Council Delays Vote on Homeless Camping Ban

Select Board · Meeting of September 15, 2026

WORCESTER — The Worcester City Council postponed a vote on a proposed homeless encampment ban after more than two hours of public opposition. Councilor Donald King held item 819A, which would fine people $25 per day for camping on public property, under privilege, pushing the vote to next week. Physician associate Jillian Joseph of the Road to Care Mobile Clinic told the council the city counts 197 permanent shelter beds against more than 1,000 unhoused residents, calling the fine "an unpayable debt." More than 30 residents and outreach workers spoke against the ordinance.

Separately, councilors pressed City Manager Eric Batista and DPW Commissioner Stephen Rawley for nearly 90 minutes over stalled street and sidewalk projects, including work on Uppsala Street picked in 2024 that still has not started. Councilor Rizzolo also corrected a prior vote on a civilian police review board and detailed an internal affairs complaint against a sergeant that was closed with "no discipline."

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,981 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.