CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– APRIL 6, 2004
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:05 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:10 P.M.
1. INVOCATION – Captain Steven Lopes
Salvation Army Citadel
2. PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL
CALL – All present except Councillor Haller
Mayor Murray read a Proclamation proclaiming the week of April 4-10, 2004 as Coalition for a Healthy and Active America Week in the City of Worcester
HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00
P.M.
4
Hearing held
4. CLARK UNIVERSITY to install duct banks in: MAYWOOD ST. (Attachments)
4a
ORDER ADOPTED
4a. Granting permission to CLARK UNIVERSITY to install duct banks
in: MAYWOOD ST.
FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS
Taken up with #53
5. Monthly status reports consistent with Standing Committees on
the following economic development initiatives: Union Station garage and tenancy, Massport’s partnership efforts
at the Airport, downtown housing development, Mass. Highway road project
schedules, Gateway Park grants and tenancy, Gardner-Kilby-Hammond project, SWIP
project, brownfield initiatives, Coes Dam rehab, replacement and relocation of
Central Garage, Visitor’s Center rehab, telecommunications contract, Wyman
Gordon property reuse, Worcester Center tenancy and the Arts District.
6. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
6a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
7
& 8 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD
7. Carl Foley, President, Botany Bay Construction Co., Inc.
request City of Worcester accept Roseville Lane as a public street. (Attachments)
8. Robert Protano, President & James Gardner, Treasurer,
D.P.R. Realty, Inc. request zone change for portion of property at 937-945 West
Boylston St. from RL-7.0 to BL-1.0. (Attachments)
9-14
REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
9. Michael & Patricia Burke request abatement of Sewer
Assessment #30929 in the amount of $3,247.10 on Burgess Rd. (Attachments)
10. Frank Corridori request regrading of Franklin St. from
Harrington Way to 729 Franklin St. (Attachments)
11. Thomas & Mary Kelleher request abatement of Sewer Assessment
#30928 in the amount of $3,060.90 on Burgess Rd. (Attachments)
12. Michael Hannon, President, Design with Nature, Inc. request to
install 190’ of 8” sanitary sewer in Tatnuck Terrace and Howe Ave. (Attachments)
13. Marc Williams request to install 150’ of sanitary and surface
sewer main in Porter St. to service Lot #4.
(Attachments)
14. James & Rachel Egan request abatement of Sewer Assessment
#30925 in the amount of $3,091.68 on Burgess Rd. (Attachments)
15-20 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
15. Jean Stranieri request No Turn on Red sign be placed at Lincoln
St. and Country Club Blvd. (Attachments)
16. Michael & Bertha-Elena Cirillo request resident parking in
front of 7 Kensington Rd. (Attachments)
17. Richard Vo request metered parking in front of 104 Chandler St. (Attachments)
18. Luis Rodriquez request handicap parking in front of 4 Delaware
St. (Attachments)
19. John LaPrade et al request resident only parking between 1 &
7 Marconi Rd. (Attachments)
20. Councillor Frederick Rushton on behalf of George Valeri request
removal of one handicapped parking space across from 51 Wall St. (Attachments)
21 & 22 HEARINGS SET FOR APRIL 13, 2004 – 7:00 P.M.
21. CLARK & MOTT on behalf of FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC
to install and maintain fiber optic telecommunications facilities at: PROVIDENCE ST. @ GLOUCESTER ST. (Attachments)
22. CLARK & MOTT on behalf of FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC
to install and maintain fiber optic telecommunications facilities at: CORAL ST. @ UNION PLACE.
23-25
FROM PUBLIC WORKS - ADOPTED
23. Request Administration report to City Council regarding the
possibilities of daylighting a longer portion of Beaver Brook from the proposed
southerly terminus in the vicinity of the supermarket on May St. southerly to
the area of Maywood St. (Attachments)
24. Request Administration to explore the use of field turf or
another artificial material for covering the proposed new playing fields at
Beaver Brook Park. (Attachments)
25. Request Commissioner of Public Works to keep City Council
informed of the plans for daylighting Beaver Brook as it moves through various
stages. (Attachments)
26-32
FROM YOUTH, PARKS & RECREATION - ADOPTED
26. Request Administration to consider improvements to the environs
of the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial in the public-private restoration efforts to be
undertaken during calendar 2004. (Attachments)
27. Request Administration to provide City Council with a status
report on the corrective work to be conducted to the City Hall Garage and rear
plaza when appropriate. (Attachments)
28. Request Administration to place on hold the plans to go forward
requesting an RFP for study of Hope Cemetery until such time as the Worcester
Regional Research Bureau study on the same topic is received. (Attachments)
29. Request Administration to communicate with Dan Hartwell,
promoter of Locobazooka concerning his plans for locating the 2004 music
festival. (Attachments)
30. Request Administration report to City Council concerning
progress in consolidating recreational facility permitting. (Attachments)
31. Request Acting Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery to
consider new handball courts in the future budget planning. (Attachments)
32. Request Administration report to City Council regarding the
possible installation of an overhead light in the parking area in Greenwood
Park. (Attachments)
33. Request Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools report on
the status of the gate to the Norrback School that was to be kept closed per a
prior agreement. (Petty, White) (Attachments)
Placed
on file
34. Request Administration to increase traffic speed enforcement on
Crystal St., especially late afternoon, in the interest of public safety. (Haller) (Attachments)
Adopted
35. Request City Manager to develop a strategy to keep companies’
business headquarters in downtown Worcester for the purpose of economic
development. (Perotto, Petty) (Attachments)
Adopted
36. Request City Manager to provide a report on the reconfiguration
of athletic fields at Beaver Brook Park. Perotto, White, Rushton, Gomez) (Attachments)
Adopted
37. Request City Manager to provide a report on “Filled Turf” for
use on athletic fields across the City of Worcester. (Perotto, Gomez, White,
Rushton) (Attachments)
Adopted
38. Request Administration report on the status of implementation of
citi stat program regarding the Health and Code Department, as a pilot
program. (Lukes) (Attachments)
Adopted
39. Request Acting Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to engage
members of the public and civic organizations in the design and restoration of
the horticultural aspects planned for the plaza and façade of City Hall. (Rushton)
(Attachments)
Adopted
40. Request Administration consider developing a plan to
pro-actively retain businesses in the City of Worcester; utilizing existing
public, private and quasi-public agencies in this effort. (Rushton) (Attachments)
Adopted
41. Request Administration to look towards the Wyman-Gordon
properties as the site for a minor league baseball stadium. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Councillor Haller moved to amend: Further, request
Administration to include the Canal District CDC in discussion as to any
proposed reuse
Councillor Clancy moved to amend: Further, request that the landfill site also be considered as a
possible future location for a minor league baseball stadium
Councillor Rushton moved to amend: Further, request
Administration talk to any affiliation with minor league baseball relative to
locating a stadium on this site
42. Request City Manager work with the Election Commission in
assisting the Central Election Commission of the Dominican Republic in
providing a satellite polling location at an appropriate location in Worcester
and further, that they assist the Central Election Commission of the Dominican
Republic in securing the proper police detail for the day. (Gomez)
(Attachments)
Adopted
43. Request Administration report on the impact of open air metered
public parking lots upon the zoning regulations concerning food
service/restaurant seating occupancy requirements. (Lukes) (Attachments)
Adopted
44. Request Administration report on the positions (with salary)
which were unfilled in the 2004 budget and those positions which were
subsequently filled during the fiscal year and/or are contemplated for
replacement. (Lukes) (Attachments)
Adopted
45. Request City Manager report to City Council on whether Mass.
Highway Department has extended the start date of the Washington Sq.
reconstruction. (Clancy) (Attachments)
Adopted
46. Request City Council to consider elimination of the Ordinance
Committee and in its place have all ordinance items referred to Land Use to
report to the full City Council.
(Perotto, Clancy)
Mayor
Murray requested Rules Committee meet within 30 days
Councillor Petty moved to amend: Further, request a time
standard be applied to ordinance items referred to the Land Use Committee
47. Request Administration review ordinances adopted by other
municipalities across the country to address proliferation of panhandling at
numerous intersections around the city of the past several months. (Murray,
Petty, Palmieri, Perotto, Clancy, Haller, Irish) (Attachments)
Adopted
48. Request Administration convene a meeting of various substance
abuse, mental health and shelter providers to develop street outreach
strategies to provide panhandlers with needed services. Murray, Petty,
Palmieri, Perotto, Clancy, Haller, Irish) (Attachments)
Adopted
49. Request Chief of Police provide a report on his definition of
quality of life crimes and how his community policing strategy addresses these
quality of life crimes, including implementation, supervision and benchmarking
criteria. (Murray, Petty, Haller,
Irish) (Attachments)
Adopted
50. Request City Manager to request the Worcester Housing Authority
to provide a report on changes made to facilities and programs in the last 18
months. (Lukes) (Attachments)
Adopted
50a. Request Administration to bring back to City Council the study
done relative to siting a farmers market in the Union Station garage. Motion-Irish @ #53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50b. Request Administration to request the developers of the Gateway
Park to provide a broad timeline for this project. Motion-Irish @ #53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50c. Request Administration to request a report from Massport as to what type of marketing
effort, relative specifically to
commercial air service is Massport engaged in or considering on behalf of the
Worcester Regional Airport. Motion-Irish
@ #53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50d. Request Administration to report as to what non-profits have
received loans from the city in the past five years and if there are any
defaults. Motion-Lukes @ #53CC –
Adopted (Attachments)
50e. Request Administration to request a schedule from the new
developer of the Common Outlet Mall as to a timeframe through the end of the
year relative to the scope of work that is planned for this facility. Motion-Clancy @ #53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50f. Request Administration to include the design schedule for the
Union Station Parking Garage in future Economic Development Initiatives
Reports. Motion-Clancy @ #53CC –
Adopted (Attachments)
50g. Request Administration to include in the April Economic
Development Initiatives Report the exact cost of the Wyman-Gordon property and
the exact date of when Wyman-Gordon wants to sell the property. Further, request Administration include in
the April Economic Development Initiatives Report the City’s bonding capacity
on an annual basis relative to this property.
Motion-Clancy @ #53CC – Adopted
(Attachments)
50h. Request Administration to include in the monthly Economic
Development Initiatives Report the outstanding liability for the Gardner Kilby
Hammond project. Motion-Clancy @
#53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50i. Request Administration to provide in the next Economic
Development Initiatives Report a listing of neighborhoods the City is
potentially outlining for the Citywide Master Plan. Motion-Clancy @ #53CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50j. Request Administration to
provide clarification of a statement made at the hearing on March 31, 2004 at the Senior Center by the State that they
would be delaying the Washington Square
reconstruction project possibly until 2007.
Further, if there might be a delay, request a response as to what that
might mean to the new mall owners and their plans for reconstruction. Motion-Clancy @ #53CC – Adopted
50k. That the Title of Telecommunications Contract in the monthly
Economic Development Initiatives Report be changed to Telecommunications/Cable
Services. Motion-Petty @ #53CC –
Adopted (Attachments)
50L. Request Administration to look at the concept of a Business
Improvement District in the downtown business district in the City. Motion-Murray @ #35 & 40CC –
Adopted (Attachments)
50m. Request Administration to forward the concept of a Business
Improvement District to the consultants that are developing a master plan for
downtown. Motion-Lukes @ #35 &
40CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50n. Request City Auditor to report relative to non compliance finding
in the Single Audit for the year ended June 30, 2003. Motion-Irish @ #54CC – Adopted (Attachments)
50o. Request City Manager to report on how State water usage rules will
affect the City of Worcester. Petty
– Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)
50p. Request City Manager to report on how State funding of the DARE
program will affect the City of Worcester.
Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)
50q. Request Chief of Police to provide speed enforcement on Coolidge
Rd. Rushton – Suspension of Rules –
Adopted (Attachments)
51. 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)
52. David J. Rushford, City Clerk transmitting month-to-month
itemization of U.S. Passport processing.
(Attachments)
Placed
on file
53. Michael V. O’Brien, Acting City Manager transmitting March
Economic Development Initiatives Report.
(Attachments)
Referred
to Commerce & Development Committee, Housing &
Neighborhood
Revitalization Committee, Public Service &
Transportation
Committee and Public Works Committee
54. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City’s Single Audit
for year ended June 30, 2003. (Attachments)
Referred
to Municipal Operations Committee
54a. That the City Council contact State Representatives and Senators
urging them to adequately fund mental health and detox services in our
area. Motion-White @ #47CC – Adopted
on a roll call 10-0 (Haller absent) (Attachments)
55
& 56 ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 9-0 (Gomez, Haller
absent)
55. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the
Planning Board upon the Petition of Councillors Paul Clancy, Jr. & Philip
Palmieri on behalf of Joseph DiPersia requesting extension of sewer line to
property at 496 Hamilton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order
requesting the Commissioner of Public Works to extend the sanitary sewer at a
cost of $17,500.00, approximately 100’ from Dallas St. to 496 Hamilton St.(Attachments)
56. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Austin Cannon requesting
installation of a new sidewalk on Olean St. from Kinney Dr. to Tatnuck
Gardens: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to construct a
sidewalk on Olean St. from Kinney Dr. to
Tatnuck Gardens at an estimated expense of $4,945.00. (Attachments)
57-59 ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED
57. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Francis Kelleher requesting to extend 8” water main on Benoit St. from existing
end approximately 40’, at owner’s expense:
recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Attachments)
58. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Eric Tucker requesting installation of handrails on staircase between sidewalk
and street at 95 Harrison St.: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order. (Attachments)
59. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication
of the City Manager relative to improvements to Beaver Brook Park: recommend adoption of the accompanying
Order that the City Council approves preliminary plans for the daylighting of
Beaver Brook. (Attachments)
60-85 ACCEPTED
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following
Petitions: recommend Petitions be
placed on file.
60. Councillor Stephen Patton on behalf of Kendrick Neighborhood
Association request repair of gate at cul-de-sac on Brooks St. at the
Cinema. (Attachments)
61. Councillor Barbara Haller request repair/replacement of fire
hydrant at 84-86 Canterbury St. (Attachments)
62. Robert Sbrogna request relocation of fire hydrant from in front
of 399 Shrewsbury St. approximately 100’ easterly to bus stop in front of 409
Shrewsbury St. (Attachments)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following
Communications of the City Manager: recommend
Communications be placed on file.
63. Relative to fencing and landscaping work, I-290 ramp widening at
the Burncoat St. exit. (Attachments)
64. Relative to lowering drains and other Public Works appurtenances
in Mabelle St. and Kinnicutt Rd. South.
(Attachments)
65. Relative to I-290 Viaduct Reconstruction Project. (Attachments)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following
Petitions: recommend Petitioners be
given leave to withdraw.
66. Councillor Barbara Haller on behalf of Louise Lombardo et al
request that a portion of Abbott St. running from the end of Walgreens parking
lot and the residences to the intersection with Winfield St. be closed as it is
impassable. (Attachments)
67. Steven Teasdale et al request City approve temporary closure of
Tainter St. from #38 to southern intersection with Kilby St., Ripley St. from
#41 to intersection with Tainter St. to the east and Kilby St. from the
intersection with Beacon St. to Tainter St. to its south, to allow for
construction activity relative to asbestos abatements, ground remediation,
demolition and earthenwork necessary for development of the new Boys &
Girls Club and Clark University Athletic Fields. (Attachments)
68. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the
Planning Board upon the Petition of John Sposato requesting sewers in Trent
Rd.: recommend Petition be denied. (Attachments)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon
the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.
69. Relative to restoration of the Rogers Kennedy Memorial. (Attachments)
70. Relative to Rogers Kennedy Memorial litigation update. (Attachments)
71. Relative to state report on the Rogers Kennedy Memorial. (Attachments)
72. Relative to update – Rogers Kennedy Memorial restoration/private
funding initiative. (Attachments)
73. Relative to status, research and recommendations for
privatization of Hope Cemetery. (Attachments)
74. Relative to privatization/lease of Hope Cemetery. (Attachments)
75. Relative to City Hall Garage and rear plaza rehabilitation –
contract status. (Attachments)
76. Relative to an invitation to a public meeting – proposed safety
improvements to the Jack Barry Little League Softball Field at Harrington Way. (Attachments)
77. Relative to status report – Kendrick Field improvement Phase II.
(Attachments)
78. Relative to an update on relocating Locobazooka Music and Art
Festival within the City of Worcester for this calendar year. (Attachments)
79. Relative to recommendations for immediate measures for Hope
Cemetery – Temporary Laborers. (Attachments)
80. Relative to cleanup efforts in the areas of Franklin St.,
Plantation St., Lake Ave., Millbrook St., Putnam Lane and Hamilton St. (Attachments)
81. Relative to announcement of a “Safe Play” partnership to improve
Bell Hill Playground. (Attachments)
82. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the
Communication of Helen Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting Worcester Public Schools Building Use Policy and
Procedures: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Attachments)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon
the following Orders: recommend
Orders be placed on file.
83. Councillor Lukes requesting Youth, Parks and Recreation
Committee look at stronger language and add a threshold of money to be
established as a minimum endowment for the maintenance of the Firefighters
Memorial to be constructed next to Fire Department Headquarters. (Attachments)
84. Councillor Lukes requesting Administration to consider a
recommendation for appropriating money from free cash for the replacement of
all trees removed the past and current year that are not currently funded. (Attachments)
85. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the
Petition of William Ortiz et al requesting City of Worcester build new handball
courts: recommend Petition be placed
on file. (Attachments)
86-89
ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (Haller absent)
86. Amending the Salary Ordinance relative to the Salary of the City
Manager. (Attachments)
87. 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)
88. Amending Section 2, Article III of the Worcester Zoning
Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to miscellaneous zone changes in the
Vernon Hill Area. (Attachments)
89. Amending Section 3, Article XVII of the Worcester Zoning
Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 allowing by Special Permit in Adaptive Reuse
Overlay Districts food service, indoor recreation and retail sales. (Attachments)
90. Communication of the City Manager recommending that $1,000.00 be
transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement
and appropriated to Account #72S611, Tree Plantings, to provide funds for the
purpose of replacement (caliper inch for caliper inch) of one live 5” caliper
public shade tree that has been requested for removal by Botany Bay Construction,
Inc. to allow for the development on Mill St.
(Attachments)
Tabled
SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE
STANDING COMMITTEES
APRIL 7, 2004 HOUSING & SOUTH WORCESTER
5:30
P.M. NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CTR.
REVITALIZATION 47 CAMP ST.
APRIL 12, 2004 COMMERCE & COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:30
P.M. DEVELOPMENT
APRIL 12, 2004 PUBLIC WORKS
QUINSIGAMOND ROOM
7:00
P.M. QUINSIGAMOND
SCHOOL
832
MILLBURY ST.
APRIL 13, 2004 TRAFFIC & COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:15
P.M. PARKING
APRIL 26, 2004
MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCIL
CHAMBER
5:30
P.M.
APRIL 26, 2004 ELDER AFFAIRS COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00
P.M.
APRIL 27, 2004 TRAFFIC & COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:15
P.M. PARKING