2026-08-19 - Traffic and Parking Committee
Summary
Jose A. Rivera and Robert A. Bilotta (remote) met 5:30 to 7:22 PM (the adjournment label is missing in the source); Luis A. Ojeda is not listed as present and all votes were 2-0. The long handicap parking docket was mostly approved on Stephen S. Rolle's recommendations, with holds at 13 Benefit St. and across from 200 Fairmont Ave. and removals approved at 13 Vesper St. and 49 Everard St. The main debate was John P. Fresolo's request for truck bans on Hamilton St. and Lake Ave.: thirteen residents spoke (eleven in favor, two opposed), a police sergeant explained how residents can document violations, Fresolo raised camera enforcement with CSX funds, and the committee approved both on Rolle's recommendation. Other approvals included WRTA bus stops on Constitution Ave., No Parking Anytime on Arbor Vitae St. and between 4 and 8 Perry Ave., a 25 MPH sign on Mower St., and traffic bollards at 173 Grove St. A resident-permit-parking change on Providence St. was amended and held, and a No Parking request on lower Byron St. was filed with an order for advance curve signage.
Summary written from the official minutes; no transcript yet.
Issues discussed: Truck Ban - Hamilton Street and Lake Avenue
Official Minutes
Journal of the committee as posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers and footers removed.
CITY OF WORCESTER
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 5:30 P.M.
7:22 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
COMMITTEE MEMBERS CLERK OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Chairperson Jose A Rivera Nikolin Vangjeli
Vice Chairperson Luis A Ojeda
Councilor Robert A Bilotta
www.worcesterma.gov
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
Present Were: Chairperson Councilor Jose A. Rivera
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta, who participated in meeting
remotely
Also: Councilor John P. Fresolo
Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle
Assistant Director of Transportation and Mobility Robert
Bilotta
WPD Sergeant Richard Cipro
Principal Staff Assistant An Pham, 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.
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Link:
https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1614119888
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Access Code: 161 411 9888
2. Approval of the Minutes
a. Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Traffic and Parking hereby
approves the minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting of August 11, 2026.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
3. Handicap Parking Petitions
a. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Brenda Jenkins request installation of a handicap
parking space in front of 11 Benefit St.
# 7s CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the petitioner has requested the item be
placed on file.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Brenda Jenkins request installation of a handicap
parking space in front of 13 Benefit St.
# 7t CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized Commissioner of Transportation and
Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as further information is needed.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
c. Jarelys Castillo et al. request removal of the handicap parking space at 13 Vesper St.
# 8h CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Carmela Villavicencio, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Elvis Gonzalez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Joseph (No last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
d. Mariah Murphy request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 200 Fairmont
Ave.
# 8i CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as the petitioner would like to request
for the handicap parking space to be installed outside of the declared winter parking ban.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to amend the item to read as follows, “Mariah Murphy
request installation of a handicap parking space across from 200 Fairmont Ave.”
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
e. Mari Al-Saad request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 48 Esther St.
# 8j CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve, pending receipt of an updated
handicap placard.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
f. Sameerah Mohammed request installation of a handicap parking space at 131 Chino Ave.
# 8k CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
g. Lee Silverstein request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 4 Hartshorn
Ave.
# 8s CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Lee Silverstein, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke concerning a matter not on the agenda
3. Ashley Barreto, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
h. Giuseppa Girardi request the handicap parking space located at 249 Pilgrim Ave. be
relocated to 252 Pilgrim Ave.
# 9f CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Franco Girardi, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Quoc Le, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
i. Rebecca Distefano request removal of handicap parking space in front of 41 Everard St.
# 9i CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the handicap parking space is still
being used by residents.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
j. Rebecca Distefano request removal of handicap parking space in front of 49 Everard St.
# 9j CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
4. Bus Stop Petitions
a. Nicholas Burnham on behalf of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA)
request installation of one (1) new inbound bus stop on the western side of Constitution
Ave. in front of the apartment building located at 258-268 Constitution Ave.,
approximately 25 feet west of building driveway, with bus stop signage being installed
on streetlight pole ten (10) in conjunction with existing "No Parking" signage.
# 9k CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to take the item up collectively with item #4b.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Nicholas Burnham on behalf of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA)
request re-activation of one (1) outbound bus stop on the northern side of Constitution
Ave. opposite from 165-175 Constitution Ave., approximately 118 feet east of
playground driveway, with said bus stop signage being installed on streetlight pole seven
(7).
# 9l CC July 21, 2026
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent) (See Item #4a)
5. No Parking Petitions
a. Sherry Robinson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage between 4 and 8
Perry Ave. to deter vehicles from blocking the driveways.
# 9o CC March 10, 2026
In Committee July 22, 2026 - Held
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Francel Hollins et al. request removal of "No Parking Anytime" signage on Providence
St. from Dorchester St. to South St. with installation of resident permit parking on the
even side in its place.
# 20p CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Francel Hollins, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to hold, as further information is needed.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to amend the item to read as follows, “Francel Hollins et al.
request installation of resident permit parking on the odd side of Providence St. from Dorchester
St. to South St. Further, request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage on the even side of
Providence St. from Dorchester St. to South St.”
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
c. Patricia and Brian Rivers request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on the
even side of Arbor Vitae St.
# 8l CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Patricia Rivers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Brian Rivers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Erica Campbell, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
4. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
d. Mario Makhluf request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in front of the
pathway located at 26 King St.
# 8x CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the petition has requested for the item
to be placed on file.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
e. Therese Richardson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on one side of
lower Byron St.
# 8z CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Virginia Nelson, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Pasula Damasceno, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Ana Rodriguez, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brough forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City
Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install advanced signage for the
curves and the roadway on Byron St.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
Chairman's Orders
Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install
advanced signage for the curves and the roadway on Byron St.
6. Traffic Sign Petitions
a. Walas Almeida request installation of speed limit signage facing traffic traveling
downhill in the vicinity of 604 Burncoat St.
# 14p CC April 28, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the speed limit signage on Burncoat St.
has been previously approved by the committee.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Molly Beauvis request installation of 25 MPH
speed limit signage on Mower St.
# 20w CC June 2, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
c. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Nathalie Gibson request installation of warning
signage on Coes St. adjacent to the Stearns Tavern in both directions to alert motorists of
the sharp curve.
# 8e CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
7. Truck Ban Petitions
a. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the
through traffic of trucks on Hamilton St.
# 7w CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item
#7b.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Fresolo, who discussed traffic challenges
related to truck traffic on Hamilton St. and Lake Ave., the feasibility of using CSX funds to install
traffic cameras for camera enforcement of truck ban and commercial vehicle enforcement
operations with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and the WPD Sergeant.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speakers:
1. Gordon Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Isabella Macdonald, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Gordon Jon Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Eric Spencer, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
7. Paul Gregoire, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
8. Mark Krencisz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
9. Elissa Mathurin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
10. Hilary Athane, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
11. Marguerite Cormier, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
12. Steven Power, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
13. Wayne Kaempf, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the WPD Sergeant, who discussed the feasibility of
residents submitting camera footages of trucks violating the truck ban and how residents can
support enforcement operations to be more effective with Speaker #2.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Fresolo, who discussed plans concerning the
long patch program for Lake Ave.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
discussed the long patch program, traffic challenges related to speeding on the streets, the Bigelow
Davis Pkwy./Lake Ave. intersection design, plans to better enforce traffic regulations in the area,
the installation of radar speed feedback signs and speed limit signs, improvements to Lake Ave.
and Bigelow David Pkwy intersection, the speed humps program, the street classifications of Lake
Ave. and Hamilton St., the truck exclusion studies for the streets and provided the
recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Fresolo, who discussed the feasibility of
working with mapping providers to modify suggested routes for truck drivers and requesting for
night-time exclusion if MassDOT does not approve for full exclusion with the Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bilotta, who discussed traffic issues related to
Hamilton St.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the
through traffic of trucks on Lake Ave.
# 7x CC July 21, 2026
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent) (See Item #7a)
8. Miscellaneous
a. Petition of Nathalie Gibson request center solid yellow line be painted on Coes St.
# 10v CC August 19, 2025
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the double yellow line was refreshed
prior to the petition being filed.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
b. Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Petition of Councilor Robert A.
Bilotta request installation of traffic bollards at 173 Grove St., to the north and south of
driveway to prevent illegal parking and improve driver, cyclist and pedestrian visibility.
# 19w CC July 21, 2026
Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speakers:
1. Becky Dumphy, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Eddie Dumphy, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Ojeda absent)
Transcript
Transcript pending: YouTube captions can't be retrieved yet (see the Worcester playbook).