Committee Agenda for Public Safety Committee 02/25/2025

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:06 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:36 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Luis A Ojeda

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey Councilor Morris A. Bergman, who arrived at 5:22 p.m. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda

	Also:	Fire Chief Martin W. Dyer Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services David C. Horne Deputy City Clerk Clare M. Robbins, clerk

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. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. Public Safety Committee Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1615547889 Public Safety Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 Public Safety Committee Zoom Access Code: 161 554 7889	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on January 21, 2025.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Bergman absent)

Communications of the City Manager - Fire Department



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the June 2024 fire at Washington Heights. # 8.12B CM February 4, 2025	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Fire Chief, who provided an overview of the damage caused at the June 2024 fire at Washington Heights due to the property’s architecture and the process relative for new buildings to abide by sprinkler laws. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the Commissioner of Inspectional Services, who discussed the process relative to reviewing building permits and confirmed the new building at Washington Heights will have sprinklers. Chairperson Councilor Toomey spoke concerning insurance companies requiring properties, such as the Washington Heights property, to have sprinklers installed with the Commissioner of Inspectional Services. Chairperson Councilor Toomey spoke concerning the size of the property and current building code language relative to sprinklers with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning timelines associated with completing the rebuilding of the property, and the process relative to restoration including Inspectional Services’ involvement with the Commissioner of Inspectional Services and Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed the property’s architecture relative to the building sharing a roof and current building codes with the Commissioner of Inspectional Services. Chairperson Councilor Toomey then spoke concerning the “After the Fire” brochure available to residents who’ve experienced a house fire with the Fire Chief and Commissioner of Inspectional Services. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the cause of the June 2024 fire with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor recognized the following speaker: Enri Marini, Worcester resident, no comment Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File


3b.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the feasibility of installing pole attachments to fire hydrants in the city. # 9.12A CM January 21, 2025	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Fire Chief, who provided an overview of a previous pilot process relative to testing and evaluating pole attachments to fire hydrants in the city, the cost associated with installing pole attachments, and the benefits of technology relative to locating fire hydrants without the use of pole attachments. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning required fire hydrant maintenance with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey then moved for the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request Fire Chief work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with a report detailing how the Summer Impact Program can assist relative to required maintenance to the upkeep fire hydrants’ appearances and surroundings.” Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed a public service announcement reminding residents of their responsibility to clear fire hydrants of snow with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed a practice relative to identifying fire hydrants and sewer systems covered in snow by spray painting orange markings on the snow and concerns related to identifying fire hydrants at night with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speaker: 1. Enri Marini, Worcester resident, spoke concerning fire hydrant pole attachments to be reflective Chairperson Councilor Toomey then moved for the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of repainting and increasing reflective materials on fire hydrants in the city.” Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the type of paint used on the fire hydrants with the Fire Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Fire Chief work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with a report detailing how the Summer Impact Program can assist relative to required maintenance to the upkeep fire hydrants’ appearances and surroundings.
	Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of repainting and increasing reflective materials on fire hydrants in the city.