Worcester council approves pay changes, commissions feasibility studies on drones, procurement and municipal ID

The Worcester City Council approved several administrative and budgetary items on Sept. 9 and directed staff to study or report back on a range of policy questions.

Salary amendments and staffing. The council adopted salary amendments increasing pay grades for a range of winter‑operations positions and deputy city solicitor positions and directed administration to proceed with implementation; council discussion stressed recruiting challenges for plow drivers, mechanics and seasonal workers and asked for follow‑up reporting on staffing, equipment purchases and public transparency (for example GPS tracking of plow routes and potential public maps).

Feasibility studies and audits. Councilors authorized or asked the city manager to commission feasibility or progress reports on multiple items:
- Drones as first responders (item 11m): The council voted to send a feasibility study request to the administration. Supporters said drones can provide rapid situational awareness for fire, EMS and police; opponents raised privacy, surveillance and cost concerns. The administration said the department already uses drones for discrete search‑and‑rescue and incident support and would return with options, costs and policy safeguards.
- Supplier‑diversity procurement audit and sheltered market feasibility (items 11a–11c): The council directed the manager to pursue a diversity audit of municipal contracting and report back on options to increase local and diverse business participation. Councilor Christian King asked the administration to evaluate a potential sheltered‑market pilot after the audit so the city could better target local procurement and small‑business inclusion.
- Municipal identification feasibility (item 11? municipal ID): The council asked the manager to study the feasibility of a municipal ID program similar to the ones in New Haven and Providence, including potential structures, costs and community partners.

Other referrals and reports. The council also referred a series of technical and informational matters to departments and committees: an electric‑vehicle on‑street charging pilot (traffic & parking), a report on flood‑insurance outreach and hazard mitigation, reviews of veterans memorials and sidewalk repairs near City Hall, and requests for updates on homeless services, public‑safety prevention programs and noise‑ordinance enforcement.

Votes at a glance. The council recorded approvals for a batch of administrative and finance items during the meeting, including salary adjustments, the procurement/diversity audit referral and multiple information requests to department heads. Several items were adopted by roll call; the council asked the administration to return with detailed cost estimates and operational plans where appropriate.