City Council

CITY OF WORCESTER AGENDA OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Esther Howland (South) Chamber 6:30 P.M. MAYOR Joseph M. Petty AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS Morris A. Bergman Jenny Pacillo - District 1 Donna M. Colorio Candy Mero-Carlson - District 2 Khrystian E. King George J. Russell - District 3 Thu Nguyen Luis A. Ojeda - District 4 Kathleen M. Toomey Etel Haxhiaj - District 5 www.worcesterma.gov CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts Virtual Attendee Call-In Information: City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 _________________________________________________________________ To request a reasonable accommodation or interpretation or to submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office by email at clerk@worcesterma.gov. Please note that interpretation requests must be received no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Para solicitar una interpretación razonable, o enviar comentarios o preguntas por escrito antes de las reuniones municipales, por favor comuníquese con la oficina del Secretario Municipal por correo electrónico a clerk@worcesterma.gov. Por favor note que las solicitudes de interpretación deberán ser enviadas 48 horas antes de la reunión. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 1 of 13  3. ROLL CALL 4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 5a Adopt 5a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 21, 2025. 6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - a person may speak for no more than two (2) minutes on any items appearing on the agenda 6a. 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 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. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 6:30 P.M. 7a - 7g Hold Hearings and Adopt 7a. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GROVE ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GROVE ST. 7b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: LOVELL ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: LOVELL ST. 7c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MILL ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MILL ST. 7d. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST. November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 2 of 13  7e. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit petition at: WEBSTER ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit petition at: WEBSTER ST. 7f. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: BRIDLE PATH. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: BRIDLE PATH. 7g. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: LINCOLN ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: LINCOLN ST. 8. TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING 8a. Hearing: To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal Year 2026. 8b. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting a REVISED Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification package. (Original submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) 8c. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification package. (Originally submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) 8d. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to frequently asked questions during the tax rate process. (Originally submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) 8e. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend approval to make necessary adjustments to finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Budget. (Originally submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) 8f. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of order adopting Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 54 Personal Property Tax Exemption. (Originally submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) 8g. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of the Senior Double Exemption Clauses. (Originally submitted to City Council on November 18, 2025) November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 3 of 13  9. PETITIONS - a Petitioner may speak up to three (3) minutes the first time their petition appears on an agenda 9a Refer to Public Works Committee 9a. Patrick Grady request streetlight on pole 17 be repaired on West Boylston St. 9b - 9j Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee 9b. Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of speed limit signage on Burncoat St. 9c. Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of speed limit signage on Salisbury St. 9d. Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of speed limit signage on Valley Hill Dr. 9e. Stephen B. Harris request a traffic study be conducted at the intersection of Forest St. and Salisbury St. for the purpose of installing all-way stop signage at the location. 9f. Patrick Grady request installation of a stop sign on Judson Rd. at its intersection with Grove St. 9g. Maria V. Montano request installation of a speed hump in the vicinity of 50 Freeland St. 9h. Sherry Monfils request installation of "No Parking Within 5 Feet of Driveway" signage at 8 Blossom St. 9i. Plato Dimitriadis and Suzanne Bradley request installation of "No Parking From Here to Corner" signage on Berkmans St. at its intersection with June St. 9j. John Charron request installation of stop signage at the intersection of Sophia Dr. and Tennyson St. 10. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER 10.1 APPOINTMENTS Non-City Council Confirmation Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Daniel Forster as an alternate member to the Historical Commission. November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 4 of 13  10.2 APPOINTMENTS City Council Confirmation Recommend Appointment A. Recommending the appointment of Stephen Toomey to the Planning Board. 10.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer 10.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer 10.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer 10.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Division of Human Rights and Accessibility Patricia M. LaFore, Director 10.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 10.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Engineering and Architectural Services Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 10.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Operations Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 10.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETARY Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner 10.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner 10.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT Martin Dyer, Fire Chief November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 5 of 13  10.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the Axon Body Worn Camera (BWC) Assistant Trial Program. 10.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner 10.15 LAW DEPARTMENT Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor 10.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Administration Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner 10.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Building and Zoning Division David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner 10.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Housing and Health Inspections Division Lee R. Hall, Director 10.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration Alex R. Arriaga, Interim Commissioner 10.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Elder Affairs Amy Vogel Waters, Director 10.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Veterans Services Dr. Joe Robinson, Veterans' Services Officer/Director 10.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Youth Opportunities Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director 10.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY Jason L. Homer, Executive Director November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 6 of 13  10.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Election Commission Division Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk 10.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Brian Allen, Superintendent 10.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Administration Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the financial update for the period ending Sept. 30, 2025 10.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Assessing Division Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor 10.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Budget Office Division Erin E. Taylor, Director 10.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Purchasing Division Christopher Gagliastro, Director 10.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Treasury and Collections Division Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes 10.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities 10.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer 10.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer 10.34 FINANCE ITEMS Capital Transfers November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 7 of 13  10.35 FINANCE ITEMS Grants and Donations Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($200.00) from Susan A. Glover. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($2,500.00) from DCU Digital Federal Credit Union. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call C. Recommend adoption of resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Five Dollars and No Cents ($61,235.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Address Verification Program Grant. 10.36 FINANCE ITEMS Operational Transfers Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend the City Council’s authorization for the use of the Greenwood Street Revolving Fund Account in Fiscal Year 2026, at the limits in this account per M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53 ½. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from #CC1012 Human Resources Salaries, and be appropriated into Cost Center #CC1012, Human Resources Overtime. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call C. Recommend that Four Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($475,000.00) be transferred from Fund # FD313, Damage Settlement, and be appropriated to Project #PRJ-100012, Blackstone Gateway Park. 10.37 FINANCE ITEMS Prior Year Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend that Seven Hundred Seven Dollars And No Cents ($707.00) be authorized from FY2026 Cost Center #CC1007, Public Facilities Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of the prior year invoice. November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 8 of 13  Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend that Eleven Thousand One Hundred Thirty Dollars and Seventeen Cents ($11,130.17) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works cost centers for the payment of prior year invoices. 10.38 FINANCE Loan Orders Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend that the remaining balance of One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00) on Loan Order #LO-1171 be repurposed. 10.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS 11. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE 11a. COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting an informational communication relative to a follow-up of the 2023 investigation into Worcester Police Department’s overtime and details policies and procedures, as well as a report issued on January 15, 2024, as presented by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP’s Forensic Services Team. (Held Under Privilege - King November 18, 2025) 11b. COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting an informational communication of an analysis of the Worcester Police Department’s (WPD) Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program Performance by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA). (Held Under Privilege - King November 18, 2025) 11c. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend Adoption of an Order Regarding the Jurisdiction and Disposition of Real Property at 100 Providence Street. (Held Under Privilege - Russell November 18, 2025) 12. TABLED ITEMS 12a. ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a program. (Held Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019 and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019) November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 9 of 13  12b. RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination Bill. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February 23, 2021) 12c. ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider prioritizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for REC Worcester’s capital project involving the development of the new REC Worcester headquarters and Center for Food Justice and Urban Agriculture (for Worcester and Central Massachusetts), in an effort to support community food security, as well as youth development and employment. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Held Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021) 12d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) 12e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with a report concerning the WRTA’s winter weather plan, especially including information as to how snow will be removed at each of the bus stops: recommend Order be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) 12f. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Held Under Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023) 12g. PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024) November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 10 of 13  12h. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager install metal detector safety equipment at City Hall whenever open, similar to the equipment used at Polar Park, the Worcester District Court and other public places, on or before December 31, 2024. (Held Under Privilege - Russell September 24, 2024 and October 1, 2024 and Tabled - Russell October 8, 2024) 12i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager conduct an equity audit of all city departments every five (5) years. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson December 10, 2024 and Held Under Privilege - Toomey December 17, 2024 and Tabled - Nguyen January 7, 2025) 12j. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to how the U.S. Department of Justice's report on the Worcester Police Department differs from the account of the municipality. (Held Under Privilege - King April 29, 2025 and May 6, 2025 and Tabled - King May 13, 2025) 13. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the November 18, 2025 City Council meeting. 13a. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting a REVISED Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification package. – Item #28a CC Hearing set for November 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. 13b. ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council does hereby suspend its rule to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on November 18, 2025 to occur thirty (30) minutes beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes. – Item #28b CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 3 Nays 13c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning retention rates associated with the Records Access Officer and Redactor positions in the city. – Item #28c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays 13d. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager allocate all revenue from the jurisdiction and disposition of real property at 100 Providence St. to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. – Item #28d CC Order adopted 13e. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how many times the city has allocated revenue gained from the jurisdiction and disposition of real property to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund since July of 2023. – Item #28e CC Order adopted November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 11 of 13  13f. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager prioritize the creation of a timeline of actions that support a citywide fire safety education campaign. – Item #28f CC Order adopted 13g. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the condition of the Fanning Building, located at 24 Chatham St., as it relates to fire safety. – Item #28g CC Order adopted 13h. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the Fire Department is moving towards further diversifying the department, including information concerning any linguistic challenges within the department and how that could impact a citywide education campaign. – Item #28h CC Order adopted 13i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing the successes of the Election Division’s Student Poll Worker Program. – Item #28i CC Order adopted 13j. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the process the city uses to comply with facilitating 110 inspections. Further, request said report include information concerning previous requests made regarding 110 inspections. Further, request said report include an audit of 110 inspections. – Item #28j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay 13k. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the number of accidents resulting from the usage of electric scooters, electric bikes, electric unicycles, and other alternative modes of transportation. Further, request said report include regulations used in other communities relative to such modes of transportation. – Item #28k CC Order adopted 13l. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report, by November 25, 2025, that details compliance around City Hall’s security changes since the implementation of said changes. – Item #28l CC Order adopted 13m. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the feasibility of exploring actuarial tools that evaluate Worcester Red Sox “game days” at Polar Park, to determine impact said games have on revenues generated at businesses in the Ballpark District. – Item #28m CC Order adopted November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 12 of 13 Scheduled Meetings of the Standing Committees Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 Economic Development Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 04:00 PM Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson, Jenny Pacillo, Kathleen M. Toomey Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 Economic Development Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 04:00 PM Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson, Jenny Pacillo, Kathleen M. Toomey Contact Info: Worcester City Clerk City Hall Room 206 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-799-1124 clerk@worcesterma.gov November 25, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 13 of 13