Council hears allegations against constable appointee; manager confirms one-year appointment and agrees to meet with anti-foreclosure team

Dozens of public commenters urged the City Council to investigate allegations of misconduct by Francis Trepaso, who the city manager appointed to a one-year constable term that expires in December 2025.

Members of the Worcester Anti Foreclosure Team presented what they described as documentary and audiovisual evidence alleging unlawful eviction practices, failures to file required court paperwork and other misconduct connected to Trepaso's work. Grace Ross of the Anti Foreclosure Team said the group had compiled a report "about incidents going back to 2016" and offered to supply the council with videos and registry-of-deeds records.

"It includes at least 16 examples of 48 hour eviction notices wherein he put on them that they would be cc'd to the court ... To our knowledge, he has never turned in an unsatisfied return of execution," Ross said during public comment. She and other speakers asked the council not to reinstate him as a constable.

City Manager Michael Mandra told the council that Trepaso's appointment was made for one year rather than the longer terms sometimes used historically: "Trepaso has been appointed only for a year... he would only be appointed for 1 year which expires December of 2025." The solicitor explained the state law and city ordinance produce a one-year appointment term in the city’s current practice.

Councilors asked the manager to arrange a meeting between the Anti Foreclosure Team and the interim police chief so the team could present its evidence. Several councilors also moved to file communications and request further information; the council voted to file the manager communications about the appointment and asked the manager to facilitate engagement between the team and police.

Why it matters: Constables can serve process and carry out eviction-related tasks; allegations of improper practice or criminal conduct are of concern to tenants and advocates. The council does not have direct removal authority over manager appointments in this instance, but councilors sought administrative follow-up, access to records and a meeting with law-enforcement leadership.

Ending: The manager said he would arrange a meeting with the police chief and the Anti Foreclosure Team and that the council's request for additional information would be handled as an administrative communication. The appointee's term was confirmed at one year, expiring December 2025.