CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Works Committee Meeting | Wednesday, March 2, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:39 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:09 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson George J Russell | | Vice Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Councilor Morris A Bergman |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor George J Russell
Vice Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A Bergman | | | | | Also: | Senator Michael Moore
Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Works Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98928800472
Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 989 2880 0472 | Attachments |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting on February 2, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to adopt the order. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to building and using reserves to mitigate future water and sewer rate increases.
# 9.5C CM December 14, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the water and sewer rates for the upcoming fiscal year.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 3b. | Providing City Council with the preliminary incident report on the Lake Avenue Sewer Pumping Station Failure.
# 15a CM February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the events concerning the release of sewerage at Lake Avenue and actions taken to rectify the situation.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Senator, who discussed the effectiveness of redirecting the sewer flow to Upper Blackstone Clean Water treatment plant, concerns relative to the capacity of the infrastructure for sewer flow, what needs to be done to remediate the sewer liquid and solids that have entered the lake, and weed control at Lake Quinsigamond with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning what work is planned to further deal with weed control at Lake Quinsigamond.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the effect of the weed and the sewer flow on the fish population, whether fishing at the lake is advisable, and why the pumping station was put at this location with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk contact the Fish and Wild Life Division to determine whether the fish in Lake Quinsigamond are safe for consumption following the Lake Ave. Sewer Pump failure.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the following speakers:
1. Jason Richards, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Senator, who discussed the schedule for the assessment of the lake and whether there are other pumping stations located at the lake with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning what work is planned to further deal with weed control at Lake Quinsigamond. | | | | Request City Clerk contact the Fish and Wild Life Division to determine whether the fish in Lake Quinsigamond are safe for consumption following the Lake Ave. Sewer Pump failure. | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Residential Street Resurfacing Program for FY23 and FY24.
# 8.6A CM February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the materials chosen for sidewalk repairs with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved with minor modifications.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 4. | Sidewalk Repair Petitions | |
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| | | 4a. | Xiu Lin request sidewalk resurfacing between 323 Grafton St. and 325 Grafton St.
# 8a CC November 30, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be denied, as the sidewalk has been repaired.
Recommend Deny | |
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| | | 4b. | Michael Penny request the sidewalk in the vicinity of 275 Massasoit Rd. be repaired.
# 8f CC November 9, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4c. | Councilor Sean M. Rose request sidewalk repair on the odd side of Rexhame Rd. from Burncoat St. to Beverly Rd.
# 8t CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4d. | Robert Pellegrini request sidewalks be replaced on Mower St. between Olean St. and Tatnuck Sq.
# 8u CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4e. | Janet Willey request the sidewalk on Manor St. be replaced.
# 8i CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4f. | Linda Waldron request the sidewalk and curb on the corner of Mower St. and Olean St. be repaired.
# 8g CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Linda Waldron, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard at the corner of Mower St. and Olean St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard at the corner of Mower St. and Olean St. | |
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| | | 4g. | Brian Prendergast request sidewalk in front of 13 Algonquin Road be repaired.
# 7c Tuesday, November 23, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4h. | Wilson Silva request sidewalk repair in the vicinity of 124 May St. be repaired.
# 8b CC October 19, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
| 5. | Street Resurfacing and Repair Petitions | |
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| | | 5a. | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Hemans St. be repaved.
# 10d CC January 11, 2022
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5b. | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Edgeworth St. be repaved.
# 10e CC January 11, 2022
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5c. | Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Lina Cassandra Vawter and Jose Santana request Sandra Dr. be resurfaced.
# 8r CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Jose Santana, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5d. | Eugene Bushmelov request Ideal Rd. be repaved.
# 8n CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be denied, as Ideal Rd. is a private street.
Recommend Deny | |
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| | | 5e. | Councilor Matthew E. Wally request the public portion of Second St. be repaved, from Mill St. to Center St.
# 8s Wednesday, September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5f. | Sharon Mansfield et al. request Edwidge St. be repaved.
# 8f CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be given leave to withdraw, as the street is being repaved as part of the ARPA funded project.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw | |
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| | | 5g. | Ray Hammerstrom request Northridge St. be resurfaced.
# 8h CC September 22, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be given leave to withdraw, as the street is being repaved as part of the ARPA funded project.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw | |
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| | | 6a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request Evergreen Ln. from Massasoit Rd. to a pt. 100’ southwest of Massasoit Rd., or less, be made public, for the purpose of installing a surface drainage system to prohibit water going down Evergreen Ln. from Massasoit Rd.
# 16d CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the decision of the Planning Board concerning the surface drainage system, betterments for properties with frontage on Massasoit Road, and the length of the drainage system.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning any feasible ways to waive public street conversion fees due to drainage issues and; 2) Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update concerning the city requesting independent regulations relative to abatements.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning any feasible ways to waive public street conversion fees due to drainage issues. | | | | Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update concerning the city requesting independent regulations relative to abatements. | |
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| | | 6b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mark Liniano et al request Weldon St. be made public.
# 11b CC May 15, 2018
In Committee November 27, 2018 - Held for Second Hearing
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the results of the ballots from the residents of the street.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the cost per linear foot to make Weldon Street public.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the process concerning the hearing for private street conversion with Councilor Bergman.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| 7. | Miscellaneous Petitions | |
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| | | 7a. | Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of signage at East Park detailing the hours of operation within the park.
# 8a CC May 25, 2021
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 7b. | Amy Scheinin request installation of a streetlight in the vicinity of 35 Fairfax Rd.
# 7a CC April 7, 2020
In Committee February 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Amy Scheinin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Carla Morrissey, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the costs relative to installation of a street light.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the feasibility of installing a directional light in the vicinity of 35 Fairfax Rd.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the feasibility of installing a directional light in the vicinity of 35 Fairfax Rd. | |
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