Worcester public meetings in 2023

Chapter 139 Hearing

The September 12, 2023 Chapter 139 hearing listed several condemned properties with owners, addresses, condemnation dates, and MBL numbers. One property (63 Mason Street) also noted a $30,000 amount. The minutes did not record any approvals, denials, votes, or other actions on the items.

Public Schools Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports

The committee reviewed two government requests regarding early education and driver's education. No new votes or final decisions were recorded in the provided minutes.

City Council

The City Council granted permission for National Grid, Verizon New England, and Crown Castle NG East, LLC to install conduits and joint poles at eight different locations. Various resident petitions regarding road resurfacing, parking, and traffic signage were referred to the appropriate committees for review.

• Approved conduit location for Crown Castle NG East, LLC on Plantation St.
• Approved joint pole location for National Grid and Verizon New England on Tacoma St.
• Approved conduit location for National Grid on Jaques A Ve.
• Approved conduit location for National Grid on May St. and June St.
• Approved joint pole location for National Grid and Verizon New England on Uncatena A Ve.
• Approved conduit location for National Grid on Newton A Ve.
• Approved conduit location for National Grid on Randolph Rd.
• Approved conduit location for National Grid on Albany St.

Board of Health

The Board approved the meeting minutes from June and July. A public hearing was held regarding proposed tobacco regulations and density caps, but no vote was taken on the regulations during this session.

• Approved June meeting minutes (3-1)
• Approved July 31st meeting minutes (2-1)

Hope Cemetery Commission

The commission met to discuss the 5 Year Capital Plan and a request from the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester for 3,000 additional graves. The provided document is an agenda and report outline; it does not record specific votes or final decisions made during the meeting.

Human Rights Commission

The Commission approved the August 7, 2023, meeting minutes. Members questioned Worcester Police Department officials regarding inconsistencies between internal misconduct data and POST reporting, as well as the status of hate crime dispositions.

• Approved August 7, 2023, minutes (unanimous)
• Requested WPD provide updates on hate crime cases in six months
• Requested WPD provide communication regarding POST reporting criteria
• Requested WPD provide detailed BOPS reports including all complaints and discipline
• Requested WPD provide internal affairs review and disciplinary records for Officer Justin Martin
• Scheduled a September follow-up meeting to review the Community Healthlink/WPD pilot program

Parks and Recreation Commission

The provided document is an agenda and report outline for the September 11, 2023, meeting. It includes a request from the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester for an additional 3,000 graves, but the record does not state if any decisions were made.

Conservation Commission

The Commission issued Orders of Conditions for projects at 1059 Grafton Street and 34-38 Blackstone River Road. It also granted Negative Determinations of Applicability for utility work on Grove Street and Tobias Boland Way. Several other public hearings were postponed or continued.

• Issued Negative Determination of Applicability for Grove Street manhole sensors (5-0)
• Issued Negative Determination of Applicability for 25 Tobias Boland Way fiber optic cable (5-0)
• Issued Order of Conditions for 1059 Grafton Street (5-0)
• Issued Order of Conditions for 34-38 Blackstone River Road (5-0)
• Continued public hearing for 255 Lake Avenue to 10/2/23 (5-0)
• Granted withdrawal for Salisbury Street Right-of-Way and 633 & 646 Salisbury Street (5-0)
• Postponed hearings and extended deadlines for 121 Russell Street, 26 Apthorp Street, 0 Meadowbrook Road, 133 Granite Street, and 173 Lake Avenue North (5-0)

License Commission

The License Commission approved requests for a one-day liquor license and a one-day entertainment license for an event held by the CASA Project. The event is scheduled for September 14, 2023, at 446 Main Street.

• Approved one-day liquor license for CASA Project at 446 Main Street (2-0)
• Approved one-day entertainment license for live music for CASA Project at 446 Main Street (2-0)

Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Education Committee

The committee met to review school data and reports. The only recorded action was the approval of the previous meeting's minutes.

• Approved August 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Historical Commission

The Commission approved demolition delay waivers for exterior renovations at 54 West Street, 5 Richardson Terrace, 44 Salisbury Street, and 4 Germain Street. A Certificate of Non-Applicability was granted for 6 Whitman Road. A request for window replacement at 9 Cedar Street was continued to October 5, 2023.

• Approved Certificate of Non-Applicability for 6 Whitman Road (6-0)
• Approved Building Demolition Delay Waiver for 54 West Street (6-0)
• Continued hearing for 9 Cedar Street to October 5, 2023 (6-0)
• Approved Building Demolition Delay Waiver for 5 Richardson Terrace (6-0)
• Approved Building Demolition Delay Waiver for 44 Salisbury Street (6-0)
• Approved Building Demolition Delay Waiver for 4 Germain Street (6-0)
• Continued violation status update for 100 Chandler Street to November 16, 2023

License Commission

The Commission approved several one-day liquor and entertainment licenses for local events and five common victualer licenses for restaurants. It also granted a restaurant malt and wine license and approved a package store license transfer.

• Approved one-day entertainment license for Leukemia Lymphona Society (3-0)
• Approved one-day entertainment license for Beats & Barbeque (3-0)
• Approved one-day liquor license for Megan Horgan (3-0)
• Approved one-day liquor license for Justin Kazmierczak (3-0)
• Approved one-day liquor and entertainment licenses for Julie Toupin (3-0)
• Approved one-day liquor and entertainment licenses for Greg Califano (3-0)
• Approved common victualer licenses for Corey’s Famous Hot Dog & Sandwich, Stop Café Pizza & Grill, Phoever, Un Toque Boriken, and Papa Flame Pizza (all 3-0)
• Approved restaurant malt & wine license for Lara Hookah Bar, Inc. (3-0)