Ad Hoc Mill Street Business Corridor Committee

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Convened: 6:05 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:05 p.m.

City Council Chamber

Present: Chairperson Councilor Frederick C. Rushton

Christos Liazos

Jimmy O’Coin

Rev. Walter Tilleman

Gerald Powers

Eric Knapp representing Sam Adams

Edward McKeon

Sue Swanson

Beth Proko

Ruth Gentile representing Planning Director Joel Fontane

City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

Discussion Items

1. Maintenance of streets and sidewalks (also, to attend to run-off from hilly side streets)

2. Completion of traffic study – Webster Square

3. Completion of traffic study – Tatnuck Square

4. Exploration of recreational opportunities at Coes Knife Park property and beachfronts on both Mill Street side and Circuit Avenue side of Coes Pond

5. Re-alignment of the curve of Mill Street to create wider green space along waterfront

6. Encouragement of businesses into business-zoned properties

7. Monitoring of speeding vehicles along entire length of Mill Street

8. Installation of ornamental street lighting and street “furniture” such as benches, trash receptacles, etc…

9. Creation of historic markers designating median strips in recognition of the historic mills of Worcester

10. Improvement of water quality of Coes Pond

The Chairperson updated the Committee members about developments affecting the scope of concern of the Ad Hoc Committee:

1. The meeting concerning the traffic study of the Tatnuck Square area conducted by the City of Worcester Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

2. The decision of the City of Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals to allow for occupation of the former O’Coins store as a wholesale business, Stone & Berg.

The Committee then moved to review some of the points from previous meetings to work towards identifying achievable goals for this body.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with final version of the Tatnuck Square traffic study.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with information concerning the status of the traffic study of Webster Square and environs, part of which is being underwritten by the Price Chopper Supermarkets.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager work towards including the Mill Street corridor in the Webster Square traffic study, addressing issues such as the elimination of continuous erosion of private street materials onto Mill Street from Gates Lane and the consideration of the re-alignment of the roadway in the vicinity of 195 Mill Street so as to create a green space along the pond connecting Coes Beach and Coes Knife Park.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with copies of laws and/or regulations that prohibit motor boats from both Patches Reservoir and Coes Pond.

Chairman’s Order request City Manager provide the City Council with copies of the Coes Pond Knife Company master plan.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Parks develop a public/private partnership to solve the problem of litter collection in the public areas of Mill Street, including locating receptacles.

Chairman’s Resolution that the City Council hereby recognizes Mr. Mel Lubowitz for the community service he volunteers daily along the Mill Street corridor.