CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 18, 2000

7:00 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Ann Burgdorf

Concordia Lutheran Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL

 

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

4.       Communication of the City Manager recommending that Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation and appropriated to Account #50C704, Worcester Public School Building Rehabilitation to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various building rehabilitation projects for the Worcester Public Schools. (Held personal privilege)

 

5.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

         

6.       James P. Coughlin that the City Council’s appropriate Sub-Committee consider having the City adopt the drug prevention program “Together we can” which has been successfully implemented in about 20 Massachusetts communities.

         

7.       James P. Coughlin request City Council either rename High St. (from the corner of Austin St. and High St.) to Bishops Avenue or establish an official plaque at the intersection of High St. and Chatham St. honoring the memory of the late Worcester Catholic Bishops Bernard J. Flanagan and Timothy J. Harrington.

 

8.       Peter S. Deary request approval to extend a pressurized sewer line for a distance of 140’ to my property at the corner of Ansonia Rd. and Belcourt Rd. for the construction of one single family, owner occupied home.  To be installed at owner’s expense, under a prior agreement.

         

9.       Ralph Cobb request handicap parking in front of 86 Lakewood St.

 

10.     Attorney Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of Michael Madulka, American Liberty Mortgage & Loan Corp. request one handicap parking space in front of 193-195 Lake Ave.

 

11.     Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of George Hoyen, United Realty request Bus Stop be moved or removed from in front of 830 Main St.

 

12.     James P. Coughlin request City Council establish within a prominent location in the City a “Worcester Hall of Fame” which will showcase and recognize many of Worcester’s great leaders of the past, which will include, but not be limited to those who contributed to the life of the City in the following areas:  politics and government, public safety, threatre and the entertainment industries, sports and recreation, education, religion, health, science and others.  Further, request efforts be made to involve the Worcester Historical Society in the research on whom would be likely inductees for this honor.  Further, request that there be as much involvement by the citizenry of Worcester in this process in the neighborhoods.

 

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          13-14 FROM TRAFFIC & PARKING

 

13.     Authorize Director of Traffic Engineering to install inbound Bus Stop at Fremont St., south side at a point 200’ west of Cambridge St. and delete the Bus Stop at Fremont St., south side at #180 Fremont St.

 

14.     Request City Council to prohibit left turn on Grafton St. into Sunderland Rd. for northbound traffic for a trial period of 90 days.

 

ORDERS

 

15.     Request City Manager update City Council on the status of contract negotiations with the Public Health Nurses.   (Abraham)

 

16.     Request City Administration establish a “turn key” procedure for all newly constructed school buildings.   (Clancy)

 

17.     Request City Administration explore use of available grant monies for the establishment of a boardwalk from the proposed Blackstone Valley Visitors’ Center across Middle River to Middle River Park.  Further, also review the feasibility of re-establishing the canal turnaround pond adjacent to said proposed visitors’ center.   (Clancy)

 

18.     Request City Administration explore the availability of both grant and/or private monies to purchase pontoon boats for use and access of Lake Quinsigamond.   (Clancy)

 

19.     Request City Manager prepare report to Council on cost replacement of council chairs with casters that are similar to those in his office. (Clancy)

 

20.     Request City Administration consider donating the WTI sign to the College Hill Civic Club.    (Nadeau) 

 

21.     Request Administration report on the current status of the drought in Worcester as it is affecting the City water supply and the impact, if any, upon the cost of water rates for the next fiscal year. (Lukes, Nadeau)

 

22.     Request City Auditor report on the income expenses, borrowings and debt service of the Off Street Parking Board for the past ten (10) years.   (Lukes, Nadeau)

 

23.     Request City Auditor report on the financial impact upon the operations of the Off Street Parking Board for the following situations:  if the City were to give away one hundred parking spaces for one year and for thirty years and if the City were to give away fifty spaces for one year.    (Lukes, Nadeau)

 

24.     Request Administration report on the current physical condition of the municipal garages, the need for repairs, the type and cost of repairs, whether any repairs and maintenance are currently being conducted or planned and the cost.   (Lukes, Nadeau)

 

25.     Request City Administration report on the community policing programs, specifically the foot patrols, park and walk and bike patrols.  Further, are these programs still in place, if so, where and when are they being done.   (Nadeau, Perotto, Patton, Clancy, Abraham)

 

26.     Request City Manager to meet with the Massachusetts Highway Department to explore the possible extension of the proposed airport access road beyond the Worcester Regional Airport northerly to link with I-190 at the Worcester/Holden line as this parkway can link the north county to our airport and western suburbs and become a vital part of the transportation network that is needed to fuel the economic engine of Central Massachusetts. (Nadeau, Abraham, Patton, Perotto, Lukes)

 

27.     Request City Manager to develop a strategy/plan for hiring Worcester Firefighters and Police Officers to ensure proper staffing levels. (Petty)

 

28.     Request City Manager to form a committee for the purpose of preparing for attending the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial service to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado on September 16, 2000. (Petty)

 

29.     Request City Manager to forward to the Firefighter Memorial Committee a suggestion that the Worcester Fire Department Headquarters building and the surrounding grounds be considered as the site of the proposed Worcester Firefighter Memorial and Museum. (Petty)

 

30.     Request City Council Standing Committee on Rules develop a process by which the City Solicitor alerts City Council regarding issues as to the legality of filed Orders, Petitions, items at the time of the original filing and prior to public debate on the items.  The intent of this Order is to provide information and not to prohibit or censure items on an agenda.  (Lukes)

 

31.     Request City Council provide for a process for tracking and return to the agenda of City Council Orders which have not been acted upon for over 90 days either in Committee or by Administration or any other entity to which referral was made.  (Lukes)

 

32.     Request Administration to research and report on the availability and cost of alternative traffic control or warning systems and the cost of such systems which can be used in substitution of traditional traffic lights. (Lukes, Nadeau)

 

33.     Request City Manager to respond to Robert Durand, Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs MEPA Unit and copy the Massachusetts Highway Department Environmental Division on or before February 1, 2000 regarding the Environmental Impact Report and MEPA, File Number 12112 for the purpose of expressing the City of Worcester’s concern and the negative effects the Webster St., Hope Ave. and Oxford St. proposed access road alternatives will have on the neighborhoods in question, specifically addressing the negative impact and environmental concerns said project will have on the land, wetlands, water, waste water, air, solid and hazardous waste, historical and archeological resources, parklands, socioeconomic well-being of the neighborhoods and quality of life for the existing residents in the area.   (Abraham)

 

34.     Request City Manager provide a report on the complement of Police Officers for the purpose of public safety.  (Perotto)

 

35.     Request City Manager contact Forum Theatre on any plans using the amphitheater at East Park this summer.   (Perotto)

 

36.     Request City Manager provide a report concerning the study on Department of Public Works garage on Shrewsbury St.   (Perotto)

 

37.     Request City Manager provide a report on the Laurel St. intergenerational playground.   (Perotto)

 

38.     Request City Manager to consider developing a long-term plan for constructing parking structures in the two blocks bounded by Main, Foster, Commercial and Front Sts. and by Franklin, Salem, Myrtle and New Salem Sts.   (Murray)

 

39.     City Council requests that the City Solicitor and Code Department investigate the feasibility and process necessary to develop laws that would deter the use of spray paint for graffiti.  Said laws to include:  a) require all sellers of spray paint to collect a $2.00 deposit per container of spray paint at the time of sale.  b) spray paint containers shall not be transported or conveyed, by anyone, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without an appropriate license.  (Mariano)

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

40.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting quarterly report on the sources and uses of funds for construction of the ALL School, Roosevelt Magnet, Norrback Magnet, Worcester Vocational Technical School, Forest Grove Middle School and North High School.

 

41.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the School Building Rehabilitation request which is the First Item of Business.

         

42.     Laureen B. Fellin, Clerk, Borough of Watchung, County of Somerset, New Jersey transmitting Resolution relative to the December 3, 1999 fire in the City of Worcester.

 

43.     Joanne M. Putzier, Administrative Assistant, City of Burlington, Vermont, Office of the Clerk and Treasurer transmitting Resolution relative to the December 3, 1999 fire in the City of Worcester.

 

44.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:

 

FINANCE

 

a)       #40CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues.   (Lukes)

 

b)      #41CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Manager to present a budget for the next fiscal year with a rate of growth that is either at the rate of inflation or excludes new growth, whichever sum is lower.   (Lukes)

 

         

c)                 #63CC  September 21, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council pledge to maintain the existing tax rate for the next three fiscal years.  Further, request City Council instruct the City Manager to prepare the next three budgets using only “New growth”, state and federal funds and existing tax revenues. (Mariano) 

 

REPORTS

         

          45 ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE  

 

45.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone on behalf of Joseph Nozzolillo, Sarah D. & John-Paul Moradian and Janet Tivnan requesting to change the zoning map of the City of Worcester by extending the current BL-1.0 zone on the northerly side of West Mountain St. from the intersection of West Mountain St. and Brooks St., easterly to the intersection of West Mountain St. and the Malden St. Connector for a depth of 150’ from the center of West Mountain St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

          46-48 ACCEPT

 

46.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Stephen D. Burwick on behalf of PK Realty Trust requesting to abandon a portion of Attleboro St. (a private way) between Coonan St. and Kendig St.

 

47.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Mike Sacco requesting private street conversion on Trevor Lane.

 

48.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Bradford H. Sargent requesting sewers in Chequesset Rd.

 

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the following Petitions requesting signs: recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

          49-62 ACCEPT & ADOPT

 

49.     Duncan & Shu-Ling Benedict et al request signs for Calumet Ave. warning drivers of children and to restrict motorists to a speed limit reasonable by Mass. law limited to these signs.

 

50.     Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of April Vargas request Traffic and Parking Committee to install “Children/Go Slow” sign on the corner of Norfolk St. and Wall St.

 

51.     Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Colleen Tortera requesting Traffic and Parking Committee install a “Children/Go Slow” sign and a speed limit sign on Tatman St.

 

52.     Carolyn Hallin et al requesting Speed Limit or Go Slow Children signs to help prevent vehicles from speeding on Arboretum Dr. going to Sarah Dr.

 

53.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Robert Hebert requesting “Caution Children” sign on Benham St.

 

54.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting “Caution Children” sign on Everton St. at corner of Kirkland St.

 

55.     Sean Merrick et al requesting “Go Slow Children” sign at beginning of Dellwood Rd.

 

56.     Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Ramona Gallant requesting “Children” sign on Harrison St. for the purpose of slowing down traffic.

 

57.     Sean Merrick et al requesting “Dead End” sign at the corner of Radmore St. and Dellwood Rd.

 

58.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Robert Hebert requesting “Caution Intersection” sign on Enid St. near Benham St.

 

59.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Bob Nordstrom requesting stricter enforcement of speeding on Beaconsfield Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting Police Chief to enforce speed limits on Beaconsfield Rd.

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the following Petitions requesting crosswalks: recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

60.     Gerald Tuori, Dean for Institutional Advancement, Becker College requesting a marked pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of Sever St. and William St.

 

61.     Councillor Michael C. Perotto requesting crosswalk at corner of Mulberry St. and Shrewsbury St. for the purpose of public safety.

 

62.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Daniel Ankrah requesting commercial loading zone at 195 Pleasant St. be removed and replaced with 30 minute parking: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to reduce the size of the Bus Stop and Commercial Loading Zone to install two parking spaces in the vicinity of 195 Pleasant St. for a trial period of 90 days. 

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the following Petitions requesting handicap parking: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinances.

 

          63-76 ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES

 

63.     Mary Dansereau requesting handicap parking in front of 20 Hacker St.

 

64.     Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Earl Caldbeck requesting handicap parking at 29 Windsor St.

 

65.     Clancy & Robert Pittman requesting handicap parking at 83 Rodney St.

 

66.     Nelky Soto on behalf of Fernando Ortiz requesting handicap parking in front of 17 Hampden St.

 

67.     Mikhael Mikhael requesting installation of one handicap parking space in front of 21 Plantation St.

 

68.     Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Grace Gentile requesting handicap parking in front of 175 Hamilton St.

 

69.     Norma Rivera requesting handicap parking on Jefferson St. off Vernon St.

 

70.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Robert W. Degon et al requesting left turn arrow for westbound Sunderland Rd. to turn left to southbound Grafton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to allow left turns only from the left lane for westbound traffic on Sunderland Rd. into Grafton St.

 

71.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Nancy & George Carpenter et al requesting parking on the odd numbered side of Ashton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to prohibit parking on the east side of Ashton St. between Sturgis St. and Duxbury Rd.

 

72.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Donna Forbes requesting resident parking on Wade St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide for resident permit parking on the north side of Wade St. near Ward St.

 

73.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Zeena, Manager, Human Resources, KomTek requesting parking be prohibited on both sides of Rockdale St. between utility poles #9-12: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to prohibit parking on the east side of Rockdale St. between utility poles #9-12.

 

74.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of A. Gordon Cross, President, Mayfield Plastics, Inc./S. Ralph Cross & Sons, Inc. requesting No Parking be allowed on both sides of the street entrance on Mayfield St. for a distance of 35-40’ on either side of gate: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

75.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Timothy P. Murray on behalf of Wyatt Wade, Davis Publications requesting installation of two 15 minute parking spaces and a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 44 Portland St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

76.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Nickolas Solitro of Solitro Brothers Hairstyling requesting one hour parking signs from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in front of 122 Shrewsbury St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

CHAIRMAN’S PROPOSED ORDINANCES

 

77-84 FROM TRAFFIC & PARKING ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES

 

77.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop sign on Fenwick St. at Westbrook Rd. to face northbound traffic.

 

78.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop sign on Zenith Dr. at Quissett St. to face eastbound traffic.

 

79.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop sign on Quissett St. at Zenith Dr. to face northbound traffic.

 

80.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking on the south side of Fremont St.  near Cambridge St.

 

81.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 9 Channing St.

 

82.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 94 Houghton St.

 

83.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 144 Maywood St.

 

84.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 98 William St.

 

TABLED ITEMS

 

85.     Communication of the City Manager recommending that Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents ($12,688.50) be transferred from Account 331-46, Belmont Home Retained Earnings and appropriated to Account 045S505, Belmont Home Advertising, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for advertising costs for proposed sale of the Belmont Home.

 

86.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home.

 

87.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to consider using the current site of the Vocational School, on the side of the Boys Club, as park land after discontinuance of use as a Vocational School.

 

88.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to consider eliminating the softball field on the Belmont St. side of the Vocational School site plan.

 

89.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to reconsider keeping educationally sound, the size of the parking area for the new Vocational School.

 

90.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein, Esquire on behalf of Smallwood Village Associates, Inc. requesting City of Worcester make Travis St. public.

 

91.     Tabled In Part – Order – Request Administration report on whether the Worcester Redevelopment Authority intends to sell the tax credits of the Union Station Project, the value of the tax credits, the intended use of the proceeds of the sale and further, request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.   (Lukes)

          Tabled – request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.

         

92.        Chairman’s Order from Traffic & Parking Committee – Request Director of Traffic Engineering to install “Children” and “Intersection Ahead” signs on Ardmore Rd. in advance of Hancock Hill Dr.

 

93.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Shooting Range Ordinance.

 

94.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting Traffic Engineer to consider a turning lane indicating “right turn only” for  northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

 

95.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to “Right Turn Only” lane for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Communication be denied.

 

 

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

 

JANUARY 19, 2000        TRAFFIC & PARKING COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 24, 2000        PUBLIC SAFETY          COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2000       EDUCATION                 ROOM 310

   7:00 P.M.                                                           CITY HALL

 

FEBRUARY 8, 2000       ETHNIC & MINORITY COUNCIL CHAMBER

   5:30 P.M.                     AFFAIRS

 

FEBRUARY 9, 2000       PUBLIC WORKS

   5:00 P.M. – VIEW OF CITY HALL BUILDING

                      View to start in City Council Office

   6:00 P.M. – MEETING          - COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

FEBRUARY 10, 2000     COMMERCE &             COUNCIL CHAMBER

   6:30 P.M.                     DEVELOPMENT