Council directs manager to find bathroom sites

Select Board · Meeting of October 6, 2026

WORCESTER — The Worcester City Council voted to direct the city manager to identify locations for permanent and temporary public restrooms, ending a weeklong dispute over business outreach. Councilor King said "we have an immediate need... for relief in our community, in our neighborhoods, in our business districts," while Councilor Rosen countered "I do not support porta parties for any reason, anywhere in the city of Worcester." The council also voted 8-2 to ask the city manager for a report on how Worcester Polytechnic Institute's new sophomore on-campus housing rule could affect two hotels WPI purchased in 2024 and nearby landlords, with Councilor Economo calling the policy "another slap in the face." Separately, councilors unanimously backed encouraging a public petition drive seeking roughly 17,000 signatures toward a city charter review, and confirmed a subcontractor accused of labor violations at the $11 million-subsidized 274 Franklin Street project is off the site after a judge denied the developer's motion.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.