CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Works Committee Meeting | Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:06 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:35 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
DPW Director of Engineering Jason Mello
Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle
Assistant Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Todd Kirrane
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
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 November 15, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
| 3. | Honorary Street Name Designation Item | |
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| | | 3a. | Councilor George J. Russell, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Khrystian E. King request honorary street name designation on Hamilton St. from Billings Sq. to Plantation St. for State Senator Daniel J. Foley, in recognition of his years of service as a State Senator, City Councilor and his efforts to bring UMASS Medical School and the Biotech Park to Worcester.
# 8b CC November 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and discussed the work and legacy of State Senator Daniel J Foley.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson and Councilor Bergman, who both spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the following speakers:
1. Patrick Foley, No residence given, spoke in favor of the item
2. Kathleen Foley, No residence given, 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 ensure “Senator Dan Foley Way” signage be made in a large and visible fashion when installed in the vicinity of Billings Sq. and St. Stephen’s Church, as well as at the intersection of Plantation St. and Hamilton St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure “Senator Dan Foley Way” signage be made in a large and visible fashion when installed in the vicinity of Billings Sq. and St. Stephen’s Church, as well as at the intersection of Plantation St. and Hamilton St. | |
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| | | 4a. | Rachel Keyo request installation of an additional streetlight across from 2 Beeching St.
# 8a CC June 27, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Rachel Keyo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve, pending funding.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4b. | Patrick Travaglio-Romeo request relocation of light pole in front of 15 Mars St.
# 6e CC November 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Patrick Travaglio-Romeo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to approve for installation of the relocation of light pole at the applicant’s cost.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the costs to be paid by the applicant with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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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 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
In Committee May 10, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Director of Engineering, who discussed findings from DPW assessment of the work concerning the installation of storm drain on Granite St. at the intersection with Saint Anthony St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the timeline concerning the project.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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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 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 Tuesday, March 28, 2023
In Committee May 10, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the necessary motions for the item to move the project forward.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognize the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who discussed the potential location of the sidewalk.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the previous petition concerning the sidewalk installation in the vicinity of Roosevelt Elementary School.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be filed, as a similar item has been adopted on June 20, 2023.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 5c. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Public Works conduct a meeting with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to discuss what policy, if any, exists in writing, which mandates any construction work completed by utility companies on city streets does not deteriorate.
# 12g CC June 7, 2022
In Committee September 7, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #5d.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the policy concerning the work guarantee period of time for utility companies, responsibility concerning the trenches on the street and consideration concerning resurfacing project for Lake Ave. with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed standard and quality control monitoring for street construction by third-party contractors, how complaints are tracked and addressed with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the policies concerning period of time utility companies are required to guarantee various types of construction work 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 finalized policy relative to the period of time for utility companies to guarantee the quality of construction work they have done.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
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 finalized policy relative to the period of time for utility companies to guarantee the quality of construction work they have done. | |
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| | | 5d. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Public Works conduct a meeting with representatives from the utility companies servicing the city and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks regarding damages done to city streets that are not repaired in a way to hold up over time.
# 12h CC June 7, 2022
In Committee September 7, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 13, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold (See Item #5c) | |
| 6. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 6a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the differences between a conveyance of property and a grant of location for a utility conduit.
# 9.15A CM November 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the differences between a conveyance of property and a grant of location for a utility conduit.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 6b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report.
# 8.8A CM November 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who discussed the process concerning selection of streets and sidewalks to direct funding to for resurfacing projects under the Department of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the Construction Report, the process relative to the two-year Street Resurfacing Program and the pending list for the Street Resurfacing Program with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the previously-made selections for the Street Resurfacing Program over the past five (to) six (6) years and; 2) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning information relative to the construction status and progress of the streets that have been funded for street resurfacing and sidewalk repair.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the Street Resurfacing List, the Sidewalk Repair List and funding for the Sidewalk Repair program with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and the Director of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the funding allocation for the Street Resurfacing Program and Sidewalk Repair Program with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager review the city’s budget to determine the feasibility of updating the funding allocation to District Councilors for the Street Resurfacing Program and Sidewalk Repair Program to reflect market conditions and inflation.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to adopt the three (3) proposed Chairman’s Orders associated with the item. Chairman’s Orders adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the previously-made selections for the Street Resurfacing Program over the past five (to) six (6) years. | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning information relative to the construction status and progress of the streets that have been funded for street resurfacing and sidewalk repair. | | | | Request City Manager review the city’s budget to determine the feasibility of updating the funding allocation to District Councilors for the Street Resurfacing Program and Sidewalk Repair Program to reflect market conditions and inflation. | |
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| | | 6c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to Sanitation Cost and City Trash Bag Revenue.
# 9.8A CM September 19, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File | |
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| | | 6d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the launch of the Worcester 311 mobile app.
# 9.40A CM July 18, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File | |
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