Worcester: Municipal Government

Worcester operates with a council-city manager form of government, with eleven council members elected to two-year terms. Six council members are elected at large and five are elected by district. A mayor presides over the council and is elected by a separate ballot at each biennial election. The city manager is appointed by the council and serves at its pleasure. Worcester is also the county seat for Worcester County, although the county has performed no functions of governance since 1998, when all former county activities were assumed by other governmental agencies.

Head Official: City Manager Michael V. O'Brien (since 2004; open contract evaluated yearly)

Total Number of City Employees: 1,805 (not including school department employees) (2004)

City Information: Office of the City Manager, City Hall, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608; telephone (508)799-1175; fax (508)799-1208