City Council
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · March 1, 2022
Minutes
flTCHCBURG CITY CLERK
Mar 10 2022 4:29 pm
City of Fitchburg
Massachusetts 01420
CITY COUNCIL
Councillors at Large President Ward Councillors
Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz III
Sally H. Cragin Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin
Marcus L. DiNatale
Vice President Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture
Amy Green
Andrew J. Van Hazinga Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga
Samantha M. Squailia Ward 5 – Marisa R. Fleming
Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 6 – Derrick J. Cruz
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 March 1, 2022.
The meeting was called to order by President Anthony Zarrella at 7:01 P.M. The meeting opened
with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor DiNatale. The Clerk called the roll and 11 Councilors were
present. Board consists of 11 members.
President Zarrella called for a moment of silence to honor the Citizens of Ukraine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. PUBLIC FORUM
No one spoke at the public forum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE
There is no report of the Appointments Committee at this time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
The Committee on records reported the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 15, 2022 were
correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. COMMUNICATIONS
His Honor the Mayor
Appointment Letters held from Meeting of February 15, 2022
Re-Appointment:
Fitchburg Historical Commission
(Term to expire February 1, 2025)
Ellen DiGeronimo
(Term to expire February 1, 2025)
Donald Ostrowski
New Appointment:
Fitchburg Disability Commission
(Term to expire March 1, 2025)
Ms. Marshal D. Haneisen
Appointments read and referred to the Appointments Committee.
New Appointments:
Full Time Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg:
Esteban Bonilla-Perez
Shannon Burke
Appointments read. Council approval not needed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Development Block Grant Year 48
CDBG Year 48
Communication referred to the Finance Committee.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. COMMUNICATION
Pension Reserves Investment Management Board
Communication placed on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following Public Hearing was taken out of Order under Suspension of the Rules by unanimous
Roll Call vote of 11 in favor and 0 opposed:
029-22. Unitil, for a new pole #42-51, approx.. 1185’ west of Oak Hill Rd., and 1120’ east
of Franklin Rd., as shown in the enclosed Petition.
https://ma-fitchburg.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9559/29-2022-unitil-pole
President Zarrella declared the Hearing open at 7:08 PM. Mr. John Kimball was in attendance to
represent Unitil. He outlined the work to be done and answered questions from the Councilors.
No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the Petition.
President Zarrella declared the Hearing closed at 7:09 PM.
Motion to grant the petition passed by unanimous consent 11/0.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VI. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Finance Committee
Meeting of February 22, 2022
Minutes of February 22, 2022
The Finance Committee recommended the following Orders be adopted:
019-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of
funds from a gift from the estate of Ida S. Raisanen in the approximate amount of
$2,556.92 (TWO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX AND 92/100
DOLLARS) for the purpose of said gift, which is for the provision of recreational
youth sports programs in the City parks
020-22 ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred the sum of FOUR
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($400,000.00) same to be charged against
RESERVE FOR SNOW & ICE REMOVAL and credited to the following
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SNOW & ICE accounts:
EQUIPMENT RENTAL $200,000.00
SALT $200,000.00
022-22. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of
FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($40,000.00) same to be
transferred from POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES, PATROLMEN and credited to
the following accounts:
POLICE, EQUIP. & REPAIR, GAS & OIL $20,000.00
POLICE, MAINT. OF BUILDINGS, REPAIR AND CARE $20,000.00
023-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of
funds from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, FY22
Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant in the approximate amount of
$416,812.00 (FOUR HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED
TWELVE AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to
reduce gang and youth related violence.
024-22. ORDERED THAT: The City Council authorizes the Superintendent to submit to
the MA School Building Authority the Statement of Interest form dated March 1,
2022 for the Longsjo Middle School located at 98 Academy Street, Fitchburg, MA
which describes and explains deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an
application may be submitted to the MA School Building Authority in the future.
Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 11/0.
Orders signed by the Mayor March 2, 2022.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Finance Committee recommended the following Order NOT be adopted:
025-22. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR
HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARD ($480,000.00) same
to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to EMPLOYEE
BENEFITS, COVID PREMIUM PAY.
Report read and accepted. A vote to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee to
NOT adopt the Order passed by a vote of 7 in favor and 4 opposed (Cragin, Green Schultz,
Van Hazinga)
A motion to reconsider the vote passed by unanimous consent.
Councilor Green recused herself.
A vote to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee to NOT adopt the Order passed by
a vote of 6 in favor and 4 opposed (Cragin, Cruz, Schultz, Van Hazinga).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Finance Committee recommended the following Budget be adopted:
Proposed Budget for American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Proposed ARPA Budget
Report read and accepted. Budget adopted by unanimous consent 11/0.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIII. ORDERS – FINANCE
The following Orders were referred to the Finance Committee:
030-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of
funds from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts grant in the
approximate amount of $30,000.00 (THIRTY THOUSAND AND 00/100
DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to provide outreach services to
the homeless population in the city.
031-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditures of
funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Housing and
Community Development grant in the approximate amount of $100,000.00 (ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant,
which is to provide outreach services to the homeless population in the city.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A motion to refer the following Order to the Economic Development Committee passed by
unanimous consent.
IX. ORDERS – OTHER
032-22. ORDERED THAT: Authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of
Agreement between the City of Fitchburg and the Twin Cities Rail Trail
Association regarding the roles and responsibilities of each party to maintain the
new trail as outlined in the attached Order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following Petitions were referred to the City Property Committee:
X. PETITIONS
033-22. Tom Skwierawski, Exe. Director of Community Planning & Development, to
request City Council declare the following parcel as surplus property:
50 Granite Street
Assessor’s Map 82/6/0
(City Property Committee)
034-22. Tom Skwierawski, Exe. Director of Community Planning & Development, to
request City Council declare the following parcel as surplus property:
0 Sawmill Pond Road
Assessor’s Map S53/6/0
(City Property Committee)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Zarrella made the following announcement - Ward 1 City Councilor Bernie Schultz is
hosting a Ward 1 Community Meeting on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. here in the
Fitchburg Legislative Building, 700 Main Street. Building Commissioner Mark Barbadoro and
Gary Withington from DPW will make presentations, and then answer questions following their
presentations.
Councilor Coutrure announced a Ward 3 Community Meeting on Thursday, March 10th at the
Legislative Building starting at 6:00 p.m. Present will be a representives from the Police
Deparment and DPW.
Councilor Cragin announced the annual dog license awareness poster contest will close this
Friday. The nominations will be judged by a consortium consisting of the Police Chief, animal
control officer and memebers of Be PAWSitive. This is to remind our residents that it is critical
that they get their dogs licensed and immunized for rabies.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
None
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 P.M.
___________________________________
Amanda K. Alford, Provisional City Clerk
Agenda
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Feb 24 2022 4:34 pm
WELCOME TO THE FITCHBURG CITY COUNCIL
March 1, 2022
Fitchburg Legislative Building
700 Main Street
Fitchburg MA 01420
7:00 PM
This meeting can also be viewed live on FATV. Go to www.fatv.org/watch-fatv for more
information on accessing this meeting.
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
There is no report of the Appointments Committee at this time.
III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
His Honor the Mayor
Appointment Letters held from Meeting of February 15, 2022
Re-Appointment:
Fitchburg Historical Commission
(Term to expire February 1, 2025)
Ellen DiGeronimo
(Term to expire February 1, 2025)
Donald Ostrowski
New Appointment:
Fitchburg Disability Commission
(Term to expire March 1, 2025)
Ms. Marshal D. Haneisen
New Appointments:
Full Time Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg:
Esteban Bonilla-Perez
Shannon Burke
Community Development Block Grant Year 48
(To be referred to the Finance Committee)
CDBG Year 48
V. COMMUNICATION
Pension Reserves Investment Management Board
VI. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Finance Committee
Meeting of February 22, 2022
Minutes of February 22, 2022
019-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds
from a gift from the estate of Ida S. Raisanen in the approximate amount of $2,556.92
(TWO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX AND 92/100 DOLLARS) for
the purpose of said gift, which is for the provision of recreational youth sports
programs in the City parks.
(Be Adopted)
020-22 ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred the sum of FOUR
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($400,000.00) same to be charged against
RESERVE FOR SNOW & ICE REMOVAL and credited to the following
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SNOW & ICE accounts:
EQUIPMENT RENTAL $200,000.00
SALT $200,000.00
(Be Adopted)
022-22. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of
FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($40,000.00) same to be transferred
from POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES, PATROLMEN and credited to the
following accounts:
POLICE, EQUIP. & REPAIR, GAS & OIL $20,000.00
POLICE, MAINT. OF BUILDINGS, REPAIR AND CARE $20,000.00
(Be Adopted)
023-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds
from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, FY22
Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant in the approximate amount of
$416,812.00 (FOUR HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED
TWELVE AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to reduce
gang and youth related violence.
(Be Adopted)
024-22. ORDERED THAT: The City Council authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the
MA School Building Authority the Statement of Interest form dated March 1, 2022
for the Longsjo Middle School located at 98 Academy Street, Fitchburg, MA which
describes and explains deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an
application may be submitted to the MA School Building Authority in the future.
(Be Adopted)
025-22. ORDERED THAT: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR
HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARD ($480,000.00) same to
be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to EMPLOYEE BENEFITS,
COVID PREMIUM PAY.
(Not be Adopted)
Proposed Budget for American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Proposed ARPA Budget
(Be Adopted)
VII. PUBLIC HEARING
029-22. Unitil, for a new pole #42-51, approx.. 1185’ west of Oak Hill Rd., and 1120’ east of
Franklin Rd., as shown in the enclosed Petition.
VIII. ORDERS – FINANCE
030-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds
from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts grant in the
approximate amount of $30,000.00 (THIRTY THOUSAND AND 00/100
DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to provide outreach services to the
homeless population in the city.
031-22. ORDERED THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditures of funds
from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Housing and Community
Development grant in the approximate amount of $100,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to
provide outreach services to the homeless population in the city.
IX. ORDERS – OTHER
032-22. ORDERED THAT: Authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement
between the City of Fitchburg and the Twin Cities Rail Trail Association regarding
the roles and responsibilities of each party to maintain the new trail as outlined in the
attached Order.
X. PETITIONS
033-22. Tom Skwierawski, Exe. Director of Community Planning & Development, to request
City Council declare the following parcel as surplus property:
50 Granite Street
Assessor’s Map 82/6/0
(City Property Committee)
034-22. Tom Skwierawski, Exe. Director of Community Planning & Development, to request
City Council declare the following parcel as surplus property:
0 Sawmill Pond Road
Assessor’s Map S53/6/0
(City Property Committee)
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 7:00 PM
Get email alerts for Fitchburg
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.