Help me figure out what issues you think are important and what your perceptions are of the West Side (whether you live here or not). VERY Quick anonymous survey below.
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Attention DIYers!
Worcester has a new proposal on the horizon...
Do-it-yourself sidewalk and street repair.
Dear Worcester home owners: Thanks for your recent home purchase and continuing tax payments – BTW, sidewalk repair was not included in that assessment.
From today’s T&G
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110618
“With insufficient municipal money available for sidewalk construction or repair, a proposal is being broached that would allow (my emphasis) homeowners to take the matter into their own hands and then receive some property tax relief from the city.”
My translation:
Since Worcester has no money to fix (never mind build) sidewalks, some of the City Councilors have been persuaded to let you fix your own crumbling eyesore. As an incentive, the proposal is that that the City will offer a tax rebate of 50% of the cost of the sidewalk work, which will then be proportioned over five years. Are you getting this?! You pay to fix it now (using one of the city’s approved contractors ha! ha! offering you the same great deals they offer the city – I am sure those are some super bargains) and they will give you HALF what you paid back over next five years in the form of tax rebate. How exactly does this qualify as tax relief? They’ll give you back half of an additional sum YOU paid out to fix what they’ve left broken.
Now I hate to criticize a citizen activist and fellow Westsider Joseph Pagano who is going out on a limb to try and make Worcester a better place, a place where parents with strollers can actually use the sidewalks apparently, but I doubt this proposal is going to do much to “attract and retain young families.”
I agree with him that the city does need to make young families and Westsiders more of a priority though. Westsiders bear the brunt of the tax burden already, with property values here the highest in the city. Young families are what once made this area great and that’s who is leaving in droves. [Households headed by an individual aged 34 to 44 increased by only 3% in the West Side between 1990 and 2000. Furthermore, those households headed by an individual who was 55 to 64 years of age increased by 12.5% in the West Side as compared to a decline of 5% throughout the City. –2002 report commissioned by the City of Worcester’s Executive Office of Neighborhood Services.]
But asking Westsiders to step in and DYI in another area isn’t the answer to anything.
We are already DYIing our children’s educations and recreation, our garbage disposal, and even filling potholes ourselves on some streets. Until some of our own tax dollars actually flow back our way in the form of services on this side of the city, the Westside will continue to slide. Worcester needs Westsiders (our property values and subsequent financial contributions to this city) just to keep it’s head above water.
Do-it-yourself sidewalk and street repair.
Dear Worcester home owners: Thanks for your recent home purchase and continuing tax payments – BTW, sidewalk repair was not included in that assessment.
From today’s T&G
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110618
“With insufficient municipal money available for sidewalk construction or repair, a proposal is being broached that would allow (my emphasis) homeowners to take the matter into their own hands and then receive some property tax relief from the city.”
My translation:
Since Worcester has no money to fix (never mind build) sidewalks, some of the City Councilors have been persuaded to let you fix your own crumbling eyesore. As an incentive, the proposal is that that the City will offer a tax rebate of 50% of the cost of the sidewalk work, which will then be proportioned over five years. Are you getting this?! You pay to fix it now (using one of the city’s approved contractors ha! ha! offering you the same great deals they offer the city – I am sure those are some super bargains) and they will give you HALF what you paid back over next five years in the form of tax rebate. How exactly does this qualify as tax relief? They’ll give you back half of an additional sum YOU paid out to fix what they’ve left broken.
Now I hate to criticize a citizen activist and fellow Westsider Joseph Pagano who is going out on a limb to try and make Worcester a better place, a place where parents with strollers can actually use the sidewalks apparently, but I doubt this proposal is going to do much to “attract and retain young families.”
I agree with him that the city does need to make young families and Westsiders more of a priority though. Westsiders bear the brunt of the tax burden already, with property values here the highest in the city. Young families are what once made this area great and that’s who is leaving in droves. [Households headed by an individual aged 34 to 44 increased by only 3% in the West Side between 1990 and 2000. Furthermore, those households headed by an individual who was 55 to 64 years of age increased by 12.5% in the West Side as compared to a decline of 5% throughout the City. –2002 report commissioned by the City of Worcester’s Executive Office of Neighborhood Services.]
But asking Westsiders to step in and DYI in another area isn’t the answer to anything.
We are already DYIing our children’s educations and recreation, our garbage disposal, and even filling potholes ourselves on some streets. Until some of our own tax dollars actually flow back our way in the form of services on this side of the city, the Westside will continue to slide. Worcester needs Westsiders (our property values and subsequent financial contributions to this city) just to keep it’s head above water.
Former West Sider Jessie Randall reminisces about growing up on the West Side in today’s T&G (March 11, 2008)
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110401
If you grew up on the West Side of Worcester when I did, you might be familiar with Jessica Randall...an absolutely gorgeous girl from a very nice family. She grew up on Berwick Street, went to Flagg and Bancroft, played softball in Jesse Burkett Little League and grew up to own Loeffler Randall, her very own high-end shoes and clothing line. Their products are available at stores like Barneys and Neiman Marcus.
http://www.loefflerrandall.com/
In today’s article, Randall remembers life on Worcester’s West Side...
“Question: What are your most prominent recollections of Worcester?
Answer: My amazing group of girlfriends from Flagg Street School. To this day, they are still some of my closest, best friends. It is one of the greatest gifts in my life that I went to school with such amazing, creative, funny friends...Brian proposing to me at Spag’s...The neighborhood I grew up in that had it’s own Whiffleball (sic) field. (Berwick Street)...Having almost all of my extended family live off Pleasant Street...Children’s Theatre, Brownies, PEAK, art classes at the Craft Center...eating frozen Charleston Chews during Jesse Burkett games...”
Great memories...from a somewhat bygone era. Spag’s is gone. PEAK is gone. I don’t know about the Charlestown Chews... that brings me back...I will have to check that out. Any young families living on Berwick Street these days?
She’s a West Side success story no question, but you don’t see many of those actually living in Worcester as adults.
She’s also Target’s featured designer right now and her bags and shoes are available there until March 23.The display is right inside the door in the Target on Lincoln Street. I’ve noted for months that Lincoln Square was missing this opportunity (big surprise) with no mention of her Worcester roots. So, if you buy one of her bags --while they are still affordable to us regular people,--wear it with Worcester West Side pride but don't expect anyone to notice its style in Worcester.
If you grew up on the West Side of Worcester when I did, you might be familiar with Jessica Randall...an absolutely gorgeous girl from a very nice family. She grew up on Berwick Street, went to Flagg and Bancroft, played softball in Jesse Burkett Little League and grew up to own Loeffler Randall, her very own high-end shoes and clothing line. Their products are available at stores like Barneys and Neiman Marcus.
http://www.loefflerrandall.com/
In today’s article, Randall remembers life on Worcester’s West Side...
“Question: What are your most prominent recollections of Worcester?
Answer: My amazing group of girlfriends from Flagg Street School. To this day, they are still some of my closest, best friends. It is one of the greatest gifts in my life that I went to school with such amazing, creative, funny friends...Brian proposing to me at Spag’s...The neighborhood I grew up in that had it’s own Whiffleball (sic) field. (Berwick Street)...Having almost all of my extended family live off Pleasant Street...Children’s Theatre, Brownies, PEAK, art classes at the Craft Center...eating frozen Charleston Chews during Jesse Burkett games...”
Great memories...from a somewhat bygone era. Spag’s is gone. PEAK is gone. I don’t know about the Charlestown Chews... that brings me back...I will have to check that out. Any young families living on Berwick Street these days?
She’s a West Side success story no question, but you don’t see many of those actually living in Worcester as adults.
She’s also Target’s featured designer right now and her bags and shoes are available there until March 23.The display is right inside the door in the Target on Lincoln Street. I’ve noted for months that Lincoln Square was missing this opportunity (big surprise) with no mention of her Worcester roots. So, if you buy one of her bags --while they are still affordable to us regular people,--wear it with Worcester West Side pride but don't expect anyone to notice its style in Worcester.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Potholes in the road to an education in Worcester Public Schools (Part I)
Mower Street on the way to West Tatnuck ElementaryThese kind of potholes could alter the alignment of vehicles traveling this road even once--never mind every day to pick up and drop off small children to and from school.
See the following: http://news.carjunky.com/car_safety/potholes_cause_car_damage.shtml
It’s a narrow road with already limited parking for the school and big surprise! snow clearance is not top notch. With cars having to zigzag and the potential to hit huge craters all the way up the hill including at the base of the school driveway – this is a huge danger on the way to and from school. Not to mention a glaring reminder of how much Worcester cares for children. Is the city bankrupt yet?
You can and DEFINITELY SHOULD report a pothole to the Department of Public Works through their Online Customer Service Center at:
http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/wts/index.html
This is the immediate response you’ll get.
“If you provided your email address you will receive an email response from Customer Service once your request has been accepted, which will include a work order number. Please note, the normal hours of operation for our Customer Service Center are Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm. Hours may be extended during winter storms or other City emergencies.
If you would like more information or further explanation regarding the completion of your request, please call Customer Service at the number above, mention your request was reported through the City website and, if necessary, provide the work order number.”
This is the best part.
“Again, thank you for playing an important role in improving the quality of life in our community. In turn, the City of Worcester will continue to do its part by providing all customers with the best possible level of service.”
Apparently you can also live chat if you do it between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. May try that next. Will keep you posted.
See the following: http://news.carjunky.com/car_safety/potholes_cause_car_damage.shtml
It’s a narrow road with already limited parking for the school and big surprise! snow clearance is not top notch. With cars having to zigzag and the potential to hit huge craters all the way up the hill including at the base of the school driveway – this is a huge danger on the way to and from school. Not to mention a glaring reminder of how much Worcester cares for children. Is the city bankrupt yet?
You can and DEFINITELY SHOULD report a pothole to the Department of Public Works through their Online Customer Service Center at:
http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/wts/index.html
This is the immediate response you’ll get.
“If you provided your email address you will receive an email response from Customer Service once your request has been accepted, which will include a work order number. Please note, the normal hours of operation for our Customer Service Center are Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm. Hours may be extended during winter storms or other City emergencies.
If you would like more information or further explanation regarding the completion of your request, please call Customer Service at the number above, mention your request was reported through the City website and, if necessary, provide the work order number.”
This is the best part.
“Again, thank you for playing an important role in improving the quality of life in our community. In turn, the City of Worcester will continue to do its part by providing all customers with the best possible level of service.”
Apparently you can also live chat if you do it between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. May try that next. Will keep you posted.
Monday, March 3, 2008
What is the West Side?
Growing up here, I knew I lived on the West Side and that was a good thing. Returning home, I was sure I wanted to buy a home on the West Side. Now that I'm here I'm wondering is the West Side of Worcester what it once was? Is it still desirable? And what exactly is the West Side?
My intial thoughts went something like this:
the zips: 01602, 01609
the schools: Doherty, Forest Grove, Flagg, Midland, Tatnuck, West Tatnuck and maybe some other elementary schools
nice homes, nice neighborhoods, suburbia in the city
But what's the truth? Well, it gets hazy....
The Worcester Public Schools lists the following schools in the Doherty Quadrant:
Forest Grove Middle School, 495 Grove Street, 01605
Chandler Community School, 115 Chandler Street, 01609
Chandler Magnet School, 525 Chandler Street, 01602
Elm Park Community School, 23 N. Ashland, 01609
Flagg Street School, 115 Flagg Street, 01602
Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, 772 Main Street, 01610
May Street School, 265 May Street, 01602
Midland Street School, 18 Midland Street, 01602
Nelson Place School, 35 Nelson Place, 01605
Tatnuck Magnet School, 1083 Pleasant Street, 01602 and
West Tatnuck School, 300 Mower Street, 01602
Google gives you this list:
West Side Steak & BBQ - maps.google.com - (508) 756-6328 - more
Westside Animal Clinic - www.westsideanimalclinic.com - (508) 756-4411 - 5 reviews
West Side House Nursing Center - maps.google.com - (508) 752-6763 - more
West Side Family Chiropractic - maps.google.com - (508) 757-1865 - more
Westside Landscaping - maps.google.com - (508) 791-2668 - more
West Side Pediatrics - maps.google.com - (508) 856-0200 - more
West Side Properties - maps.google.com - (508) 757-1395 - more
Westside Association - maps.google.com - (508) 756-0045 - more
West Side Grille - www.westsidegrillerte9.com - (508) 366-6277 - more
Westside Design - maps.google.com - (508) 885-9045 - more
“This submarket is located in the western corner of the City adjacent to the towns of Holden, Paxton and Leicester. The West Side represents the consolidation of six census tracts (7306, 7307, 7308.01, 7308.02, 7309.01, 7309.02), as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and contains 5,571 acres, representing the largest submarket, which encompasses 22.6% of the City’s land area. The submarket is roughly bounded by Holden Street, Route 122A (Grove Street), Route 9/12 (Park Avenue), June Street, Mill Street, and the City line. Other transportation corridors providing access through this area include Route 122 (Chandler Street), Pleasant Street, and Salisbury Street. Some of the more prominent landmarks located in this submarket include the Worcester Airport, Worcester State College, Assumption College, and Notre Dame Academy.”
In 2000, the West Side submarket contained 26,897 people, representing an increase in population of 2.8% over the past decade. From a population perspective, the West Side is the largest of all submarket areas. As of 2000, the population of this submarket accounted for 15.6% of Worcester’s total population. Households in the West Side accounted for 14.7% of all City households."
You can view the entire 109 page report at http://www.telegram.com/static/housing/index.html
Just so you know, I find this report fascinating and plan on referring to it in future posts...
With those ideas and definitions as a start to the discussion, I’ll be blogging about what goes on in the West Side or what I think should, a mix of fun stuff and the more serious. I hope the blog will go beyond my own observations to include research, news and others’ insights. I don’t consider myself infallible or an expert and I obviously only encounter a small portion of what goes on in the city in my day-to-day, so I welcome your input – especially from current residents of the West Side. I’m starting the blog as a project to help me re-engage with my community and I hope it will do just that.
Thanks for reading!
Taking community journalism into my own hands,
Moreland Mom
My intial thoughts went something like this:
the zips: 01602, 01609
the schools: Doherty, Forest Grove, Flagg, Midland, Tatnuck, West Tatnuck and maybe some other elementary schools
nice homes, nice neighborhoods, suburbia in the city
But what's the truth? Well, it gets hazy....
The Worcester Public Schools lists the following schools in the Doherty Quadrant:
Forest Grove Middle School, 495 Grove Street, 01605
Chandler Community School, 115 Chandler Street, 01609
Chandler Magnet School, 525 Chandler Street, 01602
Elm Park Community School, 23 N. Ashland, 01609
Flagg Street School, 115 Flagg Street, 01602
Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, 772 Main Street, 01610
May Street School, 265 May Street, 01602
Midland Street School, 18 Midland Street, 01602
Nelson Place School, 35 Nelson Place, 01605
Tatnuck Magnet School, 1083 Pleasant Street, 01602 and
West Tatnuck School, 300 Mower Street, 01602
Google gives you this list:
West Side Steak & BBQ - maps.google.com - (508) 756-6328 - more
Westside Animal Clinic - www.westsideanimalclinic.com - (508) 756-4411 - 5 reviews
West Side House Nursing Center - maps.google.com - (508) 752-6763 - more
West Side Family Chiropractic - maps.google.com - (508) 757-1865 - more
Westside Landscaping - maps.google.com - (508) 791-2668 - more
West Side Pediatrics - maps.google.com - (508) 856-0200 - more
West Side Properties - maps.google.com - (508) 757-1395 - more
Westside Association - maps.google.com - (508) 756-0045 - more
West Side Grille - www.westsidegrillerte9.com - (508) 366-6277 - more
Westside Design - maps.google.com - (508) 885-9045 - more
My Dad says it's probably a colloquialism used by local residents.
Finally and ultimately, much more definitively (although still rather arbitrarily determined) is a report commissioned by the City of Worcester’s Executive Office of Neighborhood Services that was presented by RKG, Inc. in September of 2002. While much of the data and some of the conclusions are now outdated (although much of it is based on the last Census in 2000), the report clearly defines the West Side:“This submarket is located in the western corner of the City adjacent to the towns of Holden, Paxton and Leicester. The West Side represents the consolidation of six census tracts (7306, 7307, 7308.01, 7308.02, 7309.01, 7309.02), as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and contains 5,571 acres, representing the largest submarket, which encompasses 22.6% of the City’s land area. The submarket is roughly bounded by Holden Street, Route 122A (Grove Street), Route 9/12 (Park Avenue), June Street, Mill Street, and the City line. Other transportation corridors providing access through this area include Route 122 (Chandler Street), Pleasant Street, and Salisbury Street. Some of the more prominent landmarks located in this submarket include the Worcester Airport, Worcester State College, Assumption College, and Notre Dame Academy.”
In 2000, the West Side submarket contained 26,897 people, representing an increase in population of 2.8% over the past decade. From a population perspective, the West Side is the largest of all submarket areas. As of 2000, the population of this submarket accounted for 15.6% of Worcester’s total population. Households in the West Side accounted for 14.7% of all City households."
You can view the entire 109 page report at http://www.telegram.com/static/housing/index.html
Just so you know, I find this report fascinating and plan on referring to it in future posts...
With those ideas and definitions as a start to the discussion, I’ll be blogging about what goes on in the West Side or what I think should, a mix of fun stuff and the more serious. I hope the blog will go beyond my own observations to include research, news and others’ insights. I don’t consider myself infallible or an expert and I obviously only encounter a small portion of what goes on in the city in my day-to-day, so I welcome your input – especially from current residents of the West Side. I’m starting the blog as a project to help me re-engage with my community and I hope it will do just that.
Thanks for reading!
Taking community journalism into my own hands,
Moreland Mom
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