Rules of Public Participation in City Council Meetings
At every meeting of the City Council, under the "public participation" portion of the agenda, the chair shall recognize any person seeking such recognition for the purpose of addressing the council on any eligible item on the agenda for that meeting both in person and remotely. Any person who wishes to speak on more than one agenda item shall combine their testimony on all items to one appearance at the microphone. The time for speaking shall not exceed two minutes for any one speaker or thirty (30) minutes for all speakers. See attached flyer for the full Rules of Public Participation.
How will I know what is going on? Can I make a comment?
City Council, School Committee and City of Worcester Boards and Commission meetings are generally all open to the public and interested individuals are encouraged to attend. The following guide will help you participate.
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 “Public Participation” section of this meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, or to join via the Virtual Application follow the link or dial the direct phone line and access code as indicated on the meeting agenda.
An individual may petition the City Council on a wide range of topics including the condition of streets and sidewalks, street lighting, public safety, housing, zoning, taxation, traffic, parking and many others.
All City sponsored public meetings and hearings must be held in locations that are accessible to people with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs.
Persons with disabilities are invited to make their needs known to program staff or to the ADA Coordinator should they need:
Auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, or
Written materials in alternative formats, or
Reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access programs and activities of the City of Worcester.
How Will the City of Worcester Assist an LEP (Limited English Proficiency) Person?
Through a partnership with Ascentria Language Bank, City employees have access to telephonic and face to face interpreters in 90 different languages. Community members can request an interpreter at any time. Access to telephone interpreters will take no longer than five minutes and face to face interpreters will need to be requested at least 48 hours in advance.
City of Worcester Statement of Inclusivity
The City of Worcester recognizes the rights of all individuals to participate in the political and civic life free from bigotry and intimidation based on their race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other aspect of their being. As civic leaders we do not condone or approve of unwanted, unwelcome and inappropriate language, bigotry, hate, epithets, profanity, etc. that interferes with a standard of conduct that promotes respectful, inclusive and civic engagement in all City Council Meetings and Public Forums.
Want to Get Involved?
Boards & Commissions
The City's Boards and Commissions, whose effectiveness depends so heavily upon enlightened citizen participation, have an important impact on Worcester residents and businesses. The Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) established in 1986 assists the City Manager in selecting candidates for appointment to many of these boards and commissions. The CAC recognizes the importance of attaining a membership on municipal boards which reflects the ethnic diversity of the community.
If interested, please submit an Online Application to the City of Worcester's Office of Human Resources.
Accessibility Advisory Commission Advisory Commission on African American and Black Affairs Advisory Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs Affirmative Action Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees Airport Commission Board of Election Commissioners Board of Health Cable Television Advisory Committee Citizen Advisory Council Civic Center Commission Commission for the Preservation of Historic Artifacts, Relics and Military Memorials Commission on Elder Affairs Commission on Latino Affairs Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee Community Preservation Committee Conservation Commission Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee GAR Memorial Hall Board of Trustees Green Worcester Advisory Committee Historical Commission Hope Cemetery Commission Human Rights Commission License Commission Mayor Thomas J. Early Scholarship Committee Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees Off-Street Parking Board Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund Parks and Recreation Commission Planning Board Retirement Board Status of Women Advisory Committee Trust Funds Commission Urban Forestry Tree Commission Worcester Airport Advisory Committee Worcester Arts Council Worcester Ballpark Commission Worcester Housing Authority Worcester Redevelopment Authority Worcester Redevelopment Authority Citizen Advisory Committee Zoning Board of Appeals
Committees & Groups
The City of Worcester has a number of committees and groups (not under guidance of the Citizen Advisory Council) whose role and involvement have an important impact on residents and businesses.
Building Futures, Inc. Board of Directors Central MA Metropolitan Planning Organization Central MA Regional Planning Commission Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance Central MA Workforce Investment Board Chapter 139 Hearing Chapter 139 Hearing - Vacant Properties City Manager Advisory Committee on Youth City Manager's Energy Task Force Coalition Against Bias and Hate Commonwealth of MA Blackstone River and Canal Commission Commonwealth of MA Commission on Banks Community Development Block Grant Public Hearings Designer Selection Board Insurance Advisory Committee Lake Quinsigamond Commission Local Emergency Planning Committee Retirement Board Finance Committee Senior Center Committee Upper Blackstone Clean Water Worcester Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board WRTA Transportation Planning Advisory Group
Public Library
In an information-rich and culturally diverse society, the Worcester Public Library is a source of civic activity and pride, offering opportunities for the development of a literate and informed citizenry. Today's library is a vital and vibrant place of information and learning, used and valued by people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Public Library - AD HOC Public Library - Joint Public Library Board of Directors Public Library Buildings and Grounds Committee Public Library Committee on Administration Public Library Committee on Library Materials Public Library Community Services Committee Public Library District Task Force Public Library Executive Committee Public Library Finance Committee Public Library Legislative Affairs Committee Public Library Marketing Committee Public Library Search Committee
Public Schools
The Worcester Public School system is comprised of over 23,000 students in 44 schools, ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. This diverse group of students helps make Worcester an excellent place to receive a first-class education.
Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Board of Trustees Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Education Committee Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Facilities and Finance Committee Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Governance Committee Belmont Street Community School Council Burncoat High School Council Burncoat Middle School Council Burncoat Street Preparatory School Council Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School Council Chandler Elementary Community School Council Chandler Magnet School Council City View Discovery School Council Citywide Parent Planning Advisory Council Claremont Academy School Council Clark Street Developmental Learning School Council Columbus Park Preparatory Academy School Council Doherty Memorial High School Council Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School Council Elm Park Community School Council Flagg Street School Council Foley Stadium Advisory Committee Forest Grove Middle School Council Francis J. McGrath Elementary School Council Gates Lane School of International Studies School Council Goddard School of Science and Technology School Council Grafton Street School Council Heard Street Discovery Academy School Council Jacob Hiatt Magnet School Council La Familia Dual Language School Council Lake View School Council Learning First Charter Public School Academic Excellence Committee Learning First Charter Public School Board of Trustees Learning First Charter Public School Finance Committee Learning First Charter Public School Governance Committee Lincoln Street School Council May Street School Council Midland Street School Council Nelson Place School Council Norrback Avenue School Council North High School Council Public Schools Standing Committee - AD HOC Public Schools Standing Committee on Accountability and Student Performance Public Schools Standing Committee on Finance and Operations Public Schools Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance Public Schools Standing Committee on Governance and Employee Issues Public Schools Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Success Public Schools Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports Quinsigamond School Council Rice Square School Council Roosevelt School Council School Committee Meeting South High Community School Council Spirit of Knowledge Public Charter School Board of Trustees Tatnuck Magnet School Council Thorndyke Road School Council Union Hill School Council University Park Campus School Council Vernon Hill School Council Wawecus Road School Council West Tatnuck School Council Woodland Academy School Council Worcester Arts Magnet School Council Worcester East Middle School Council Worcester Technical High School Council
Accessing the City Council
The City Clerk's Office guides you on how to reach your city councilors and file a petition.
Contact Information
City Clerk City Hall Room 206 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608
How Will the City Clerk of Worcester Assist an LEP Person?
Through a partnership, City employees have access to telephonic and face to face interpreters in 90 different languages. Community members can request an interpreter at any time. Access to telephone interpreters will take no longer than five minutes and face to face interpreters will need to be requested at least 48 hours in advance. Email clerk@worcesterma.gov for additional information.
Learn more about the City of Worcester's Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Policy.
