The Worcester City Council meets at 5 PM on Wednesday, September 21.
Here are three items of interest for residents of the city on the agenda tonight: an independent report calls for significant changes at the Worcester Fire Department, the City looks to acquire four properties by eminent domain from Becker College and the Worcester Police Department seeks to establish a cadet program.
Independent Report Calls for Reforms at Worcester Fire Department
City Manager Ed Augustus presents to the City Council an independent review of the Worcester Fire Department. The report finds firefighters demanding change within the organization at almost every level and widespread changes within the culture of the Department needed.
The obstacles firefighters in Worcester face “including inconsistent training, a lack of career development, varying levels of supervision and accountability, and the challenge of “shipping out, o different fire stations across the City,” while working with unfamiliar crews and equipment.
The report finds inter-departmental communication with significant deficiencies, conflicting rules and regulations, a Training Division without the resources to train recruits and existing firefighters concurrently.
Among ten opportunities for reform of the Worcester Fire Department culture, the report calls for a new position within the City Manager’s office to lead changes within the department and to act an interim Fire Chief after the current Chief retires in early 2022.
City Seeks Acquisition of Four Becker College Properties
City Councilors will hear a recommendation to approve an order to acquire four Becker College properties; 28 Roxbury Street, 51 Sever Street, 61 Sever Street, and 69 Sever Street.
The city has agreed to terms with Becker where it will use eminent domain powers to take the properties at a cost of $4.5 million.
The City plans to repurpose the properties for use by the Department of Health and Human Services, Worcester Public Schools and open space.
Worcester Police Department Cadet Program
The Worcester Police Department and the Diversity and Inclusion office recommend creating a Cadet Program as a recruitment tool and resource for young people seeking a career in law enforcement. The program seeks to recruit candidates in unrepresented populations.
If enacted, requirements for candidate include being ages 18 to 23 with a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of consecutive residency in Worcester.
Cadet payment would be $15 per hour. The proposal seeks to approve budget allocation for five cadets at a total cost of $102,402.30.
