City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who explained no public speakers were on the line. Hearing no speakers, Chairperson Councilor Russell closed this portion of the agenda.

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the city’s Water and Sewer Rate recommendation and an overview of the city’s Integrated Plan.

Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed the overall decline of water usage in the city due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether the amount of reserves in the water and sewer accounts were sufficient if the rates were not increased with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the amount of reserves in the water account with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether the amount of reserves in the water and sewer accounts has an effect on the city’s bond rating with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who continued the discussion concerning the amount of reserves in the water account with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed that in order for the average bill to stay the same, the Basic Water Rate would need to decrease to $3.39 if the Sewer Rate were increased by the recommended amount of $8.15 with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the item as amended to include a decrease in the Basic Water Rate in Worcester to $3.39.

Recommend Approval As Amended to include a decrease in the Basic Water Rate to $3.39 on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 1 Nays (Nay – Wally)

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Engineer-Director/Treasurer of Upper Blackstone Clean Water, who provided an overview of the water district’s facility and the process for appointing members to the Board of Directors.

Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed the future of the sewer rate, whether political turnover on the federal level would affect mandates and standards at the facility and the city’s Integrated Plan with the Engineer-Director/Treasurer of Upper Blackstone Clean Water, the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Wally, who brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager ensure the city’s Integrated Plan in available for viewing on the city’s website.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed term lengths of the Upper Blackstone Clean Water Board of Directors with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Engineer-Director/Treasurer of Upper Blackstone Clean Water.

Councilor Mero-Carlson then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion explaining the enabling legislation of Upper Blackstone Clean Water, including information relative to the process for appointing members to the Upper Blackstone Clean Water Board of Directors, how the number of members is determined and whether the appointing process outlined in the city’s charter applies to said appointments.

Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed the financial reserve and financial standing of Upper Blackstone Clean Water and maintenance of the outside of the facility with the Engineer-Director/Treasurer of Upper Blackstone Clean Water and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works work with the appropriate representatives from Upper Blackstone Clean Water to present an action plan for the maintenance of the outside of the Upper Blackstone Clean Water facility.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold

Request City Manager ensure the city’s Integrated Plan in available for viewing on the city’s website.

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion explaining the enabling legislation of Upper Blackstone Clean Water, including information relative to the process for appointing members to the Upper Blackstone Clean Water Board of Directors, how the number of members is determined and whether the appointing process outlined in the city’s charter applies to said appointments.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works work with the appropriate representatives from Upper Blackstone Clean Water to present an action plan for the maintenance of the outside of the Upper Blackstone Clean Water facility.