WORCESTER—The Worcester City Council convenes on Tuesday to take on a robust agenda that includes LGBTQIA+ safety measures, city policies on federal immigration enforcement, and strategies to improve winter road conditions.
Activist Noah Rose is calling on the council to request that the city manager work with LGBTQIA+ organizations to create an action plan addressing safety concerns tied to transphobia and discrimination. Rose is also proposing the creation of a $500,000 Queer and Trans Resilience Fund to support the LGBTQIA+ community through a transparent, community-led process modeled after the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) ad-hoc committee.
Worcester resident Nathalie Gibson has raised concerns about the city’s winter parking and road treatment policies. Gibson’s petition requests stricter enforcement of the city’s winter parking ban, improved pretreatment of hills, and faster application of sand and salt to hazardous streets. Gibson also advocates for dispatching Department of Public Works and Parks (DPW) staff to assess hill safety during snow removal operations.
The council also addresses updates to the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to align with the Affordable Homes Act. Additionally, the Economic Development Committee is seeking details on the process for moving forward with Institutional Master Plans (IMPs).
Immigration policy is another key topic, as council members respond to recent changes allowing federal agents to conduct enforcement in “sensitive” areas such as schools. Mayor Joseph Petty and Vice Chairman Khrystian King have requested a report from the city solicitor to clarify the city’s legal obligations under these policies. The report will explore the implications of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Lunn v. Commonwealth decision, which limits local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration detainer requests.
The Public Safety Committee also examines police operations, with reports requested on drone usage, police detail comparisons, and the types of details that often go unfilled.
Other Council Agenda Highlights
- Stop all the way: Resident Fred Nathan has proposed the installation of signage reminding drivers to make complete stops, a control signal for UMass Memorial Medical Center traffic, and a sidewalk maintenance program involving university students.
- Traffic safety meeting: Councilor Etel Haxhiaj has requested MassDOT representatives meet with Airport Drive and Pleasant Street neighbors to discuss a planned traffic safety project.
- Small business outreach: Councilor Luis Ojeda has asked the chief development officer to engage with local small businesses to identify challenges, goals, and plans for growth or relocation within Worcester.
- Educational efforts for tobacco sales: Ojeda also requests the Health and Human Services commissioner ensure tobacco stores provide appropriate educational materials to customers.
- Pickleball courts: Councilor Jenny Pacillo has called for a review of city park master plans to identify locations for new pickleball courts.
- Swedish heritage display: Pacillo is asking the city to collaborate with the Swedish National Federation to create a display highlighting Swedish immigrants’ contributions to the Greendale area.
- Ernest A. Johnson Tunnel update: Councilor Khrystian King is requesting a report on maintenance and reopening plans for the tunnel, including timelines and recent construction impacts.
Worcester City Council meets on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) Chamber at 6:30 p.m. It is also live streamed on the city’s website.
