WORCESTER—The city council closes out September with a packed agenda on Tuesday, with several items focused on Charter Communications/Spectrum, new approaches to supplier diversity in city contracts, and updates from the Department of Sustainability and Resilience.
Councilors are also expected to take up issues ranging from fire station construction to language access for police body cameras.
A cluster of items from the Public Service and Transportation Committee put Charter Communications/Spectrum — Worcester’s main cable and internet provider — squarely in the spotlight. Councilors are asking City Manager Eric Batista to expedite appointments to the Cable Advisory Committee as negotiations continue over the company’s contract with the city.
Other requests include reports on easements granted to Charter, how public access fees are billed, and whether seniors entitled to a discount but denied one could receive refunds or support through municipal programs. Councilors also want details on the company’s most recent audit.
As contract talks with Spectrum loom, councilors are looking at new ways to support WCCA-TV. Proposals include exploring Community Development Block Grant funding and other revenue sources tied to internet service. One idea would give WCCA a seat at the table during negotiations with Spectrum, ensuring the station has direct input in decisions that affect community programming.
Vice Chair Khrystian King is pushing a comprehensive audit of city contracting, examining everything from RFPs to no-bid purchases under $10,000. The review would measure participation by veteran-, women-, minority-, LGBTQ+-, and small business contractors.
King also wants the city to study a pilot “sheltered market” program that would focus procurement on local and diverse businesses, with a report due after the audit is complete.
Chief Sustainability Officer John Odell will brief councilors on the rollout of on-street EV charging stations, Worcester’s Zero Waste program, and the Green Worcester ElectriCITY Municipal Aggregation program. Now in its fourth year, ElectriCITY allows residents to buy renewable electricity in bulk through the city, offering price stability and added renewable content.
The Public Safety Committee is seeking a report on languages spoken in Worcester Public Schools and how they compare with the 50 real-time translations currently available through police body camera software. Councilors want the police to push for more language options as the city’s demographics shift.
Other items on the agenda:
- Raises across departments: Councilors also take a look at salary adjustments that touch several city roles. Snow removal staff, including customer service reps, inspectors, supervisors, and winter operations coordinators, would see their hourly rates increase to stay consistent with recent union agreements. The plan also raises salary grades for the deputy city solicitor and deputy city solicitor of litigation, a move city officials say reflects the evolving demands of the legal department.
- Street work status check: Councilors are pressing for answers on Worcester’s road and sidewalk projects. A request from the Public Works Committee asks for an updated report on streets the council approved for repairs over the past five years but remain unfinished, including how much money was set aside for each project and organized by district. District 4 Councilor Luis Ojeda also wants a full rundown of planned street work in his district — from resurfacing to sidewalks to lighting upgrades. He’s calling for an “equity audit” of public works projects citywide to see how fairly resources are distributed across neighborhoods. In addition, Ojeda is seeking an update on pending park projects in District 4, including timelines and contractor details for work that has yet to begin.
- New South Division fire station: A land transfer tied to the long-awaited South Division Fire Station is on the agenda. The city plans to build a 30,000-square-foot facility on Madison Street to replace the aging Southbridge Street station. Scheduled to break ground in 2026, the new site will include a state-of-the-art Emergency Communications Center and is designed as a “clean station,” separating firefighters’ living quarters from areas where gear may be contaminated.
- ShotSpotter scrutiny: Councilors want more data on how much Worcester has spent on ShotSpotter and related tools since the city first signed on in 2014. They’re also requesting statistics on how many arrests or detainments were linked to gunshot detection alerts, and whether those calls led police to provide medical treatment at the scene. The goal is to evaluate whether the program’s costs match its impact in curbing gun violence.
- Recruiting firefighters: With concerns about staffing levels in the fire department, a new order calls for multiple civil service recruitment events to be held across Worcester. Councilors say bringing events into different districts could help the department reach a wider pool of candidates. The fire chief would also be asked to notify councilors of dates and locations so they can help spread the word.
- Housing affordability: Councilor Etel Haxhiaj is requesting a report on subsidized housing units whose affordability requirements will expire in 2026. She wants to know how many units could be lost and what the city is doing to encourage owners to preserve affordability, including tapping the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Related requests from other councilors focus on homelessness services, senior housing initiatives such as intergenerational living, and quarterly updates on the status of shelter beds.
- Eyes in the skies: Councilor Kathleen Toomey has floated the idea of launching a “Drones as First Responders” program. The technology, already in use in some cities, would allow police to deploy drones to incidents before officers arrive, providing real-time video for safety and de-escalation. The council is asking for a feasibility study on whether Worcester could adopt a similar model.
- Speaking of eyes in the skies: Mayor Joseph Petty and District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson are pushing for a closer look at Worcester Regional Airport’s role in the city’s future. The two filed an order asking Massport to brief the City Council on its investments and management of the airport since taking ownership in 2010. The order also calls for an update on how Worcester fits into Massport’s newly announced 10-year strategic plan, its first in more than a decade. In a joint statement, Petty said the airport has been a “catalyst for Worcester’s growth” under Massport, but stressed the need to expand available flights. Mero-Carlson, who chairs the council’s Economic Development Committee, said she plans to invite residents to share ideas during the hearing. “A strong and growing Worcester Regional Airport benefits Worcester residents and makes the city more attractive to businesses and investment,” she said.
- Resolution on ICE agreements: A resolution before the council would formally oppose Worcester entering into a 287(g) Task Force Model agreement with federal immigration authorities. Such agreements allow local officials to enforce federal immigration laws, a move some councilors argue would erode trust between immigrant communities and the city.
- Honoring community leaders: Two honorary street namings are up for adoption. A stretch of Gardner Street would be designated “William S. Coleman III Way,” honoring the late city councilor and community advocate. Winfield Street would be named “Bethany Veney Way,” recognizing the work of the Worcester Black History Project and celebrating Veney, an abolitionist and author who lived in Worcester.
Worcester City Council meets Tuesday, Sept. 30, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) at 6:30 p.m. It is also live streamed on the city’s website.
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