CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 7, 2003

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:07 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:30 P.M.

 

 

1.                 INVOCATION – Most Reverend George E. Rueger

                                      Auxilliary Bishop of Worcester

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.                 ROLL CALL – All present except Councillor Lukes who arrived at 7:10 P.M.

 

4.       RECOGNITION OF THE $15,000.00 DONATION FROM ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION IN SUPPORT OF THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE WORCESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT IN WORCESTER’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

          Councillor Petty recused on a roll call 9-0 (Lukes absent)

 

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

          5 – Held to be First Item of Business January 14, 2003

 

5.       Motion Lukes – Request City Manager to have some budget projections ready for the month of January so that City Council can schedule a budget session for the last City Council meeting in January. (Attachments)

 

6.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

6a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          7-11 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

7.       Sarah Quinn request private street maintenance on Vincent Ave. (Attachments)

 

8.       Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Jean Desrosiers request guard rail in front of 23 Cliff St., corner of Cliff St. and Granite St. (Attachments)

 

9.       Natalie Pastore request handicap ramp at the end of sidewalk at 23 Kennebec St. (Attachments)

 

10.     Mayor Timothy P. Murray request sidewalk repair along Mechanic St. between Commercial St. and Norwich St. (Attachments)

 

11.     Mayor Timothy P. Murray request emergency sidewalk patch at 28 Mechanic St. (Attachments)

 

          12-19 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

12.     John Adjami request handicap parking on Fern St. side of 488 Park Ave. (Attachments)

 

13.     Mary Covotta request handicap parking signs be moved from 343 Hamilton St. to 6 Eastham St. (Attachments)

 

14.     Rev. Aved Terzian, Armenian Church of Our Saviour request one hour parking zone be installed on the south side of Salisbury St. from a point 20 ft. west of the driveway at 91 Salisbury St. easterly to the beginning of the existing Passenger Zone. (Attachments)

 

15.     William Bibaud et al request to have the winter parking ban switched from permanent to declared on Harding St. from Franklin St. to Canton St. or from Harrison St. to Kelly Sq. (Attachments)

 

16.     William Bibaud et al request to restrict parking to Residents Only on the east side of Harding St. from Franklin St. to Canton St. from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. (Attachments)

 

17.     State Representative John Fresolo request the Commissioner of Public Works to recommend to the Traffic & Parking Committee any improvements that might be made to improve the safety of motorists entering and exiting the Twin Oaks Condominium buildings at 1199-1203 Grafton St.    (Attachments)

 

18.     Alonzo Searles request handicap parking in front of 92 Ward St. (Attachments)

 

19.     Councillor Barbara Haller on behalf of Joan Kalinowski request handicap parking in front of 121 Perry Ave. (Attachments)

 

          20 REFERRED TO THE CITY MANAGER

 

20.     John McNabb, Jr., Vice President, Finance & Administration, Rand Whitney Group, LLC request City Council to sell City owned land designated as Parcel B equivalent to approximately 5 acres for the purpose of protecting our existing plant and future expansion to improve the competitiveness of our Worcester based operations. (Attachments)

 

21 HEARING SET FOR JANUARY 14, 2003 – 7:00 P.M. Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 10-0

 

21.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for joint pole relocation on:  WEST MOUNTAIN ST. (Attachments)

 

22.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 7, 2003

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.               Notification of Constable Appointments: Milton Blatt, Kevein A. Derry, Peter M. Derry, Jr., Scott A Derry, Ralph J. Ferraro, Daniel B. Gately, David L. Hoffman, Edwin Lopes, Jed Mahoney, David P. Mallett, Joseph J. Troy. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Notification of the Appointment of Cyrus D. Lipsitt and the Reappointments of Diane M. Long, Donna M. Winant, and Kallin A. Johnson to the Cultural Commission. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of the appointment of  Edward J. Pietrewicz Jr. to the Civic Center Commission. (Attachments)

 

          Appointment confirmed on a roll call 11-0

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

4. ASSESSORS:

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

A.      SUPPLEMENTAL - Communication relative to Preliminary Budget Analysis for Fiscal 2004. (Attachments)

 

          Held to be First Item of Business January 14, 2003

 

6. CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to Emergency Heating/Housing Complaints. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Floodplain Overlay District. (Attachments)

 

Referred to the Planning Board and Land Use Committee

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL - Request City Council accept with gratitude a Donation of Furniture from Allmerica Financial (Attachments)

 

Councillor Petty recused on a roll call 9-0 (Lukes absent) Order adopted with gratitude

 

7. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to the proposal from Mass Environmental Associates Inc. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

B.      Communication regarding an interim report relative to the Fire Station Site for a Hotel. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

9. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

A.      Request adoption of a resolution to file and accept a Grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. (Attachments)

 

          Resolution adopted

 

10. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

A.      Request City Council to establish Tuesday, September 9, 2003 as the date for the Preliminary Election. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted

 

11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

 

12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13. FIRE:

 

14. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.      Communication relative to 2 year, 5 year and 10 year re-employment rights under Civil Service. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

15. HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

16. LAW:

 

A.      Communication relative to the City of Worcester’s Government Channel receiving the Award of Distinction. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

17. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to a FY’03 Firefighter Public Safety Equipment Grant Award to the City of Worcester in the amount of $102,000.00 from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety Programs Division. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to a FY’03 Local Law Enforcement Public Safety Equipment Grant Award to the City of Worcester in the amount of $108,000.00 from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety Programs Division. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

19. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Communication relative to a $10,000.00 donation previously made to benefit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Federal Grant – A $586,000.00 Initiative for Improvements to Skyline Drive in Cooperation and Conjunction with the Massachusetts National Guard. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to Brush Overgrowth in the Public Right of Way. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

20. POLICE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Status of Vandalism in the Beechmont Street Area. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to the Police Department Emergency Vehicles being unable to pass on King Philip Road. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee for January 8, 2003

meeting

 

C.      Communication relative to Incidences of Violations in Beaconsfield/Chesterfield Road area. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

21. PUBLIC HEALTH:

 

22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

A.      Request City Council accept with gratitude a donation of eighteen books, videos and cassettes from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted with gratitude

 

23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Changes to Report Cards. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to How PC/Printers will be utilized and Inventory of Vehicles owned by the School Department. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Education Committee

 

24. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Timing of Light Change Cycle/West Boylston Street at Brooks Street. (Attachments)

 

          Recommitted to the City Manager

 

B.      Communication relative to Request for Barrier at Southern Section of Coburn Avenue. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to Moratorium for Installation of Low-Pressure System Force Mains and Gravity Sewers on Private Streets. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Christmas Donation Drive. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

E.      Communication relative to Customer Service Operation Center. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

F.      Communication relative to Lighting under the Central Street Bridge. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

G.      Communication relative to Merging Lane on Lincoln Street in front of Bickford’s Restaurant. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

H.      Communication relative to Traffic Light Timing on Lincoln Street at Beverly Road. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

I.       Communication relative to Advisory Signs on Pleasant Street East & Westbound. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

J.       Communication relative to Shrewsbury Street Parking Enforcement. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

K.      Communication relative to Massachusetts Water and Sewer Rates – Comparative Data. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

25. PURCHASING:

 

A.      Communication relative to Contract Compliance Officer Duties and Responsibilities. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

26. TECHNICAL SERVICES:

 

27. TREASURY:

 

28. VETERANS SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to a Listing of Veteran’s Clinics and Hospitals located throughout New England. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Military Affairs Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to reception to welcome back employees who have been on active duty in the military. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Military Affairs Committee

 

29. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that One Million Eight Hundred Nineteen Thousand Four Hundred Seventy Two Dollars and Eighty Cents ($1,819,472.80) be transferred from Account #91C790 School Construction and appropriated to Account #28C717, Vocational School Construction, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with construction management, asbestos removal, architectural and other related cost for the construction of Worcester Vocational School. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

B.      Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C790 School Construction and appropriated to Account #28C724, North High School Construction, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with architectural design and other related cost for the construction of North High School. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.      Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($18,750.00) be transferred from Account #332-01, Reserve for Appropriation Lots Sales, and appropriated to Account #720-91000, Parks Department Personal Services, to provide funds for the purpose of funding associated salary costs for Parks Department. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

30. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Car Insurance Interclass Constraint. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          23 & 24 FROM HEALTH - ADOPTED

 

23.     Request Administration to clarify for City Council that if the City of Worcester is in a position to accept state dollars for AIDS education and prevention, that a referral to a community that has a needle exchange program is acceptable and appropriate for the acceptance of said funds. (Attachments)

 

24.     Request Administration to provide City Council with a proposal for the implementation of an integrated program incorporating the findings of the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Task Force. (Attachments)

 

          25 FROM PUBLIC WORKS - ADOPTED

 

25.     Request Commissioner of Public Works to move forward with the decree to make public Grove St. Terrace. (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

26.     Request Administration provide City Council with a report revealing the comparable properties that were used to determine the newest assessed value of the Worcester Common Outlet Mall. (Palmieri) (Attachments)

 

Adopted

 

27.     Request Administration provide City Council with a report itemizing the various components of the Worcester Common Outlet Mall complex that were granted tax increment financing, specifically identifying whether the following components were included with the retail space tax incentive:  large garage, small garage, Mechanics Tower, Flagship Bank building, vacant parcel behind Notre Dame Church and the courtyards.  (Palmieri) (Attachments)

 

Adopted

 

28.     Request Administration report on the enforcement of City ordinances in regard to new building projects on Reardon St.  (Murray) (Attachments)

 

Adopted

 

29.     Request Administration report on current status of open microloans, indicating whether payment is up-to-date, 30 days late, 60 days late, etc.   (Murray) (Attachments)

 

Councillor Gomez recused on a roll call 10-0

Adopted

 

30.     Request Administration report whether borrowers in the microloan program are required to give a personal guaranty when receiving a loan.   (Murray) (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Gomez recused on a roll call 10-0

          Adopted

 

31.     Request Administration to provide City Council within 30 days, with design plans and applications presented to the City and the Façade Design Review Committee for all façade grants approved by the City to date.   (Murray) (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Gomez recused on a roll call 10-0

 

          Councillor Irish moved to amend: Request Administration provide City Council with information on all façade grant applications, whether approved or not

 

          Adopted, as amended

 

32.     Request Administration report whether a lien is placed on property where Community Development Block Grant money is used to demolish buildings.   (Murray) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

33.     Request City Manager to consider communications with City bargaining units regarding creation and development of mutual cost saving measures in response to the statewide budget crisis.   (Lukes)

          (Attachments)

 

          Held to be First Item of Business January 14, 2003

 

33a.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with both proposals for the Greenwood St. Landfill in a side-by-side comparison, including the road and costs associated with the potential clean-up of the sites.  Motion-Clancy @ #8A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33b.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with all current proposals and plans that have been approved for the Quinsigamond corridor area, including Quinsigamond Village, including the potential cost for each particular item.  Motion-Clancy @ #8A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33c.   Request City Manager report as to the process for determining how monies received from the development of the Greenwood St. Landfill will be used and in what manner.  Motion-Lukes @ #8A CM – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

33d.   Request City Manager to make available to all associations and unions packets relative to re-employment rights in order to make them aware of what would be given to other employees.  Motion-Clancy @ #14A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33e.   Request City Manager to report on any overlap or the possibility of cooperative use of vehicles as contained in Item 73 of the City Council Calendar of January 7, 2003.  Motion-Lukes @ #73CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33f.    Request City Manager to provide City  Council with a comparison of the City’s capital inventory to that of the School Department.  Motion-Patton @ #23B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33g.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a sample of the newly formatted Worcester Public Schools Report Card.  Motion-Patton @ #23A CM – Adopted on a roll call 10-1 (Lukes)

          (Attachments)

 

33h.   Request City Manager to report if the School Administration notified parents before a change was made in report cards.  Motion-Perotto @ #23A CM – Adopted on a roll call 10-1 (Lukes) (Attachments)

 

33i.    Request Administration report to City Council in May 2003 as to the success of the closing of the southern section of Coburn Ave.  Motion-Clancy @ #24B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33j.    Request City Manager to report as to whether the City has control through the regulatory and legislative process over development that is circumventing regulations.  Motion-Lukes @ #24C CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33k.   Request City Manager to report as to a timeline for responses to Land Use Committee requests relative to the proposed Zoning Ordinance.   Motion-Patton @ #24C CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33L.   Request Director of Traffic Engineering to report on the feasibility of installing parking meters on Shrewsbury St. as a way of enforcing parking violations.  Motion-Lukes @ #24J CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33m.  Request City Manager to request a response from KPMG Peat Marwick relative to the incident in the Treasurer’s Office and what their explanation is as to why they didn’t catch this.  Motion-Murray @ #71CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33n.   Request City Manager to report as to why the traffic lights on Worcester Center Blvd. are not synchronized and why the timing seems to constantly change.  Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33o.   Request Administration to evaluate the possibility of locating some sort of signalization at the intersection of Salisbury St. and Forest St.  Gomez -  Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33p.   Request City Manager to work with the School Committee and School Administration to identify areas of concern where there are no shoveled sidewalks for school children.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33q.   Request City Manager to enforce the City Ordinance relative to removal of snow from sidewalks on behalf of the handicapped community.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33r.    Request City Manager to request the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools to report for the January 14, 2003 City Manager’s Calendar detailing how the Charter Schools impact the School Department’s funding in Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33s.   Request City Manager to request a report from the Law Department within the next 30 days as to whether Roda Estates would be subject to the proposed Zoning amendment regarding duplexes in RL-7 zones.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33t.    Request City Manager to communicate to each of the Crime Watch groups in the City, outlining areas where they could make specific contributions to their neighborhood in terms of patrolling and contacting civic organizations that are associated with their Crime Watches to get assistance in clearing sidewalks or discussing the issue with neighbors.  Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33u.   Request Administration consider allowing parking on one side of Park View Dr. during the winter parking ban.  Murray, Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33v.   Request Administration provide an updated report on the sewer backup and flood zone issues on Lawnfair St.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33w.  Request Administration to report on the feasibility of locating Charlie’s Diner on one of the City’s Off-Street Parking Board locations.  Murray, Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33x.   Request Administration to report when the fence around Foster St. will be removed.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33y.   Request City Manager to report as to the status of Police class scheduled for July 1, 2003 and whether background checks and physicals are going to take place.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33z.   Request Administration provide a report relative to parties responsible for removing snow all around Union Station.  Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33aa.  Request City Manager to report if the City is mandating training for independent snow plow contractors.  Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33bb. Request Public Service & Transportation Committee to inquire of Charter Communications whether they are planning any local cutbacks in service, including local programming, layoffs and/or increase in costs.  Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33cc. Request City Manager to contact the State relative to removal of snow from sidewalk on bridge on Route 9 going from Worcester to Shrewsbury.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33dd. Request City Manager to provide training to snow plow operators as to how high and where snow should be pushed.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33ee.  Request City Manager to begin removal of snow from street corners.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33ff.   Request Administration to report on every City Manager calendar the cost of current snow events and to keep a tally.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33gg. Request City Manager report as to why there was no trash pick up on Saturday, January 4, 2003.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33hh. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a breakdown of percentage increases for all the different types of residential properties.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

33ii.   Request City Manager report as to exactly what the figures are relative to holding off on the next fire class and what is projected for vacancies in the coming months.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

33jj.   Request City Manager report as to what happens to the list of calls that go into the Department of Public Works concerning snow plowing, towing of vehicles, etc.; how long the list stays active and is there any detail to the list.  Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

          34 ADOPT ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (Gomez absent)

 

34.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: BURNCOAT TERRACE FROM END OF OCTOBER 3, 1949 PUBLIC LOCATION WESTERLY TO BARNARD RD. (Attachments)

 

          35 & 36 ADOPTED

 

35.     SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT:  NORDICA ST. (Attachments)

 

36.     SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT:  SORRENTO ST. (Attachments)

 

COMMUNICATION

 

37.     Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting The Role of Regional Planning Agencies in Facilitating Economic Development. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Regional Affairs Committee

 

38.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Items Pending

 

REPORTS

 

          39-41 ACCEPTED

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH Upon the following Communications of the City Manager:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

39.     Relative to the HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis C Task Force. (Attachments)

 

40.     Relative to our AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis Program. (Attachments)

 

41.     Relative to how the City will bridge the gap in addressing the AIDS/Hepatitis issue. (Attachments)

 

          42 VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

42.     REPORT OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Beth Schuster, Eastern Homes, LLC requesting to extend BL-1.0 zone in the area of 1173 West Boylston St.:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Attachments)

 

          43 & 44 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

43.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robert Gallo, President, Eagle Development Corp. requesting acceptance of Moreland Green Dr. in Phases IX and X in the Villages of Moreland Green Subdivision. (Attachments)

 

44.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robert Gallo, President, Eagle Development Corp. requesting acceptance of High Rock Lane in Phases IX and X of the Villages of Moreland Green Subdivision. (Attachments)

 

          45-47 ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (Gomez absent)

 

45.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Richard & Nancy Gingras requesting abatement of Street Betterment Assessment #24455 in the amount of $11,956.70 on Orton St.:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to abate to $6,650.00. (Attachments)

 

46.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Anthony & Christine Dellomo requesting abatement of Street Betterment Assessment #24448 in the amount of $10,178.00 on Orton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to abate in full. (Attachments)

 

47.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig Stevens requesting abatement of Private Street Betterment Assessment #50153 in the amount of $4,210.74 on Westwood Dr.:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to abate to $792.09. (Attachments)

 

          48-56 ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Petitions requesting private street maintenance: recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

48.     Samantha Roy et al – Prioulx St. (Attachments)

 

49.     Wayne & Kathy Plumber et al – Narragansett Ave. (Attachments)

 

50.     Stephen Hill et al – Nyland St. (Attachments)

 

51.     Claudette Marquis et al – Beale St. (Attachments)

 

52.     Frank McGurl et al – New Bond St. from #74 to end. (Attachments)

 

53.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Bernard Bonsra requesting to extend water line from Blithewood Ave. to service two homes to be built on Lots 41-46 on McClintock Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

          (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Petitions requesting to extend sewer lines: recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

54.     Shervin Jafarzadeh – Intersection of Mower St. 150’ northerly on Pleasant St. in vicinity of #771 Pleasant St. (Attachments)

 

55.     Thomas Revane, Revane Development Co., Inc. – 245’ of 2” PVC force main sewer line on Mystic St. to service 5 & 7 Mystic St. (Attachments)

 

56.     Bernard Bonsra – From Blithewood Ave. to service two homes to be built on Lots 41-46 McClintock Ave. (Attachments)

 

          57 RECOMMITTED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

57.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to List of Candidate Petitioned Streets for FY 2004 Resurfacing Program:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Attachments) 

 

          58-68 ACCEPTED

 

58.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Heather Nejaimey requesting section of Tracy Place from Southbridge St. to a point at which the P&W Railroad intersects be graded and/or paved: recommend Petition be amended at Petitioner’s request for private street conversion of Tracy Place from Southbridge St. westerly approximately 300’ to public portion of Tracy Place and refer to the Planning Board. (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Communications of the City Manager:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

59.     Relative to Urban Design component to the study for Washington Square. (Attachments)

 

60.     Relative to Ballard St. Recycling Drop-off Center. (Attachments)

 

61.     Relative to fire apparatus having no problems on Prioulx St. due to condition of the road. (Attachments)

 

62.     Relative to width and length of West Chester St./public portion and portion to be made public. (Attachments)

 

63.     Relative to Streetscape Improvements along May St. (Attachments)

 

64.     Relative to the possibility of converting Grove St. Terrace to a public street. (Attachments)

 

65.     Relative to converting Grove St. Terrace to a public street. (Attachments)

 

66.     Relative to Status Report #5 – Street Resurfacing Project. (Attachments)

 

67.     Relative to Progress Report/Construction. (Attachments)

 

68.     Relative to Union Station Update. (Attachments)

 

LOAN ORDER TO BE ADOPTED

 

          69 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (Gomez absent)

 

69.     That the sum of $3,000,000.00 be appropriated to Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation for the purpose of remodeling, reconstructing or making extraordinary repairs to public buildings owned by the City.        (Attachments)

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          70 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

70.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for three additional handicap spaces on the west side of Dean St. near Salisbury St. (Attachments)

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

71.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Forensic Investigation-Treasurer’s Office. (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

72.     Order – Request City Manager pursue one of the Worcester area colleges or universities to request they undertake an analysis of the various state revenues that are returned to the City of Worcester to determine whether we receive our fair share.  Funds to be examined should include state aid, education funds, highway funds, capital project funds and any grants.  (Palmieri) (Attachments)

 

Taken off the Table and Councillor Palmieri moved to amend:  compared to Boston and Springfield

 

Adopted, as amended

 

TABLED ITEMS

 

73.     Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #50C702, Worcester Public Schools Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing:

 

                   (3) 20 Passenger Buses             $105,000.00

                   (1) Ford – 350 Pickup/sander    $  46,000.00

                   PC/Printers (Technology Plan)  $105,000.00

 

for the Worcester Public Schools, as approved in the fiscal 2003 Capital Improvement Program. (Tabled December 10, 2002) (Attachments)

 

Taken off the Table and Order adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Irish absent)

 

74.     Communication of the City Manager relative to CIGNA – Letter – Worcester Common Outlets.  (Tabled December 17, 2002)

          (Attachments)  No action taken

 

75.     Motion Lukes as amended by Abraham – Request Administration to contact CIGNA relative to the feasibility of linking up Front St. with Washington Sq. and Shrewsbury St. and explore financial incentives that might facilitate that.  (Tabled December 17, 2002)

          (Attachments)  No action taken

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

JANUARY 6, 2003            MUNICIPAL                COUNCIL CHAMBER

       5:30 P.M.                    OPERATIONS

 

JANUARY 8, 2003              TRAFFIC &                COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.                        PARKING

 

JANUARY 13, 2003     PUBLIC SERVICE           COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.                              &

                                       TRANSPORTATION

 

JANUARY 15, 2003      PUBLIC SAFETY           COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.

 

JANUARY 28, 2003             HEALTH                   COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:00 P.M.

Presentation by the Health Foundation of Central Mass.

 

JANUARY 29, 2003          HOUSING &                COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:00 P.M.                  NEIGHBORHOOD

                                        REVITALIZATION

Re:  Housing Study

 

FEBRUARY 12, 2003        HOUSING &                COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:00 P.M.                  NEIGHBORHOOD

                                       REVITALIZATION

Re:  Housing Study

 

FEBRUARY 26, 2003        HOUSING &                COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:00 P.M.                  NEIGHBORHOOD

                                       REVITALIZATION

Re:  Housing Study

 

MARCH 19, 2003               HOUSING &               COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:00 P.M.                  NEIGHBORHOOD

                                        REVITALIZATION

Re:  Housing Study