7:09: It begins! It’s crowded and busy out in the hallway, and there’s a good-sized crowd in the seats

7:10: Eddy starts us off with a resolution to honoring judge, city councilor, and mayor Paul Mullaney for his commitment to the community, and his 90th birthday. ”It’s far too often that we don’t speak enough about the people who made this city what it is today,” says Eddy.

7:13: Mullaney speaks. “It gives me a great feeling for Thanksgiving and the holidays to follow.” He attributes his long life to never having a cigarette and adds “I never had a drink of alcohol–until I got to the city council.”

7:15: Rushton stands up to complement Mullaney as well. Says that his father-in-law ran against Mullaney for congress in 1974, and that it’s a testament to both men that they could have a “spirited debate” on the council floor and then walk away friends.

7:18: Toomey stands and calls the judge a role model. Her uncle and Judge Mullaney were on the council together too.

7:20 Palmieri stands and says he goes “way back” with judge Mullaney. He remembers the 1974 election and describes the energy and excitement over it throughout city.

7:24: Clancy rises to say a few words. Mentions Mullaney’s war record (WWII and Korea) and his service to his city and family.

7:26: Haller rises to discuss a development on May and Woodland street, and the residents of the development are using street parking rather than parking the designated lot. She would like the issue looked at.

7:29 Smith stands up to ask about the impact of a historic district–wants everyone to be informed before they make a decision, especially so they know how this proposal will impact property values.

7:30: Palmieri is confused about the facts. He says they’re still waiting for answers. He says a “critical property” has been bought, but wonders if the people who were affected by this–two people in the audience who recently bought a home in the designated area–were notified by real estate agents or lawyers.

7:33: He says the effort was “Herculean” but the couple have gotten short-changed. Says the end result isn’t fair to the couple, and it’s the city’s job to make things “fair and balanced.”

7:36: Rosen introduces Paul Martin to speak. Martin talks about increased traffic on Pleasant St and around Tatnuck Square. He ask the city to make a light at the bottom of Wrentham Rd. He says it will alleviate a lot of problems.

7:40: Toomey wants to speak about the city’s new tree. Calls it “admirable” that O’Brien found a solution to the expense problem of finding a new tree every year. But she says that planting a tree would have been better. She wants to make people aware that the organization Park Spirit will take donations to plant a real, live tree for future use when the fake tree’s 15 year life-span ends.

7:43: Germain cares more about the skating rink on the Common. Commission Moylan comes up to speak about it. Says it will be ready for next winter. But, for this winter the city is looking at some temporary solutions with private partners to have skating on the Common. The boards will still be installed this winter even without water to protect the surface from the de-icing chemicals used on the sidewalks.

7:45: Rosen wants to talk about the CHRISTMAS tree (he enunciates the word). Thanks O’Brien for saving money but asks “Did we ever consider having a nursery installed?…An artificial tree should’ve been a last resort.”

7:47: O’Brien responds. Planting a tree that size would be problematic. “It’s smart, it’s green, it’s cost-effective.” Says that this tree could be used in conjunction with another tree in the future, says it gives the city flexibility financially and in terms of celebratory options.

7:49: Rosen thanks O’Brien, but says it would’ve been more fitting with the holiday spirit to plant a tree. He doesn’t like that the Christmas tree is called a “Holiday” tree, saying it’s demeaning to Christmas, wants people to refer to it as a Christmas tree.

7:52: $98,000 in funds reappropriated to fund the cost of collective bargaining agreement between the city and the police department. All vote yes, except Lukes.

7:53: Rushton has something to say about stimulus spending. He thinks that spending money on public safety is not wasteful stimulus money because without public safety, no one, businesses especially, won’t stay.

7:55: Only MA spent a lot of stimulus money on public safety, credits Patrick for doing something 49 other governors did not. Says it “gives us more breathing room” because the city and state are “starting to turn around.”

7:57: Eddy wants to echo Rushton, but says O’Brien and Chief Gemme’s effort pushing for and working for having stimulus money spent on public safety won the dough.

8:02: Five people have looked into applying for Library Board.

8:04: Toomey stands up to discuss a DOT meeting regarding building a better bridge over Lake Quinsigamond, and that Rep. Pedone says people coming into Worcester “should be met with a signature bridge.” She says this is our chance to have a say in a $140 million project. The bridge should be visually pleasing from the water and the road, and that the lake’s character deserves a statement-making bridge (she says the lake is the 4th best in the world for crew racing (rowing)).

8:13: Germain informs the council that the city has won a grant for $5,000 to improve tennis courts and lighting at Christoforo Colombo Park (East Park).

8:16: Palmieri brings up Holy Cross partying again, referencing yesterday’s press conference at the school. He’s still not happy with the issues going on on College Hill, and not happy with the school’s approach.

8:17: O’Brien says the city has made great strides in regard to College Hill, and is looking forward to more “thoughtful and diligent discussion to advance this cause.”

8:18: Palmieri questions the cost of the bridge, “a lot of taxpayer money for one bridge.” The council calls for a report on the bridge.

8:19: Clancy notes that nine of the tabled items on the agenda are a year old. Time for some metaphorical house cleaning. He wants them addressed next week.

8:21: And we’re done. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

The Worcester Police Department have joined the masses and are now on Twitter. Along with posting media releases and real time updates, the department “will also enter crime updates and alerts, road closings and other community related information.”

Joining the social media site is another step for the department to continue to be a “transparent organization while utilizing modern media outlets.”

To follow the Worcester PD on Twitter head over to their site at http://twitter.com/worcesterpd.

The United States Department of Agriculture has informed the Worcester legislative delegation that the USDA will use only tree trunk injection to treat Asian Longhorned Beetle host trees in Worcester. Commissioner Scott Soares of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture informed Chandler of the decision in response to a letter supporting tree trunk injection sent by the delegation including Sen. Harriette Chandler, Rep. Vincent Pedone and Rep. James O’Day. The delegation opposed the use of soil application because of the potential environmental harm it posed to public water sources due to leeching. Soil injection deposits seven times the amount of Imidacloprid, the pesticide used to combat ALB, into the soil than trunk injection puts directly into the tree. Worcester has already lost more than 25,000 trees due to the Asian Longhorned Beetle and an additional 1,400 have been tagged for removal.

Due to the continuing excessive partying going on by Holy Cross college students on College Hill that some say is worse than ever, Rev. Michael C. McFarland, President of Holy Cross, will be holding a press conference Monday, November 23, to address “community relations.”

The press conference will be held in Hogan Campus Center Ballroom Lounge at 10:30 a.m. and will have Charlotte Holler ’10, director of community relations for the Student Government Association, addressing the audience, as well as Rev. McFarland.

7:06: And we’re off!

7:06: Collin Hassett with National Grid is here to request conduits underground on Mill Street and June Street.

7:09: Councilor Eddy brings up reliability issues for these neighborhoods and asks what this construction will do to alleviate the problems. “This project doesn’t address those areas on June street” replies Hassett, but they’ll be able to better pinpoint problem areas, and he says they’ll be requesting future projects to better their service. “This is more or less the first phase for us to address broader issues,” Hassett responds.

7:12: Eddy asks about a pole held up by a rope on Tatnuck Street. Will these projects address the “pole with the rope?” Hassett says he’ll be in the area tomorrow and will take a look at it.

7:16: Rosen brings up Swine Flu. Asks how many vaccines are available. The answer? 6,000. Enough for Worcester public schools? Yes. Volunteer nurses and staff from the Red Cross and other medical societies will be in the WPS tomorrow providing vaccines.

7:20: Rushton gives a “public service announcement” regarding hunger in Massachusetts. Notes that single mothers are suffering from hunger at a higher rate than others in our community. Asks people listening to drop off some food if they can to food pantries, the Mustard Seed, or churches and synagogues.

7:21: Rushton brings up Diamond Chevrolet’s departure from Worcester. Requests exit interviews between businesses that leave the city and Worcester’s economic development team to see why they leave.

7:23: Haller stands up to agree with Rushton and takes it a step further, requesting entrance interviews as well, asking them why they came to Worcester.

7:24: Eddy stands up to talk about replacements for council seats. He cites that if he were to leave, since he ran unopposed, no one would be there to take his seat until the next election. He says that maybe someone with three write-in votes would take his spot. “Is that the mandate?” he asks.

7:26: He wants a charter commission that will address this. “We’re talking about a joke” that would take his place. For the record, Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse were only one vote away from tying for second place in the D5 election.

7:28: Councilor Haller takes the mic. She brings up the off-campus behavior at Holy Cross. “I spent this weekend from 11:30 to 2:00 am roaming the streets of Caro to observe the behaviors of the students of Holy Cross…and we have a long way to go…we are no where close to the right solution on this.”

7:30: “The best description I can use is ‘Mardi Gras.’” She uses Clancy’s quote from a couple weeks ago. “Without the beads,” Clancy chimes in. She says that Senator Moore and Rep. Fresolo have joined in to address the problems in the area.

7:32: “Nothing has changed and it’s disheartening given all the effort and time,” says councilor Clancy, referring to Holy Cross’ night life. “The [students] that are participating have a total disregard for the neighborhood.”

7:37: There’s a request to update the information on Holy Cross’ partying. “We want to have regular updates on Holy Cross from the city manager.” Councilor Toomey would like to see Holy Cross take a look at WPI’s program for its frat houses as a model for a plan that has worked.

7:39: Councilor Palmieri stands up to address the Holy Cross grievances, calling them “tiring.” He suggests having Father McFarland from Holy Cross at a council meeting to hear these complaints. He ends with fighting words: “This wouldn’t happen in my district. That’s for sure.”

7:41: “A nice cold night in a WPD cell would solve this real quick,” says Rushton. “After a couple arrests things seem to settle down real quick…this town and gown relationship, we’ve given them enough rope and they’ve hung themselves.”

7:44: Germain speaks as someone who had to deal with the same issue when he was a higher-up at Holy Cross in 1987. “We have to put some bite into something, and that’s holding the absentee landlords accountable.”

7:45: He also brings up PILOT, charging that sending police and the fire dept. takes city resources. “That’s the only way it’s going to get better, if it comes out of their pocket,” he says, referring to both Holy Cross and the landlords.

7:48: Petty wants a report that describes the police powers of each campus, noting that Holy Cross doesn’t have its own police department like Clark, Becker, etc.

7:49: City Manager Mike O’Brien speaks regarding these issues. He agrees with Haller that much has been accomplished, like educating landlords so they know what the laws are (like ending over-crowding apartments or having students sign leases way in advance of living in the house). He notes that the city’s approach is working because it’s sending students to look for off-campus housing, since no one wants to pay $2,000 per floor, per house.

7:53: Palmieri would like a building next to the Hanover to be restored so that it’s no longer vacant. He wants support from the council and the city to get discussions moving in terms of rehabbing buildings throughout the city, but that one in particular he wants to focus on.

7:55: And we’re done! Quick meeting.

Below is recent post from ProgressiveRailroading.com on the struggling finances of the Providence&Worcester Railroad:

Revenue, income plummet for Providence and Worcester

On Friday, Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. (P&W) reported third-quarter net income of $158,000 compared with $534,000 in third-quarter 2008. Diluted income per common share fell from 11 cents in the year-ago period to three cents.

Operating revenue declined 25.4 percent to $6.1 million primarily because of lower conventional freight and container volumes.

“Signs indicating future increases in traffic volume have been mixed and, therefore, management cannot definitely predict when economic conditions will improve sufficiently to enable the company to return to operating profitability,” P&W officials said in a prepared statement.

Quarterly operating expenses decreased 24.4 percent to $6 million as fuel costs and usage accounted for about one-third of the decline. P&W also reduced operating expenses by $390,000 because of net funds received from a third-party shipper to fund track maintenance expenditures in exchange for certain track maintenance credits.

The 545-mile P&W operates lines in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as two intermodal yards in Worcester, Mass.

Posted by “EXTRACHRIS_P” on worcesterin365.blogspot.com

Mr. President, Our men and women of the armed forces are busting their humps out there on the battlefield and they need more help. Make a fucking decision. You are the President of the United States. What the fuck are you waiting for?

Posted by “Nicole” on nicolecommawoo.wordpress.com

Not sure why I heard about this at work instead of in, say, the Telegram, but…A year after it announced that it wouldn’t be sending paper renewal notices for driver’s licenses, the Massachusetts RMV will offer an online reminder service.  Still no idea what those who don’t have easy access to computers and/or never hear about this service (and/or never look at the expiration date on their license) will do.

Posted by “Brent S. Abrahamson” on massachusettsobserver.blogspot.com

One of the most divisive issues of our time is abortion. Emotions run high all around. The House Health Care Bill must ultimately be reconciled with the yet-to-be revealed final Senate version of Health Care reform. Lines are being drawn. Many on the pro-choice side have expressed an intention to vote against Health Care reform if the final bill has the restrictive abortion language. Those who have demanded tighter restrictions on abortion have expressed their intention to vote against Health Care reform if the restrictions are removed from the final bill. This could kill the first real chance the country has had for meaningful health care reform since the Roosevelt Administration.

Posted by “Ms. Crystal” on crystalstailsmeowww.blogspot.com

about Massachusetts Senate race……I already know who has my vote ! Alan Khazei, I spent 2 years in Americorps a whole decade ago and as Alan who was co-founder of City Year in Boston back in 1988 and also CEO and Co Founder of Be the Change in Boston. This man bleeds service to others. I believe he will be able to follow in the footsteps of Ted Kennedy and bring even more. Alan also worked with the late Senator Kennedy to create the Serve America Act, this opened up another 175K Americorps/National Service opportunities.

Posted by “VegWorcester” on vegworcester.com

Apparently Price Chopper now offers vegan cookies. Do you know what the story is? I plan to call the manager on Monday to see if I can find out if this is a company-wide thing, or just at the Price Chopper near Webster Square. In any case, you should stop by and give them a try. This weekend they had chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate chip, oatmeal, sugar cookie, macadamia nut, and one with everything in it. They’re good!

Posted by “Jeff Barnard” on wormtowntaxi.com

It’s Indian Summer, here in Worcester this week. I thought these 3 deckers on Dartmouth Street stood out with an interesting contrast against the blue sky this morning… in this absolutely BeeeeyooooTiful weather. All the weather experts are saying that most of the week is going to be like this, too. When you get the third week of November running in the mid-50’s with blue skies, it’s a really nice gift. I took about a dozen shots this morning, all trying to capture that blue sky. This one on Franklin Street, looking east into the Grafton Street intersection, was the only other one that the cellphone camera was willing to capture as actually being blue, though…

Posted by “Will W. W.” on worcesterwonderland.blogspot.com

There is one thing I have to say about blogging, there is no such thing as free speech. Your constitutional rights do not extend into someone’s blog. I have experienced on many an occasion the wrath of individuals who feel they have a right to be heard here. You don’t, but I do make a lot of exceptions.

Posted by “Paulie’s Point of View” on pauliespointofview.blogspot.com

See “Good Neighbor Agreement” follows page 15 of the task force report…..not one neighborhood meeting, not one word from the hospital…..most importantly NOT ONE WORD from our District Councilor in regards to this lateral move of the PIP Shelter…..an issue that has engulfed the WooTown urban core for 20+ years:>) There is all this talk about a city on the move, a new renaissance with this recent election and then all we in the urban core see is the same ole same ole!

The first domino appears ready to tumble, as the State House News Service is reporting that State Auditor Joseph DeNucci will announce Monday that he will not seek reelection next year. Locally, that means the way is open for Sheriff Guy Glodis to announce his much expected candidacy for the auditor’s job … which clears the path for state Rep. Vinny Pedone to run for sheriff … which likely will lead to City Councilor Phil Palmieri running for Pedone’s seat … which, if Palmieri won, could lead to former firefighters’ union chief Frank Raffa taking Palmieri’s seat on the council thanks to his write-in votes at the Nov. 3 election. The State House News Service said former Turnpike Authority board member Mary Connaughton, a Republican, has already announced she’ll run for auditor, and other Democrat contenders besides Glodis could include Gov. Deval Patrick’s top labor and workforce aide, Suzanne Bump, New Bedford Sen. Mark Montigny and Sen. Marc Pacheco.

A two-alarm fire brought six fire trucks, an ambulance and scores of emergency personnel to 19 Wilson St. The top floor of a three-decker caught fire at about 4 p.m. and was extinguished at 4:20, although firemen were still in the apartment working through the damage while smoke continued to stream from the roof.
The apartment’s tenants didn’t want to give their names to media, but one of them did say that it started while he was asleep and he woke up to his friend yelling at him to get out.
First-floor tenants weren’t home at the time of the fire, but spotted it as they were walking toward the house. They hadn’t yet heard if their apartment sustained smoke or water damage.

7:37 p.m. A late start after a long meeting with school committee prior. Here we go.

7:38: Eddy asks to go back to issues with National Grid. He asks Mayor Lukes to schedule a representative from National Grid to attend a Council meeting to answer councilor’s questions regarding the company’s timeline for city work.

7:42: Haller thanks the committee for providing an in-depth energy efficiency and conservation program quarterly report. She asks when a task force will be formed. A representative says she hopes by the end of December.

7:48: A lot of talk between Councilor Smith and City Manager Mike O’Brien about reducing our carbon footprint. The manager says the paybacks and savings for implementing wind and solar energy sources “aren’t as robust” and will look towards government aid to help fund such projects.

7:51: Residents stands to speak about tree replanting.

7:54: She says they’ve been “told untruths from the beginning” when the Asian Longhorned Beetle first hit her area. “I feel like you’re forcing many loyal residents out of Worcester.” She says all they want is their trees replaced, and it doesn’t seem right that they have to fight for this basic thing.

7:56: The second resident stands with photos showing before and after shots of his neighborhood showing the amount of trees that have been lost, as well as one photo showing a high level of river water that he claims has never reached that level, and says it is due to the lack of tree canopy.

8:05: Councilor Germain expresses concern about a “monstrous salt pile” on Southbridge Street in an area where there are several auto businesses and the harm a flood would do to the vehicles. He asks the commissioner where the pile came from. The commissioner says it’s a privately owned pile and doesn’t seem to share Germain’s concern of flooding causing salt water destruction to the vehicles.

8:18: Councilor Haller raises a concern that residents are using public trash barrels for their household waste like diapers, rather than what the barrel’s original intent for things like an empty bag of chips. She asks for an ordinance that makes it illegal for people to dispose of household trash in public barrels.

8:21: The House Bill 834 requires that the city releases up to 75% of water that is being taken in. As a result, the reservoir water would be at a lower level and it would insist that businesses demand for water be lessened. The commissioner says a business like Polar would have to truck in the extra water they would need to operate. The commissioner expects that an outdoor water use ban would be implied. Councilor Clancy expresses great concern for local businesses such as UMass, the city’s largest water user.

8:36: Councilor Rosen wants to let the public know a demonstration by the USDA will be done Nov. 15 from 2-4 p.m. in University Park on how injections will be done to trees associated with the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

8:38: Rosen also wants to make sure host trees, trees that are not yet infested, will not be cut down. The commissioner says that at this time they do not plan to take down host trees, only trees that are already infested.

8:40: Surprise, surprise. Councilor Smith rises to advocate for more funding to eradicate infested trees in Worcester.

8:49: Marketing Manager for Walmart’s Central Massachusetts stands to say he’s pleased and excited to open the first Walmart next spring.

8:50: Clancy stands recognizing the new Walmart that will open March 17 is in his district located in the Crossing. He says he’s very excited, and excited with the developer. He says it will mean “1 million dollars in taxes to the city of Worcester” and will employee “probably close to 800 to 1,000 people”. He ends with a warm welcome.

8:53: Rosen comments on the Walmart Community Day event giving seasonal flu shots he brought his mother to. He jokes he’s glad it wasn’t the USDA giving the injections.

9:18 Mayor Lukes is on the floor to represent her position as Councilor-at-Large. She’s asking that the rule that candidates for Worcester for Executive Management positions must be Worcester residents either be amended or eliminated. She says we’re missing out on the best talent by narrowing our scope to Worcester-only residents. She hopes we can take advantage to all Central Massachusetts persons.

9:21: Councilor Petty wants to have a discussion about this and go from there. He requests that the City Manager collect information on what other cities do for residency requirements.

9:22: Councilor Toomey says “take care of our own first” and says we really need to support our own citizens first. She always says she’s willing to look at it, but thinks “we’re going down a slippery slope trying to micro-manage.”

9:34: Rosen wishes Joff Smith a happy 29th birthday tomorrow. He reminds him that he’s still too young to run for higher office.

9:35: Adjourned.

Now, they go into Executive session.