Where

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Location from the city's meeting portal.

What's on the agenda

The meeting also covers city grants and budget transfers, pay changes for many job groups, and about 54 resident petitions on traffic and street issues. A petition asks for an ordinance allowing licensed cannabis social consumption establishments.

Agenda items

• Public hearing on a Charter Communications conduit at 135 Kenberma Rd.
• Public hearing on National Grid conduits at Main St. and Newbury St.
• Request to add 416 Belmont St. and nearby lots to the Commercial Corridor Overlay district, sent to Planning Board
• About 54 petitions on streets, signs, speed humps, and parking, sent to committees
• Request for Community Clothing Closets, sent to Public Health and Human Services Committee
• Set a November 17, 2026 hearing on two National Grid conduits at 116 and 124 Rodney St.
• Request for an ordinance allowing licensed cannabis social consumption establishments
• Board and commission appointments and reappointments, including Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Citizens Advisory Council

Show 25 more items

• Tax Increment Exemption Agreement and housing project resolution for 27 Chandler St. and 53 Irving St.
• FY27 tax classification options, budget adjustments, and Elderly Exemption Program order
• Department reports on Veterans Services relocation, tree inspections, rodeo draft ordinance, and August 2026 finances
• Grants and donations: $350,000 National Endowment for the Humanities, $192,247.25 State 911, $200,000 DESE, $23,800 United Way, $500 donation
• Budget transfers and payments for prior-year invoices
• Rezoning of 13 properties near Grove and Brookfield streets from manufacturing to business
• Rezoning of three Milton St. properties to residential
• Zoning change for 455 Grove St.
• Belmont and Plantation streets corridor zoning amendment
• Extending business and overlay zoning to properties on Charlton, Hermon, and Beacon streets
• Report on converting part of Marmion Ave. from private to public street, sent to Public Works
• Sewer extensions on Arlington St. and Henchman St.
• Public health reports on roaming cats, miniature alcohol bottles, and winter shelters, mostly placed on file
• 10 traffic and parking reports recommended for adoption, and 18 placed on file
• Ordinance to create a tow zone on portions of Albany St. and Fantasia Dr.
• Salary ordinance changes for 25 job groups and members of Local 495, NAGE
• Update on U.S. Department of Justice report on the Worcester Police Department, held under privilege
• Five older tabled items, including rent control and an Office of Housing Stability
• Five orders from the October 20 meeting: four adopted, one held under privilege
• 13 committee requests to city departments on parking, crosswalks, and road work
• 19 orders from councilors, including student loan repayment help and an emergency preparedness plan
• Resolution recognizing Brig. Gen. Richard P. Cipro
• Four Library Board of Directors vacancies filled
• Worcester Public Schools easement request to National Grid on Oberlin St. and Woodland St.
• Worcester Public Schools lease of ten special education buses for five years

How to take part

• Attend in person at Esther Howland (South) Chamber.
• Residents can speak during Public Participation at each meeting on any item on that meeting's agenda, for up to 2 minutes each and 30 minutes in all, combining all items into one appearance: in person in the Esther Howland Chamber at City Hall (455 Main St.), or by Zoom or phone, with the link and number on the agenda (press *9 to raise a hand by phone). Written comments, and requests for interpretation (48 hours ahead), go to the City Clerk at clerk@worcesterma.gov. Petitions to the council are due at 4:15 PM on the Thursday before a Tuesday meeting. Source: City Council agenda of October 20, 2026, and the Rules of Public Participation (opens in new tab).
• Meetings are broadcast and recorded by City of Worcester Government TV, live and on demand (opens in new tab).
• The posted agenda (opens in new tab) is the official notice and may say how to comment.

Terms used here

ADA

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

CDBG

Community Development Block Grant: federal money, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for housing and neighborhood projects that serve low- and moderate-income residents.

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

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