CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Works Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:05 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Susan M. Ledoux

Committee Members

Chairperson George J Russell
Vice Chairperson Matthew E Wally
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Vice Chairperson Councilor Matthew E Wally Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
 
Also:Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Matthew Labovites Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Russ Adams Assistant City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Approval of the Minutes

1a.

Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the minutes of the Public Works Committee Meeting on December 10, 2019.

View Agenda

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted.

2.

Street Abatement Petitions

2a.

James & Virginia Latino request abatement of street betterment assessment #25655 in the amount of $12,655.50 for Navasota Ave. # 8c CC November 12, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation for a full abatement of the assessment. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval for Full Abatement

2b.

Patricia Hayes request abatement of street betterment assessment #25629 in the amount of $15,750.00 for Navasota Ave. # 8d CC October 15, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who explained the property did not qualify for an abatement and recommended the abatement be denied. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Deny

3.

Street Resurfacing Petitions

3a.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request Emerson Rd. between Fales St. and Randall St. be resurfaced. # 10c CC January 7, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petitioner be given leave to withdraw, as the street is already on the Master Street Resurfacing funding list. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Leave to Withdraw.

3b.

Robert Wyspianski et al request Montello St. be resurfaced. # 8c CC October 15, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

3c.

Evan Corrigan request the bridge section of Sears Island Drive be resurfaced. # 7e CC June 25, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4.

Sidewalk Repair Petitions

4a.

Pamela Stefallari request sidewalk repair in front of 22 Neptune Rd. # 7b CC January 28, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4b.

Jeanne and Ben Hellberg et al request sidewalks on both sides of Collins St. be repaired. # 9a CC December 17, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the petitioner, who spoke in favor of the item. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who suggested temporary patch work for the sidewalk until it is selected for repaving. The Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks then recommended the petition be approved. Vice Chairperson also recognized Paul Bennet, Worcester resident, who spoke in favor of the item.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally made the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide for safety repair patches on both sides of the sidewalk on Collins St.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally moved to accept the recommendation on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide for safety repair patches on both sides of the sidewalk on Collins St.

4c.

Mary Sullivan request sidewalk repair in front of 453 Burncoat St. # 7a CC October 29, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4d.

Pia Gaines request sidewalk repair for the odd side of Waverly St., from Coral St. to Providence St. # 7f CC October 22, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally also recognized the petitioner, who spoke in favor of the item. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4e.

Victoria DiMassa et al request sidewalk repair for Flagg St. from High Ridge Rd. to Pleasant St. # 7c CC October 22, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4f.

Patricia Allen request the sidewalk in front of 48 Eureka St. be replaced. # 7a CC October 22, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4g.

Lillian Delgado request to lower sidewalks at 116 Eastern Ave. including the driveway and area between 116 Eastern Ave. and 118 Eastern Ave. to prevent flooding. # 8c CC September 24, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally also recognized the petitioner, who shared her concern over the water that pools at the end of her driveway and causes flooding in her basement. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4h.

Evan Corrigan request sidewalks be repaired in the bridge section of Sears Island Dr. # 7f CC June 25, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4i.

Carlos Diaz request sidewalk repair on the Perry Ave. side of 35 Euclid Ave. # 10b CC January 7, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally also recognized the petitioner, who shared his concerns over the deterioration of the sidewalks outside his house. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

4j.

Deiwson Dos Santos request sidewalk repair in front of 61 Seymour St. # 8e CC November 12, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petitioner be given leave to withdraw, as the street is already on the Master Sidewalk Resurfacing funding list. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Leave to Withdraw.

4k.

Carl Besse request sidewalk repair in front of 24 William St. # 8b CC November 12, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petitioner be given leave to withdraw, as the street is already on the Master Sidewalk Resurfacing funding list. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Leave to Withdraw.

4l.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of David Harding from Polar Beverages request sidewalk repair in front of 1001 Southbridge St. # 8c CC November 19, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be approved. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally also recognized the petitioner, who spoke in favor of the item. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Approval

5.

Street Light Petitions

5a.

Kathleen and Joseph DiGregorio request more lighting under the I-290 overpass on Southbridge St., near Rotmans and Holy Cross College. # 7b CC November 26, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairman Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the item be denied. It was stated that if lighting is still dim after repair they will revisit the location.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally moved to accept the recommendation, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Deny

5b.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request installation of a street light at 715 West Boylston St, in the vicinity of the cross walk that connects to Roycroft Rd. # 7b CC January 14, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who stated that there is already a streetlight thirty-five feet from crosswalk.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally moved to accept the recommendation, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Deny

5c.

Sayuri Lopez request installation of a streetlight at the intersection of Brightwood Ave. and Firth St. # 7a CC January 28, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who stated that he went to the location at night and concluded that the lighting was adequate and recommended the item be denied. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally moved to accept the recommendation, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Deny

6.

Communications of the City Manager

6a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending December 31, 2019. # 9.5B CM January 21, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

6b.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Six Month Activity Report for the period ending December 2019. # 9.5A CM January 21, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

6c.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending November 30, 2019. # 11.5A CM January 7, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

6d.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending October 31, 2019. # 8.7A CM November 26, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

6e.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending August 31, 2019. # 9.7A CM October 15, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

6f.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Resurfacing Program for FY21 and FY22. # 8.5B CM February 4, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be held, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold.

6g.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY20 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program. # 8.5A CM February 4, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be held, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold.

7.

Miscellaneous Items

7a.

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald Dupre et al request Whitla Dr. be made a dead end at Sunderland Rd., allowing access only from Lake Ave. # 11b CC January 14, 2020

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to recommend the item be held at the request of the Chairperson, which was approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold.

7b.

Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request City Council authorize and request the City Manager to provide water service in accordance with the Department of Public Works and Parks' policy for the community nursery behind Zorbas/Walgreens on Stafford St. # 8k CC September 3, 2019

Attachments

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who recommended the petition be filed, as the land owner needed to communicate with the Water Department. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend File.

7c.

Order of Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks develop protocols for Eversource to follow in order to repair holes left in the street after checking for gas leaks. # 10d CC February 25, 2020

Attachments


Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved to take the item out of order, which was approved on a voice vote. Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Sean Lauziere, Community Relations and Economic Development Specialist for Eversource, who provided an overview of procedures and processes for testing for gas leaks.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally asked for the Community Relations and Economic Development Specialist for Eversource to provide the written policy to the Committee, which the representative agreed to do.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Wally moved to file the item.

Recommend File.