City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Dec 10 2021 11:26 am City of Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420 CITY COUNCIL Councillors at Large President Anthony M. Zarrella Ward Councillors Marcus L. DiNatale Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz III Amy Green Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin Thomas C. Hughes Vice President 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 The meeting of the Council as a Whole Committee was held in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, on December 7, 2021. The meeting was called to order by President Anthony Zarrella at 6:59 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Squailia. The Clerk called the roll and 11 members were present. President Zarrella noted for the record that Councilors elect Derek Cruz and Sally Cragin were present but not participating. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The agenda consisted of the following: ORDINANCES 068-21. AN ORDINANCE: Amending the Fitchburg City Code, Chapter 44, re: Fire Chief. 069-21. AN ORDINANCE: Amending the Fitchburg City Code, Chapter 44, re: Fire Chief. PETITION 073-21 Council President Anthony Zarrella: to set the salary of the Fire Chief, pursuant to City Code § 23-26 which instructs that, "The compensation of the Chief Engineer shall be fixed by the Council, with the approval of the Mayor and in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Act." The Council as a Whole Committee recommended the Ordinances and Petition be given leave to withdraw by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calvin Brooks, City Auditor, and Susan Davis, Human Resource Director, were present at the meeting. Auditor Brooks provided a summary explaining the reason Ordinances 181-21 and 182-21 were before Council. He stated that historically, for the last ten to fifteen years, the Police Chief and Fire Chief have worked under contract per MGL Ch41 §108O. This is an attempt to rearrange how the relationship is between the two Chiefs and the City by putting them into the City Ordinance and treating them similar to other department heads. He noted that we did this with the Fire Chief after the retirement of Chief Roy, and as time elapsed, Chief Martineau had also expressed an interest in making this change. He explained this change would separate their compensation from methodologies that go on within the collective bargaining agreements. In the past, they have received salaries and various stipends which creates an appearance of conflict of interests when participating in contract negotiations. This move would eliminate that because they will receive a set salary and it would create more transparency. He noted that it was his understanding that both Chiefs were in agreement with the proposed salary. The intention is if these are approved, the pay would be retroactive to July 1, 2020 which would include the previous Fire Chief. Auditor Brooks noted the Ordinance 181-21 would need to be amended to add the Police Chief into the table. He explained that the matrix would remain the same, the difference being the assigned step. Auditor Brooks and HR Director Davis answered questions from Councilors about the matrix and the current vs proposed salary of the Police Chief. A request was made for information about the past salary of the Police Chief and other positions in the police department. Auditor Brooks stated that he would provide the Council with this information for review prior to the next Council meeting. 181-21. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg, re: Fire Chief (Matrix) (First Reading) The Council as a Whole Committee recommended the Ordinance be sent to a first and second reading and ordered advertised passed by a roll call vote of 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 182-21. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg, re: Fire Chief (Table) (Amend to add Police Chief) A motion to amend the Ordinance passed by a roll call vote of 10/1 (Van Hazinga). The Council as a Whole Committee recommended the Ordinance, as amended, be sent to a first and second reading and ordered advertised passed by a roll call vote of 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M. ______________________________________ Amanda K. Alford, Provisional City Clerk