Worcester Daily Local Headlines: Sewer-rate settlement talks, trash delays, and garden plots open

Top story: Sewer-rate settlement with Holden

Worcester officials say they want to reach a settlement with Holden over sewer-rate charges after a court fight over alleged overbilling. A recent update said the state’s top court declined to take up Worcester’s appeal, and city leaders said they’re continuing talks to resolve the dispute. The amount at stake could reach tens of millions of dollars, and both sides have noted that interest may keep adding to the tab while negotiations continue.

Public works: Trash and recycling schedule shifts after storms

The city posted an updated collection plan through March 9 after weather disruptions. Key changes include no curbside pickup on Sunday, March 1, and a one-day delay during the week of March 2. Friday routes from Feb. 27 were moved to Monday, March 2, and regular service is expected to resume Monday, March 9.

Parks: Green Hill Park community garden plots open

Applications are now live for planting beds at the Green Hill Park Community Garden, with spots offered first come, first served through April 3. The city says the garden includes 124 raised beds in multiple sizes, plus additional ground-level and accessible beds, with amenities like water access, lighting, and improved walkways. The program is framed as part of broader work to expand access to fresh food and support neighborhood-scale growing.

Campus: Women’s History Month begins in the city

On the higher-education front, Worcester Polytechnic Institute marked the start of Women’s History Month with a campus-wide message highlighting women’s contributions in STEM and pointing students toward Worcester-area organizations and resources. It’s a timely reminder that March brings a steady drumbeat of talks, workshops, and community events across the city’s colleges and nonprofits.

Sources

• https://spectrumnews1.com/ma/worcester/news/2026/02/27/worcester-looks-to-reach-a-settlement-with-holden-over-sewer-rates
• https://www.worcesterma.gov/announcements/updated-trash-and-recycling-schedule-through-march-9
• https://www.worcesterma.gov/announcements/green-hill-park-garden-plot-applications-live
• https://www.wpi.edu/news/announcements/celebrating-womens-history-month-2026