Should City Employees Be Required to Live in Worcester?

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor

In February, the City of Worcester released its list of the 250 top earners. Of the 100 highest paid City of Worcester employees, more than 20 of them reside outside of the city. The earnings for these employees are more than $3 million.

The 2014 gross earnings of these individuals range from just over $120,000 to nearly $160,000 a year.

GoLocal Worcester reached out to several prominent voices in the Worcester community and asked them, “Should city employees be required to live in Worcester?”

“This works two ways. While many of our city employees choose to live outside of Worcester, many more Worcester residents hold jobs outside of the city. Thankfully, they bring those paychecks back to Worcester. We wouldn't want all those other cities and towns to ban our residents from working there,” said Worcester City Councilor Gary Rosen.

SEE SLIDES BELOW: Local Leaders Chime In on City Employee Residency Requirements

According to the residency ordinance for officers and employees in Worcester, individuals who are part of certain pay schedules, "or is promoted to the position of deputy chief within the police or fire departments shall become a domiciled resident of the city within one year from the date of such promotion or appointment and shall remain a domiciled resident of the city during the terms of such employment or appointment."

Provisions of the residency ordinance also apply “to any individual who was an officer or employee of the city in any position or capacity on or before May 23, 1995; or...to employees specifically exempted by statute or collective bargaining agreements from such a residency requirement.

City Councilor George Russell said, “I don't believe we should require current City employees to move to Worcester but whenever possible preference should be given to Worcester residents when filling new or open positions in City Government.”

Many city employees are "grandfathered" in to the ordinance because they were hired before May 23, 1995. Other city employees that live outside of Worcester have been given waivers by past City Managers.

Worcester Police and Fire 

“We should be negotiating when contracts are up for renewal with our City employee unions to incentivize a higher percentage of our city employees to live in Worcester,” said City Councilor Morris Bergman.

Worcester police officers have to have a one year proof of residency in Worcester prior to taking the academy entrance exam. Once hired, police officers and firefighters can move 10 miles outside of the city. 

Officers that make lateral moves from another city's police department to Worcester PD are not required to have proof of Worcester residency. 

Worcester Teachers Can Live Outside of City

Massachusetts law exempts teachers in the state from having to live within the city they teach in. Multiple Worcester Public Schools administrators live outside of the city. At least nine Worcester principals live outside of Worcester.

Worcester School Committee Brian O’Connell said, “Massachusetts law prohibits us from requiring that certain categories of school district employees reside in Worcester as a condition of their employment. However, we may - and do - insist that several key employees, such as our Superintendent, live in Worcester."

Boston and Springfield Enforce City Residence Ordinances

The cities of Boston and Springfield each have their own residency requirements for city workers. Both cities have tried to enforce regulations on city residence ordinances over the past twenty years. In Springfield, any person employed on or after March 17, 1995, "shall be a resident of the City of Springfield and shall not cease to be a resident during his employment by the City."

In Boston, all applicants for city jobs have to be a resident of Boston by their first day of employment. As of 1994, new hires must file a certificate of residency with Boston on their day of hire and every year on February 1. Springfield also requires its employees to file a certificate of residence annually on February 1. 

According to the city of Boston, "Failure to file an annual residency certificate and sufficient documentation will result in a voluntary termination of your employment."

Local Reps Offer Alternatives, Promote Employment of Worcester Residents

Russell said, “The City should make every effort to offer jobs to Worcester residents. While state regulations prohibit a strict residency requirement for many City positions it is imperative that we continue the good work of (Worcester City Manager) Ed Augustus' outreach to make sure Worcester residents know of job opportunities and scheduling for Civil Service exams.

John Giangregorio, President of the Canal District Business Association said, "City employees are the new Worcester middle class. They are generously compensated and their economic activity could greatly help Worcester businesses. Over two hundred city employees make over $100,000 putting them in the top 10% of American earners. This money spent in our city would have a positive impact on our neighborhoods. Their home buying power can help stabilize housing prices and commitment to the city and help stabilize our neighborhoods. They could have a great impact on civic life and public engagement as their job experience gives them a unique perspective on city life and governance.

O’Connell said, "I would like us to implement a "preference" in the hiring process for Worcester residents, all else being equal as to training, ability and qualifications, for the positions as to which a preference is legally permissible."

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Related Slideshow: Worcester Leaders Chime In on City Employee Residency Question

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