Where

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

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

What was decided

The council approved National Grid conduit permits and a five-year Central Square Technologies contract. It voted 8-3 to refer a proposal on meeting start times and public participation to a committee, and 10-1 to refer proposed new Rules 61, 62, and 63 to a committee. It also adopted several orders asking the City Manager for reports on bathrooms and showers, workforce and technology, and police academy classes.

Decisions recorded

• Approved the minutes of the September 29, 2026 City Council meeting, 11-0. p. 1page 1 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Granted National Grid permission for a conduit location at Chadwick St., 11-0 after a hearing. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Granted National Grid permission for a conduit location at Franklin St. and Arctic St., 11-0 after a hearing. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Granted National Grid permission for a conduit location at Grafton St., 11-0 after a hearing. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Granted National Grid permission for a conduit location at Pleasant St., 11-0 after a hearing. p. 2page 2 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred Asaad Challab's request for a sewer extension of approximately eighty-five (85) feet for 72A and 72B Arlington St. to Public Works Committee, 11-0. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred petitions 8b through 8e, on a crosswalk, a handicap parking space, a speed study, and speed humps, to Traffic and Parking Committee, 11-0. p. 3page 3 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Placed on file informational communications on appointments to the Worcester Arts Council and the Conservation Commission, 11-0. p. 4page 4 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Voted to advertise twenty-five (25) proposed ordinances tied to salary ordinance amendments, including one relative to Public Health Nursing, 11-0. p. 4page 4 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the winter readiness communication for the 2026–2027 winter season to Public Works Committee. p. 5page 5 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted the Central Square Technologies Five-Year Contract, 11-0. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the DPW Fall Leaf Collection 2026 communication to Public Works Committee. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the communication on miles of bicycle accommodations added in 2026 to Traffic and Parking Committee. p. 7page 7 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the Belmont Street and Lake Avenue traffic safety communication to Traffic and Parking Committee, 11-0. p. 8page 8 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the ALERTWorcester enrollment numbers communication to Public Safety Committee. p. 9page 9 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred proposed new Rules 61, 62, and 63 of the Rules of City Council to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee, 10-1, with King voting no. p. 10page 10 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the Worcester Ballpark Commission communication to Public Works Committee. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the Zero Waste Master Plan communication to Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee, 11-0. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the Department of Sustainability and Resilience project updates communication to Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee, 11-0. p. 11page 11 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Authorized $47,836.54 from Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Public Works cost centers to pay prior year invoices, 11-0. p. 12page 12 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Authorized $160.80 from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center #CC1008 to pay a prior year invoice, 11-0. p. 12page 12 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Placed on file the Worcester 3-Star Certified Welcoming Designation communication, 11-0. p. 12page 12 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the City Auditor's school safety audit communication to Education Committee and Traffic and Parking Committee, 11-0. p. 13page 13 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted the City Auditor's recommendation to raise the cost-of-living adjustment maximum base from $16,000 to $17,000 starting July 1, 2027, 11-0. p. 13page 13 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred the City Auditor's communication on Sale of Lots and Graves fund use at Hope Cemetery to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee, 11-0.
• Referred the City Clerk's quarterly report on City Council and Chairman's Orders to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee, 11-0.
• Placed on file the Charter Communications conduit request for 135 Kenberma Rd., 11-0, on Councilor Fresolo's motion. p. 14page 14 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred Councilor Rivera's order on City Council meeting start times and public participation to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee, as amended, 8-3. p. 15page 15 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled item 12a, a request for a legal opinion on a residential rent control program. p. 15page 15 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled resolution 12b supporting an act on COVID-19 vaccination equity. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled item 12c, an order to establish an Office of Housing Stability. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled petition 12d from Gordon Davis on systemic racism and public safety. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled item 12e, an order for an equity audit of city departments every five years. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Took no action on tabled item 12f, a City Manager communication on the U.S. Department of Justice report on the Worcester Police Department. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Mitra's order asking the City Manager to explore rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in municipal parking lots. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Toomey's order asking for a report on the costs of temporary or permanent bathroom and shower facilities. p. 16page 16 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on workforce development in response to artificial intelligence and improved technology. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's order asking for a report on two Worcester Police Department academy classes before the end of 2027. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Economou's resolution recognizing students and faculty at four elementary schools for state recognition. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's motion asking the City Manager to ensure students get notice and explanations of pedestrian safety measures near schools, 11-0. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's motion asking the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility for a copy of the Safe Routes to School Taskforce strategic plan, 11-0. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor King's motion asking the Commissioner to consider a hybrid beacon system near Chandler Elementary Community School, 11-0. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Adopted Councilor Petty's motion asking for a report on parking limits near Roosevelt and Rice Square elementary schools, 11-0. p. 17page 17 of the minutes (opens in new tab)
• Referred Councilor King's motion on reviewing Rule Five on special meetings to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee, 8-3. p. 18page 18 of the minutes (opens in new tab)

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

Minutes posted on the city website (PDF, 164 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

COLA

Cost-of-living adjustment: a raise in pay or a pension to keep up with rising prices.

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.