CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 23, 2004

7:00 P.M.

 

1.       INVOCATION –  Fr. Edward Hanlin – Not present

Sacred Heart Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present

 

Mayor Murray made a motion to suspend the rules – On a voice vote Council suspended its rules

 

3a.     Mayor Murray read the Order to appoint Michael V. O’Brien as Acting City Manager and authorizing Mayor Murray to execute the employment contract with Mr. O’Brien – Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays  (Attachments)

 

3b.     Mayor Murray read an Ordinance amending the Salary Ordinance relative to the salary of the City Manager – On a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays Council voted to advertise the proposed Ordinance  (Attachments)

 

The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Michael  V. O’Brien as Acting City Manager

 

Acting City Manager Michael V. O’Brien was introduced by Mayor Murray and spoke

 

Mayor Murray announced a 15 minute recess

 

Council reconvened at 7:50 P.M.

 

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

          4 – Hearing held

 

4.       VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for conduit location on:  ARLINE ST. and THENIUIS ST.  (Attachments)

 

          4a Order Adopted

 

4a.     Granting permission to VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for conduit location on:  ARLINE ST. and THENIUS ST.

 

5.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6 - REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

6        William Antonelli request to extend residential zoning to both sides of Fay St.  (Attachments)

 

          7 & 8 – REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

7.       Maryjane Michaud et al request sidewalk repair in front of 539 Pleasant St.  (Attachments)

 

8.       David Rushford request sidewalk repair on southerly side of Salisbury St. from handicapped ramp at corner of Regent St., in a westerly direction, a distance of 140’.  (Attachments)

 

          9-11 – REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

9.       James DiMucci request handicap parking in front of 16 Ellsmere St. (Attachments)

 

10.     Christine Brown request installation of parking permit sign from 16-20 Henry St.  (Attachments)

 

11.     Thomas Nguyen et al request removal of handicap parking on corner of Fairmont Ave. and Grafton St.  (Attachments)

 

          12 & 13  - HEARINGS SET FOR MARCH 30, 2004 – 7:00 P.M.

 

12.     CLARK & MOTT on behalf of FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC to install fiber optic facilities at: INTERSECTION OF PROVIDENCE ST. and BALLARD. ST. (Attachments)

 

13.     CLARK & MOTT on behalf of FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC to install fiber optic facilities at:  INTERSECTION OF WEST BOYLSTON ST. and KENDRICK AVE.  (Attachments)

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          14-17 FROM LAND USE - ADOPTED

 

14.     Request Planning Board to consider implementing an advisory condition in future housing projects planned within adaptive reuse overlay zones a criteria that units be split 50/50 between rentals and condominiums.  (Attachments)

 

15.     Request Traffic and Parking Committee to consider recommending a turning prohibition for traffic traveling west on Winthrop St. so that no left turn may be allowed onto Providence St. southbound. (Attachments)

 

16.     Request Commissioner of Public Works to provide City Council with a brief narrative describing the traffic flows that are anticipated to enter and exit the proposed development at the site of the former St. Vincent Hospital.  (Attachments)

 

17.     Request Administration to consider amending their future recommendations for property transfers to include a list of bid inquirers, a list of anticipated deed restrictions on the subject property, prior and present year assessed values and a recommendation for disposition that has the track record of the applicant documented. (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

18.     Request Administration report to City Council concerning the Veteran’s Workforce Integration Program.  (Petty)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

19.     Request Administration to include in the budget document for Fiscal Year 2005, a statement from each department stating the goals and objectives of that department.  (Petty)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

20.     Request City Council proceed forthwith with the selection of a Permanent City Manager by initiating and completing a process for said selection, to include the appointment of an ad hoc committee, including in the composition of said ad hoc committee, Councillors on both sides of the issue of the City Manager’s resignation; the purpose of the committee being to determine the following:  (as enclosed). Lukes, Gomez)   (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Ad Hoc Committee

 

21.     Request Administration to consider designating a project manager to handle all mall re-use plans and issues such as demolition and construction, timelines, costs, etc.   (Murray)  (Attachments)

 

          Mayor Murray moved to amend: Further, request Administration report relative to role of Sasaki, as to scope of their responsibilities and when those responsibilities end, who then takes on the project management implementation

 

          Councillor Lukes moved to amend:  Further, request Administration provide a job description for the position and how Administration would consider funding the position

 

          Adopted, as amended on a roll call 11-0

 

22.     Request Administration report on the timetable and costs to repair the retaining wall in Elm Park along Highland St. between the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial and Doherty Memorial High School. (Murray, Rushton, White)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

22a.   Request Administration to consider the use of economic development Block Grant money to fund the position of project manager to handle all mall re-use plans and issues, if the Administration feels the position is necessary.  Motion-Clancy @ #21CC – Adopted on a roll call  vote of 7 Yeas (Clancy, Irish, Palmieri, Perotto, Petty, White, Murray) and 4 Nays (Gomez, Haller, Lukes, Rushton)

          (Attachments)

 

22b.   Request City Manager to request the Chief of Police to provide more law enforcement and speed checks for the corner of Beaver Brook Parkway and Maywood St.   Rushton – Suspension of Rules - Adopted  (Attachments)

 

23.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Action Taken

 

          FINANCE

 

a)                 #35CC  February 3, 2004

 

Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication comparing Local Aid figures for FY04 and FY05 for the City of Worcester as recommended by Governor Romney in the submittal of his FY2005 budget.   (Attachments)

 

COMMUNICATION

 

24.     Thomas R. Hoover,  City Manager transmitting communication relative to Vernon Hill zone change (Land Use Subcommittee amendments).  (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

REPORTS

 

          25 – VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

25.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of the Committee on Ordinances upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone requesting to amend the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance to allow by Special Permit in the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District the following uses:  restaurants, health clubs and retail sales:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.  (Attachments)

 

          26 – VOTED TO PROPOSE ORDINANCE – ADVERTISING WAIVED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

26.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of the Committee on Ordinances upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Joe Boynton and Members of the Planning Board: Having considered the rezoning of the former St. Vincent Hospital area, the Worcester Planning Board requests the following two zone changes:  1) applying an Adaptive Reuse Overlay District to the Liberty owned property.  2) changing the zone district designation of parcels in the current IN-H zone and existing BL-1 zone as depicted on map:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.  (Attachments)

 

          27 - ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED

 

27.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of an Order transferring the jurisdiction of  304 & 315 Cambridge St., 46 Grosvenor St., 141 Eastern Ave., 10 Bluff St., 16 Norfolk St., 74 Wall St. and Jacques Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.  (Attachments)

 

          28-30 - ACCEPTED

 

28.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of John Kazlauskas, Sr. et al requesting a zone change from RG-5 to BL-1.0 for properties located on Grafton, Mendon and Cutler Sts.: recommend Report and Petition be referred to Ordinance Committee for a hearing.  (Attachments)

 

29.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone requesting to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester by establishing an Adaptive Reuse Overlay District over a portion of the area presently zoned MG-2.0 at or near the intersection of Exeter St. and Fremont St.:  recommend Report and Petition be referred to Ordinance Committee for a hearing.  (Attachments)

 

30.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to additional information for property transfer request:  recommend Communication be placed on file.  (Attachments)

 

          31-64 - ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED

 

31.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Kevin Lobisser, President, Lobisser Building Corp. requesting municipal water service from the Worcester Water Department for residential subdivision known as Park Hill Village in Millbury: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Attachments)

 

32.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councillor Paul Clancy, Jr. requesting a guardrail on Granite St. on the hill and curve between Holy Name High School and Linders Salvage Yard:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.  (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Petitions requesting street resurfacing:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

33.     Councillor Thomas White on behalf of Cindy Prosser request resurfacing of Button St. where needed.  (Attachments)

 

34.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Dix St. between Lancaster and Ormond Sts.  (Attachments)

 

35.     Councillor Barbara Haller request repaving of Lewis St. (Attachments)

 

36.     Councillor Barbara Haller on behalf of Sean Defeudis et al request resurfacing of Wachusett St. (Attachments)

 

37.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Wesby St. (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Petitions requesting sidewalk repair:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

38.     Yergeni Sosunov et al request sidewalk repair in front of 6 Ashmont Ave.  (Attachments)

 

39.     Councillor Philip Palmieri request sidewalk repair at 12 & 20 Atlanta St.  (Attachments)

 

40.     Stephen Abraham request sidewalk repair at 34 Berkmans St. (Attachments)

 

41.     Yi Qi Wang request sidewalk repair at 275 Beverly Rd. (Attachments)

 

42.     Christine Parcher request City repair original brick sidewalk on Brownell St. side of 76 June St.  (Attachments)

 

43.     Stephan Damarais, Property Manager on behalf of Moreland Hill Condominium Association request Public Works reset existing granite bounds set in sidewalk along Camelot Dr. to be flush with pavement. (Attachments)

 

44.     Councillor Barbara Haller request repair of sidewalk and front of driveway at 81 Canterbury St.  (Attachments)

 

45.     Councillor Barbara Haller request sidewalk repair on Chandler St. from Park Ave. to Piedmont St.   (Attachments)

 

46.     Councillor Barbara Haller request sidewalk repair in area of 224 Chandler St. (Attachments)

 

47.     Councillor Barbara Haller request sidewalk repair on Crystal St. (Attachments)

 

48.     Anna Bogart et al request installation of sidewalk at 54 Edgeworth St. (Attachments)

 

49.     Councillor Dennis Irish & Councillor Konstantina Lukes request sidewalk repair in front of 85 Elm St.  (Attachments)

 

50.     Councillor Barbara Haller request repair of four concrete panels to the west of 85 Elm St. driveway.  (Attachments)

 

51.     Annette Roy et al request sidewalk repair from 60-68 Everard St. (Attachments)

 

52.     Mary Levine request sidewalk repair in front of 10 Havelock Rd. (Attachments)

 

53.     Mayor Timothy Murray and Stephen Abraham on behalf of William Stock request sidewalk repair on odd numbered side of Hope Ave. from 81 through 205.  (Attachments)

 

54.     David Angel & Jocelyne Bauduy request sidewalk repair at 19 Lenox St.  (Attachments)

 

55.     Michael Hennessy et al request sidewalk repair on Lincoln St. from Green Hill Parkway to Orne St.  (Attachments)

 

56.     Councillor Philip Palmieri request sidewalk repair/replacement on westerly side of Main St. from Harrington Corner to driveway at 406 Main St.  (Attachments)

 

57.     Councillor Philip Palmieri request sidewalk repair at 31 Marsh Ave. (Attachments)

 

58.     Councillor Juan Gomez request sidewalk repair in front of 648-656 Pleasant St.  (Attachments)

 

59.     Councillor Konstantina Lukes on behalf of E.S. Rich request sidewalk repair at 996 Pleasant St.  (Attachments)

 

60.     Raymond Kary et al request sidewalk repair on St. Nicholas Ave. (Attachments)

 

61.     Sylvia Epstein request sidewalk repair in front of 10 South Flagg St. (Attachments)

 

62.     Thai Nguyen request sidewalk repair in front of 4 Trinity Ave. (Attachments)

 

63.     Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Scott Eovacious request sidewalk at 1 West Lake St. be repaired.  (Attachments)

 

64.     Sylvia Lubowitz request sidewalk repair in front of 39 Westbrook Rd. and around corner on Kinnicutt Rd.  (Attachments)

 

          65-86 - ACCEPTED

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Communications of the City Manager:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

65.     Relative to Yard Waste Drop Off Sites.  (Attachments)

 

66.     Relative to placement of Second City Hall Rostrum.  (Attachments)

 

67.     Relative to Fall Leaf Collection Program.  (Attachments)

 

68.     Relative to Route I-290 Deck Replacement Project.  (Attachments)

 

69.     Relative to January 2004 Abandoned Vehicle Status Report. (Attachments)

 

70.     Relative to  February 2004 Abandoned Vehicle Status Report. (Attachments)

 

71.     Relative to Construction Progress Report quarter ending December 31, 2002.  (Attachments)

 

72.     Relative to Construction Progress Report quarter ending December 31, 2003.  (Attachments)

 

73.     Relative to Grimewatch Program – October 2003 activity. (Attachments)

 

74.     Relative to Grimewatch Program – November and December 2003 activity.  (Attachments)

 

75.     Relative to January 2004 monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report.  (Attachments)

 

76.     Relative to February 2004 monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report.  (Attachments)

 

        REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following Petitions:  recommend Petitioners be given leave to withdraw.

 

77.     Carolyn & Sam Gordon request sidewalk repair in front of 41 Ellis Dr.  (Attachments)

 

78.     Councillor Philip Palmieri request sidewalk repair at 16 Natick St. (Attachments)

 

79.     Stephen Abraham request sidewalk and/or curb repair at 17 Pinewood Lane.  (Attachments)

 

80.     Ann Costello request sidewalk repair at 776 Pleasant. St. (Attachments)

 

81.     Stephen Abraham on behalf of Gerald Cronin request sidewalk repair in front of 20 Wetherell St.  (Attachments)

 

82.     Stephen Abraham request Worcester section of Cemetery Rd. be repaved.  (Attachments)

 

83.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Home St. (Attachments)

 

84.     Councillor Juan Gomez request Administration consider the feasibility of resurfacing Kenilworth Rd.  (Attachments)

 

85.     Stephen Abraham on behalf of John Guiney request repaving of Kenilworth Rd.  (Attachments)

 

86.     Councillor Konstantina Lukes request resurfacing of a portion of Sunnyhill Dr.  (Attachments)

 

          87 -  ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED

 

87.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sandra D. Strom requesting handicap parking at 18 East Worcester St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to provide for handicap parking in front of 16 East Worcester St. for a trial period of 90 days.  (Attachments)

 

          88 - ACCEPTED

 

88.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Konstantina Lukes on behalf of Roger Dubuque requesting residential parking on Robertson Rd.:  recommend Petition be denied.  (Attachments)

 

CHAIRMAN’S PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

          89 - FROM TRAFFIC & PARKING – VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

89.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on both sides of Robertson Rd. for a distance of 100’ south of Pleasant St.  (Attachments)

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

MARCH 24, 2004          COMMERCE &            COUNCIL CHAMBER

      4:30 P.M.                 DEVELOPMENT

CANCELLED

 

 

MARCH 29, 2004        PUBLIC WORKS           BEAVER BROOK PARK

      7:00 P.M.                                                        COMMUNITY HOUSE

                                                                              9 MANN ST.

 

 

MARCH 31, 2004        YOUTH, PARKS &        COUNCIL CHAMBER

      5:30 P.M.                  RECREATION

 

 

APRIL 7, 2004                  HOUSING &               SOUTH WORCESTER

      5:30 P.M.               NEIGHBORHOOD           NEIGHBORHOOD CTR.

                                    REVITALIZATION           47 CAMP ST.

 

 

APRIL 12, 2004        PUBLIC WORKS          QUINSIGAMOND ROOM

      7:00 P.M.                                                    QUINSIGAMOND SCHOOL

                                                                          832 MILLBURY ST.