WORCESTER—Housing rights enforcement and a resolution declaring Worcester a sanctuary city for transgender and gender-diverse people are among the key topics on the agenda for the Worcester City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
A petition from activist Grace Ross, a coordinator at Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending, and Sherry Stanley, a member of the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team, asks the council to request that the city manager and police chief enforce criminal laws related to evictions under the state’s Police Reform Act.
The petition further requests that Worcester police officers receive training from the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team on handling eviction cases. The petition cites concerns about unlicensed constables conducting evictions and violations by an “eviction warehouse” that allegedly acquired its state license through fraudulent means.
Additionally, Alexandra Cislo, on behalf of Worcester’s LGBTQIA+ community, has filed a petition requesting the City Council declare Worcester a sanctuary city for transgender and gender-diverse people. The resolution responds to recent executive actions by President Donald Trump, including limiting federal recognition to only male and female sexes and restricting gender-affirming care for minors.
The petition references national statistics on discrimination and violence against transgender individuals and calls on the city to uphold protections under Massachusetts law. If passed, the resolution would prevent city resources from being used to enforce out-of-state policies restricting gender-affirming healthcare and reaffirm Worcester’s commitment to trans rights.
Last month, Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen announced a monthlong hiatus from the City Council, citing a climate of transphobia. In response, members of the LGBTQ+ community have turned out in force to voice their concerns and demand action.
At last Tuesday’s meeting, the council adopted two petitions related to the issue. One calls on the city to collaborate with local LGBTQ+ organizations to develop an action plan addressing safety concerns. The other seeks a $500,000 annual allocation for a “Queer and Trans Resilience Fund.”
Other council agenda highlights:
- Immigrant protections: Councilor Khrystian E. King has requested a report detailing existing protections for Worcester’s immigrant population, including those related to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- Is the redesigned Mill Street safer? Councilor Etel Haxhiaj has requested a report on the impact of the Mill Street redesign, specifically analyzing crash data before and after changes to the 1.5-mile corridor.
- Tunnel vision: Councilor George J. Russell has asked for a report explaining why the Ernest A. Johnson Tunnel was dismantled, including details on the agreement that designated the tunnel as a staging area. Additionally, King has proposed discussions with Winn Development about a community benefit agreement to explore reopening the tunnel.
- Shelter possibilities: Resident Fred Nathan has requested the city manager consider using the former Saint Vincent Hospital nursing dorms as emergency homeless shelters.
- Funding for shelters: Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson has requested a report on the impact of federal funding on housing, homeless shelters, and community agency support.
- Questioning a job position: At the Jan. 21 city council meeting, Haxhiaj introduced an order under suspension of rules requesting that the city manager direct the police chief to meet with the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team (WAFT) regarding concerns over the appointment of Francis J. Trapasso as a constable. The order further asks the City Manager and Police Chief to provide a report to the council addressing allegations raised by WAFT. The measure was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote of 11-0.
Worcester City Council meets on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) Chamber at 6:30 p.m. It is also live streamed on the city’s website.
