Worcester City Council Agenda Preview: December 10, 2024
Taxes, City Manager Contract, Bowling Monument, Conservation, Tax Breaks
The City Council meeting is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The agenda is here.
This week: taxes, the City Manager’s contract, bowling monument, conservation, tax breaks.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
WPD Federal Investigation: Today the Justice Department announced their finding that “the WPD uses excessive force,” “has allowed certain officers at times to engage in outrageous government conduct and violate the constitutional rights of women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade by engaging in sexual contact while undercover as part of official investigations,” and “engages in racially discriminatory policing.” This is too recent to make it to the official agenda, but no doubt Councilors and members of the public will have something to say.
Taxes: One of many items held over from the previous meeting. The Council will set next year’s property tax rates.
City Manager’s Contract: The Municipal Operations Committee wants the Manager’s contract continued for three more years. His salary will be set at $10,000 more than the next-highest-paid city employee. ($293,868 for 2025.)
Boards and Commissions: The City Manager is appointing Andrew Serrato to the Parks and Recreation Commission and Erik Bartenhagen as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Council will vote whether to appoint Nicole Levay-O’Brien to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The Council will also be voting on two new members of the Library Board.
Land Conservation: The Manager wants the Council to accept a conservation restriction for the 7.8 acre Cooks Pond North Forest, and to transfer the jurisdiction of a foreclosed property by Coal Mine Brook to the Worcester Conservation Commission.
Apartment Tax Breaks: There’s a $16m plan to turn 57 Exchange Street (a building sort of between the DCU and Mechanics Hall) into 44 residential units with a restaurant. Nine of the units will be “affordable.” The Manager would like the Council to give them a $200k property tax break over 15 years.
“Candlestick Bowling”: Candlepin bowling was famously pioneered in Worcester. Councilor Bergman wants a memorial “at or near the location on Pearl St. where candlestick bowling was invented 145 years ago (in 1880).” Is this a term for candlepin I haven’t heard of? I’m no expert, but the experts I know are outraged, I can tell you.
Sprinklers: Councilor Haxhiaj wants the Council to ask the state to let us require that when a residential building with four or more units is substantially renovated, automatic sprinklers be installed.
Commercial Vehicle Parking: Councilor Russell would like the city to ban “commercial vehicles from parking throughout the city” unless the driver is in the process of loading or unloading.
Burncoat Middle and High Schools: The Council will approve $3m to study the feasibility of replacing these school buildings. It hopes to be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
