WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester's private roads are well known for their often poor conditions, but some city councilors say they're putting more than people's vehicles at risk. 

At Tuesday night's meeting, councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said the city needs to get a better understanding of damaged areas and what can be done. She said some residents of private roads have been told mail can no longer be delivered there, while particularly rough streets like Hawkins Street have faced even harsher consequences. 

"There was a woman who lived on that street who quite honestly needed an ambulance to take her back and forth to her appointments," Mero-Carlson said. "They made the decision that they could no longer pick her up there because the road wasn't accessible and passable."

Most of Worcester's private roads were built in the early 1920s, and an entire century of wear and tear have taken a toll. Councilor George Russell said residents have access to the tools and materials needed to fill potholes, but when it comes to more permanent repairs, options are limited. 

"Folks that live on a private street or have properties on a private street can petition the city to convert those streets to public streets," Russell said. "The only problem is they're going to get a bill for it because whoever developed these streets back decades ago, they didn't do things to city standards."

Russell's efforts last year to make it easier for older residents to have their private streets paved eventually made it to the Massachusetts Legislature. In December, then Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill allowing retirement-age homeowners to defer payments until after they sell their homes. 

Jay Fink, the city's commissioner of public works and parks, said bringing all of Worcester's 81 miles of private streets up to standard would be a monumental challenge. 

"All that money in total, you're talking a whole lot of money to bring these streets that are private up to standard while maintaining public streets, so it's a big financial burden," Fink said.

A request for a further report on private roads was sent to the city manager's office. In addition, Russell requested a report on potholes in the city, which he believes have become more of an issue this winter in particular.