By Scott Zoback

• MANIFEST DESTINY, IT'S NOT: The big announcement at this week's City Council meeting was the resolution of the American Antiquarian Society/Montvale Historical District dispute. The particulars are simple: The AAS will NOT go forward with plans to buy the Lyell House; they will NOT construct a parking lot on the tennis court; they will NOT oppose the Montvale Historical District's expansion. What they will do is renovate and expand the Goddard-Daniels house and carriage house at 190 Salisbury St., expand property at 9 Regent St., and construct 20 new off-street parking spaces in a lot that will be accessible from Park Avenue. Reportedly, none of that work will be opposed by the Montvale Historical District. Councilors lauded the agreement on Tuesday night, and spent some time congratulating each other, (especially Phil Palmieri), the AAS, and the neighbors for coming to a resolution. And they all called out unnamed colleagues who "were ready to jump" to a decision too early. But there were a few key facts left unsaid in all the congratulatory backslapping. For one, the Goddard-Daniels house is already used for housing visiting scholars. So while the arrangement will allow for more rooms eventually, it's not a huge change for the AAS on that front. More important, there's no word on who will buy the Lyell House now that the AAS has agreed to back off.

• WHATCHA GONNA DO WITH ALL THAT JUNK?: Junk dealers and second-hand-goods dealers in the big Woo could be facing new regulations in the near future. The city wants to cut down on the stolen scrap metal business, which is bustling partially on the strength of stolen copper piping. The new ordinance amendment, as drafted by the Law Department, would require junk dealers "to keep detailed records of all transactions and keep such records open to inspection by the Chief of Police;" keep all purchased articles intact for 14 days; and pay for all purchases by check, not cash. On the enforcement side, the fine from violations would increase ten-fold from $20 to $200, once the state Senate passes a bill before them. As to whether the bill will affect thrift shops and the like, City Solicitor David Moore says that the bill isn't intended for them. The amendment hasn't been universally accepted: At least one junk dealer in town has expressed reservations, and there are questions about whether the ordinance will prevent stolen scrap sellers from just driving outside city limits to unload their goods. "It's a fair point," says Moore. "It's not realistic to think that police are going to set out [at every abandoned house]. So you're trying to focus on where you can have some effect. Are we saying it's going to eliminate the problem? No. But can you let this go without something?"

• SQUARE PARCELS: The city administration says there is a lot of interest in the newly created parcels in Washington Square; we won't know for sure until the actual development agreement process goes forward later this year. But who is interested? The Washington Square report had called for a combination of hotel, mixed use, retail, and office space at the various parcels, and rumor is the unnamed developer is looking at maintaining that plan; one rumor has a hotel being among the first buildings built.

• SHOPPES AT LA GARAGE: As for the other side of Union Station, the RFPs for the retail piece of the new garage are out. Proposals are due in late May; requirements include being able to lease out the 8,100 square feet to at least two tenants and having at least 50% of transparent glass on the ground floor facing Franklin Street.

• HEY, TEACHERS: The most visible presence at City Council meetings the past several weeks has been members and officials from the Worcester teacher's union, EAW. What originally started as one or two representatives holding signs proclaiming their need for more money has turned into a weekly showing of numbers; at Tuesday's meeting, the crowd filled the lower chamber and the balcony to listen to an impassioned five-minute speech from EAW head Cheryl DelSignore on the need for more funds. Like usual, the meeting was also attended by representatives from most of the major police, fire and public safety unions. Be clear though, it's no show of unified strength. While they aren't derisive, privately union members are clear that they feel as they always have: that their particular union should get the better deal, any extra money, etc.

• THE PANHANDLE CITY: Standing on street corners (or in the middle of the street) and asking for money is still frowned upon in Worcester; that is, unless you are an approved charity. Sanctioned panhandling season begins this weekend with a "boot drive" standout on city streets by firefighters raising money for charity. The Little League teams and gymnastic clubs can't be far behind.

• DELEGATION IRRITATION: The sudden news that the new state hospital isn't going to be the size expected has local elected officials riled up. State Rep. Vincent Pedone says he wasn't told about the changes in the plan until he was called by Telegram reporter Lee Hammel on Tuesday. "The lack of communication is systemic within the Secretary of Health and Human Service organization, and the secretary needs to be more open and communicative to the Legislature." He also says that nothing is written in stone. "This project hasn't been finalized yet, and there are a number of suggestions that I and a lot of the Central Mass. delegation are going to make." That's legislative speak for "We're going to tell them how pissed we are, and make them change it." o