City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the order. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent)

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #3b and #4a.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed laws concerning the watercraft ban at

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Marc Andellman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
2. Meghan Martinez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
3. Julia Rothschild, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
4. Stephanie Cunningham, Orange, NJ resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
5. Donald G., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
6. Bernie Jolly, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
7. Marcel Blais, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
8. Elyse Johnson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
9. Laura Clancy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of a permanent ban
10. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
11. Mary Ellen McKeon, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of a permanent ban
12. Lisa Bonardi, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
13. Matthew Cory, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
14. Jack Burke, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of a permanent ban
15. Craig Van Batenburg, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
16. Melvin Goss, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
17. Carl Gomes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
18. Bruce Lenahan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of a permanent ban
19. Kim Williams, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of a permanent ban

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the conditions relative to the watercraft ban with Speaker #17.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the purpose of the committee meeting, the importance of public participation at committee meetings and how watercraft affect residents who live in waterfront properties at the lake.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Massachusetts Environmental Police Chief of Enforcement, who discussed different types of restriction and jurisdictions, and the impact of banning watercraft at Indian Lake on increasing watercraft on Lake Quinsigamond.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the process to create a permanent ban on watercraft for Indian Lake and the timeline for the process, and other municipal governments that have created a watercraft ban.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who spoke in favor of the permanent ban of watercraft at Indian Lake.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed the importance of having oversight and the need for enforcement on Indian Lake with the Massachusetts with the Environmental Police Chief of Enforcement.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the total number of Environmental Police officers for Worcester, the training that the police department would need to address issues relative to watercraft and state-wide and the ability of DPW to address the reckless behavior on Indian Lake with the Environmental Police Chief of Enforcement and Assistant DPW Commissioner.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the region which includes City of Worcester, the assigned environmental police officers, the challenges relative to number of available personnel to provide enforcement at Indian Lake, and the process concerning lifting the ban with the Environmental Police Chief of Enforcement and the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed whether there are laws concerning permitting for boats at the boating launch with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay - King): Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an ordinance for a permanent ban on personal watercraft (PWC), including jet skis, on Indian Lake that includes preamble language allowing for the immediate ordainment of said ban.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an ordinance for a permanent ban on personal watercraft (PWC), including jet skis, on Indian Lake that includes preamble language allowing for the immediate ordainment of said ban.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a)

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a)