City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jul 14 2023 10:09 am 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 Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture Amy Green Vice President 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 June 20, 2023. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:05 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Fleming. The City Clerk called the roll 9 Councilors were present Councilor Van Hazing via Zoom. (Cruz & DiNatale absent). Board consists of 11 members. (Councilor DiNatale joined the meeting via Zoom at 7:12 PM) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM Jacquelyn Wehtje, Fitchburg resident, spoke in opposition of 188-23. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Schultz submitted: The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 4 until 5:30 p.m. in Room 203at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center, 130 North Street. Kelley Lynn and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting. Councilor Cragin submitted: Save the Date: Save our Birthing Center, June 29th 5:30 – 7:30PM, 268 Washing Street Leominster, MA. A few weeks ago, UMass Memorial Health Alliance-Clinton Hospital contacted local legislators and informed them that the hospitals maternity ward would be closing on September 22, 2023. We are coming together as a community to have this decision reversed for the sake of all our expecting mothers and their babies. Food & Refreshments will be served. Please come and show support! If you would like to help in garnish signatures for the petition, please reach out to Councilor Sally Cragin at 978-320-1335. The Fitchburg Historical Society wishes to thank the City of Fitchburg's Cemeteries Division, and especially Jacqueline Poirier, for providing the support for our program c "Brothers in Blue - From the Battlefront to Main Street” on June 13. Chief Ernest Martineau, and a number of his officers, spoke and attended. And the Fitchburg Fire Department provided transportation, so that people could attend who otherwise would not have been able to make the walk. Thank you also to the Stratton Players for providing the text and presenters, and history researchers Joe Cronin, Eunice Halbedel, and Sally Cragin who provided hours of original research. The Fitchburg Historical Society would like to invite the public to our annual Civic Days Block Party Open House, coming up on Monday, July 3, from 5 – 9 p.m. We throw open our doors to the community and invite them in to see our exhibitions for free. For more information: contact the Fitchburg Historical Society at 978-345-1157 and 781 Main Street. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of June 20, 2023 New Appointment: Fitchburg Cultural Council For the City of Fitchburg (Term to expire June 1, 2026) Catherine Healey New Appointment: Special Police Officer For the City of Fitchburg David R. Daigle Re-Appointment: Director of Human Resources For the City of Fitchburg (Term to expire December 31, 2024) Susan Davis Councilor Green recused herself at 7:12 PM Councilor DiNatale joined the meeting at 7:12 PM Report accepted. Appointments confirmed by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS The Committee on records reported the minutes of the Council as a Whole of May 22, 2023 and June 8, 2023 and Regular Meeting of June 6, 2023 and the Special City Council of June 8, 2023 were correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consist of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  V. COMMUNICATIONS His Honor the Mayor 1. Appointment letter: Ellen Daoust, as a member of the Fitchburg Cultural Council, term to expire July 1, 2026. 2. Appointment letter: Todd A. Goodwin, as member of the Council on Aging, term to expire July 1, 2026. The Appointment was read and referred to the Appointments Committee by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of June 14, 2023 Finance Committee Minutes 171-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of NINETEEN THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($19,758.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, CHAPTER 41 POLICE. (Be Adopted) 172-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED 00/100 DOLLARS ($26,200.00) same to be transferred from ELECTION & REGISTRATION, PERSONAL SERVICES, ELECTION WORKERS and credited to the following accounts: CITY COUNCIL EXPENSES $11,200.00 CITY CLERK EXPENSES $ 2,000.00 ELECTION & REGISTRATION EXPENSES $13,000.00 (Be Adopted) 173-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts earmark in the approximate amount of $25,000.00 (TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said earmark, which is to support the renovation and expansion of the Fitchburg Police Department dispatch center. (Be Adopted) 174-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE AND 11/100 DOLLARS ($124,399.11) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION, PEG ACCESS and credited to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, FRANCHISE FEE for the purpose of paying FATV for franchise fees received during the second quarter of 2023. (Be Adopted) 175-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($135,000.00) same to be transferred from PARKS PERSONAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT HEAD ($85,000.00) and LABOR ($50,000.00) and credited to PARKS CAPITAL, DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT ($120,000.00) and PARKS EXPENSES, GAS & OIL ($15,000.00). (Be Adopted) 176-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($270,000.00) same to be transferred from the following accounts: DPW ADMIN. P.S. INSPECTOR $ 40,000.00 DPW ADMIN. P.S. ASST. CITY ENG. $ 35,000.00 DPW ADMIN. P.S. CLERICAL $ 10,000.00 DPW STREETS P.S. LABOR $155,000.00 DPW STREETS P.S. SUMMER HELP $ 30,000.00 and credited to the following accounts: DPW CAPITAL, EQUIPMENT $170,000.00 DPW EXPENSES, GAS & OIL $ 35,000.00 DPW EXPENSES, MOTOR VEH. REP. $ 35,000.00 DPW EXPENSES, POT HOLE REPAIRS $ 30,000.00. (Be Adopted) 177-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR THOUSAND, FORTY AND 70/100 DOLLARS ($4,040.70) same to be charged against RESERVED FOR APPROPRIATION, TNC PER RIDE ASSESSMENT and credited to DPW CAPITAL EXPENSES, STREET REPAIR for the purpose of road repaving. (Be Adopted) 178-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Asset Management Grant Program in the approximate amount of $150,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to begin the development of a GIS based asset management program for stormwater infrastructure. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted. Orders 171-23, through 178-23 were adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor June 21, 2023 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VII. ORDERS – FINANCE 184-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR AND 40/100 DOLLARS ($26,684.40) same to be transferred from COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COVID-19, FOOD INSECURITY ASSISTANCE ($3,620.40) and from COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COVID-19, BUSINESS LOANS & GRANTS ($23,064.00) and credited to COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COVID-19, RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 185-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of FIFTY- SEVEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE AND 72/100 DOLLARS ($57,651.72) same to be transferred from CDBG YEAR 47 STREETSCAPES PROJECT and credited to CDBG YEAR 48 PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS. 186-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($10,000.00) same to be transferred from POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES, PATROLMAN and credited to POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES, OVERTIME. 187-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000.00) same to be transferred from HEALTH, SANITARY LANDFILL EXPENSES, CONTRACTED SERVICES and credited to HEALTH, RUBBISH REMOVAL EXPENSES, CONTRACT FEES for the purpose of covering rubbish removal costs for the remainder of the fiscal year. 188-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) grant in the approximate amount of $25,000.00 (TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to address issues of vaccine equity. 189-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($140,000.00) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION, OPIOID SETTLEMENT and credited to the following HEALTH, OPIOID SETTLEMENT accounts: PERSONAL SERVICES, OUTREACH WORKER $80,000.00 PERSONAL SERVICES, COORDINATOR STIPEND $10,000.00 EXPENSES, CONTRACTED SERVICES $50,000.00 190-23. ORDER 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 HEALTH, PERSONAL SERVICES, ASSISTANT TO DEPARTMENT HEAD and credited to HEALTH, EXPENSES, CONTRACTED SERVICES to cover the cost of a contracted outreach worker. Waive the reading and refer the following orders 184-23 through 190-23 to the Finance Committee by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VIII. PETITIONS The following Petitions were referred to Public Works Committee: 191-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Linda and Mike Brousseau of 116 Belmont Street, to install a berm to prevent Mt. Carmel Street runoff from damaging the grass sidewalk in front of 116 Belmont Street. (Refer to Public Works) 192-23. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Mike Hurley, to repair the berm in front of 152 Highview Street. (Refer to Public Works) 193-23. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Bev Hofer, to replace the berm in front of 466 Franklin Road to combat runoff from Oak Hill Road. (Refer to Public Works) 194-23. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Joyce Moretto, to reapir the berms at the end of Parker and Hollywood. (Refer to Public Works) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following Petition was referred to Public Works Committee and Public Safety: 195-23. Councilor Fleming on behalf of several residents, employees and non-residents of Fitchburg, Ma. A petition to add streetlights or roundabout to the intersection of North Street / John Fitch Highway and Pearl Hill Rd / John Fitch Highway to mitigate traffic concerns (accidents) and pedestrian crossing (safety) during daytime hours. With the increase in traffic this discussion needs to take place before a tragedy occurs. (Refer to Public Works and Public Safety) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  IX. OTHER BUSINESS Motion by President Zarrella for Reconsideration of the June 6, 2023 votes on agenda items 158- 23, 159-23, and 160-23, for the purpose of correcting a procedural error. A motion and second for reconsideration approved by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 158-23. AN ORDINANCE: To amend the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 44, Section 10, by striking the following: Under Positions Paid Annually Effective July 1, 2022 City Solicitor $103,525 Assistant City Solicitor $ 69,392 And by inserting in its place: Under Positions Paid Annually Effective July 1, 2023 City Solicitor $106,630 Assistant City Solicitor $ 71,443 A motion and second for ordinance 158-23 approved by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 159-23. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg, as most recently amended, by adding thereto the following step assignments as outlined in the enclosed Ordinance. 160-23. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg, as most recently amended by adding thereto the enclosed pay scale. A motion and second for ordinance 159-23 & 160-23 approved by roll call vote 9 in favor and 1 opposed (Van Hazinga). 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 5, 2023, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:31 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk