PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

JUNE 23, 2004

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 7:04 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:35 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councillor Joseph M. Petty

                             Councillor Juan A. Gomez

                             Councillor Michael C. Perotto

 

Also:                     Police Chief Gerald J. Vizzo

                              Deputy Police Chief Mark S. Roche

                              Deputy City Solicitor Michael Traynor

                              DPW Staffperson Robert Fiore

                              City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

 

STREET LIGHTS

 

          Petitions - Installation

 

1.       Petition of Ralph Cobb request street light on Lakewood St. between Elmer St. and Manomet St.

          #23 CC August 12, 2003

Recommend Approval of installation of one light in the vicinity of 84/86 Lakewood Street.

 

2.       Petition of Councillor Dennis Irish & Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Dita Hannam request street light on existing telephone pole in front of 7 Commonwealth Ave.

          #9a CC October 7, 2003

Recommend Approval of installation of one light on pole #3.

 

3.       Petition of Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Dita Hannam request street light in front of 7 Commonwealth Ave.

          #8 CC January 27, 2004

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

4.       Petition of Osman Abdelrahman request street light on 97 Paris Ave.

          #7 CC January 13, 2004

Recommend Approval of installation of one light on pole #15.

 

          Petition – Repair

 

5.       Petition of Councillor Philip Palmieri requests repair of a light pole at 11 Brookdale St. and replacement of a street sign.

          #22a CC December 16, 2003

Recommend Approval of increase in lumen of street light in middle of

Brookdale Street

 

PRESENTATION

 

6.       Wind Farm Proposal by Lance McKee

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration to review the attached report concerning the proposal for creation of a wind farm in the City of Worcester and respond with long-term recommendations.

 

CABLE

 

7.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the process for renewal of the cable television license currently held by Charter Communications.

          #15B CM May 4, 2004

Recommend File

 

8.       Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting report relative to City receiving proper compensation under the franchise agreement between the City and Charter Communications.

          #150 CC August 12, 2003

          In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

9.       Petition of Scott Babbit request the City Council to make known to Charter Media its displeasure on rate increases.

          #7 CC March 9, 2004

Recommend Hold

 

WRTA/TRANSPORTATION

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief to provide the City Council with a report revealing the results of the June 2004 and June 2003 annual inspection of the fleet of cabs in the City of Worcester.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief to provide the City Council with a report stating the owners of taxicab medallions in the City of Worcester.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief to provide the City Council with a report showing how many taxicabs are operating in the City of Worcester during various times of the day and the response times realized by callers at various times of the day.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration to provide a report to the City Council concerning the regulation and enforcement of regulations and laws for the operation of a private livery vehicle/business.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration to provide the City Council with a report obtaining the following information from appropriate parties: how much a taxicab medallion is worth, how many drivers are employed full and part time, the percentage of people in Worcester who fall under the poverty level for each year since 1979.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief to provide the City Council with a report whether there is a sufficient number of taxicab medallions in the City of Worcester, and, further request that he provide the City Council with a recommendation whether the number should be increased.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration to provide the City Council with a report concerning the number of taxicabs, the number of medallions and the process for issuance of same in the cities of Lawrence, Cambridge, Boston and Springfield.

 

Speakers:

1.     Antoinette Donovan, 1 Alstead Path, Millbury

2.     Jose Zayas, Upland Gardens Drive, Worcester

3.     Maria Camarano, 469 Granite Street, Worcester

 

10.     Communication of the City Manager relative to effectiveness of policies governing Worcester’s Taxicab Fleet.

          #20A CM April 24, 2001

          In Committee June 20, 2001 – Held

          In Committee October 15, 2001 – Held

          In Committee December 12, 2001 – Held

          In Committee April 23, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

11.     Communication of the City Manager relative to taxicabs that are handicap accessible.

          #19A CM June 17, 2003

Recommend File

 

12.     Communication of the City Manager relative to taxicab inspections.

          #19B CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

13.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Taxicabs.

          #15B CM November 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

14.     Report of the Committee on Public Service & Transportation upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to livery licensed vehicles acting as taxicabs.

          #71 CC October 30, 2001

          In Committee December 12, 2001 – Held

          In Committee April 23, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

15.     Petition of David Johnson et al request to erect a bus shelter at the bus stop at 40 Belmont St.

          #22 CC August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

16.     Department of Telecommunications and Energy – Notice of Investigation into appropriate pricing, based upon Total Element Long Run Incremental Costs for unbundled network elements and combinations of unbundled elements to be charged by Verizon New England, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Massachusetts as well as Appropriate Avoided Cost Discount for Verizon’s Resale Service, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

          #58 CC January 30, 2001

          In Committee April 23, 2003 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

17.     Communication of the City Manager relative to forthcoming Telecommunications Forum.

          #16D CM March 18, 2003

          In City Council March 26, 2003 – Held

          In Committee April 23, 2003 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

18.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a Telecommunications Master Plan.

          #15H CM September 16, 2003

Recommend Hold