WORCESTER—In another unusually brief meeting Tuesday night, the Worcester City Council again postponed setting the Fiscal Year 2026 property tax rates, tabling the item for a second week. The discussion is now expected on Dec. 9.
Mayor Joe Petty held the items related to the tax table, noting that a third version had been submitted and would need to be accepted before any debate on tax classifications could move forward.
Only one attendee, resident Fred Nathan, offered a theory on the continued delay.
“I have a feeling why a new table is coming out,” he said. “WPI took all the property with the hotels off the tax rolls, and now you’ve got to figure out ‘Oh my God, we made a mistake here. How are we going to correct it?’”
The council also took up the future of 100 Providence St., a former fire station the city still owns and now intends to sell.
The administration is seeking to reclassify the property — shifting it from the fire department to the office of City Manager Eric Batista — in preparation for issuing a Request for Proposals.
“The transfer of the developable property to the executive office of the city manager will allow for the disposition of the property through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process,” Batista said in a memo to the council.
According to Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn, the 12,440-square-foot building sits on 9,987 square feet of land. Built in 1890, it served as a fire station until 2009 and was most recently leased to Worcester Emergency Medical Services as part of the city’s ambulance network.
The first floor includes two vehicle bays, a restroom and an office, while the second floor contains offices, a break room, locker room and restrooms.
Several council members raised concerns about the impact the sale could have on ambulance response times.
“I was a part of some folks that were protesting when that station was shut down, and the concern in the community at the time was…the response time,” Councilor Khrystian King said, asking what the city’s plan was to maintain coverage in the neighborhood.
Batista said the city is studying its EMS network, with UMass Memorial Health participating in the analysis.
“We, as a city, took a proactive approach…to get an outside consultant, do a comprehensive study, then we can present to the council and the public in terms of what are the challenges, what are the gaps, and how do we fulfill the city,” he said, adding that the review may take some time.
King pressed further, asking whether the building would remain part of the EMS network.
Batista said there have been discussions with a group planning to start a private ambulance company, adding that the site could suit that use. “We’ve had other interest from other organizations, as well, in that area,” he said. “Based on the area, based on the need, and the infrastructure that is required of that property, and try to retain, at least, a potential ambulance service in that neighborhood.”
The item was held pending the results of the study.
Steve Smith, a veteran reporter with 17 years at The Hartford Courant, now brings his passion for photojournalism to Worcester. An award-winning photographer, he has covered major events like U.S. soccer, pro football, and UConn basketball. He is also the official photographer for the Miss Massachusetts competition and works as a realtor. Contact him at steve@stevephotographysmith.com
