City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Sep 20 2023 11:08 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 September 5, 2023. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:17 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Squailia. The City Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM • Stanley Young, Fitchburg resident, spoke in opposition of 220-23 • Mary Jean, Fitchburg resident, spoke on communications • Jessica Jacobson, Fitchburg resident, spoke in opposition of the re-appointment of Dr. Maritza Knight ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Schultz: The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 4 until 5:30 p.m. in Room 203 at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center, 130 North Street. Kelley Lynn and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting. Heroes Live Forever Memorial Road Race, is seeking sponsors for the Heroes Live Forever Memorial Road Race in Memory of Templeton EMT Tracy Ferrazza. This event will be held on Saturday September 23, 2023 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Narragansett Regional HS, Templeton. For Further questions please email info@give2those.org. City Clerk: Fitchburg Preliminary Election is September 26, 2023, Polls will be open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Last Day to register to Vote: Saturday, September 16th, City Hall 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Last Day to request a Mail-in Ballot for the Preliminary, Tuesday, September 19th 5:00 PM Last Day to request an Absentee Ballot for the Preliminary, Monday, September 25th, 12:00 PM Citizen standouts continue for “Leave Labor in Leominster”, Please come join us and show UMass/Leominster hospital Labor and Delivery is an essential service for the health and safety of all our residents. Wednesday, September 6th, at 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM, at the intersection of Electric Ave and South Street. Stratton Players announces our 99th Super Season with a free presentation: “WCV – Radio for Your Eyes” An Original comedy set in a radio station written and starring Jeff Van Amburgh and Sally Cragin. At Leominster Library, Thursday, September 14th, at 7:00 PM. Email strattonplayers@gmail.com for more information. Walk-ins welcome. Second Chance to Host Low-Cost Fitchburg Pet Vaccine Clinic, Clinic honors the memory of Jeffrey Stephens of Leominster. Registration is now open for Second Chance Animal services, September 23rd, pet vaccine clinic at the Fitchburg Fire Department headquarters. The event, which offers low-cost vaccines, include a $5.00 rabies vaccine, and microchips to help Fitchburg area pet owners care for their pets. This event is organized by Be PAWsitive Therapy Pets and Friends of Fitchburg DOGS Inc. and is dedicated to the late Jeffrey Stephens who cofounded the Fitchburg vaccine clinic series in 2011 and was a devoted pet owner all his life. Registration is open to ALL pet owners in any town. Visit secondchanceanimals.org/Fitchburg. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE There is no report of the Appointments Committee at this time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS The Committee on records reported the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 18, 2023 were correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consist of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. COMMUNICATION His Honor the Mayor 1. Appointment letter: Sean-Michael Tantinarawat, as a member of the Conservation Commission, for a term to expire September 1, 2026. 2. Appointment letter: Glenn Fossa, to the Board of License Commissioners, for a term to expire January 1, 2026. 3. Appointment letter: Jorgie Rodriguez, as a member of the Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire October 1, 2026. 4. Re-Appointment letter: Dan H. Mylott, to the Board of Registrars of Voters, for a term to expire April 1, 2024. 5. Re-Appointment letter: Joanne Huse, to the Board of Registrars of Voters, for a term to expire April 1, 2025. 6. Re-Appointment letter: Alice E. Hillman, to the Board of Registrars of Voters, for a term to expire April 1, 2026. 7. Re-Appointment letter: Dr. Maritza Knight, as a member of the Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire May 1, 2026. 8. Re-Appointment letter: Cheryl Maguy-Stewart, as a member of the Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire January 1, 2025. Waive reading. Report accepted. Appointments referred to the Appointments Committeee by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. COMMUNICATION City Clerk Vote to approve In Person Early Voting for Preliminary and Municipal Election. City Clerk, Joanna Bilotta, request approval/vote of the following items; Early Voting schedule for September 26, 2023 Preliminary Election Early Voting schedule for November 7, 2023 Municipal Election (See attached) EV Schedule September & November Report read and accepted. On file in the City Clerk’s Office by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 memebers present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. COMMUNICATION Economic Development Committee Councilor Van Hazinga respectfully requests a meeting to review the 2018 Economic Development Strategic Plan, including development activities and ongoing implementation of the plan. (Refer to Economic Development) Report read and referred to Economic Development by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. COMMUNICATION Planning Board Draft on the minutes for Petition 128-23 Petition 128-23 draft of minutes President Zarrella asked to hold 128-23 for discussion within the Public Works report. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  IX. ANNUAL REPORTS 214-23. ANNUAL REPORT: 2022 Annual Report of the City Clerk’s Office. Revised 2022 Annual Report of the City Clerk's Office Reading waived. Report placed on file in the City Clerk’s Office by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Public Works Committee Meeting of July 25, 2023 Public Works Minutes 182-23. Councilor Beauchemin and Councilor Schultz on behalf of residents, on Kimball Street to remove overgrowing trees pushing on existing wall, causing the said wall to lean. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) 192-23. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Mike Hurley, to repair the berm in front of 152 Highview Street. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Held) 194-24. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Joyce Moretto, to repair the berms at the end of Parker and Hollywood. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Held) 204-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Catherine Tucker of 308 Milk Street, to request a sidewalk repair in front of 308 Milk Street. (Be Adopted) 212-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz on behalf of Jimmy Cordero of 58 Forest Street and Carrie Harris of 70 Forest Street to request an improved berm at 70 Forest Street to prevent rainwater from running down the Forest Street hill and damaging property at both the 58 Forest Street and 70 Forest Street addresses. There is also a sidewalk repair needed in front of 58 Forest Street. (Be Adopted) 093-22. Councilor Sam Squailia on behalf of resident Nick Hains, to add a 4-way controlled stop at the intersection of Victoria Lane, Industrial Drive and Game-On Way. During times of heavy traffic flow in or out of the Game-On facility, residents of Victoria Lane do not have the right of way to cross, and thus must wait for long periods while the traffic lines go through. If a 4-way stop sign is not feasible, an alternate solution shall be investigated by the City. (Leave to Withdrew) 127-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz and Police Sgt. Dan Boudreau request that the Department of Public Works and the School Department work collaboratively to ensure the widening of Munroe Street to accommodate increased vehicular traffic from South Street School. (Be Held) 128-23. City Solicitor Vincent Pusateri to layout and accept as gift or donation, as a public way, a certain parcel of land known as Either Street Extension also known as Either Street as described in the attached plan. (Be Held pending Planning Board’s and City Property recommendation) Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XI. ORDERS – FINANCE Motion and second for suspension of rules on Orders 215-23 and 216-23 by roll call vote of 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 215-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the approximate amount of $219,574 (TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to support salaries and/or provide repair and enhancement to the E911 service system in the Police Department. Order 215-23 was adopted by a vote of 10 in favor and 1 opposed (Councilor Beauchemin). 11 members present. Board consist of 11 members. Order signed by Mayor on September 6, 2023 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 216-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($800,000) same to be charged against the FY2024 TAX LEVY and credited to the Fitchburg Public Schools, for the purpose of supplementing the FY2024 budget approved in June, 2023. Order 216-23 was adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consist of 11 members. Order signed by Mayor on September 6, 2023 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XII. ORDERS – OTHER 217-23. ORDER THAT: Authorizing the City Clerk to notify the voters of the Preliminary Election to be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Order adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor September 6, 2023. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XIII. LOAN ORDERS-ROLL CALL VOTE 211-23. LOAN ORDER: That the City appropriate the amount of Two Million One Hundred Forty Nine Thousand One Hundred Forty Nine Dollars ($2,149,149.00) for the purpose of paying costs of the boiler replacement at the Arthur Longsjo Middle School located at 98 Academy Street, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Fitchburg Public Schools. To meet this appropriation the Fitchburg City Council is authorized to borrow said amount under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority. The City acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non- entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the City incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City; provided further that any grant that City may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) eighty percent (80%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City and the MSBA. The Treasurer is authorized to file an application with the Municipal Finance Oversight Board to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any or all of the bonds authorized by this order and to provide such information and execute such documents as the Municipal Finance Oversight Board may require for these purposes.  (Final Reading) Loan Order was sent to a third and final reading and adopted to be enrolled and ordained by roll call vote of 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Loan Order signed by the Mayor September 6, 2023 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XIV. PETITIONS The following petitions were referred to Legislative Affairs: 218-23. Liz Murphy, Economic Director, to designate the Planning Board as Special Municipal Employees pursuant to G.L c268A, §20 (d). (Legislative Affairs) 219-23. Liz Murphy, Economic Director, to designate the FRA as Special Municipal Employees pursuant to G.L c268A, §20 (d). (Legislative Affairs) 220-23. Councilor Anthony Zarrella, to accept M.G.L. c. 41, s. 19H as a local option. (Legislative Affairs) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following petitions were referred to the Public Works Committee: 221-23. Councilor Beauchemin is requesting a loading area at the Senior Center at Elm Street adjacent to the ramp for loading and unloading food and equipment without receiving a parking ticket. (Public Works) 222-23. Councilor Fleming is requesting to repair or replace the guardrail on the North side of Pearl Hill Road just before the Putts Bridge. (Public Works) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 8:13 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk