The Worcester City Council meets on Tuesday, April 5, with an agenda that includes a schedule for the implementation of 300 body worn cameras at the Worcester Police Department, a request to authorize a loan for $6.8 million for the purchase and demolition of the Denholm Building, and adding Juneteenth to the schedule of paid holidays for city employees.
The City Council meets in the Esther Howland (South) Chamber at 6:30 PM. The meeting is also available on Zoom for participants, the city’s website and social media channels.
- City Council Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
- City Council Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
- City Council Zoom Access Code: 917 2757 4825
Schedule for Worcester Police Department Body Worn Cameras
City Manager Ed Augustus presents a timeline to councilors for implementation of body worn cameras for the Worcester Police Department.
- April 5: Submission to City Council and referral to Standing Committee on Public Safety
- Week of April 11: Standing Committee on Public Safety Hearing & Presentation by Axon of Product Capabilities
- April 19: Review and Approval by City Council
- May 13: Execution of Contract
- June: Equipment Procurement
- July/August: WPD Training
Supply chain delays require a 10-week lead time to receive equipment, according to Augustus.
The five-year agreement with Axon includes 300 body-worn cameras and tasers at a total cost of $3.9 million. The city council has already committed $1.5 million in the 2022 fiscal year. The remainder will be due in annual installments.
The 300 body worn camera units would leave the department 160 units short of outfitting the entire department.
Loan Authorization of $6.8 Million for Denholm Building
City Manager Augustus is asking the city council to authorize a $6.8 million loan to acquire and demolish the Denholm Building at 484 – 500 Main Street.
A report by Worcester Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn details the ownership of the Denholm Building as 36 units owned by 18 different owners. A majority of those owners “are non-profit organizations with limited means to make major capital improvements to the property.”
The plan negotiated between representatives of the building and the Worcester Redevelopment Authority would see the building owners execute a plan to dissolve the condominium, leaving each owning a percentage of the property.
The costs within the loan request include:
- $3 million acquisition;
- $2.5 million for demolition;
- $900,000 in relocation assistance (required by law);
- $400,000 in carrying costs, soft costs and contingency.
As many of the occupants are non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status, the building currently generated around $70,000 in property tax revenue in fiscal year 2021. Dunn says “it is not unrealistic to forecast the future taxes in the range of $500,000 and $1,000,000 annually.”
Adding Juneteenth as a Paid Holiday for City Employees
In July 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation adding Juneteenth as a State holiday in Massachusetts. In 2022, June 19 falls on a Sunday, requiring municipal offices to be closed on Monday, June 20.
City Manager Augustus is asking councilors to amend the city ordinance and add Juneteenth as the twelfth paid holiday for city employees.
