City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jul 01 2021 4:39 pm WELCOME TO THE FITCHBURG CITY COUNCIL July 6, 2021 Fitchburg Legislative Building 700 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 7:00 PM This is intended to help you understand the meeting format and assist you with the rules of the Council as they pertain to your participation. All meetings of the Fitchburg City council are open to the public. This does not mean that the public participates in all aspects of the meeting. It simply means that the meeting itself, including all discussions and votes, is open for public view. Executive Session The only time a Council meeting can be closed to the public is when the Council votes for Executive Session in order to discuss sensitive matters in private, such as pending litigation. Any votes taken however, must be taken in open session. OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK DURING A COUNCIL MEETING: Public Forum The Public Forum occurs immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance. The President will ask if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on any matter appearing on the Agenda. If you wish to address the Council, you must stand and be recognized and follow these rules before speaking: 1. State your name and address. 2. Approach the center table and either stand or sit. This allows you to be seen and heard clearly by everyone in attendance. 3. You may speak only on items appearing on the agenda for no more than (2) minutes. Copies of the agenda are available on the center table prior to the meeting. 4. Please state the petition, order, ordinance, or resolution number to which you refer. Public Hearings Public hearings are held on various issues such as Special Permits and Zoning changes. The same rules apply with the following exceptions: 1. You must stand and be recognized either “in favor” or “in opposition” when asked by the Council President. 2. You need not refer to the petition number. If you have any questions or comments either before or after the meeting, any Councillor would be happy to assist you. Thank you for your interest!  I. PUBLIC FORUM This meeting will be open to the public. Persons who wish to participate remotely in the Public Forum portion of the meeting may request a remote attendance link by contacting the City Clerk at cityclerk@fitchburgma.gov prior to NOON on the day of the meeting. II. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of July 6, 2021 Re-Appointments: Fitchburg Human Rights Commission (Term to expire May 1, 2024) Mr. David Roth Fitchburg Disability Commission (Term to expire February 1, 2024) Mr. Basil Tolos New Appointments: Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority (Term to expire July 1, 2026) Mr. Chris Bujold Trustees of the Public Library (Term to expire July 1, 2023) Mr. Muna Kangsen (Term to expire July 1, 2023) Mr. Dennis Pierce III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS IV. COMMUNICATION His Honor the Mayor Appointment Letters 1. Pollworkers for the period of September 1, 2021, through August 21, 2022. (To be sworn in during training sessions) V. COMMUNICATION Pension Reserves Investment Management Board  VI. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES City Property Committee Meeting of June 29, 2021 06-21. Robert M. Jokela, Superintendent of Schools, to declare 253 Laurel Street as excess/surplus property. 107-21. Robert M. Jokela, Superintendent of Schools, to declare 44 Wanoosnoc Road as excess/surplus property. 108-21. Meagen P. Donoghue, exec. Director, Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority, to authorize the Mayor to sign and deliver to the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority the Entire Release of Easement as outlined in the enclosed Petition. Finance Committee Meeting of June 22, 2021 124-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg approves the expenditure of funds from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office grant in the approximate amount of ONE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,000.00) for the purpose of said grant, which is to assist with funding for the Social Host Liability Billboards Program. (Be Adopted) 125-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($160,000.00) same to be credited to DPW CAPITAL, EQUIPMENT and charged against the following accounts: DPW HIGHWAY EXPENSES, GAS & OIL $30,000.00 DPW, HIGHWAY PERSONAL SERVICES, SUPERINTENDENT $10,000.00 DPW, HIGHWAY PERSONAL SERVICES, LABOR $90,000.00 DPW, HIGHWAY PERSONAL SERVICES, SUMMER HELP $15,000.00 DPW, HIGHWAY PERSONAL SERVICES, OVERTIME $15,000.00 (Be Adopted) 126-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($114,000.00) same to be credited to DPW CAPITAL, BUILDING RENOVATION and charged against the following accounts: DPW ADMIN. PERSONAL SERVICES, CLERICAL $20,000.00 DPW ADMIN. PERSONAL SERVICES, CIVIL ENGINEER $83,000.00 DPW ADMIN. PERSONAL SERVICES, MS4 TEMP. LABOR $11,000.00 (Be Adopted) 127-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($6,000.00) same to be transferred from CEMETERY PERSONAL SERVICES, SUMMER HELP and credited to CEMETERY PERSONAL SERVICES, OVERTIME. (Be Adopted) 128-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($417.00) same to be transferred from LICENSE COMMISSION EXPENSES, OFFICE SUPPLIES and credited to LICENSE COMMISSION PERSONAL SERVICES, LICENSE COMMISSIONER. (Be Adopted) 129-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of THREE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($3,300.00) same to be transferred from MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL ASSESSMENT and credited to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PERSONAL SERVICES, HELP DESK TECHNICIAN. (Be Adopted) 130-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of SEVEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($7,000.00) same to be transferred from MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL ASSESSMENT and credited to TREASURER EXPENSES, POSTAGE. (Be Adopted) 131-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of THIRTEEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($13,600.00) same to be transferred from PURCHASING PERSONAL SERVICES, ASSISTANT TO DEPARTMENT HEAD and credited to COUNCIL ON AGING PERSONAL SERVICES, PROGRAM COORDINATOR. (Be Adopted) Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2021 https://ma-fitchburg.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/Finance-Committee-18/?#_06222021-2450 Public Safety Committee Meeting Oral Report Meeting of July 6, 2021 041-21. Sgt. Daniel Boudreau, to install stop sign on East side of Stoneybrook Road at the intersection with Village Crossing, where the divided entrance to Stoneybrook meets Village Crossing. 042-21. Councillor Marisa Fleming, to review the no parking restrictions on Eastlin Way to determine whether or not the restrictions should be expanded to include no parking on both sides of a portion of Eastlin Way. 123-21. Councillors Marcus DiNatale and Bernard Schultz, to erect “no parking” signage along Canton Street in front of the FHA apartments (just across from the Meadowbrook Lane entrance). Cars parked on this side of the street are encroaching on the narrow road and are causing safety concerns. 137-21. Councillor Marisa Fleming, to assess the sidewalk located in front of (6 Myrtle Ave.), Moron Square Diner, to ensure individuals with a handicap are able to walk, use wheelchairs, walkers and canes on a smooth surface. Currently, private property is being used as the through way. VII. ORDERS FINANCE FY 2021 BUDGET ORDERS 138-21. That there be and hereby is transferred from within the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget the sum of THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($38,000.00) same to be transferred from MISCELLANEOUS, GENERAL INSURANCE, EXPENSES and credited to TREASURER DEBT SERVICE, CERTIFICATION COSTS. 139-21. That there be and hereby is transferred from within the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget the sum of THIRTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($30,000.00) same to be credited to WATER, REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT FACILITY EXPENSES, REPAIR & MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT and charged against the following accounts: WATER PERSONAL SERVICES, SUMMER HELP $20,000.00 WATER EXPENSES, WATER METER & PARTS $10,000.00 FY 2022 BUDGET ORDERS 140-21. That there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($6,000.00) same to be transferred from ASSESSORS PERSONAL SERVICES, ASSISTANT TO DEPARTMENT HEAD and credited to FACILITIES PERSONAL SERVICES, RECEPTIONIST. 141-21. That the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Mental Health grant in the approximate amount of $57,972.00 (FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to support a police based Jail Diversion Program for individuals with mental illnesses or emotional disturbances. 142-21. That the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Initiative in the approximate amount of $40,000.00 (FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to implement local policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to create healthy environments as a way to prevent and reduce obesity, chronic disease, and associated risk factors. 143-21. LOAN ORDER: That the City of Fitchburg appropriate the amount of Sixty-five Million, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($65,050,000) for the purpose of paying costs of MSBA Core Project to construct a new Crocker Elementary School with a grade configuration of 1 to 5, located at 200 Bigelow Road, Fitchburg, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), as outlined in the enclosed Order. VIII. RESOLUTION 144-21. RESOLUTION: To Fund Improvements to Lowe Park IX. PETITIONS 145-21. Verizon New England, Inc., to request permission to place 1 four inch conduit on Game on Way as outlined in the enclosed Petition. (Public Hearing July 20, 2021) 146-21. Councillors Sam Squailia and Andrew Couture, to petition the City to replace the broken Guardrail Boards along the street at 97 Appleton Circle as shown in the pictures. (Public Works Committee) X. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 7:00 PM