PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

MARCH 1, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

6:00 P.M.

Convened: 6:04 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:17 p.m.

 

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

                             Councilor Philip P. Palmieri

                             Councilor Joffrey A. Smith

 

Also:                      DPW Commissioner Robert P. Moylan, Jr.

                             DPW Staffperson Matthew Labovites

                             DPW Staffperson Paul Moosey

                             DPW Staffperson Timothy Reiner

                             Assistant City Clerk Susan Ledoux, clerk

 

STREET MISCELLANEOUS PETITIONS

 

1.     Petition of Maureen Schwab, Canal District CDC, Inc. request a pilot program of a ‘street-scape’ type reconstruction of that section of Lafayette St. from Millbury St. to Harding St. in order to produce a plan for future roadway improvement projects for the Green Island Neighborhood. The pilot program may include, but not be limited to: exposed paving block road surface, ornamental street lighting, handicap-accessible sidewalk and crosswalk treatments, and signature signage.

#36 CC July 19, 2005

Recommend Approval subject to funding

 

2.       Petition of Gina Greenleaf et al request the City of Worcester relocate/alter the terminus of Russell Calvin Dr. so that Russell Calvin Dr. and Taj Dr. become a dead end and that traffic does not pass between these two streets.

          #59 CC November 1, 2005

In Committee November 29, 2005 – Held

Recommend Hold for a hearing

 

Chairman’s Order – Request the City Manager to request the Commissioner of Public Works to provide a report concerning the history and process for street approval of the streets involved in the Winter Heights subdivision.

 

ABATEMENTS – SEWER ASSESSMENT PETITIONS

 

          Petitioner’s Name            Assessment #        $ Amount              Location

 

3.       Michael & Patricia           #30929                  $3,247.10              Burgess Rd.

          Burke

          #9 CC April 6, 2004

In Committee October 25, 2004 – Held

          In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

4.       Charlene Key Sokal         #30934                  $2,908.14              Burgess Rd.

          #13 CC April 13, 2004

In Committee October 25, 2004 – Held

In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

5.       Jonathan & Carole Steen #30933                  $2,579.82              Burgess Rd.

          #15 CC April 13, 2004

In Committee October 25, 2004 – Held

In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

6.       John & Kathleen Harrity  #30932                  $2,448.72              Burgess Rd.

          #8 CC May 18, 2004

In Committee October 25, 2004 – Held

In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

7.       Frederick Hutson &        #30930                  $4,684.64              Burgess Rd.

          Nancy Burnham

          #7 CC June 15, 2004

In Committee October 25, 2004 – Held

In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

8.       Linda Dagnello                #30931                  $2,850.00              Burgess Rd.

          #18 CC November 9, 2004

In Committee April 5, 2005 – Held

Recommend Deny on a roll call vote 2-1 (No-Smith)

 

9.       Gerard Bergeron             #30970                  $3,292.32              Chester St.

          #6 CC December 13, 2005

Recommend Deny

 

CATCH BASINS/DRAINAGE

 

10.     Petition of Sophie Kaltsas request installation of drainage to mitigate flooding onto my property which is bounded by Meadowbrook Rd., Dennison Rd., Salisbury St. and Flagg St. 

          #11 CC April 12, 2005

Recommend Approval and Add to the Surface Drainage List

 

11.     Petition of Maria V. Lawler-McDonnell and Alan McDonnell request to install an additional catch basin on Mower Street to adequately divert the excess storm water that currently overflows the catch basin on Cataract Street and causes substantial flooding of adjacent properties.

#13 CC January 17, 2006

Recommend Approval

 

EASEMENT      

 

12.     Petition of Anthony Papagni on behalf of Girls, Inc. request City Council to grant Camp Kinneywood on Stonehouse Hill Rd., Holden, MA a 20 ft. wide easement for sewer, water & access from the Camp Kinneywood site to Stonehouse Hill Rd.

          #28 CC November 23, 2004     

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

MISCELLANEOUS  PETITIONS

 

13.     Petition of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request City Administration repair and/or replace the stairway railings on the Hamilton St. median.

          #10 CC March 1, 2005

          In Committee September 12, 2005 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

Chairman’s Order – Request the City Manager to request the Commissioner of Public Works to review the stairways on the Hamilton St. median and provide a plan that would include the repair or removal of these stairways and include any safety considerations such as railways and crosswalks.

 

14.     Petition of Councillor Philip P. Palmieri on behalf of Thomas DiReda request driveway apron and public staircase at 20 Rena St. be repaired.

          #26 CC September 6, 2005

Recommend Approval add to Sidewalk Repair List to repair driveway apron

 

15.     Petition of Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Joel Greece request Chandler St. between Mill St. and June St. be repaved and that all sewer covers be even with the street pavement.

          #9a CC February 8, 2005

Recommend Approval add to Street Resurfacing List for Funding

 

16.     Petition of Mayor Timothy P. Murray and Councillor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Edward Tankanow request brook width to be widened closest to 28 Greybert Lane.

          #6b CC May 17, 2005

Recommend File

 

PRIOR AGREEMENTS

 

17.     Petition of Kevin McManus on behalf of Stafford Development LLC, request water connection to 496 Stafford St., Cherry Valley at the expense of the petitioner and in accordance with DPW specifications.

          #52 CC October 11, 2005

Recommend Approval subject to a Prior Agreement

 

18.     Petition of Mark Biller, V.P. Stafford Hill Estates request to connect to the City of Worcester water and sewer from Stafford St. to the Stafford Hill Estates development just over the Worcester line in Leicester.

          #18 CC September 9, 2003

                In Committee October 21, 2003 – Held

Recommend Leave to Withdraw

 

19.     Petition of Ken Salsman request acceptance for a connection of a low pressure sewer line to the existing City of Worcester sewer main located within Westborough St. The connection is from property located at 130 Westborough St. in the town of Millbury.

          #8 CC November 29, 2005

          In Committee February 15, 2006 – Held

Recommend Approval in accordance with a Prior Agreement and on the condition that if usage exceeds predicted flows, that the agreement be returned to City Council for approval.

 

19a.   Petition of Beth Cohan, Vantage Point Homes, LLC request sewer extension to Weetamoe Street, a private way, from the intersection of Iroquois St. a distance of 268 feet as approved by the Department of Environmental Protection on March 16, 2005.

#12 CC February 14, 2006

Recommend Approval for sewer extension for 800’ subject to Prior Agreement

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

20.     Relative to recommended changes in downtown and arterial parking restrictions to enhance the current street sweeping program.

          #12A CM September 27, 2005

In Committee November 16, 2005 – Held

In Committee November 29, 2005 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

21.     Relative to the Water and Sewer Abatement Program Chapter 41.

          #12F CM November 15, 2005

Recommend File

 

22.     Relative to the sewer betterment assessment rate and methodology.

#12C CM January 10, 2006

Recommend Approval

 

23.     Relative to a five-year contract bid for a water meter reading system.

          #12E CM August 16, 2005

In City Council August 16, 2005 Order adopted.

In Committee for informational purposes only

Recommend File

 

24.     Relative to the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District Plant Upgrade Project status.

          #12A CM September 6, 2005

Recommend File

 

25.     Request the review and adoption by you Honorable Body of the attached amendments

relative to water and sewer rates for the city’s elderly who are eligible for Clause 41C, Real Estate Exemption.

#12B CM January 10, 2006

Recommend Approval of 2 Ordinances (attached)

 

26.     Relative to the 2005 Fall Leaf Collection Program.

          #88 CC November 1, 2005.

Recommend File

 

27.         Relative to Economic Development Initiatives Report October 2005.

          #8A CM October 11, 2005

Recommend File

 

28.         Relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives November 2005.

          #8A CM November 15, 2005

Recommend File

 

29.     Relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives December 2005.

          #8A CM December 6, 2005

Recommend File

 

30.     Relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives.

#8A CM January 10, 2006   

Recommend File

 

31.         Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) activity reports for the months of May, June and July 2005.

          #12C CM October 11, 2005

Recommend File

 

32.     Relative to Keep Worcester Clean  (KWC) August 2005 Activity Report.

          #12A CM October 25, 2005

Recommend File

 

33.     Relative to Keep Worcester Clean  (KWC) September 2005 Activity Report.

          #12C CM November 15, 2005

Recommend File

 

34.     Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) October 2005 Activity Report.

          #12B CM November 22, 2005

Recommend File

 

35.     Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) November 2005 Activity report.

#12A CM January 10, 2006

Recommend File

 

36.     Relative to Coes Reservoir Dam.

          #13A CM November 22, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

37.     Relative to Abandoned Vehicle Status Report.

          #23C CM March 8, 2005

Recommend File

 

38.     Relative to the Abandoned Vehicle Status Report.

          #12A CM December 6, 2005

Recommend File

 

39.     Relative to the Winter Parking Ban/Public Awareness Campaign.

          #12B CM December 6, 2005

Recommend File

 

40.     Relative to the formulation of the Quinsigamond Village Improvement Advisory Committee.

          #34A CM December 6, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

 DISCUSSION:  Leaf Mulching Site - Hold for a Hearing

 

Chairman’s Order – Request the City Manager to request the Commissioner of Public Works to provide the City Council with an updated report concerning the Leaf Mulching Site to include findings of the tour last summer, complaints, maps where yard waste will be placed and any plans for amenities that will be given to the neighborhood.