City Manager Eric Batista Explains Worcester’s Tax Strategy, Infrastructure Challenges, and Winter Shelter Response

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MA-On the Talk of the Commonwealth, Hank Stolz spoke with Eric Batista, Worcester’s City Manager, about a range of issues facing the city, including tax policy, aging infrastructure, water main breaks, and the city’s response to homelessness during the winter months.

The conversation began with the Worcester City Council’s recent decision to set the lowest possible residential tax rate, a move that still resulted in higher tax bills for homeowners due to rising property values. Batista explained that while the council determines the tax rate, the city’s revenue options are limited almost entirely to property taxes, local receipts such as excise taxes and fees, and state aid.

Batista noted that Worcester currently has approximately $26 million in unused tax levy capacity — one of the highest amounts in the state. While this provides flexibility and a form of financial cushion, it also limits the city’s ability to expand services. He said past councils have deliberately chosen to preserve that capacity to reduce the tax burden on residents, a decision that presents both benefits and challenges.

As an example, Batista explained that recent new growth exceeded projections by roughly $2 million. Rather than applying those funds entirely toward tax relief, the city reallocated the money to Worcester Public Schools to help offset reductions in state aid. That decision increased the average residential tax bill by roughly $40 to $45 more than it otherwise would have been, but helped stabilize school funding.

Batista also addressed the broader debate over Worcester’s dual tax rate system and its impact on economic development. He said that while residents understandably prioritize lower residential taxes, higher commercial tax rates can discourage business investment and increase pressure for tax incentive financing agreements (TIFs). According to Batista, commercial tax policy directly affects job creation and long-term economic growth.

Turning to infrastructure, Batista discussed the recent series of water main breaks, including a major incident involving a 24-inch main. He explained that Worcester is managing an extensive, aging water system, some of which dates back more than a century. The city follows a long-term integrated infrastructure plan and used federal ARPA funds to accelerate water and sewer improvements, but unpredictable soil conditions, corrosion, and pressure changes can still trigger failures.

Batista said the city has adjusted how it manages water pressure following repairs to prevent cascading breaks and is preparing a public report outlining what happened, how the response unfolded, and the steps being taken moving forward.

The discussion concluded with an update on homelessness and winter shelter capacity. Batista explained that Worcester opens overflow shelters annually based on projected need, which varies year to year. The city was unable to use the former Registry of Motor Vehicles building this winter due to its deteriorating condition and ongoing negotiations with the state over potential acquisition.

Instead, the city opened a temporary overflow shelter at a hotel property off Lincoln Street, providing 36 individual beds. Intake and triage are handled through existing shelter networks, with transportation provided to the site. Batista also addressed recent enforcement and outreach efforts near downtown encampments, emphasizing that responses involve coordinated work between police, outreach teams, public works, and social service providers, balancing neighborhood concerns with access to services for unhoused individuals.

Worcester City Manager Eric Batista on Litter, Housing, and Homelessness

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MA– Worcester City Manager Eric Batista recently spoke with the Talk of the Commonwealth about some of the most pressing issues facing the city.

Tackling Litter with a Citywide Blitz

In August, the city launched a coordinated, multi-departmental “blitz” aimed at aggressively tackling litter before the start of the school year. Batista highlighted the success of Worcester’s expanded residential drop-off program, which saw over 1,400 appointments booked in just one month.

“If we provide the access to our community, they will take advantage of that,” Batista said. “We want to take a step back and re-look at that program—how can we enhance it, how can we provide more access—because we know that people are willing to use the resource.”

Housing Shortage and New Development

Batista acknowledged Worcester’s significant housing shortage, pointing out that the city’s population has grown by 20,000 people in ten years without a proportional increase in housing units. To meet demand, he cited 1,600 affordable housing units currently in the pipeline, as part of a broader strategy that includes senior housing, tiny homes, and permanent supportive housing.

Homelessness and Supportive Services

On homelessness, Batista emphasized that Worcester’s approach is rooted in housing-first strategies, but added that success requires comprehensive supportive services.

“It is not just simply placing someone in an apartment and letting them go,” he said. “It’s about the wraparound services that can help someone adapt, manage daily life, and truly succeed under a roof.”

From litter reduction to affordable housing development and tackling homelessness with dignity, Batista said Worcester’s focus is on providing access, resources, and long-term stability for its residents.

City Manager Eric Batista: Worcester Must Stay Safe Without Shutting Out the Public

In a wide-ranging interview, Batista details new City Hall security upgrades, explains protest policy, and defends the city’s responsiveness to activists’ concerns.

By Hank Stolz | Radio Worcester

(Photo-stock)

WORCESTER, MASS-Worcester City Manager Eric Batista joined Talk of the Commonwealth this week to address rising tensions in local government, the city’s evolving approach to security at City Hall, and public criticism surrounding recent protests.

The conversation began with a reflection on political violence nationwide, including the tragic killing of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and a shooting that injured a state senator and his wife. Batista acknowledged that such events raise the stakes for local leaders.

“We all want City Hall to be open and welcoming,” Batista said, “but we can’t ignore the very real concerns about safety for staff, city councilors, and even members of the public.”

Security Measures Months—and Years—in the Making

Batista emphasized that recent upgrades—including visitor check-ins, enhanced monitoring, and new scanning technology—weren’t reactive measures tied to recent protests or political unrest. Instead, he described them as “years in the making,” citing a long-standing pattern of security incidents.

“We’ve had intrusions—people sleeping inside conference rooms, unidentified vehicles left in the underground garage. These aren’t hypotheticals. These are real situations our staff deals with,” Batista said.

New security features include non-invasive scanners, trained monitoring personnel, and a kiosk check-in system that allows the city to know who’s in the building at any time—without requiring ID checks for the public. All employees now wear visible ID badges.

“The goal isn’t to keep people out,” Batista clarified. “It’s to make sure everyone inside feels safe. That includes our visitors.”

Protests Inside City Hall: A Line Batista Won’t Allow Crossed Again

Turning to recent demonstrations—including one that halted a City Council meeting—Batista drew a firm line. While supporting the right to protest, he reiterated that activism cannot disrupt the business of government.

“We’ve had a clear policy since 2015 that prohibits protests inside City Hall,” he said. “When council meetings are shut down, that affects everything—from budget approvals to our compliance with state reporting. There are real consequences.”

Though critics have accused Batista and the Council of being unresponsive, Batista pushed back. “We’re listening. I meet with community members, attend neighborhood meetings, and talk with councilors constantly. But listening doesn’t always mean agreeing.”

He also stressed that the security team is not equipped to handle protests or crowd control—that’s a police matter. During the most recent protest, Batista praised the Worcester Police Department for its restraint. “They asked me what to do. I said: wait. De-escalation was the goal.”

Transparency Tools and Feedback from the Streets

Batista also introduced a new transparency tool, OneMeeting, that modernizes public access to City Council materials. The platform allows searchable agendas, direct links to timestamped video, and multilingual document translations. “It’s a game-changer,” Batista said. “We want people to feel empowered to engage with city government.”

Finally, when asked about the city’s new Green Worcester trash cans—a smaller topic with visible public impact—Batista said early feedback is positive. “They’re being used. They’re being emptied. It’s early, but it seems like a success.”