WORCESTER—Councilors hit the chambers Tuesday for a hefty agenda that spans street safety, affordable housing incentives, and the lingering public fallout from the federal investigation into the Worcester Police Department.
Councilors take it to the streets early in the agenda, receivin an 18-month progress report on the reconfiguration of Mill Street, which has been a focus of traffic safety efforts since a series of design changes in 2024. According to Transportation & Mobility Commissioner Stephen Rolle, the changes are showing early promise.
The report notes a measurable drop in crashes — down to an average of 2.3 per month during the first half of 2025 — and a 13% reduction in average vehicle speeds, from 40 to 35 mph. The flexposts and lane reconfigurations appear to be improving safety for all users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists, though city officials say speeds remain too high and additional improvements are needed.
With earmark funding secured in 2024, the city now plans to redesign the corridor with protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and other measures to prioritize safety. Two new projects are in the pipeline for this year: a 20-mph safety zone near Mill Swan School and a crosswalk for the Binienda Beach area.
The Mill Street redesign is part of a broader Vision Zero strategy adopted via executive order in June, which commits Worcester to eliminating serious traffic injuries and fatalities. City Manager Eric Batista emphasized that transportation decisions will now be driven by safety data and best practices, especially for the city’s most vulnerable road users.
City Manager Eric Batista framed the changes as part of the city’s Vision Zero commitment, a safety policy aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. An executive order adopted in June formalized the policy. “What we’re seeing is encouraging,” Batista wrote, citing a drop in crashes and average speeds—but also noting that travel speeds remain too high.
In other major items, councilors are expected to formally place on file a petition from two police unions requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice publicly release its full investigatory report on the Worcester Police Department, including details behind “credible allegations” of criminal sexual misconduct. The DOJ released a summary report in December 2024 outlining patterns of excessive force and unconstitutional practices, but some members of the public—and the police unions—have called for the full investigative file to be made public.
Mayor Joseph Petty is asking the city to explore a new state law that allows municipalities to offer property tax relief to landlords who commit to renting their units at federally defined affordable rates.
A new demographic report on the Worcester Fire Department’s latest academy class shows that 25% of the June 2025 graduates identified as Black, Indigenous or people of color—about 4% higher than the department’s 10-year average. Fire Chief Martin Dyer noted recent outreach efforts at Worcester Public Schools and Civil Service prep sessions aimed at boosting applicant diversity.
Councilor Kathleen Toomey is proposing the creation of a pooled regional fund to address mental health and substance use disorders, with Worcester and surrounding towns making proportional financial contributions. Her order also asks the city solicitor to determine if the effort would require special state legislation.
More highlights on the agenda:
- Sidewalks, streets and sweeping: Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson is requesting an update on the city’s construction progress report for streets and sidewalks, as well as any major upcoming projects. She’s also asking for expanded services from the city’s Keep Worcester Clean program and Clean Team initiative.
- Cooling centers and Crompton Park pool: Emergency warming and cooling centers were activated 18 times over the past two years, according to a memo from Emergency Management Commissioner Charles Goodwin. Petty is also seeking an update on the status and future of the city’s pools—particularly Crompton Park—and whether more pools could be built.
- Boards and commissions: Several new appointments are up for vote or review. Appointments include Michael Abelson, Ann Harvey, and Tasia Cerezo to the LGBTQIA+ Commission; Sienna Ablorh and Aliya-Marie Melville to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women; and Miles Goodwin, Chris Nelson, and others to the Commission on African American and Black Affairs. Anahit Marutyan is being named to the Human Rights Commission.
- Hereby declaring this EcoTarium Day: The council is expected to formally recognize July 19 as “EcoTarium Day” in celebration of the museum’s 200th anniversary.
- Elm Park and ballpark parking: Petty is asking for increased police presence and anti-littering strategies in and around Elm Park. Meanwhile, the WooSox may have to answer to a council order about employee parking and the strain on nearby Canal District neighborhoods.
- EV charging rules: A new ordinance proposes, among other rules and restrictions, that only actively charging electric vehicles be allowed to park at municipal EV charging spots—whether on-street or off.
- Sprinklers and housing safety: Toomey is also asking for a report on the economic impact to landlords and renters if the city adopts a law mandating sprinklers in buildings with four or more units.
- Body camera reports: An order calls for an annual report from the police department on use of body-worn cameras.
- Municipal grocery store? Councilor Jenny Pacillo is requesting a feasibility report on creating a municipally owned grocery store.
- Grants and donations: The city manager’s office is seeking approval to apply for, accept, or expend more than $3 million in grants and donations. These include a $2 million congressional earmark for Mill Street corridor design improvements; $288,000 for the MassHire Access to Recovery Program; $245,605 for the acquisition of Brooks Dairy Farm; $144,224 from the state’s Crisis Intervention Program; $84,000 in renewal funding for the Worcester Police Department’s jail diversion program; and $3,000 from District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. to support a comfort dog initiative.
Editor’s note: This story will be updated as agenda items are added or revised. Refresh this page for the latest developments.
Worcester City Council meets Tuesday, July 15, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) at 6:30 p.m. It is also live streamed on the city’s website.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
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