Worcester committee approves series of handicap parking changes across city streets

The Worcester City Transportation & Mobility Standing Committee on Oct. 12 approved a batch of petitions to add, remove or modify handicap parking spaces at addresses across the city following short in-person and remote testimony from residents.

Committee members approved individual petitions by roll call after staff recommendations. The requests included new reserved curb spaces for residents who said mobility issues make street parking impractical, removals of no-longer-needed spaces after household changes and an additional space requested near a dense housing area.

Transportation staff recommended approval for each item after on-site checks. Residents who spoke described medical or mobility needs or changes in household circumstances. Joseph Walsh, a resident seeking a curb space at 76 West Street, said, “I have a dislocated degenerate disc in my back and I get frequent blood clots in my legs,” and explained the difficulty of navigating three flights of stairs from his apartment without a nearby parking space.…