.                   NEIGHBORHOOD

                                        REVITALIZATION