CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Works Committee Meeting | Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:30 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:12 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: | Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Kerry Reed
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 |
| 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 April 25, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
| 3. | Streets to Make Public Petitions | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Blake Simpson request Forsberg St. from Harwich St. west and Steele St. from Keach Ave. southerly to the end of the road at Forsberg St. be converted to a public road.
# 10f CC January 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and discussed the procedure and payment plan relative to private street conversion.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recognize the following speakers:
1. Blake Simpson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Jennifer Gaskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Katie Toomey, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
4. Magdalene Meager, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
5. Jennifer Schur, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the work required and estimated costs for Forsberg St. and Steele St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the ballots submitted by the residents.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the abatement for corner lot properties.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the average interest rate for the project with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held for a second hearing.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 3b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Laurian Banciulescu request to convert the entire length of Denmark St. from private to public.
# 15a CC January 31, 2017
In Committee October 11, 2017 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Laurian Banciulescu, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Robert McCarthy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Phillip Bellivieau, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the importance of getting feedback from the abutting residents.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed private street plowing with Councilor Bergman and Councilor Mero-Carlson.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the ballots from the abutting residents with Councilor Mero-Carlson and Councilor Bergman.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide City Council with report concerning the timeline of private street conversion petitions that have been referred to the Public Works Committee.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held for a third hearing.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Clerk provide City Council with report concerning the timeline of private street conversion petitions that have been referred to the Public Works Committee. | |
| 4. | Construct Sidewalk Petition | |
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| | | 4a. | Councilor George J. Russell request sidewalks be constructed in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street School at no cost to the abutting property owners.
# 9a CC February 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #5a.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recognize the following speakers:
1. Feanna Jattan-Singh, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Steve Duke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Lynn Tallman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed reasons behind the lack of sidewalks in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street School and the challenges relative installing them, whether the sidewalks will meet ADA standards, and the Department of Transportation and Mobility’s projects concerning streets and traffic network improvements.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed plans concerning extension of the sidewalks in the vicinity of the school.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the procedural motion and process relative to the item with the Deputy City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed establishing a policy for waiving the fees for abutting residents and whether Perkin Farms can be assessed and charged for the installation of sidewalk with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request Standing Committee on Public Works meet with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to determine the feasibility of waiving the fees associated with sidewalks installation in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street for abutting properties for the purposes of public safety and providing safe passages for students to get to school.”
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the items be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request Standing Committee on Public Works meet with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to determine the feasibility of waiving the fees associated with sidewalks installation in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street for abutting properties for the purposes of public safety and providing safe passages for students to get to school. | |
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| | | 5a. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Public Works meet with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to discuss a plan relative to a previously adopted Order on January 17, 2023 for constructing new sidewalks in the vicinity of Roosevelt Elementary School along Sunderland Rd. from Grafton St. to Massasoit Rd., which would be done at the city’s expense and waive all fee assessments for abutters to said construction.
# 10b CC March 28, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold (See Item #4a) | |
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| | | 5b. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Public Works meet with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to determine the feasibility of installing storm drains on Granite St., at its intersection with Saint Anthony St. to stop water from running off Granite St. and flooding Saint Anthony St. and other private roads.
# 10a CC March 28, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the drainage system in place at the location, solutions to the drainage problem in the area, the timetable for grading on Saint Anthony St. and feasibility of installing a berm at the location 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 explore short-term solutions to the flooding issues on Saint Anthony St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed whether the street is on the Street Resurfacing List 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 explore short-term solutions to the flooding issues on Saint Anthony St. | |
| 6. | Sidewalk Repair Petitions | |
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| | | 6a. | John and Karen Kurkulonis request sidewalks in the vicinity of 1 Stratton Rd. be repaved.
# 8f CC March 28, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 6b. | Michael Kollios request the sidewalk in front of 360 May St. be paved.
# 8c CC March 28, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to amend the item to read as follows, “Michael Kollios request installation of new sidewalk in front of 360 May St.”
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| 7. | Street Resurfacing Petition | |
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| | | 7a. | Leo Rossi request street repaving in front of 365 Lake Ave.
# 9e CC March 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide patching to the street in front of 365 Lake Ave.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the motions for 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 provide patching to the street in front of 365 Lake Ave. | |
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| | | 8a. | Sonia Chaousis et al. request installation of additional light pole at the dead end circle of Cohasset St., either between #216 and #218 lot or between #217 and #215 lot.
# 8e CC September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed additional signage installation at the location and provided the recommendation to deny, as the area is already covered by the existing streetlights and high costs of installation.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Deny | |
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| | | 8b. | Ligor Gaba request removal of utility pole in front of 1211 Main St.
# 9e CC March 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to deny, as the property is located across a church and a school and adequate lighting is needed.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Deny | |
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| | | 8c. | Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Petition of Richard Phan request light pole #1 on Homer St. be relocated approximately 35' to the right, beyond the front steps of 174 Park Ave. toward Park Ave., or across the street, to allow for the installation of a driveway.
# 13b CC March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to deny, as the pole cannot be relocated to the requested location.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Deny | |
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| | | 8d. | Benjamin Joress request installation of street light on pole #9 in the vicinity of 26 and 28 Claffey Ave.
# 7d CC February 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed whether the property owner will have to pay for the installation cost with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 8e. | 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
In Committee March 2, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed installation of the streetlight in conjunction with repaving Fairfax Rd. with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed petitions relative to repaving Fairfax Rd.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed notating the payer for streetlight installation as part of the recommendations.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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