Worcester subcommittee holds streetlight petition for site visit after DPW recommends withdrawal

Councilor George Russell, chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee and Councilor for District 3, moved to keep a resident petition for a streetlight at 6 Woodcliff Ave in committee after Department of Public Works staff recommended withdrawing the request.

The petition, filed on behalf of resident Richard Mullin Aubrey, seeks installation of a streetlight in front of 6 Woodcliff Ave. The subcommittee met with both in-person and remote participants; Mr. Clark, municipal staff, read access and public-participation information at the start of the meeting, citing “Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2021” on hybrid meeting rules.

DPW staff told the subcommittee, “Our recommendation is leave to withdraw.” The staff representative said the road measures about 535 feet and currently has four city-owned streetlights; at “about a 125 to a 150 feet per light” standard, the staff judged the existing lighting to meet the spacing standard. The staff member showed Google Earth images and nighttime photographs of the roadway to illustrate existing illumination and identified lights on poles 1, 2, 4 and 6 along the street.

Councilor Jenny Priscillo, Councilor for District 1, and Councilor Candi Merrill Carlson, Councilor for District 2, both participated in the discussion and asked for the locations of poles and the nearest light to No. 6. DPW staff said the closest light is about “one house” away and that a light is located near No. 8. The staff member also said the team can provide a pole-number reference and, if requested, correlate pole numbers to house numbers.

After reviewing the DPW presentation, Councilor Russell said he had been advised on the petition by a former commissioner and that he would inspect the site himself before any final action. He then moved to keep the petition in committee so he could visit the location. The motion to hold in committee passed on roll call with Councilor Candi Merrill Carlson, Councilor Jenny Priscillo and Councilor George Russell voting yes.

The record shows no formal decision to install a light; the subcommittee’s action was procedural to allow a site visit and further review. DPW staff provided the department’s recommendation and visual evidence but made no final determination during the meeting.

The petition will remain in the Public Works Subcommittee pending Councilor Russell’s site inspection and any further information the DPW supplies, including pole-to-address mapping and illumination photos.