Public and councilors oppose moving sidewalk work from DTM to Public Works; manager to provide report

A proposal to move responsibility for sidewalk repair and street resurfacing from the Department of Transportation and Mobility to the Department of Public Works drew sustained public opposition and a request from the council for a written report from the city manager.

The debate centered on item 14C, described in council orders as a feasibility review of removing sidewalk and resurfacing duties from DTM and returning them to DPW. Residents and neighborhood groups told the City Council that separating those responsibilities would create bureaucratic “silos,” add delay, and undercut ADA and safety improvements done when streets are resurfaced.

"If there's an opportunity for DTM . . . to improve or redesign a street, it totally makes sense to do that during resurfacing as opposed to resurfacing and then ripping it up a month later," said Oliver Chadwick, a Worcester resident who spoke during public participation. "I strongly think it should remain with DTM."

Other calle…