WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester will soon have a new City Manager, and city councilor Etel Haxhiaj is proposing a question to her colleagues: Should the city manager and members of his cabinet live in the city?

She formally brought the issue in front of the council Tuesday night.

“I think this order speaks to, as much as possible where we can, to support hiring local,” Haxhiaj said. “So that we keep our dollars here.” 

What You Need To Know

  • District 5 city councilor Etel Haxhiaj is looking for a report on how feasible a residency requirement would be for City Manager and cabinet members
  • The council has looked at the issue before, with the city solicitor determining the ordinance is valid, but a position should be filled based on the City Manager's judgement
  • Current City Manager Ed Augustus will step down after May 31

The concept is nothing new. There’s a residency ordinance and it has been discussed many times over two decades.

In a similar order in 2020, the city solicitor determined while the ordinance is valid, filling a position in city government ultimately comes down to the city manager’s judgement. Not where a potential employee may live.

Some in Worcester believe high ranking city workers should live within the city limits.

“It might be helpful if it’s somebody from within,” said one Worcester resident, walking downtown Wednesday afternoon. “But I’m open to anyone.”

Augustus’ last day is May 31. Assistant city manager Eric Batista will fill in as Acting City Manager until the city names a permanent replacement.

Councilor Haxhiaj points to the transition of power, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of her reasoning behind rekindling the idea of a residency requirement.

“I think what I’m trying to say with this order is that we know in light of COVID, having as many dollars stay in our community, having small businesses, supporting mom-and-pop shops has taken a different significance,” said Haxhiaj.