City Council

City of Fitchburg FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Massachusetts 01420 Jun 11 2021 4:19 pm CITY COUNCIL President Councillors at Large Anthony M. Zarrella Ward Councillors Marcus L. DiNatale Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz III Amy Green Vice President Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin Thomas C. Hughes Elizabeth R. Walsh Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture Samantha M. Squailia Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 5 – Marisa R. Fleming Ward 6 – Elizabeth R. Walsh May 19, 2021 COUNCIL AS A WHOLE COMMITTEE MEETING To be Held in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 Thursday, June 10, 2021 6:00 PM Via Zoom Meeting Platform Register in advance for the Public Comment/Hearing portion of the Agenda by going to: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5pWE7GBZR-iexeJnUjDWAA The agenda will consist of the following: City Council debate and vote on recommendations for budget. Finance Team and Heads of Departments facing cuts to be present. The budget and related Orders and Petition are as follows: The Council as a Whole Committee Meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 6:02 PM on June 10, 2021 in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street and via the Zoom Meeting Platform. Members present were Councilors Beauchemin, Couture, DiNatale, Fleming, Green, Hughes, Squailia, Van Hazinga, Walsh, and Zarrella. Councilor Schultz participated in the meeting remotely. Also present were members of the Finance Team: Anne Cervantes, Treasurer, Patrick Hare, Chief of Staff, Calvin Brooks, Auditor, and Hon.Mayor Stephen DiNatale. Department Heads present at the meeting included: Trevor Bonilla, Manager of Information Technology; Tom Skwierawski, Executive Director of Community Development & Planning; Calvin Brooks, Auditor; Nicolas Bosonetto, Commissioner of Public Works; Sharon Bernard, Library Director; Stephen Curry, Health Director; Ernest Martineau, Chief of Police; Anne Cervantes, Treasurer; and Anthony Marrama, Chief of Department. The meeting opened with a Salute to the Flag led by Councilor Fleming. President Zarrella stated that Mr. Roy Nascimento would be allowed the opportunity to address his budget cut item during public comments as he was traveling, and would not be able to be present later in the evening. Mr. Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the importance of supporting the Chamber. He noted that the partnership with the City provided travelers with opportunities available to them in Fitchburg, while also bringing commerce into the City. President Zarrella thanked him for taking the time to speak with the Council and then proceeded to take up the budget items before them. President Zarrella noted that the format to be followed would be based upon his recent email to the Council, which informed them that he had attempted to streamline the process somewhat. He had presented them with a reorganized spreadsheet of the proposed cuts, which stated the following: “The items on the first sheet will be introduced as a block, and I suggest we vote on them as such. The items on the second sheet will be introduced in two blocks, as indicated on that sheet, and I also suggest that they be voted as such. The items on the third sheet will be introduced individually. Of course, any Councilor who wishes to take a separate vote on any item tonight has the right to do so upon request (Robert's Rules §24).” The proposed cuts were as follows: Upon request by Councilors Fleming and Squailia, items were taken up individually. Item #1 – IT Systems Administrator PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET Systems Green IT Administrator 15 81,850.00 2,081.00 79,769.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was unanimously defeated 0/11. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #2 – Community Development PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET Community Green Development Director 19 107,376.00 564.00 106,812.00 Economic Community Development Green Development Director 19 102,156.00 2,154.00 100,002.00 Community Principal Green Development Planner 19 105,601.00 2,499.00 103,102.00 Community Director of Green Development Housing 19 83,364.00 2,119.00 81,245.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was unanimously defeated 0/11. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #3 – IT Help Desk Technician PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Help Desk Technician (Part-Time to Full- DiNatale IT Time) 15 49,381.00 23,958.00 25,423.00 1 Help Desk Technician (Part-Time to Full- Green IT Time) 15 49,381.00 27,140.00 22,241.00 Budget reduction of $27,140.00 proposed by Councilor Green: Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 2/9 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Budget reduction of $23,958.00 proposed by Councilor DiNatale: Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 2/9 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #4 – Auditor, Accountant PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Accountant DiNatale Auditor (Full-Time) 13 36,000.00 36,000.00 0.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 3/8 (DiNatale, Green, Hughes). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #5 – Cemetery/Parks/Recreation Principal Clerk ORIGINAL REVISED PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE BUDGET PROPOSED CUT BUDGET 1 Principal Clerk (1/3 DiNatale Cemetery Full-Time) 31 15,939.00 15,939.00 0.00 1 Principal Clerk (1/3 DiNatale Parks Full-Time) 32 15,939.00 15,939.00 0.00 1 Principal Clerk (1/3 DiNatale Recreation Full-Time) 39 15,939.00 15,939.00 0.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 2/9 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #6 - Library, Head Clerk ORIGINAL REVISED PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE BUDGET PROPOSED CUT BUDGET 1 Head Clerk (Part- DiNatale Library Time) 40 27,005.00 27,005.00 0.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 3/8 (DiNatale, Green, Squailia). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #7 – Community Development, Part-time Program Management Asst. REVISED PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT BUDGET Part-time Program Community Mngmt Green Development Asst. 19 28,083.00 28,083.00 0.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 2/9 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #8 – Police: 1 Police Officer, 1 Principal Clerk PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Police Officer (Full- DiNatale Police Time) 22 3,912,849.00 60,955.00 3,851,894.00 1 Principal Clerk (Full- DiNatale Police Time) 22 96,153.00 48,129.00 48,024.00 Budget reduction - 1 Police Officer (Full-Time) Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was unanimously defeated 0/11. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Budget reduction - 1 Principal Clerk (Full-Time) Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 1/10 (DiNatale). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #9- Fire, 1 Firefighter PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Firefighter (Full- DiNatale Fire Time) 25 3,467,758.00 62,275.00 3,405,483.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was unanimously defeated 0/11. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #10 – Highway, 1 Laborer PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Laborer (Full- DiNatale Highway Time) 29 1,099,337.00 46,479.00 1,052,858.00 Motion: To give proposed budget cut Leave to Withdraw was unanimously approved 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. A short recess of the Council was called at 9:02 PM. The meeting reconvened at 9:11 PM. Item #11 – Library, 1 Teen Librarian PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET 1 Teen Librarian (Full- DiNatale Library Time) 40 97,259.00 49,956.00 47,303.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 3/8 (DiNatale, Green, Hughes). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #12 – Contingent Adjustments PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET Stipend (Professional DiNatale Police Standards) 22 402,166.00 9,143.00 393,023.00 DiNatale Fire Incentives 25 767,650.00 9,341.00 758,309.00 Overall (tied to reduction Employee in positions DiNatale Benefits above) 41 33,321,866.00 100,248.00 33,221,618.00 Motion: To give proposed budget cut Leave to Withdraw was unanimously approved 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #13 – Parking, Overtime PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET Green Parking Overtime 16 5,000.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 1/10 (Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #14 – Contract Fees - Collection (Yard Waste) ORIGINAL PROPOSED PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE BUDGET CUT REVISED BUDGET Contract Fees - Collection Rubbish (Yard 1,739,774.0 DiNatale Collection Waste) 36 0 160,000.00 1,579,774.00 Mr. Dill and Mr. Bacek, from Waste Management, were present at the meeting. Motion: To give proposed budget cut Leave to Withdraw was unanimously approved 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #15 – Johnny Appleseed Center ORIGINAL REVISED PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE BUDGET PROPOSED CUT BUDGET Johnny Misc Appleseed Beauchemin Expenses Center 41 50,000.00 50,000.00 0.00 Ms. Diane Burnette, Director of the Visitor Center at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, was present at the meeting. Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 1/10 (Beauchemin). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Item #16 – Fire Chief PROPOSED BY DEPT ACCOUNT PAGE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSED CUT REVISED BUDGET Beauchemin Fire Fire Chief 25 156,600.00 24,600.00 132,000.00 DiNatale Fire Fire Chief 25 156,600.00 20,000.00 136,600.00 Budget reduction of $24,600.00 proposed by Councilor Beauchemin: Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 1/10 (Beauchemin). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Budget reduction of $20,000.00 proposed by Councilor DiNatale: Motion: To accept the proposed budget cut was defeated 2/9 (Beauchemin, DiNatale). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. FY 2022 BUDGET ORDERS 095-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget: General Fund: $139,479,493 Water Enterprise: $ 6,267,208 Wastewater Enterprise: $ 15,485,159 Airport Fund: $ 841,537 Order adopted by vote of 7/4 (Beauchemin, DiNatale, Green, Squailia). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 096-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000), same to be credited to the Fiscal Year 2022 TAX LEVY and charged against OVERLAY SURPLUS. Order adopted by vote of 7/4 (Beauchemin, DiNatale, Green, Squailia). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 097-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,775,000), same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to the Fiscal Year 2022 TAX LEVY in order to reduce the tax rate. Order adopted by vote of 8/3 (DiNatale, Green, Squailia). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 098-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWO HUNDRED THIRTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS ($213,848.00), same to be charged against PARKING METER/GARAGE RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2022 accounts as follows: Treasurer Personal Services $100,848.00 Treasurer Expenses $113,000.00 Order adopted by vote of 9/2 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 099-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY- FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000), same to be charged against PEG ACCESS AND CABLE RELATED FUND RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2022 accounts as follows: Information Technology, PEG Expenses $25,000 Order adopted by vote of 9/2 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 100-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000), same to be charged against CEMETERY SALE OF LOTS AND GRAVES and credited to Fiscal Year 2022 accounts as follows: Cemetery Personal Services $15,000 Order adopted by vote of 10/1 (DiNatale). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 101-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIX MILLION, TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED EIGHT DOLLARS ($6,267,208.00), same to be charged against WATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS, and crediting Fiscal Year 2022 Water Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $1,781,019.00 Expenses $1,681,000.00 Indirect Costs $ 920,000.00 Debt Service $1,385,189.00 Capital Expenses $ 500,000.00 102-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTEEN MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE DOLLARS ($15,485,159.00), charging $12,585,765.00 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and $2,899,394.00 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE RETAINED EARNINGS and crediting Fiscal Year 2022 Wastewater Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $2,354,769.00 Expenses $3,870,500.00 Indirect Costs $1,150,000.00 Debt Service $5,794,890.00 Capital Expenses $2,315,000.00 103-21 ORDERED THAT there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-ONE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($841,537.00), same to be charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to Fiscal Year 2022 Airport Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $289,221.00 Expenses $552,316.00 Orders 101-21 through 103-21 adopted by vote of 9/2 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. 104-21 ORDERED THAT the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the following Revolving Funds authorized by city ordinance up to the amount available in the fund or $100,000.00 (except Public Health Sustainability which shall have a limit of $700,000.00 for FY2022), whichever is less, as outlined in the enclosed Order. Order adopted by vote of 9/2 (DiNatale, Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 11, 2021. PETITIONS 109-21. Mary de Alderete, City Clerk, to review the Mayor’s salary and the City Councilors’ salary, as required by Chapter 3-43 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg. Councilor DiNatale recused himself from the meeting. Motion: That the salaries for Mayor and City Councilors in 109-21 remain the same. Not seconded. Motion fails. Motion: To hold Petition 109-21 until the next regular City Council meeting was approved by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Councilor DiNatale rejoined the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:28 PM ______________________________________ Mary de Alderete, City Clerk