Worcester City Council Agenda Preview: March 26, 2024
Hiring police, resident permit parking, land preservation, the rental property registry, recycling, renaming, March Madness
The City Council meeting is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The agenda is here.
This week: Hiring police, resident permit parking, land preservation, the rental property registry, recycling, renaming, March Madness.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
Land Preservation: Evan Corrigan proposes transferring parcels along Swan Avenue to the Conservation Commission, “so that God's Acre and the woodlands of Swan Ave. are under its protection.”
Hiring Police: After being asked to raise the maximum age for becoming a cop from 32 to 38, the Public Service Committee recommends asking the state to let Worcester raise the Civil Service Exam age limit from 32 to 40.
Resident Permit Parking: The Parking Committee would like the city to look into letting home healthcare workers get guest parking passes for resident-parking-only streets.
More Resident Permit Parking: I am told this item will go back to committee because of an issue regarding a property owner on the street. But on the written agenda at least, the Parking Committee recommends the Council approve resident permit parking on Piedmont Street between Larch and Austin, with the exception of allowing anyone to park in front of the Mustard Seed soup kitchen during daylight hours.
Trash Cams: The Mayor wants a camera on Swan Avenue to monitor illegal dumping.
Debt: Councilor Russell wants a report on “debt associated with all major projects in the city,” especially as regards school building projects current and future.
Rental Property Registration: Now that people are being made aware of the city’s new rental property registration requirements, people are confused and annoyed. Councilor Russell wants the Manager to deliver a report on frequently asked questions, and to reduce the fee for not filing from $300/day to $10. Councilor Bergman would like to make it easier to register and pay related fees without using a computer. The linked Worcester Magazine article quotes affected people who were unaware this was even happening. I am sympathetic to their situation! Council agendas cover so much stuff. Most of it is not important to most people. Much of what’s publicized ends up going nowhere or being outside the Council’s power. This email list aims to be focused and skimmable, and I hope if you are a landlord, you noticed one of our many items about the registry, going years back.
Better Recycling Bins: Councilor Haxhiaj would like the city to provide sturdier recycling bins with closed lids that don’t fall off, and to postpone recycling days if it’s too windy.
Renaming: Councilor Pacillo would like the Indian Hill Sports Field renamed The Jeff Cammuso Sports Complex at Indian Hill.
Honorary Streets: The Public Works Committee wants the full Council to vote in favor of making part of Chadwick Street an honorary Thomas P. White Way in honor of the former Worcester City Councilor and state senator.
March Madness: Councilor King would like the Manager to bring part of the 2029 NCAA Division I men’s and/or women’s basketball tournaments to Worcester.
Tabled Under Privilege: The WPD’s “racial equity audit report” will be back for discussion this week.