City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Victoria DiMassa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4a

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the following representatives from the utility companies operating in the city:
1. Verizon representative Jorge Medina
2. Spectrum/Charter Communications representative Lazaro Lopez
3. Spectrum/Charter Communications representative Ted Michaud
4. Eversource representative Sean Lauziere
5. National Grid representative Kevin Shaughnessy
6. Verizon representative Ellen Cummings
7. Spectrum/Charter Communications representative Greg Garabedian

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and discussed the history of the item and past actions relative to conduit street constructions, and concerns relative to the quality of the street patching resulting from conduit street constructions.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed issues concerning uneven roads, water infiltration leading to potholes and challenges relative to street plowing in the winter.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the responsibility of utility companies and private contractors to ensure the street patching after conduit constructions is up to standards, the different types of patching and causes for unsatisfactory street qualities, and actions taken by DPW to have the street patching corrected.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Eversource representative, National Grid representative, Spectrum/Charter Communications representatives and Verizon representative, who discussed their respective company’s policies concerning the standard, inspection and repair of street patching done by the company.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the processes concerning the construction permit application, notification for the abutting residents, and challenges concerning the time gap between notifying abutting residents and the construction project with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, as well as the Verizon representative, Eversource representative, National Grid representative, and Spectrum/Charter Communications representative.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the policy concerning the timeline set by companies on construction permit applications.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the needs to develop a communication protocol for the utility construction projects, such as an emergency 911 for utility companies, and information relative to infrared patching and challenges concerning lack of companies that provide infrared patching services with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the vacancy rates in the DPW department, the hiring process for vacancies, and challenges concerning employee retention for the department.

Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed inspection process for the street trenches and patching done by DPW with the Assistant Commissioner.

Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider requiring flow fill for all patches, or provide City Council with a report as to why it cannot be done as a means to safeguard against trenches from caving in and creating bumps in the road.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider requiring flow fill for all patches, or provide City Council with a report as to why it cannot be done as a means to safeguard against trenches from caving in and creating bumps in the road.

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed progresses being made relative to technological advances within the department.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed a need for action on advances for encouraging residents to help with trash and litter pickup, as well as hiring additional staff with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Upper Blackstone Clean Water Engineer Director, who discussed the maintenance of the outer appearance for the Upper Blackstone Treatment Facility and the partnership with MassDOT and Inspectional Services to prevent debris and trash from piling up at the facilities with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following two Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with Upper Blackstone Clean Water to resolve the issues concerning litter and trash on the frontage of the Upper Blackstone Treatment Facility; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council work with Upper Blackstone Clean Water to provide City Council with a detailed, itemized budget of Upper Blackstone Clean Water that includes a breakdown of how the entity’s monies are spent.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with Upper Blackstone Clean Water to resolve the issues concerning litter and trash on the frontage of the Upper Blackstone Treatment Facility.

Request City Manager work with Upper Blackstone Clean Water to provide City Council with a detailed, itemized budget of Upper Blackstone Clean Water that includes a breakdown of how the entity’s monies are spent.

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner, who discussed information relative to the petition process to install a sidewalk, cost and payment for the sidewalk, challenges concerning Flagg St. reconstruction and the department’s recommendation to add Flagg St. to the Citywide Transportation Master Plan operated by Office of Planning and Regulatory Services.

Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the benefits of moving the project to the Office of Planning and Regulatory Services in hopes that the item could be moved forward.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be referred to Office of Planning and Regulatory Services.

Recommend Refer to Office of Planning and Regulatory Services on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve the item.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation of the item.

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

Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve the item.

Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation of the item.

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