Claire Robbins, deputy city clerk for the City of Worcester, asked the Community Preservation Committee for $203,760 in historic resources funding to professionally bind and preserve 1,698 volumes of vital and municipal records dating from the late 18th century to the present.

Robbins told the committee the City Clerk’s vault holds birth, death and marriage registers, business certificates and council records, and that older volumes are in poorer condition. The applicant provided a per‑book estimate of $120 for professional binding and said staff will work with a conservator and vendor to stage the work. The office expects a three‑year timeline and aims to have the bound volumes available in the vault for public access by July 2028.

Robbins said the project addresses state records retention requirements and that staff would prioritize the oldest, most fragile books first. Committee members asked about whether binding and digitization would occur together; Robbins said digitization is an anticipated second step and separate from the binding request.

The CPC did not vote; the hearing was a presentation and public comment opportunity. The committee will score applications and make funding recommendations at its June 17 meeting.