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Committee requests report on invasive-plant management and disposal practices
Summary
Councilor Fazzolo’s order asks the city manager and parks commissioner to produce a report on best practices for managing invasive plants on city properties and public outreach; the commissioner said the issue requires multi-department coordination and careful disposal to avoid spreading invasives.
The Worcester subcommittee directed the city manager to work with the parks commissioner to prepare a report on best practices for managing invasive plant species on city properties and developing a public-awareness campaign for private-property owners.
Commissioner Antonelli said invasive-species management is a multidisciplinary challenge that will require input from sustainability and resiliency staff, regulatory services, the conservation commission and the Department of Public Works. He stressed that different species demand different responses — for some plants you can cut and be done, for others you must remove and contain or even incinerate to prevent spread. “Where does it go? You need to bring it someplace and now you’re just investing another whole area,” Antonelli said, emphasizing proper disposal and destruction to avoid relocating invasive material.
Councilors agreed the conversation was productive and, after the city manager’s forthcoming written report, the committee filed the item. The roll-call vote to file recorded Councilors Bellata, Rivera and Chair Frasola voting yes.
