WORCESTER – A report from City Clerk Niko Vangjeli shows that public participation at Worcester City Council meetings saw significant increases in 2021 and 2020 compared to the prior four years.
Between 2016 and 2021, City Council meetings averaged less than 350 public participants annually, with high marks in 2020 (430) and 2021 (490), likely in large part due to more accessibility with virtual participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report — which will be presented at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting — about 12 people per meeting participated in 2021 with March 2, 2021 seeing the most participation. The majority of the public participants spoke on City Manager Ed Augustus’ item on proposed reforms and his executive order acknowledging structural changes to eradicate institutional racism.
Similarly, in 2020, meetings averaged about 12 public participants over 37 meetings. The majority of participants in 2020 came over five weeks in June 2020 (256 people) with 97 people participating on June 9, 2020. Nearly all 97 participants spoke in favor of defunding the Worcester Police Department.
From 2016 to 2019, city council meetings averaged 289 public participants, with its highest number of participants speaking on Jan. 23, 2018, Jan. 31, 2017 and March 28, 2017.
For a guide on how to participate in public meetings and how to join a virtual meeting, or to petition the City Council, click here. Public meetings will continue to be held virtually until further notice.
