City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

The Chairperson, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson read the item and requested the Assistant Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn give the committee some background and overview of the relocation of Table Talk Pies Inc., including TIF plan for said relocation.

The Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson introduced and invited the President of Table Talk Pies, Harry Kokkinis, to speak; He explained his plans for the new state of the art plant planed for Gardner Street site. He showed overview of sites and spoke of partnership with Chacharone properties. This also included discussion of salary and minimum wage increases with TIF agreement, along with benefits.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson requested anyone present at the meeting if they wished to speak to come forward. The following persons came forward:
1) Evan O’Leary: shared his personal view of poor working conditions and opposes approval of the TIF; 2) Sue Mailman, Worcester resident: Supports TIF policy, but expressed concern over company not following the $15 wage commitment; 3) Alex Tarr, Worcester resident: Concerned about making an exception to the $15 wage requirement to the TIF; 4) Kevin Kasen, Worcester resident: shared concerned over language in TIF policy regarding wages s over livable wages and changes in TIF language but supports TIF’s in general; 5).Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident: Opposed to approving TIF; 6)Roberta Brien, Worcester Business Development Corporation, Vice President of Projects: Supports Table Talk Pie TIF; 7) Martha Assefa: support standing strong on $15 wage in TIF; 8) Alex Guardiola, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Worcester Chamber of Commerce: In support of item for new site and approval of TIF; 9) Chris Horton: Opposes TIF due to low wage and high living costs; 10) Margret Barnett: Opposed to allowing corporations to make changes to TIF agreements; 11) Brian Brousseau: Opposes changes to TIFand suggested the TIF policy should become an ordinance.

The Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson requested the City Solicitor Michael Traynor to offer information regarding the city’s TIF policy. The Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson invited Mr. Kokkinis to respond to the publics comments. Mr. Kokkinis addressed the health and safety issues the public brought up and discusses hourly wages along with the amount of hours that are set per week.
All three committee member commented and stated their position on the above item. Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson moved to accept the administrations recommendation to approve and requested a roll call vote. Motion approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Recommend Approval of the Resolution on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

The Chairperson, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson took up collectively items #2a- 2e collectively and moved to hold the items. Approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold

Recommend Hold

Recommend Hold

Recommend Hold

Recommend Hold

The Chairperson, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson read the item and requested the City Solicitor Michael Traynor to give the committee some background and overview of the request to rezone the Washburn Street property; He stated this request would provide a buffer to the abutting residents.
Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson moved to accept the Planning Board recommendation and to approve and requested a roll call vote. Motion approved on a roll call vote of 2Yeas and 0 Nays. (Councilor Wally absent)

Recommend Acceptance of the Planning Board Recommend Approval

The Chairperson, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson read a request from the petitioner to amend the petition to rezone the entire parcel on Brooks Street and not open the dead end at the end of Mount Ave. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson requested Mr. Traynor to provide the committee as to how to do this procedurally. He requested not to amend the petition but if the committee could choose to amend to encompass the entire lot and to report this to City Council with a recommendation to amend to encompass the entire lot.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson requested anyone present at the meeting if they wished to speak to come forward. The following persons came forward: 1) Attorney George Kiritsy spoke on behalf of his client the petitioner, GF Properties Holdings, Inc. and Zero Point Development, Inc.; 2) Dave Connolly, Mount Ave. resident: Concerned over change and would like to see plans in writing; 3) Ronald Larusso, Mount Ave. resident: opposed the change on zoning; 4) Carlos Cordeiro , Mount Ave. resident: expressed concerns on changes and requests legal documents for said changes and 6) Councilor M. Bergman: Encouraged to hear of the changes and believes it will be helpful if the language in the deed reflects certain restrictions so that the residents are reassured of that new plans stated verbally will take place; 6) Lois Bourget, Mount Ave. resident: shared concerns over new plan and if Brooks Street residents were notified of said plans/changes.

Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson and Councilor Rose commented on above item.

Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson moved to accept the Planning Board recommendation and recommended to approve as amended to encompass the entire property and requested a roll call vote. Motion approved on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays. (Councilor Wally absent)

Recommend Acceptance of the Planning Board Recommendation and Approve to encompass the entire property on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and O Nays (Councilor Wally Absent)