CITY OF WORCESTER | Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting | Wednesday, April 13, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:01 P.M. | Adjourned: 06:36 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Khrystian E King |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Khrystian E King | | | | | Also: | Veterans' Services Officer/Director Alex Arriaga
DPW Assistant Commissioner Robert Antonelli
DPW Clerk of Works Cesar Valiente
Councilor Morris A. Bergman
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 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/96951929457
Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 969 5192 9457 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation hereby approves the minutes of the Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on November 30, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to adopt the order. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the resubmittal of the City of Worcester’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.
# 8.9B CM February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who provided an overview of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, including the goals, objectives and actions for the next seven years.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Bobby Hazelton, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the meetings concerning Duffy Field with the DPW Assistant Commissioner.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the procedural actions for the items relative to Duffy Field.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who discussed the timeline concerning the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4a. | Petition of Carl Gomes request City Council request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks establish a Master Plan for the parcel of land located at 149 West Boylston Dr.
# 8m CC March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who discussed plans concerning the project at 149 West Boylston Dr,, whether it is customary to employ outside professionals to create the master plan, funding for the project, and partnership with UMASS on the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Carl Gomes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend the item be approved to work with UMASS and Carl Gomes to discuss moving a master plan forward, including managing master plan in partnership with UMASS, Carl Gomes, neighborhood association and residents.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 4b. | Order of Councilor Donna M. Colorio and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider convening a meeting, as soon as possible, that can be continued on annual basis where the residents interested in Duffy Field/Wetherell Park, as well as members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, are given an opportunity to discuss improvements at the park with the appropriate representatives from the administration.
# 9c Tuesday, November 23, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who discussed setting up a public meeting with residents to discuss feasible actions to address issues at Duffy Field, functionalities of grants and the importance of community buy-in on the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Sheila Brenner, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Bobby Hazelton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Noel Choquette, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Greg Dorschler, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. Suzanne Burke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Elaine Baskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed plans concerning Duffy Field, and date and time for the public meetings with the DPW Assistant Commissioner.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed how residents can provide input concerning the parks through DPW and the Parks Commission with the DPW Assistant Commissioner.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with an update detailing information gathered during public meetings relative to Duffy Field/Wetherell Park in six (6) months.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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 an update detailing information gathered during public meetings relative to Duffy Field/Wetherell Park in six (6) months. | |
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| | | 4c. | Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request the Standing Committee on Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation review the attached Indian Lake Walk audit found at the following site: https://sites.google.com/WalkBoston.org/walkbostonworcester/home.
# 11o CC February 23, 2021 | Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who discussed actions being taken in relations to the Indian Lake Walk construction.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Karin Valentine Goins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Carl Gomes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the DPW Assistant Commissioner, who discussed the process concerning the audit review with Speaker #2.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| 5. | Veterans' Memorials, Monuments and Metal Plaques Item | |
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| | | 5a. | Petition of Paula Carey request a memorial square be erected in the vicinity of Envelope Terrace and Nebraska St. honoring Worcester Fire Captain and World War I veteran William J. Ormond, who passed away fighting a fire at that location.
# 8k CC May 25, 2021
In Committee November 30, 2021 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to recommend item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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