WORCESTER—The long-running debate over whether Worcester residents should be allowed to raise chickens for eggs returned to the city council agenda this week, this time en route to the Economic Development Committee.
The proposal has made multiple appearances in recent years, most recently in February 2025, when it was referred to the planning board.
The board ultimately sent it back to the council with a favorable recommendation—four times, according to petitioner Joseph Mangiameli.
“This is something that we can do,” said Council Vice-Chair Khrystian King. “It’s coming back around again. I look forward to having this discussion in committee.”
But not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Councilor Morris Bergman pushed for an immediate vote, citing health, safety, and noise concerns, especially in densely populated neighborhoods.
“Everything I’ve read indicates that if you do it the right way, the actual cost of raising chickens and producing the eggs is equal to or greater than buying them in the store,” Bergman said.
Mangiameli, who initially filed the petition, expressed frustration with the ongoing process. “I feel like I’m being given the runaround,” he said. “I just don’t understand the purpose of another committee.”
Public opinion remains split. “People have dogs in their yard—if they have enough space, I don’t have a problem with chickens,” said resident Fred Nathan. Others, like Nathalie Gibson, argued for a case-by-case approach. “Definitely not for all of Worcester,” she said.
Some residents called for a definitive decision. “We need to either vote, or get off the nest,” said Gary Hunter. “This is crazy—the amount of time you guys are spending on this one issue.”
John Keough, another resident, urged the city to catch up with its peers. “All the major cities in Massachusetts have some version of this policy,” he said, referencing Boston’s one-page ordinance that allows up to six hens per household (no roosters), with permit and coop requirements.
‘It’s about core services’; city manager submits preliminary FY26 budget
City Manager Eric Batista formally presented his proposed $947.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026—the first step in a multi-week review and approval process. The proposed plan represents a 6.2% increase over the current year, with significant investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and city staffing.
Batista described the budget as focused on “core services” and “day-to-day quality-of-life issues,” reiterating many of the same priorities he shared with reporters earlier in the day. “To be able to impact our community, to be able to impact day-to-day services, we have to support our people,” he told councilors, highlighting efforts to address compensation inequities and build a pipeline for workforce development through partnerships like the one with Worcester Tech.
The budget, which includes a $5 million contingency for economic unpredictability, was submitted to the Department of Administration and Finance, now heads to a series of public hearings throughout May and June.
City manager eval gets closer look
With City Manager Eric Batista’s 2025 evaluation approaching, Bergman has asked for a review of the form used to assess the city manager’s performance. The goal is to revisit the format and consider updates that better reflect current priorities and clearer performance benchmarks.
Several residents weighed in on the matter, criticizing the current form as vague and lacking measurable standards. “Let’s start actually evaluating the manager,” said resident David Webb. Resident Yenni Deroches advocated for using SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. The matter was referred to the standing committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations.
Council district confusion
A tabled item was re-opened Tuesday regarding the mismatch between Worcester’s five city council districts and the six new school committee districts. Residents said the lack of alignment creates confusion at election time, as many voters aren’t sure which district they’re in for each body.
City Clerk Niko Vangjeli explained that the six school committee districts were created as part of a court-ordered charter change. The shift came after a lawsuit, filed February 2021, challenged the city’s former at-large system for electing school committee members, arguing it diluted minority voting power.
The resulting redistricting process created six new school districts designed to better represent diverse communities—but those district lines don’t match the existing five council districts, and in many cases, cross over them.
The council ultimately voted 9-1 to file the order, with King opposed.
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
