City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Oct 14 2021 2:14 pm WELCOME TO THE FITCHBURG CITY COUNCIL October 19, 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. II. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of October 19, 2021 New Appointments: Member of the Fitchburg Cultural Council (Term to expire October 1, 2024) Ms. Liz Murphy Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (Term to expire October 1, 2023) Mr. Gary N. Kirschke III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS IV. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of October 12, 2021 162-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Community Compact Best Practices Program in the approximate amount of $40,000.00 (FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is for a review and analysis of the city’s staffing levels in all departments, excluding public safety and school departments. (Be Adopted) 177-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Action Grant in the approximate amount of $173,350.00 (ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED FIFTY AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to explore ways to mitigate flooding in the Baker Brook drainage Basin. (Be Adopted) 178-21. ORDERED THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWO HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($212,000.00) same to be transferred from RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES and credited to POLICE, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, VEHICLE REPLACEMENT for the purpose of replacing four police vehicles. (Be Adopted) 179-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, Funds Available for Projects in the approximate amount of $500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to increase Covid-19 testing, vaccination, and contact tracing activities. (Be Adopted) Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of October 12, 2021 165-21. Councilors Marcus DiNatale, Marisa Fleming, and Bernard Shultz, to amend City Council rule 3.5 by removing “by unanimous consent” and inserting in its place “by simple majority vote of the City Council which shall be recorded by roll call”. (Amend to strike Rule 3.5 and replace with language outlined in the enclosed minutes and amend Rule 3.6 to add “To withdraw the pending motion pursuant to Rule 3.5, and grant as amended) 169-21 Councilors Anthony Zarrella and Bernard Schultz, to amend the City Council Rules as outlined in the enclosed Petition. (Amend to add sections 3.19, 3.20 re: speaking opportunities, and grant as amended.) Link to the Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes: https://ma-fitchburg.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8860/Legislative-Affairs- Minutes_October-12-2021 V. PUBLIC HEARING 185-21. Game on Way, to install four 1,000 gallon propane tanks above ground and four 1,000 gallon propane tanks underground at 200 Game on Way. VI. ORDER-OTHER 186-21. ORDER: Authorizing the City Clerk to notify the voters of the Municipal Election to be held on November 2, 2021. VII. ORDINANCE 180-21. AN ORDINANCE: Amending the City Code by inserting the words “and the property owner as identified in the city assessor’s records” at the end of the definition of PERMIT HOLDER in s 140-2 and at the end of s140-3 C1. And further amended by inserting a new s140-11 F as follows: S140-11 F. Failure to pay amounts due may in the discretion of the Chief become a municipal charges lien and will be collected as such in the ordinary course. (Reference Petition #020-21) (Final Reading) V111. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Regular Meeting Thursday, November 4, 2021 - 7:00 PM