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Worcester council praises manager’s gains but presses for measurable results and faster follow‑through
Summary
After public comment urging stronger leadership, Worcester City Council reviewed the city manager’s FY2026 performance. Councilors commended financial stability, parks and new homelessness services but repeatedly demanded clear departmental performance metrics, faster implementation on infrastructure and negotiations with colleges and Spectrum.
Worcester City Council spent the meeting hearing public comment and then delivering a wide‑ranging review of the city manager’s performance for fiscal year 2026, praising progress on housing, parks and finance while pressing for faster follow‑up, measurable service targets and clearer communication.
Public commenters opened the session demanding “stronger leadership” and more transparency. One resident said the city "is desperately looking for leadership," and Fiona Jatan Singh (District 3) cited concerns about homelessness, police accountability and long‑running negotiations with Spectrum for a new cable contract and attendant senior discounts.
When the council began item 5A, several councilors acknowledged achievements under City Manager Eric Batista — notably a stable bond rating, investment in parks and a new day resource center for people experiencing homelessness — while flagging recurring operational gaps. Glenn Paporster told the council it was trying “to grade the city manager's performance without measurable performance targets,” urging a public scorecard with specific outcomes for roads, snow removal and other services.
Councilor Connival gave the manager high marks for skills and accountability but said the council must demand clearer performance targets and quicker completion of infrastructure work such as pothole repairs and sidewalk restoration. Councilor Rivera commended the administration’s accessibility and the day center but asked for a transparent review of the stretch‑code decision, restoration of a co‑response mental‑health team and a plan to conclude stalled pilot agreements with local colleges.
Several councilors made the same requests in different words. Councilor Rosen presented a 12‑point list of priorities that included negotiating voluntary pilot payments from colleges, finalizing a new Spectrum franchise with promised senior discounts and reining in deferred maintenance. Multiple speakers urged better timetables for work orders and clearer departmental follow‑up when the council refers items to staff.
Batista responded that municipal government faces unprecedented demand for speed and stressed ongoing technology upgrades across finance, human resources and public safety systems. He thanked staff and said the administration is pursuing “continuous improvement” while building the data and process foundations needed to produce consistent performance metrics.
The council took the procedural step of filing item 5A at the end of the meeting by voice consensus; the transcript records no roll‑call tally or formal recorded vote.
What’s next: Councilors asked for concrete deliverables — timelines, a prioritized deferred‑maintenance list, a report on the stretch‑code handling, a plan to restore co‑response services, and a path to conclude pilot and Spectrum negotiations. The meeting closed with a reminder about the council’s next scheduled meeting and community events.
(Quotes reflect wording used in the council record.)
