CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:58 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Mayor Lukes read a proclomation declaring May 12, 2007, National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive.

Melissa Kanaracus request sidewalk repair in front of 22 St. Elmo Rd.

Lillian Aramony and Philip & Patricia Roy request sidewalk repair/replacement in front of 16 and 18 Rosewood Dr.

Leona Ricklin request to resurface Salisbury Crag.

Mr. & Mrs. William Balcom request private street maintenance along the Albemarle St. side of 61 Chester St.

Lusine Baghsarian request sidewalk repair in front 3 Intervale Rd.

Sarkis Hagopian request sidewalk repair in front of 5 Intervale Rd.

Rachel & Brian Keyo et al request that safety repairs be carried out to restore, resurface and reconstruct Euclid Ave.

Rachel & Brian Keyo et al request that safety repairs be carried out to restore, resurface and reconstruct sidewalks in Euclid Ave.

Joseph Quinn request installation of traffic signal in Rte.20 at the Miller Fence Co. and the access road entrance at Wheelabrator Millbury Inc.

Joseph Quinn request to install a red light ahead alert signal on east bound side of Rte.20 in vicinity of Lahti Farm Rd.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Anthony Petrone request "No Parking" be installed in both sides of the entire length of Kelsey Dr.

Cheryl DelSignore request to speak to City Council regarding funding of the Worcester Public Schools.

Notification of Reappointment of Joseph Zwirblia to the Airport Commission.

Notification of Reappointment of Jonathan Mannina, Gina Palumbo, and Michael Testa to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Notification of Reappointment of Joseph Wanant to the Conservation Commission.

Notification of Reappointment of Reynaldo Rodriguez and Daniel McAuliffe to the G. A. R. Memorial Hall Board.

Notification of Reappointment of Abigail Averbach and Dr. Stanley Levenson to the Board of Health.

Notification of Reappointment of James Constantine to the Historical Commission.

Notification of Reappointment of Matthew Curewitz to the Hope Cemetery Board of Commissioners.

Notification of Reappointment of Mable Millner to the Human Rights Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Rachel Brown and Reappointment of Dawn Clark, Migdalia Cortes, and Jaqueline Norton to the Commission on Disabilities.

Notification of Reappointment of Francis Paquette to the Civic Center Commission.

Notification of Reappointment of Patricia McKone to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 3rd Quarter FY'07 Report of the Worcester UniverCity Partnership.

Transmitting Informational Communication on the New Tenants for Union Station.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept an Edward J. Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Formula Grant

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant.

Recommend the Conversion of the Private Section of Hickory Drive to a Public Way.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Status of the Fire Hydrant Located in the Vicinity of 1095 Millbury Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of March 2007

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant Through the Commonwealth's Underground Storage Tank Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Best Estimates of the Amount of Time Worcester Fire Department Personnel Spend at Various Types of 911 Calls.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to any Incidence of Arson from July 1, 2006 to Present and the Relationship to Increased Residential Property Foreclosure Rates.

Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation from Geese Peace of a Motorized Flat Bottom Zodiak Boat.

Recommend that the City Council, Accept with Gratitude a $5,000.00 donation from Shaw's Supermarket to the Worcester Public Library.

Informational Communication Relative to the $4,750,000.00 General Obligation Refunding Garage Bond with the Results of the Rating Agencies.

Recommend that Forty Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($47,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C709, Worcester Common Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account # 14C714, Worcester Common Rehabilitation, to allow for contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Twenty Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($23,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Account # 34C701, Elder Affairs Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing and installing exterior signage at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C745, Franklin Street Slope to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with this slope repair.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Citywide Building Rehabilitation and be appropriated to Account #26C704 , Fire Department Capital Rehabilitation, to fund catch basin costs for the Leary Building .

Recommend that Twenty Two Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Eight Dollars And Thirty Six Cents ($22,738.36) be transferred from Account #91C790, New School Construction, and be appropriated to Account #28C724, North High Construction, for the purpose of funding final payments.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C799, North High School, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C740, North High School to allow for the payment of on going contractual obligations, for the construction of North High School.

Recommend that Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($65,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C797, Airport Improvements, and be appropriated to Account # 47C702, Airport Building Rehabilitation, to pay for Environmental Mitigation obligations.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars And Fourteen Cents ($11,150.14) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation Premium on Loans, and be appropriated to Account # 660-92000, Treasurer's Office Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the costs associated with the issuance of the April 12, 2007 Bond Anticipation Note issuance.

Recommend that Sixty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($67,500.00) be transferred from Account #660-91000, Treasurer's Office Salary Account and be appropriated to Account # 660-92000, Treasurer's Office Ordinary Maintenance to record approximately 500 delinquent real estate tax liens as well as prepare and mail Water and Sewer bills, Real Estate tax bills and all other City mail for the remainder of FY07.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Communication Relative to the Appointment of Robert J. Allard, Junior, as Acting Chief Financial Officer.

Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Public Education in Worcester: 2007

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Gateway Park Public Street Decree.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to the Salary of the License Commissioners.

Amending the Salary Ordinance relative to Suspending the Salary Increase of the Mayor and Members of the City Council.

Resolution of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Advocacy Study proposed in Senate Bill 291; "An Act to Fulfill the Promise of Education Reform: Adequate Funding for Student Success". (Tabled - Lukes May 1, 2007)

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled - Murray April 25, 2006)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request the City Manager take all steps to have the WRTA #11 bus rerouted to serve the Island part of Harding Street (south of Kelley Square) to take residents, especially the elderly, to and from the Route 20 Fair Shopping Plaza. Further request that this service be provided several times in the mornings and again in the afternoons, both outbound and inbound. This service was formerly provided by the old #4 Millbury City Line and eliminated on January 28th, 2006 creating a serious hardship and reduction in the quality of life for residents in the Green Island neighborhood. (Tabled - Haller August 29, 2006)

Chairman's Order from the Committee on Military Affairs - Request City Manager consider communicating to City Council a recommendation for funding section 2 of Chapter 157 of M.G.L. in the amount of $1.1 million. (Tabled - Clancy March 6, 2007)

Motion-Rushton @ #7.8A CM - Request City Manager request all Worcester colleges distribute meal cards to their students so that they may use them in off-campus establishments.

Motion-Rushton @ #7.8A CM - Request City Manager request that the UniverCity Partnership and Dr. Carberry look towards the north main area of the City to establish a business incubation center.

Motion-Rushton @ #7.8A CM - Request City Manager explore Salem State College's incubation center to obtain ideas which can be initiated here in the City.

Motion-Rosen @ #7.8B CM - Request City Manager interact with representatives of the FDR museum to seek an alternative location for the museum including the telegraph station on Park Ave.

Motion-Rushton-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks examine the ball fields on the south side of the City to ensure that field regulations are met and that said fields receive the same funding as do other fields throughout the City. Further request a minor league field be established as well.

Motion-Rushton, Toomey and Petty-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide speeding surveillance on First St.

Motion-Rosen-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide a status report of GKN Sinter Metals (formerly Presmet) at 112 Harding St. including a timeline for closing, helping employees find new jobs, and the City's role in helping facilitate reuse of this property.

Motion-Haller-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Police Chief submit a report to the City Council pertaining to the hand gun found in Philip Edmonds possession at the time of his arrest and charge of possession of a firearm without a FID, Saturday, May 3, 2007 on 2 King St. Report should include where the Glock 40 caliber hand gun came from.

Motion-Petty-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request that Doug Hannam, District 4 Little League Commissioner, review and sign off on all future development of fields so that they meet field regulations.

Motion-Toomey-Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager act expediently to address sex offender legislation.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Councilor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of James A. Bisceglia request the erection of a memorial square for James V. Bisceglia, killed in action at Anzio, Italy on January 28, 1944, at the suggested location at the corner of Shrewsbury St. and Larkin St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.