CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Works Committee Meeting | Wednesday, January 11, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:31 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:34 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
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A. Bergman
| | | | | Also: | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Kerry Reed
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. 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 |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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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 December 7, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
| 3. | Streets to Make Public - Priority 1 | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Robert H. Gallo, Manager of Arboretum Village LLC., request Bittersweet Boulevard be made public street.
# 17h CC September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who provided an overview of the ballots received from abutting residents of Bittersweet Blvd.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the following speaker:
1. Andrew Ngo, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the petition to make public Bittersweet Blvd., the agreement to repair and maintain the fence on Bittersweet Blvd., the allocation of responsibility concerning snow clearing on the sidewalks and street and the bond for the street.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke to the advantages of converting a road from private to public.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 3b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of George Kiritsy, Esq. on behalf of Arboretum Village LLC and Fox Hill Builders, Inc. request to make public Holly Terrace.
# 12e CC September 6, 2016 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to deny the item, as there are issues relative to the public/private status of the easements and utilities associated with the road.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed making the recommendation to hold the item with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed the management of the bonds and the actions needed to be taken by the developer to facilitate the private street conversion process for Holly Terrace with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the conditions on which bonds are released as they relate to private to public street conversion; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of all current subdivisions that are under construction in the city and whether the city has bonds on said subdivisions in place.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the conditions on which bonds are released as they relate to private to public street conversion | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of all current subdivisions that are under construction in the city and whether the city has bonds on said subdivisions in place. | |
| 4. | Construct Sidewalk Petitions | |
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| | | 4a. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request installation of a new sidewalk on Heard St. that that abuts 215 Heard St., 231 Heard St., 233 Heard St., 235 Heard St. and 48 Royal Rd. Further, request the fees associated with installing said sidewalk be waived, as the sidewalk is needed to provide a safe walking route to Heard Street Discovery Academy, 200 Heard St.
# 8c CC November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the feasibility of waiving the sidewalk installation fees and actions taken concerning installation of the sidewalk on Heard St. and reasons relative to the installation of said sidewalk.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the importance and the needs to install the sidewalk on Heard St. to allow children to safely access Heard Street Discovery Academy.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the importance of establishing criteria to waive the fees associated with sidewalk installation with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed the funding for the installation of the sidewalk 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 the criteria to waive the fees associated with sidewalk installation.
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 the criteria to waive the fees associated with sidewalk installation. | |
| 5. | Sidewalk Repair Petition | |
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| | | 5a. | Councilor Sarai Rivera request sidewalk repair in front of Beacon Pharmacy, located at 810 Main St.
# 8f CC October 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the conditions of the sidewalk in front of 810 Main St. and actions taken to repair said sidewalk location.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
| 6. | Street Resurfacing and Repair Petitions | |
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| | | 6a. | Matthew Rabasco request Copley Rd. be resurfaced.
# 10b CC December 6, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Matthew Rabasco, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the potential for completing immediate safety repair work in the petitioned area.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the exact location where the resurfacing work on Copley Rd. should be completed.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review and address any safety issues associated with the street conditions on Copley Rd. at its intersection with Coolidge Rd.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item to be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review and address any safety issues associated with the street conditions on Copley Rd. at its intersection with Coolidge Rd. | |
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| | | 6b. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of William T. Hamilton request Willard Ave. be repaved.
# 8e CC November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 6c. | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Franklin St. from Brown Square to Papani Circle be repaved.
# 8e CC October 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be given leave to withdraw, as the item is already on the approved list of streets to be repaved.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw | |
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| | | 6d. | Wayne Griffin request Durant Way be repaved from Chandler St. to Hadwen Rd.
# 9b CC September 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be given leave to withdraw, as the item is already on the approved list of streets to be repaved.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw | |
| 7. | Miscellaneous Petitions | |
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| | | 7a. | Donald J. O'Neil request extension of public water main in Hooper St. from its current terminus to service the property located at 40 Hooper St.
# 10a CC November 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Donald O’Neil, Worcester resident, who spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 7b. | Tommy Lee request curb cut at 106 Perry Ave.
# 8q CC September 22, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to file, as the applicant can hire a contractor and adjust their driveway opening with a curb cut permit.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 7c. | Anthony Maina and Zac Couture request extension of the sewer main in Salisbury St. for a distance of 21 feet +/- with 8" SDR-35 pipe to a proposed manhole and to allow for a long connection of 154 feet +/- of 6" SDR-35 to service a proposed single family dwelling, known at 0 Salisbury St.
# 8b CC November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided a recommendation to approve the item, although the applicant will still need to pull Department of Public Works and Parks permits for utility connections and may require private easements.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 7d. | Wiler Filho and Leandro Camargo request water and sewer extension for on Strasburg Rd. for properties located at 7-8 Strasburg Rd.
# 8e CC October 12, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant of Public Works and Parks, who provided a recommendation to approve the item, although the applicant will need to obtain a Prior Agreement from the Department of Public Works and Parks and will need to convey a utility easement to the city.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
| 8. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 8a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to new regulations to implement An Act Promoting Awareness of Sewage in Public Waters, passed by the MA Legislature and signed by the Governor in January 2021.
# 10.6B CM July 19, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the public feedback concerning the An Act Promoting Awareness of Sewage in Public Waters.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 8b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2022 Spring Sweeping Program
# 9.8A CM March 22, 2022
In Committee October 26, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 8c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on power outage that occurred February 4, 2022 through February 6, 2022 in the area of Lincoln Street and adjacent streets.
# 9.12A CM March 1, 2022
In Committee April 6, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 8d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on the annual city-wide line painting program.
# 8.6B CM February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the annual city-wide line painting program.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 8e. | 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
In Committee March 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the investigation relative to the water and sewer fees alleviation program by the City of Cambridge.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the city’s land acquisition program and its use as it relates to water conservation, as well as the feasibility of creating a program around spring water with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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