CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:45 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Communication of Roberta A. Schaefer, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Where have all the Bidders Gone?: The Impact of "Responsibility" on Public Construction. (Tabled - Rushton February 26, 2008)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Monthly Economic Development Initiatives Status Report - March 2008.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to monthly Economic Development Division’s (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - March 2008.

Felix Garcia request to remove tree at 41 Freeland St.

Nila Lyubchik request to modify parking restrictions in vicinity of 661 Millbury St. to allow residents to park on the street.

Tom Hammond & Kevin Zona, owners of Tammany Hall, request parking meters, in vicinity of 43 Pleasant St., be changed from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Dorothy McGlynn request to install Four-Way Stop Signs or traffic lights at the intersection of Mill St. and June St.

Charles Pardee request to remove handicap parking space in front of 51 Beaver St.

NATIONAL GRID for cable and conduit system in: PLANTATION ST., CLARENDON ST. & ALMONT AVE.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager report to City Council the assistance that might be offered to homeowners to avoid foreclosure other than the 30-day reprieve offered by lending institutions.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide the full City Council with the SAVE our Neighborhoods presentation.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager communicate with local realtors and lenders to determine ways in which they might assist in stemming the tide of foreclosures by addressing the structure of loans and residential appraisals.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium provide City Council with a survey of the various types of internships their students seek to secure for the upcoming year.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor update the City Council concerning the issue of structural integrity of the light poles at the athletic fields at the Worcester Technical High School and the prospect of resolution of the contract language dispute.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide the City Council with an update concerning the construction of the North High School for consideration at a future meeting of the City Council's Standing Committee on Education.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager discuss with the presidents of the member institutions of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium the possibilities/opportunities for joint progress concerning the top three priority concerns of the city: economic development, neighborhood stabilization and education.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager communicate with the Colleges of Worcester Consortium and request they provide the City Council with a listing of their current special projects.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Council's Standing Committee on Education meet with the Worcester School Committee's Sub-Committee on Business to discuss the development of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager and the Superintendent of the Worcester Public School consider requesting their respective Chief Financial officers meet with the other's elected representatives to discuss the development of the Fiscal Year 2009 budget.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager communicate with the Colleges of Worcester Consortium to establish procedures for broadcasting the City Council's Standing Committee on Education that might be hosted at campuses of Worcester colleges.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the translation services that are available throughout all city departments.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to Worcester's Affirmative Action Plan.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the Bias and Hate Crimes Task Force including activities and membership.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with an air quality report, at least once, yearly.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with copies of the Breathe Easy Report as prepared by the City of Boston's Department of Public Health.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health interact with the Director of Health and Physical Education of the Worcester Public Schools to determine if MRSA Education may be integrated into the health education program of our public school system.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health update City Council quarterly concerning progress in the closing of the PIP Center at 701 Main Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of his Task Force Three-Point Plan to End Homelessness for referral to the City Council's Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide the City Council with copies of the minutes of the January 23, 2008 meeting of the City's Board of Health for referral to the City Council's Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks add Howland Terrace along the side of 772 Pleasant Street to the Street Resurfacing List.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager communicate with contractors who have constructed homes on and in the vicinity of Wildwood Avenue and request that they return to the private street to correct damages caused to the public way.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Police Chief to take traffic control measures at the time of the conversion of Arline Street to a public street so as to limit the roadway from becoming a hazardous way.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - That the City Council consider amending it's schedule of meetings for Calendar 2008 so that the City Manager's monthly Economic Development Report be provided to the City Council with a City Manager agenda beginning in the month of April.

Request City Manager designate evacuation routes out of the city and install appropriate signage along the designated routes. (Toomey)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the development and implementation of a program to encourage residential property owners to participate in a sidewalk reconstruction program. Said program would encourage property owners to pay for the reconstruction of sidewalks in front of their homes utilizing the services of a vendor from a list of contractors authorized by the DPWP to conduct such work in accordance with city standards. Once the reconstruction work is completed and inspected by the city, the property owner would be entitled to a real estate tax bill rebate equal to 50% of the cost of said work, apportioned over a period of five years. (Petty, Toomey, Clancy, Germain, Smith)

Request City Manager consider posting the listing of sidewalks and streets that have been approved for resurfacing and are awaiting funding to the front page of the city’s web site so that the public may learn the status of work that is of interest to them. (Petty)

Request City Manager inform City Council of any and all public health initiatives regarding breast feeding awareness. (Rushton)

Request City Manager consider recommending to City Council an ordinance that would allow women to breastfeed in public and private locations in the City of Worcester, and, further request, that in said proposed ordinance wording be included to specifically strike breastfeeding from the public indecency laws in the City of Worcester. (Rushton)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of departments that utilize machines to answer their main number and to substantiate the reason why a staff person is not a better “front line” in receiving inquires from the general public. (Toomey)

Request City Manager consider displaying art and sculptures by Worcester artists in City Hall to showcase and promote the arts in Worcester. (Lukes)

Request the City Council's Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet with representatives of WCCA TV to review it’s record of providing public access television programming to the City of Worcester and to discuss that station's facility and equipment needs. (Rosen)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report from the Law Department on what processes are available to initiate a review of the Worcester Home Rule Charter. (Rosen, Germain, Rushton, Toomey, Eddy, Smith, Petty)

Request City Clerk investigate and report to City Council concerning the concept of registering to vote via text messaging by communicating with the Massachusetts Secretary of State and the National Youth Political Action Coalition (NYPAC) and PROMOBILIZE. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide report to City Council concerning the viability of utilizing turbines at the most beneficial sites around the city inclusive of public school buildings. (Toomey)

Request City Manager consider a policy be developed regarding the city's participation in "Twinning" with other cities and sister city alliances. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report on the matter of a new second commuter rail route from Worcester to North Station in Boston through West Boylston, Clinton and Lancaster. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the opening and operation of the swimming pools and beaches across the City during the Summer of 2008. (Germain)

Request City Manager inform City Council of any and all city parks construction/reconstruction projects that were not completed by the close of the last construction season as well as any information about those that need to be completed before the 2008 outdoor recreation season commences.(Germain)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the opportunity for a second Worcester-Boston commuter rail line and to other points throughout New England as being evaluated by state transportation officials. (Petty, Palmieri)

Request City Manager to provide City Council with an update concerning the transportation of hazardous materials through the City of Worcester and surrounding communities via CSX rail lines. (Palmieri, Petty)

Request City Manager report to City Council a complete inventory of the properties owned throughout the City of Worcester by CSX Railways and identify each property as being exempt from real estate taxation, or tax-paying. (Petty, Palmieri)

Request City Manager report to City Council whether the city has any authority to impose maintenance standards for properties along rail lines throughout the city and owned by CSX. (Palmieri, Petty)

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: PARIS AVENUE

Communication of James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative Risk Assessment and Management Letter.

Communication of Peter Schneider, Chair of the Worcester Historical Commission transmitting communication relative to proposed expansion of the Montavale Local Historic District.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby endorses to yearly recognize Abby Kelley Foster on the anniversary of her birth; January 15, 1811. (Toomey)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a Plan to SAVE our Neighborhoods: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to implementation progress for the Keep Worcester Clean / Nuisance Ordinance Inspection Team: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan July/August 2004: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan December 2004: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan February 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan March 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan April 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan May 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan June 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan July 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan August 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report - Citywide Master Plan September 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan October 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan November 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan December 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan January 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan February 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan March 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - Citywide Master Plan April 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update of Economic Development Initiatives - May 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the Economic Development Initiatives Report - June 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Economic Development Monthly Report for July 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication of the Economic Development Report for August 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report for August - September 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication providing an update of the Economic Development initiatives - October 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - November 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication providing an update of Economic Development initiatives monthly status report - December 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Economic Development Initiatives Status Report - January 2008: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Report for February 2008: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - December 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding Small Business Recruitment and Retention for the Month of January: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of City Manager transmitting response to a City Council request for information regarding the total operating budget for the colleges and universities located in the City of Worcester, the percentage of their operating budgets spent on goods and services that are spent in Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Worcester Intercollegiate Government (WIG): recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Annual College Benchmarking Report for 2005-2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 3rd Quarter FY'07 Report of the Worcester UniverCity Partnership: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the progress report for the construction of the new Worcester Technical High School: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to "Green Building" energy standards being used in the construction on the new North High School Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the North High School Construction Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting Benchmarking Public Education in Worcester: 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Public Education in Worcester: 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Improving Student Performance Under Education Reform: Practices in Urban Schools: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request Library Board to submit a report to City Council regarding the policies of the library as to the Patriot Act and request City Council to consider a resolution in support of the Library Board: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the translation services that are available at the Worcester Police Department and the Communication Department: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the City Manager's Community Task Force on Bias and Hate Crimes - No Place for Hate Campaign: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the efforts that are being made to test the air quality across the City: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Methacillan Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in our Community: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Stephen Campbell, Trustee of Hilltop Realty Trust, request to make public private portion of Fourth St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Stephen Campbell, Trustee of Hilltop Realty Trust, request to make public Eastview Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Cynthia Willis et al request the conversion of the private section of Arline St. into a public street: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Report of Public Works Committee Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to converting Jeremiah's Lane from a private Street to a public St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Order of Councilors Michael J. Germain and Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Council change the name of Brackett Court to Leo Turo Way: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Order of Councilors Petty, Clancy, Palmieri, Rushton, Eddy, Germain, Haller, Rosen, Smith, Toomey and Mayor Lukes -Request City Manager consider recommending that the name the public space known as Federal Square Plaza at the intersection of Southbridge and Main Streets be “Francis R. Carroll Plaza: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that Southbridge Street from Myrtle Street to Main Street and the public space known as Federal Square be named "Francis R. Carroll Plaza."

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Indian Lake Watershed Association in cooperation with the Greendale YMCA, Bancroft School and Worcester Fitness request to install sidewalks along Shore Dr. from Holden St. until it meets the sidewalk at the YMCA: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the sidewalk be installed on the south side of Shore Drive from a point 225.26 feet east of Holden Street to the existing public sidewalk in front of the property owned by YMCA.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Shawn McAvey request to abandon a continuous ten foot strip on the westerly side of McAvey Way beginning at Grafton St. and running to the end of the cul-de-sac: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael G Ferraiuolo and Linda R. DeNittis request abatement of street assessment #24600 in the amount of $3,150.00 for Trent Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to abate to $630.00.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael and Allison Freeman request installation of a new sidewalk and driveway apron in front of 87 Richmond Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Edward DiTullio request sidewalk repair in Ashton St. from Sturgis St. to McKinley Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Edward DiTullio request to resurface Ashton St. from Sturgis St. to McKinley Rd. and review and correct drainage: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Russell Oliver, Church Trustee Secretary for Greendale Peoples Church, request sidewalks be resurfaced/repaired in Francis St. from Church parking lot to the corner of Leeds St. and in Leeds St. from corner of Francis St. to Church driveway and handicapped parking areas: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary S. Rosen on behalf of Jeannine Gemme request sidewalk repair in front of 772 Pleasant St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dr. Jeffrey Gallo, Trustee for 25 Oak Ave. Condominium Trust, request installation of an accessible sidewalk curb cut on the easterly side of Converse St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Committee on Traffic & Parking Upon the Petition of Dr. Jeffrey Gallo, Trustee of 25 Oak Ave. Condominium Trust, request painting of a pedestrian crosswalk from the easterly to the westerly sidewalks on Converse St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Deborah Buniowski request sidewalk repavement & repair of curb in front of 98 Eureka St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy Jr. request to repair the sidewalk and piping that is protruding from the sidewalk in the vicinity of 17 Euclid Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Leonard Lorusso request to repair/repave sidewalks on the south side of Harrison St. from Green St. to Harding St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jacob Mitri, Owner of Park Ave. Mobil, et al request sidewalk leveling/repair at the driveway entrance and exit of 185 Park Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City Council request to provide a detailed service report of the Customer Service Operations that would include how many calls were answered per seconds and how many issues were resolved to the satisfaction to the caller: recommend Communication be referred to the Municipal Operations Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to new services at DPW&P Customer Service Center: recommend Communication be referred to the Municipal Operations Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of David Johnson request to install sidewalks in those areas in McKeon Rd. that do not have any: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Irina Atechian request to install sidewalks in Granite St. from 144 Granite St. to St. Anthony St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Christopher Podles request street repair of pot holes in Arctic St in the vicinity of the new Franklin St. Fire Department: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Michael J. Germain on behalf of Christopher Tower request Southbridge St. between Riverside St. and College St. be repaved: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Scott Babbitt request the sidewalk be reconstructed and widened on Belmont St., from Bell Pond to the entrance to Seabury Heights: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Scott Babbitt request a master plan to protect Worcester disabled citizens from winter related storms by making salting a priority around the Worcester Common area: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of the City Council Standing Committee on Traffic & Parking on behalf of the Jewish Community Center request installation of sidewalks in the east side of Salisbury St. from West Hill Dr. to Lynnwood Lane and in the west side of Salisbury St. from Moreland St. to Whisper Dr.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) Program Status Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Environmental Protection Agency's Order against the City of Worcester concerning the unauthorized discharge of Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) into the Wastewater Collection System: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's meeting with the State Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters regarding Fats, Oils, and Greases: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Status of the FOG Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the status of the construction in the Levi Lincoln Chamber: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Re-Naming of Federal Square Plaza to "Francis R. Carroll Plaza" and the Re-Naming of a portion of Southbridge Street from Main Street to Myrtle Street to "Carroll Way": recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a summary of the City's winter snow and ice costs to date: recommend the Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Keep Worcester Clean Report for the month of October 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a National Grid Cable Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Bonnie Harmon request City abandon Cayuga St. and apportion it to abutting property owners: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request Jepson Ave., in it's entirety, be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Order of Councilors Petty, Clancy, Palmieri, Rushton, Eddy, Germain, Haller, Rosen, Smith, Toomey and Mayor Lukes - Request the City Council re-name the portion of Southbridge Street from Main Street to Myrtle Street to “Carroll Way” in honor of the significant contributions Mr. Francis R. Carroll has made to our community: recommend the Order be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Michael Miller request to make public Chequesset Rd. from Lake Ave. North to Ansonia Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Shyam Sharma request to change the name of Institute Rd., running from 45 to 65 Institute Rd., to Institute Road Way: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Amy & Kelly Devlin et al request to block Emily St. off at Fredrickson Ave. making it a "not a thru street": recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael G Ferraiuolo and Linda R. DeNittis request abatement of street assessment #24599 in the amount of $3,150.00 for Trent Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting to make public the private street segment of Wildwood Ave.: recommend Communication be denied.

Amending Part Two of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 reorganizing the Department, Boards and Commissions of the City of Worcester.

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled - Murray April 25, 2006)

Communication of the City Manager recommending the Adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C778, Providence Street Tot Lot, for the purpose of funding the construction of the planned playground at Providence Street. (Tabled - Lukes July 17, 2007)

Grant permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit system in KANSAS ST. (Tabled - September 18, 2007)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council whether a claims process exists which is available to commercial users who experience electric power outages and surges caused by National Grid. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the number and location of National Grid equipment stations located on public property, whether the City receives any revenue from the use of public land, and if not, whether the city can charge for said use. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council regarding National Grid services in the city based on data filed with the Department of Telecommunications and Energy specifically addressing the number of outages, the locations of the outages, causes of the outages and the fines, if any, paid by National Grid in 2007. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager investigate the feasibility of a system for multi-family property registration and inspection similar to the program in force and effect in Baltimore, MD. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Motion Toomey @ #10q CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with the status of a previously submitted Order concerning Go21 an advocate for increasing freight rail.

Motion Haller @ #10m & 10p CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a more detailed report concerning commuter rail than appears in the March 2008 Economic Development monthly report especially concerning the comprehensive transportation summit.

Motion Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request all the City Council Standing Committees review and establish their top two or three priorities and report back to City Council by mid April.

Motion Rushton - Request to amend by not limiting the number of priorities set by the Standing Committees - Motion Lukes: Request to accept Council Rushton's amendment to Councilor Clancy's Motion - Approved on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas (Germain, Petty, Rosen, Rushton, Smith, Toomey) and 5 Nays (Clancy, Eddy, Haller, Palmieri, Lukes)

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Police Chief to install speeding surveillance in Westborough St. in the interest of public safety.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks review and recommend to City Council installation of appropriate traffic control signage in various locations in Westborough St. in the interest of public safety.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a solution to street flooding in Lincoln St. between Britain Square and Interstate -290.

Motion Germain - Under Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide a legal opinion to City Council concerning whether Worcester should join other communities around the country who are suing lenders under the public nuisance statutes.