With Worcester's first recreational pot shop set to open May 1, the Planning Board will hold public hearings Wednesday night on three more applications for retail operations.

The board will be take up applications for special permits to operate adult-use marijuana stores at 143 Southwest Cutoff (Evergreen Growers Partnership LLC), 74 Grafton St. (TDMA LLC, doing business as Diem), and 65 Pullman St. (The Botanist).

While the state Cannabis Control Commission is the body responsible for issuing licenses for the siting of adult-use marijuana establishments, the City Council last year approved a series of regulations intended to give the city a say on where these businesses are located and how they operate.

The local review includes public hearings before the Planning Board, where applicants have to receive a special permit, and the License Commission, which is responsible for granting a license to operate in the city.

Good Chemistry of Massachusetts has received both a special permit from the Planning Board and a license from the License Commission. It is scheduled to open for retail sales at 9 Harrison St. on May 1. It already operates a medical marijuana dispensary there.

The Botanist already sells medical marijuana at its Pullman Street facility.

Minasion returns to WRA board

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. has reappointed David Minasion to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority board for another five-year term.

His appointment, which is subject to City Council confirmation, will run through April 15, 2024.

The council is scheduled to act on Mr. Minasian's appointment Tuesday night.

Mr. Minasian has served on the WRA board since September 2014.

Haxhiaj plans campaign kickoff

Etel Haxhiaj will formally launch her campaign for an at-large seat on the City Council Wednesday evening with an event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at the PNI Club, 290 Millbury St.

Calling for the "Worcester Renaissance" to be a "renaissance for all of us," Ms. Haxhiaj said she will lay out a vision for a community-driven campaign, and for a Worcester that stands for all working families, immigrants and neighborhoods, regardless of economic status.

"Worcester’s strength has always been its working families, its immigrants, its strivers and doers, looking to make a difference in their community," she said.

Ms. Haxhiaj is an immigrant from Albania who arrived in Worcester nearly 18 years ago. She has been a legal advocate in the attorney general's office, a board member of the YWCA and has served on several city boards and commissions.

This is her first run for public office.

Tree planting on Common

The city will hold its annual Arbor Day celebration Friday morning on the Common, behind City Hall.

Festivities will begin at 10 a.m.

The city's Department of Public Works and Parks is coordinating the event with the Worcester Tree Initiative, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation Urban and Community Forestry Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Grid.

The event will include the planting of a pin oak tree, one of more than 200 trees scheduled to be planted in Worcester this spring.

Collecting hazardous waste

The city will hold its annual Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the DPW Residential Drop-off Center, 1065 Millbury St.

It is open only to Worcester residents, by by appointment only. Residents with appointments can drop off hazardous waste at no charge.

Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling (508) 929-1300. Proof of residency is required.

A list of items than can be accepted and quantity limits can be found on the city's website, www.worcesterma.gov.