Where

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Watch the recording (opens in new tab) of this meeting on YouTube.

What was decided

The council denied a King order on permanent public bathrooms and porta-potties by a 5-6 roll call vote. It adopted a related Bergman order that asks for a process to find bathroom locations, along with reports on Amazon drones, Medicare plans, and police academy classes. It also adopted a resolution encouraging residents to gather signatures to review or revise the City Charter.

Decisions recorded

• Approved the minutes of the September 22, 2026 council meeting. p. 1page 1 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Held the Charter Communications conduit request for 135 Kenberma Rd. under privilege. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Approved Charter Communications conduit permission at Lincoln St. after a hearing with no abutter speakers. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Approved National Grid and Verizon New England jointly-owned pole permission at Bauer St. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Denied the motion to suspend Rule 30 so the council could discuss Councilor King's reconsideration request, 3 yeas and 8 nays. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Denied reconsideration of the September 29, 2026 vote on King's public bathroom order, 3 yeas and 8 nays. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred items 9a through 9k, including handicap parking, speed humps, stop signs, traffic lights, and crosswalk beacon requests, to the Traffic and Parking Committee. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Set public hearings for October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. on National Grid conduit requests 9l through 9o. p. 4page 4 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred David Webb's Open Meeting Law Complaint Form to the Law Department to prepare an answer and response. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to work with the Worcester Chamber of Commerce on principal sponsorships for WCCA TV, after a 10-0 vote to reconsider. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to install statutory speed limit signage on Mountain St. West. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to install Do Not Enter signage on Lakewood St. at Baker St., Elmer St., and Manomet St. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to install statutory No Parking zone signage on Lakewood St. at Baker St., Elmer St., and Manomet St. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted resolution encouraging residents' efforts to gather signatures of 15% of registered voters to review or revise the City Charter, 10 yeas and 0 nays. p. 6page 6 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to review the Flagg St. entrance from Pleasant St. and report on narrowing the road. p. 6page 6 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Held under privilege by Councilor King the request to review council rules so meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. with public participation. p. 6page 6 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to provide emergency repairs to the King Philip Rd. sidewalk and curb at Marmion Ave. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on WPI's on-campus living requirement and its effects on hotels, housing, and area businesses, 9 yeas and 2 nays. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Public Works to review and repair the sidewalk in front of 2 Biltmore Rd. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on hiring outside contractors to clear the backlog of approved tree removals. p. 8page 8 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for an update on the former St. Vincent Hospital nursing dormitory conversion into senior affordable housing. p. 8page 8 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on installing turf instead of grass on Massasoit Rd. sidewalks and intersections. p. 8page 8 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on using the long patch resurfacing program to repave Vernon St. in FY27. p. 8page 8 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Commissioner of Public Works to contact MassDOT about updating college wayfinding signage at I-290 and Belmont St. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on an on-street parking plan for residents along Burncoat St. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to work with the Budget Director to seek federal grant money for environmental issues. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended the order asking the City Manager to address stormwater runoff into Cooks Pond from three stormwater drains near Juniper Rd. and Olean St. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on the feasibility of rain gardens near Circuit Ave. West and Gates Ln. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended the order asking for a report on city authority over Amazon MK30 package-delivery drones, adding workforce impact data. p. 10page 10 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on a workforce development plan in response to artificial intelligence and technology. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended the order asking for a report on the impact of eliminated individual Medicare insurance plans, adding information on plans for unhoused and unsheltered residents. p. 10page 10 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on the department’s street sweeping operations. p. 10page 10 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Parks department to conduct monthly cleanings of the Hamilton St. median. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended the order on welcome and leaving city signs, with added review of previous signage plans, 9 yeas and 1 nay. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on the impact of separating DPW functions into the Department of Transportation and Mobility and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Parks department to review and address the Elm Park pond overgrowth; all council members added as sponsors. p. 12page 12 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on the 90-day trial period for four-way stop signs, including the June St., Brownell St., and Hadwen Rd. intersection. p. 12page 12 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to consider ensuring two Worcester Police Department academy classes are ready before the end of 2027. p. 13page 13 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to develop a plan to clean designated hotspots that responds to unsheltered residents, with tracking measures. p. 14page 14 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended the order asking for a report on guidance for when businesses should contact 311 or 911 about unsheltered individuals. p. 15page 15 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted resolution commending MassDOT District 3 Highway Director Barry J. Lorion for supporting the resurfacing of McKeon Road under I-290, 11 yeas and 0 nays. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Accepted the Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations reports on Charter review, placing related orders and communications on file. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Accepted and adopted the Public Service and Transportation Committee report asking for an update on the Spectrum cable contract negotiations. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Accepted the Public Service and Transportation Committee report on a WRTA bus route that passes the EcoTarium. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Voted to advertise the proposed ordinance establishing a tow zone on portions of Albany Street and Fantasia Drive, 11 yeas and 0 nays. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Placed on file the order asking the City Manager and Chief Development Officer to explain Optiline Enterprises' work on the 274 Franklin St. project. p. 20page 20 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Councilor King withdrew his order on permanent public bathrooms and porta-potties, item 17b. p. 21page 21 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted as amended Councilor Bergman's order asking the City Manager to consider a process to identify permanent public bathroom locations starting in District 2 and to determine porta-potty locations. p. 21page 21 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the City Manager to provide a copy of the Downtown Worcester BID “Downtown Worcester Quality of Life” study. p. 22page 22 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Mitra's motion asking the City Manager to explore rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in municipal parking lots. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Toomey's motion asking for a report on costs and funding sources for temporary or permanent bathroom and shower facilities. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking for a report on the feasibility of completing two WPD academy classes by the end of 2027, with a fiscal impact analysis. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted order asking the Worcester Police Department for a report on how it is maintaining and recruiting police officers, including grant funding. p. 24page 24 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking the Police Chief for a report on cadet programs used in other municipalities. p. 24page 24 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on MMA efforts to advocate for school building funding in gateway cities. p. 24page 24 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on projected annual taxpayer payments tied to the $15,000,000.00 New High School Fund commitment. p. 24page 24 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on the prior organization and role of the CSX Neighborhood Improvement Fund Advisory Committee, 11 yeas and 0 nays. p. 24page 24 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Ojeda's order asking the City Manager to provide youth with helmets as part of a safety pilot program, 11 yeas and 0 nays. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Mitra's order asking for a website notice on the city's fire hydrant readiness. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on data from the fire hydrant maintenance and repair program. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking whether there is a tiering program for the 39 non-functioning fire hydrants. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Ojeda's order asking for a list of inoperable fire hydrants and their locations. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on advantages of speed cushions in place of speed humps. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to study a hybrid beacon system at Lake Ave. crosswalks. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on pros and cons of using ghost police vehicles for traffic calming. p. 23page 23 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Denied Councilor King's order to adopt a revised public bathroom order with a timeline and community feedback, 5 yeas and 6 nays. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Held under privilege Councilor King's order asking for a copy of the downtown BID Quality of Life study, item 19p. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Mitra's motion asking the City Manager to explore rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in municipal parking lots. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's motion asking for a report on the city's workforce development in response to AI and technology. p. 25page 25 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Economou resolution recognizing four Worcester elementary schools for state recognition in academic progress.

2 decisions aren't shown: they couldn't be matched to the minutes.

The full text is in the city's PDF, linked below.

Minutes posted on the city website (PDF, 191 KB). Saved copy (opens in new tab), saved October 27, 2026.

Agenda

A copy of the agenda wasn't saved here. It is on the city website (opens in new tab).

Terms used here

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act, the federal law on access for people with disabilities.

Open Meeting Law

The state law (M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Sections 18 to 25) that requires public boards to meet in public, post notice of their meetings in advance, and keep minutes.

tabled

Set aside by a vote, to take up later. A tabled item comes back when the board votes to take it off the table.

All the terms in the glossary

Source

This meeting on the City of Worcester calendar (opens in new tab). First recorded by Worcester Publick on October 27, 2026.