CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Works Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:26 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson George J Russell
Vice Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A Bergman
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor George J. Russell Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor Morris A. Bergman
 
Also:Councilor Donna M. Colorio Councilor Etel Haxhiaj Councilor Khrystian E. King Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and Parks William Coyle City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk
 
1.

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information

1a.

Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.

Public Works Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98928800472
Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 989 2880 0472

Attachments
2.

Approval of the Minutes

2a.

Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting on March 1, 2023.

View Agenda

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

3.

Honorary Street Name Petition

3a.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio and Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request Salisbury St., from Park Ave. to the Holden line, be given the honorary street name title of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Way. This request is in honor of the 555 anniversary of the death of the national hero of the Albanian Community. # 9b CC March 21, 2023

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and discussed policies regarding street naming. Chairperson Councilor Russell then shared an obituary for resident Taibe Beqiri and discussed creating a policy for street naming after historical figures.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the following speakers:
1. Greg Steffon, Holden resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Frank Zdruli, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the importance of recognizing the Albanian community through an honorary street sign.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed whether the honorary street name designation would exist in perpetuity.

Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed his desire to not hold any more hearings relative to honorary street name designations until a policy is created to guide the naming process.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Colorio, Councilor Haxhiaj, who spoke in favor of the item.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor King, who discussed the need for an appeals process for removing honorary street name designations.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved as amended to designate Salisbury St. from Moreland St. to Flagg St. as Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Way.

Recommend Approval as amended on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays