2026-07-21 - Public Works Committee
Summary
Committee of Tony Economou (chair), Satya B. Mitra and John P. Fresolo met 4:02 to 5:26 PM; every roll call was 3-0. After approving the June 30 minutes, it recommended denial of the petition to make Wildwood Ave. a public way: the clerk reported 107 non-binding ballots sent to abutters with 10 in favor and 27 opposed, six residents spoke against, and DPW estimated conversion at $430 per linear foot. Economou's chairman's order asks for a report on flooding near the culvert at 102 Wildwood Ave. and on raised manholes and water gates. Sidewalk petitions for the upper part of Orient St. were also recommended for denial (77 ballots: 4 in favor, 13 opposed; estimated cost $777,000, or $71 per linear foot), while a new sidewalk of about 220 feet at 360 May St. was recommended for approval at $21,400 with abutter betterment waived and possible Routes to School funding. The committee added 15 Coombs Rd., 5 Coombs Rd. and the odd side of Lovell St. to the Sidewalk Repair List and Mellor Ave., Doris St., East Central St. and North Pkwy. to the Street Resurfacing List, and granted leave to withdraw on several others (Sagamore Rd. and First St. already scheduled or being handled, Laconia Rd., Heard St. sidewalk built in 2022). A ban on lift kits for city trucks was placed on file after DPW found none, and No Littering and No Dumping signs near Rural Cemetery and Cascade Park were recommended for approval even though DPW suggested the sites may belong to Parks, Recreation and Cemetery.
Summary written from the official minutes; no transcript yet.
Issues discussed: Street and Sidewalk Rehabilitation Process
Official Minutes
Journal of the committee as posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers and footers removed.
CITY OF WORCESTER
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 4:02 P.M.
Adjourned: 5:26 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
COMMITTEE MEMBERS CLERK OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Chairperson Tony Economou Nikolin Vangjeli
Vice Chairperson Satya B Mitra
Councilor John P Fresolo
www.worcesterma.gov
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
Present Were: Chairperson Councilor Tony Economou
Councilor Satya B. Mitra
Councilor John P. Fresolo
Also: Councilor Robert A. Bilotta
Commissioner of Public Works John K. Westerling
Assistant Commissioner of Engineering Jay Mello
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk
1. Virtual Attendee Call-In Information
a. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public
engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote
participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the
meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the
below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom
meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
Public Works Committee Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1615992759
Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 161 599 2759
2. Approval of the Minutes
a. Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the
minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting on June 30, 2026.
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
3. Streets to Make Public - Priority 3
a. Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Timothy Bateman request Wildwood
Ave. from Apricot St. to 301 Wildwood Ave. be made public.
# 12d CC May 6, 2025
In Committee June 30, 2026 - Held
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who spoke
concerning the one hundred seven (107) public notices with non-binding ballots sent out to
abutters of the area, including information related to receiving ten (10) ballots voting in favor of
the item and twenty seven (27) ballots voting in opposition to the item.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the following Speakers:
1. Karen Solomon, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Phil Gagnon, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Edward Pietrewicz, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
4. Timothy Bateman, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
5. Fred Warner, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
6. Mike Donovan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering, who
provided an overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) communications with
the Law Department relative to private roads which included limitations resulting in private way
temporary repairs as an infeasible option for Wildwood Ave. and estimated costs associated with
converting the road to a public way at four hundred thirty dollars ($430) per linear foot.
Chairperson Councilor Economou discussed the city’s responsibility to address resident safety
concerns on private ways such as raised manholes and flooding with the Assistant Commissioner
of Engineering and Commissioner of Public Works.
Chairperson Councilor Economou brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City
Manager request Commissioner of Public Works, and other departments as needed, inspect the
culvert located in the vicinity of 102 Wildwood Ave. and provide City Council with a report
detailing the cause of current flooding conditions in the area. Further, request said report include
remedial steps that can be taken to address raised water gates and/or manhole covers sticking out
of the ground at the location.”
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be denied.
Recommend Deny on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
Chairman's Orders
Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works, and other departments as
needed, inspect the culvert located in the vicinity of 102 Wildwood Ave. and provide
City Council with a report detailing the cause of current flooding conditions in the area.
Further, request said report include remedial steps that can be taken to address raised
water gates and/or manhole covers sticking out of the ground at the location.
4. Construct Sidewalk Petitions
a. Craig Thomas request construction of new sidewalks on upper portion of Orient St.
# 8d CC July 15, 2025
In Committee June 30, 2026 - Held
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with
item #4b.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who spoke concerning the
seventy-seven (77) public notices with non-binding ballots sent out to abutters of the area,
including information related to receiving four (4) ballots voting in favor of the item and thirteen
(13) ballots voting in opposition to the item.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the following Speakers:
1. Paul Samara, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #4a and #4b
2. Carol Morocco, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #4a and #4b
3. Jack Morocco, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #4a and #4b
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized Councilor Bilotta, who discussed the feasibility of
amending the petition to request installation of sidewalks on Orient St. from Plantation St. to
March St.
Chairperson Councilor Economou discussed historical context relative to potential existing city
sidewalks on Orient St. and the estimated overall cost of seven hundred seventy-seven thousand
dollars ($777,000) associated with constructing sidewalks on Orient St. for an estimated cost of
seventy-one one dollars ($71) per linear foot with the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized Councilor Mitra, who discussed finance options
available to cost-bearing abutters and the process relative for said abutters to make payments with
the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be denied.
Recommend Deny on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
b. Craig Thomas request construction of a new sidewalk on Orient St. from Sultan St. to
Plantation St.
# 8l CC August 22, 2023
In Committee June 30, 2026 - Held
Recommend Deny on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a)
c. Michael Kollios request installation of new sidewalk in front of 360 May St.
# 8c CC March 28, 2023
In Committee May 10, 2023 - Held
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of
Engineering, who provided an overview relative to the estimated total cost of twenty-one thousand
four hundred dollars ($21,400) associated with sidewalk construction and the Department of
Public Works’ (DPW) recommendation to approve about two hundred twenty (220) feet of
sidewalk construction with wheelchair ramps utilizing potential Routes to School program
funding and waive abutter betterment.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to accept DPW’s recommendation
and to approve the item.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
d. Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request installation of a new sidewalk on Heard St. that that abuts
215 Heard St., 231 Heard St., 233 Heard St., 235 Heard St. and 48 Royal Rd. Further,
request the fees associated with installing said sidewalk be waived, as the sidewalk is
needed to provide a safe walking route to Heard Street Discovery Academy, 200 Heard
St.
# 8c CC November 15, 2022
In Committee January 11, 2023 - Held
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of
Engineering, who provided an overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW)
recommendation to grant Leave to Withdraw, as the sidewalk construction was completed in 2022.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be granted
Leave to Withdraw.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
5. Sidewalk Repair Petitions
a. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 15 Coombs Rd.
# 20f CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved for a roll call vote to add 15 Coombs
Rd. to the Sidewalk Repair List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
b. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 5 Coombs Rd.
# 20g CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved for a roll call vote to add 5 Coombs
Rd. to the Sidewalk Repair List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
c. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request sidewalk resurfacing on the odd side of Lovell St. from
Columbus St. to Garland St.
# 8a CC June 23, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of
Engineering, who provided the estimated total cost associated of twenty-four thousand five
hundred dollars ($24,500), potential opportunities for Routes to School program funding, and an
overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) recommendation to add the odd side
of Lovell St. from Columbus St. to Garland St. to the Sidewalk Repair List.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to add Lovell St. from Columbus St.
to Garland St. to the Sidewalk Repair List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
d. Daniel James Bradley request sidewalk repair in front of 29 Laconia Rd. to 31 Laconia
Rd.
# 20y CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with
item #6g.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering, who
provided an overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) recommendation to
grant Leave to Withdraw, as significant root heaving was not detected and as Nottingham Rd. is
scheduled for resurfacing the missing wheelchair panel located at the intersection of Laconia Rd.
and Nottingham Rd. will be replaced at that time.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be granted
Leave to Withdraw.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
6. Street Resurfacing Petitions
a. Demitrios Voyiatzis request street resurfacing on Sagamore Rd. in the vicinity of 53
Sagamore Rd.
# 7a CC March 31, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and discussed planned repairs facilitated by
Eversource with the Commissioner of Public Works
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be granted
Leave to Withdraw.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
b. Joe Williams request street surfacing on Mellor Ave.
# 7g CC March 24, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend
Mellor Ave. be placed on the Street Resurfacing List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
c. Christine Giza request First St. be resurfaced.
# 7c CC January 27, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and discussed scheduled resurfacing in the
street’s entirety with a current hold for water and gas utility work with the Assistant
Commissioner of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be granted
Leave to Withdraw.
Recommend Leave to Withdraw on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
d. Jocelyn Casassa request Doris St. be resurfaced.
# 7d CC January 27, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the following Speaker:
1. Jocelyn Casassa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Economou discussed the process related to submitting and selecting streets
for resurfacing, including streets affected by utility work, and timelines associated for District
Councilors to select streets from the Street Resurfacing List with the Assistant Commissioner of
Engineering and Deputy City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend Doris St. be added to
the Street Resurfacing List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
e. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request East Central St. be resurfaced.
# 8b CC January 20, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and moved for a roll call vote to add East Central
St. to the Street Resurfacing List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
f. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request North Parkway be resurfaced.
# 8c CC January 20, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and discussed the Department of Public Works’
(DPW) efforts with MassDOT to plan scheduled resurfacing in conjunction with needed bridge
maintenance and developments with the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to add North Pkwy. to the Street
Resurfacing List.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
g. Daniel James Bradley request street resurfacing in front of 31 Laconia Rd.
# 20x CC June 2, 2026
Recommend Leave to Withdraw on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5d)
7. Miscellaneous Items
a. Petition of Brian Dutremble request the city institute a ban on lift kits for city-owned
trucks.
# 20i CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and discussed research conducted resulting with
no found city-owned truck being purchased or modified with lift kits with the Commissioner of
Public Works.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on
file.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
b. Petition of Councilor Satya B. Mitra request installation of “No Littering” signage on
North St. along the property line of Rural Cemetery and Crematory, located at 180 Grove
St.
# 7k CC May 19, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who discussed
concerns about increased illegal dumping in the area.
Chairperson Councilor Economou recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering, who
provided an overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) recommendation to
refer the item to Veteran’s Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee, as the location may be
outside DPW’s purview and instead within the purview of the Department of Parks, Recreation
and Cemetery (DPRC).
Chairperson Councilor Economou discussed “No Littering” signage historically being heard by
Public Works Committee with the Deputy City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to approve the item.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
c. Petition of Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Gloria St. Marie request installation of
“No Dumping” signage that includes information regarding fine amounts at the end of
Chatanika Ave. where it borders Cascade Park.
# 7h CC May 5, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Economou read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of
Engineering, who provided an overview relative to the Department of Public Works’ (DPW)
recommendation to refer the item to Veteran’s Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee, as
the location may be outside DPW’s purview and instead within the purview of the Department of
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery (DPRC).
Chairperson Councilor Economou moved for a roll call vote to approve the item.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
Transcript
Transcript pending: YouTube captions can't be retrieved yet (see the Worcester playbook).