Budget, police HQ and potholes crowd Worcester council agenda

Worcester city councilors return Tuesday to a chock full agenda that includes a $1 billion dollar budget, a leaking and outdated police headquarters, potholes, school safety, snow removal, downtown bathrooms, accessory dwelling units and the status of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium (The Aud).

The city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget would push Worcester’s operating budget past $1 billion for the first time. Mayor Joseph Petty, as chair of the Finance Committee, is asking the council to suspend its rules to take up the committee report on City Manager Eric Batista’s proposed FY27 operating budget, along with related budget items already pending before the committee.

The proposed spending plan would increase city spending by about $43.6 million over the current fiscal year, with much of the growth tied to education, infrastructure, pensions, health insurance and public safety. Education remains the largest share of the budget, with Worcester Public Schools, charter school assessments, school choice and special education costs totaling about $612.4 million.

The proposal also includes major capital spending for roads, sidewalks, water and sewer infrastructure, parks, public safety vehicles, a new South Division Fire Station and repairs to Worcester Police headquarters. Batista’s administration says the Lincoln Square building has not kept up with modern needs and faces nearly $20 million in estimated repair costs through FY29, including roof work, HVAC, electrical and plumbing upgrades, restrooms, locker rooms, holding cells and parking areas. The administration is proposing a $5.5 million loan order for roof replacement as part of the capital budget, while also shifting building management for police and fire facilities to the Department of Public Facilities.

Councilor Khrystian King has several related police items held as first business, including requests for reports on workplace safety at Worcester Police Department facilities, parking at headquarters, grievances tied to unhealthy working conditions, grant funding for crisis intervention and jail diversion work, and the department’s hospital guard function. Other police-related items seek updates on officer retention, turnover rates and the projected cost and timeline of increasing the department’s maximum capacity to 500 officers.

Schools are also woven throughout this week’s agenda. Councilors are expected to take up items related to school safety, including a request to invite Worcester Public Schools’ director of safety to an Education Committee meeting and an update on a long-running request for a safety audit covering drop-off and pickup areas, crosswalks, school-zone signage, bus stops and winter sidewalk clearing near schools. Another item asks the council to authorize the city and Worcester Public Schools to enter into a five-year lease agreement to replace 6,000 Chromebooks under the district’s technology replacement schedule.

Infrastructure remains unavoidable, with several items targeting roads, sidewalks, snow removal, flooding and utilities. Councilor Satya Mitra is seeking a pothole database that would index and track repairs in a measurable way, while Councilor John Fresolo is asking for an update on the citywide pothole backlog, repair crews, response times and 2026 repair totals. Councilor Morris Bergman has multiple snow-related requests, including reports on snow removal costs per lane mile, brine use, annual winter preparation and streets requiring repeat plowing visits.

Housing and economic development also surface in several ways. Councilor Gary Rosen is asking what steps Worcester could take before considering rent caps, including seeking more federal and state rental assistance to reduce housing insecurity and prevent evictions. Councilor Kathleen Toomey is seeking an update on accessory dwelling unit permits, while other items seek reports on Discover Central Massachusetts, city marketing efforts, the Elder Home Repair Program, employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and continued funding support for the Day Resource Center.

The council is also scheduled to enter executive session to discuss litigation strategy. The agenda does not specify the case.

Other highlights on the agenda

Purple Heart and Gold Star memorials move toward public hearing: The council receives an update on proposed Purple Heart and Gold Star memorials at Worcester Common, with the matter headed to the Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery hold a public hearing June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at 50 Officer Manny Familia Way. The hearing is intended to gather community feedback before a final plan is brought back to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The memorials would honor wounded and fallen service members, giving residents a chance to weigh in before the design is finalized.
A closer look at resurfacing by district: Councilor Kathleen Toomey is seeking an updated list of local streets and sidewalks approved for resurfacing, broken down by district and pavement condition index. The request comes as road conditions remain one of the loudest and most persistent complaints from residents. A district-by-district list could help residents see whether long-troubled streets are actually on deck for work or still waiting their turn.
Eversource and aging gas mains: Toomey is also asking city officials to work with Eversource on the company’s long-range plans for replacing aging gas mains in Worcester. The issue matters because utility work can affect road conditions, neighborhood construction schedules and long-term infrastructure planning. It also intersects with the city’s ongoing frustration over repeated road cuts and patchwork pavement repairs.
Flooding concerns return: King is asking for an update on city efforts to address flooding, including work tied to the intersection of Grand Street and Main Street. Flooding has become a recurring concern as Worcester deals with heavier storms, older drainage systems and neighborhood-level infrastructure gaps. The request asks the administration to explain what is being done now and what may still be needed.
Sidewalk shoveling enforcement could expand: King is also seeking a report on whether Department of Public Works employees could be given authority to ticket property owners who fail to shovel sidewalks. The item follows city discussions about student safety, accessibility and winter mobility.
Bike, pedestrian and vehicle spending under review: Toomey is asking for a breakdown of how the Department of Transportation and Mobility allocates its budget among bike, pedestrian and vehicle projects. The request comes as Worcester continues trying to balance traditional road work with safer streets, bike infrastructure and pedestrian improvements, particularly as it relates to its Vision Zero Action Plan that was adopted in 2025.
A Fenway-style parking question: King is asking Worcester transportation officials to look at flexible on-street parking options used in Boston during Red Sox games at Fenway Park. The request appears aimed at whether Worcester can learn from event-based parking practices in another city. With Polar Park, downtown events and neighborhood parking pressures continuing to overlap, the question is whether Worcester can better manage curb space during high-traffic periods.
Rape kit storage practices face review: King is seeking a report on Worcester Police Department practices for storing rape kits, including whether archival storage space could be maintained at city-owned properties at 51 Sever St. and 61 Sever St. The item raises questions about evidence storage, facility capacity and how sensitive materials are preserved. It also connects to larger concerns about the condition and adequacy of police facilities.
A summer program for lakes and ponds: The council considers a committee report asking city sustainability and parks officials to create a summer education program focused on conservation practices for Worcester’s lakes and ponds. The idea includes plant identification classes, invasive species prevention and possible participation by Worcester Public Schools and college students. The request also asks the city to explore paid student jobs or internships tied to the program.
The Aud returns to the agenda: Rosen is asking for an update on plans for the preservation, restoration and redevelopment of Worcester Memorial Auditorium. The Aud, built in 1933 as a memorial to Worcester soldiers who died in World War I, has been largely vacant since 1999. Its future has been discussed for years, and the latest request seeks clarity on whether any realistic reuse plan is moving forward.
Researching a promise tied to Arries Ann Ward: King is asking the city clerk to research historical commitments made by the city council about naming parks or streets after Arries Ann Ward. Ward was born into slavery in North Carolina in 1862 and later settled in Worcester, where she lived until her death in 1959 at age 97.
Downtown bathrooms enter the chat: Rosen is asking the city to survey the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District to determine whether there are enough public restroom and handwashing facilities downtown. The request raises a practical issue for visitors, workers, residents and people experiencing homelessness: what happens when someone simply needs a bathroom.
ALS Awareness Month resolution: Councilor Robert Bilotta is sponsoring a resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Worcester. The resolution calls for support for ALS research, increased funding and solidarity with people affected by the disease. It is one of several ceremonial items on the agenda but carries personal significance for families dealing with a devastating illness.
Council weighs in on auditing the Legislature: Councilor Jose Rivera is sponsoring a resolution supporting State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s effort to uphold the 2024 ballot question authorizing the auditor to audit the Massachusetts Legislature. The ballot question passed statewide with more than 71% support. The item puts Worcester’s council into a statewide debate over transparency, accountability and the limits of legislative oversight.