JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON

MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS AND HEALTH

NOVEMBER 28, 2005

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:05 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:10 p.m.

 

Present were:                Co-Chairperson Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.

                                      Co-Chairperson Councilor Barbara G. Haller

                                      Councilor Philip P. Palmieri

                                      Councilor Joseph M. Petty

                                      Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes

                                      Councilor Michael C. Perotto

                                      Councilor Dennis L. Irish

 

Also:                              Task Force Co-Chair State Rep. Robert P. Spellane

                                      Task Force Co-Chair Maurice Boisvert

                                      City Solicitor David M. Moore

                                      Director of Finance John Pranckevicius

                                      City Assessor Robert Allard

                                      Cmsnr. of Health & Human Services Jill Dagilis

                                      NUD Staffperson Donna McGrath

                                      Director of Public Health Jay Gardiner

                                      Director of Housing Scott Hayman

                                      City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

                                                          

 

The Committee Co-Chairs opened the hearing concerning the Mayor’s Task Force report @ 6:07 p.m. by asking the Task Force Co-Chairs to review their work. The Committee Co-Chairs also asked Roberta Schaefer of the WRRB to elaborate on the report from her Bureau.

 

Several Councilors questioned the Task Force Co-Chairs and Ms. Schaefer. Then several speakers were heard. They were:

 

1.     David P. Forsberg, 3804 Knightsbridge Close, Worcester

2.     Dr. Jan Yost, 55 Whisper Drive, Worcester

3.     Kevin Ksen, 5 Shawmut Street, Worcester

4.     Mike Benedetti, 52 Mason Street, Worcester

5.     Barbara Kohin, 11 Berwick Street, Worcester

6.     Rev. Mark Beckwith, 11 Whitman Road, Worcester

7.     Cha-Cha Connor, 67 Charlotte Street, Worcester

8.     Adria Bernardi, 11 Westland Street, Worcester

9.     John Mannina, 1 Dennison Road, Worcester

 

The following people were on the list to speak, but, were postponed speaking until the next meeting:

 

1.     Marge Purves

2.     Larry Gottleib

3.     Michael True

4.     Sarah Loy

5.     Kathleen Winsor

6.     Marie Sanchirico

7.     Chris Comeaux

8.     Bill Breault

9.     Lynne Simonds

 

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2005 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. At that time, the hearing will resume and those not given an opportunity to speak at this meeting will be heard in the order in which they appear above.  The hearing was recessed @ 8:10 p.m.

 

1.       Communication of Mayor Timothy P. Murray transmitting a report concerning the siting and tax impact of taking properties off the tax roll

          #60a CC October 11, 2005

Recommend Hold

         

2.       Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Exec. Director of Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting report Regarding Siting Residential Social Services Programs:  The Process and the Options.

          #99 CC October 4, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

3.       Communication of the City Manager relative to social service zoning and permitting enforcement regulations in the Town of Framingham.

          #22A CM November 22, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

Chairman’s Orders:

         

1. Request the City Manager to request the City Solicitor to report to the City Council concerning whether or not a local determination is allowed under current statute concerning sobriety when consideration is being given to the siting of social service programming and also whether the definition of what constitutes an educational organization is defined by, or needs further clarification in statute.

 

2. Request the City Manager provide the City Council with copies of any research or therapeutic data that might support the statement that fewer than eight people in a residential treatment program is of therapeutic benefit to the recipients.