City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Nov 17 2021 2:26 pm City of Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420 CITY COUNCIL Councillors at Large President Ward Councillors Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz III Marcus L. DiNatale Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin Amy Green Vice President Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture Thomas C. Hughes Elizabeth R. Walsh Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga Samantha M. Squailia Ward 5 – Marisa R. Fleming Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 6 – Elizabeth R. Walsh The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fitchburg was held at the Legislative Building at 700 Main Street and over the Zoom meeting platform and live streamed at FATV Studios, Fitchburg, on November 16, 2021. The meeting was called to order by President Anthony Zarrella at 7:02 P.M. The Clerk called the roll and 10 Councilors were present. Councilor Walsh was absent. Councilor Fleming was present remotely. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Schultz. President Zarrella Noted that Councilor Elects Derrick Cruz and Sally Cragin were present but not as participants. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. There were no requests for public comment. II. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of November 16, 2021 The Appointments Committee recommended the following Appointments be confirmed: New Appointments Full Time Student Police Officers Noel Ntoro Ashley Perez Alison Tota Report accepted. Appointments confirmed by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Upon confirmation, Appointees were sworn in by the Provisional City Clerk. Councilor Hughes commended Police Chief Martineau for creating more diversity within the Police Department. III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS The Committee on records reported the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 4, 2021 and the Special Meeting of November 9, 2021 were correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted. IV. COMMUNICATION His Honor the Mayor Appointment Letters New Appointment: 1. Mr. Ryan Beauvais, as a member of the Board of Assessors, term to expire December 1, 2024. Re-Appointments: 1. Ms. Jerri Maillet, as a member of the Board of Assessors, term to expire January 1, 2024. 2. Mr. Chris Paquette, as a member of the Board of Assessors, term to expire January 1, 2025. 3. Mr. Andrew Hawthorne, as a member of the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds, term to expire January 1, 2025. 4. Ms. Judith Perla, as a member of the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds, term to expire January 1, 2025. Appointments read and referred to the Appointments Committee. V. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of November 9, 2021 The Finance Committee recommended the following Orders be adopted: 189-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program grant in the approximate amount of $71,227.00 (SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to advance the practice of community policing in law enforcement. 190-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs grant in the approximate amount of $24,403.00 (TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED THREE AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to support community policing efforts and update equipment needs. 191-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($20,000.00) same to be transferred from RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES and credited to POLICE, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, BUILDING RENOVATION for the purpose of safeguarding the entrance to the Police Station. Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor November 17, 2021. The Finance Committee recommended the following Order be adopted: 192-21. ORDERED THAT: The sum of TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($28,000.00) be appropriated, same to be credited to HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH SERVICES and charged against the CDBG Year 47. Report read and accepted. Councilor Beauchemin asked questions of Susan Christensen, Substance Abuse Coordinator for the City of Fitchburg. She presented the following statistics: We have designed our outreach to meet the needs of the community. The Outreach Worker assists with applications, physically accompanies the individual to the agency and follows up. In addition, other needs are addressed - clothing vouchers through our partnership with the Salvation Army are provided, necessary supplies are distributed. We respond in this way because we are attempting to meet the basic needs of our residents. Those without food or shelter are not able to take the next step until those needs are met. This work benefits not only the individuals we work with but the community as a whole. In the first quarter of FY21-22 (July, August, September) 1,258 (duplicative) interactions with individuals - 18 were connected to permanent shelter, 24 went to a detox program (12 received transportation), 65 were connected to support services, 504 received bus passes and 156 received clothing vouchers. Order adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor November 17, 2021. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Finance Committee recommended the following Orders be adopted: 193-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($100,000.00) same to be transferred from RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES and credited to CAPITAL PROJECTS, LONGSJO SCHOOL WINDOW REPLACEMENT for the purpose of paying costs for the replacement of windows at the Arthur M. Longsjo Middle School, including a feasibility study and all other costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the City of Fitchburg may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), said amount to be expended under the direction of Fitchburg Public Schools. The City of Fitchburg acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non- entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the City incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Fitchburg. 194-21. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Green Communities Division Competitive Grant Program in the approximate amount of $151,283.00 (ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY- THREE AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to implement a number of energy saving programs across the city. Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor November 17, 2021. VI. PUBLIC HEARING 200-21. Unitil, to petition for approx. 236’ from Harvard Street, relocating p#3, 22’ north of existing p#3 on Boylston Street, Fitchburg, as outlined in the enclosed Petition. President Zarrella declared the Hearing open. Present was Jim Dee representing Unitil. Mr. Dee explained the project. Councilor Beauchemin spoke in favor of the project, and made note that the lines were going to be underground. Councilor Squailia spoke in favor of the project. Councilor Green asked questions regarding financing, and spoke in favor of the project. President Zarrella declared the Hearing closed. Motion to approve the Petition passed by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. VII. ORDERS-FINANCE Reading waived. The following Orders were referred to the Finance Committee: 201-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($350,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to STABILIZATION FUND. 202-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($450,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (OPEB) TRUST FUND. 203-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($125,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES. 204-21. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($600,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL EXPENSES.  VIII. ORDER-OTHER 205-21. ORDERED THAT: WHEREAS, the Fitchburg Airport Commission voted on October 27, 2021; and WHEREAS, the commission approved, unanimously, to allow the assignment of the Lease between Bullock Charter, Inc and the Fitchburg Airport Commission to Cornerstone Aviation, LLC; and WHEREAS, Bullock Charter, Inc. and Cornerstone Aviation, LLC seek the Assignment and Assumption of Lease to be finalized on or before November 30, 2021, which include a Consent to the Assignment and Assumption of Lease to be signed by the Fitchburg Airport Commission and the Mayor; and NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Honorable Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale be hereby authorized for and on behalf of said City to execute and deliver any and all documents and take any and all acts necessary, convenient and helpful to facilitate and execute the Consent to the Assignment of Lease as attached or in form substantially similar thereto, and to site the facility as set forth above. Order adopted by roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor November 17, 2021. IX. PETITION The following Petition was referred to the Finance Committee: 206-21. Authorizing the Mayor to enter into and execute a PILOT Agreement with NORTH BRANCH ENERGY, LLC, regarding a Solar Project to be located at 0 Ashburnham Street, Assessors Map S7 Block 48 Lot 0. X. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Councilor Schultz will be hosting a Ward 1 meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. on November 22, 2021 at the Legislative Building. 2. Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale declared November 27th Small Business Saturday and encourages residents to support small businesses and merchants. 3. The Holiday Lighting Festival and singalong, which is scheduled for December 4, 2021. 4. Councilor Beauchemin wished Ward 2 and all the City a Happy Thanksgiving. 5. Councilor Squailia mentioned that the Annual Football game with Leominster is scheduled to be held at Crocker Field at 10:00 AM. Thanksgiving morning. XI. OTHER BUSINESS The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M. ______________________________________ Amanda K. Alford, Provisional City Clerk