City Council
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · September 19, 2023
Minutes
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Oct 04 2023 2:31 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 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 19, 2023.
The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:10 P.M. The meeting opened with a
salute to the Flag led by Councilor Van Hazinga. The City Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were
present. Board consists of 11 members.
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I. PUBLIC FORUM
• Jean, protected under the Violence Act against Women, spoke on items 023-23 and 046-23.
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II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Schultz: The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take
place on Thursday, September 21, 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.
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, including
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 Friend of Fitchburg DOGS Inc. and is
dedicated to the Late Jeffrey P. Stephens who cofounded the Fitchburg vaccine clinic series in
2011 and was da devoted pet owner all his life. Registration is open to ALL pet owners in any
town. Visit seconchcneanimals.org/Fitchburg
Fitchburg Residents are invited to a Meeting to discuss propped Oak Hill Country Club large scale
solar array (13,00 plus panels) abutting Shea St., Pepper Rd., Oak Hill Rd., and Theresa St. on
Wednesday, September 27th 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church Hall, 118
Theresa St., Fitchburg. This project has the the potential to permanently and drastically affect our
neighborhood. Join together to discuss and develop reasonable strategies to oppose this proposed
project.
RSVP joe@electjoebowen.com / 978-868-3772. Joe has arranged this meeting place and time, and
will need to let Holy Rosary know how many folks will be in attendance. Please RSVP – Even if
you are not sure about attending.
City Clerk: Fitchburg Preliminary Election is September 26, 2023, Polls will be open from
7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
In-person Early Voting is currently happening at City Hall, Wednesday – Friday
8:30 – 4:30 PM.
Last Day to request an Absentee Ballot for the Preliminary, Monday, September 25th, 12:00 PM
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III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE
Appointments Committee
Oral Report
Meeting of September 19, 2023
New Appointment:
Conservation Commission
(Term to expire September 1, 2026)
Sean-Michael Tantinarawat
New Appointments:
Board of License Commissioners
(Term to expire January 1, 2026)
Glenn Fossa
New Appointments:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire October 1, 2026)
Georgie Rodriguez
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2024)
Dan H. Mylott
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2025)
Joanne Huse
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2026)
Alice E. Hillman
Re-Appointment:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire May 1, 2026)
Dr. Maritza Knight
Re-Appointment:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire January 1, 2025)
Cheryl Maguy-Stewart
Report accepted. Appointment confirmed by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board
consists of 11 members.
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IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
The Committee on records reported the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 5, 2023
were correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11
members present. Board consist of 11 members.
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V. COMMUNICATION
Ethier St.
Ethier Street Memorandum of the Planning Board
City Property Minutes
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.
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XI. ORDERS – FINANCE
Motion and second for suspension of rules on Orders 223-23 and 224-23 by roll call vote of 11 in
favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members.
223-23. 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 Training Grant in the approximate amount of
$88,026.65 (EIGHTY-EIGHT THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX and 65/100
DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to train Fire Department
dispatchers in Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures, and Police Department
dispatchers in 911 Emergency procedures.
Order 223-23 was adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consist of 11
members.
Order signed by Mayor on September 20, 2023
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224-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds
from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Festivals & Projects grant in the
approximate amount of $2,500 (TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS)
for the purpose of said grant, which is to support the Fitchburg Parks and
Recreation Department’s Summer 2023 Concerts in the Common series.
Order 224-23 was adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consist of 11
members.
Order signed by Mayor on September 20, 2023
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VII. RESOLUTION
046-23. RESOLUTION: A resolution by Councilor Marcus DiNatale seeking a vote of no
confidence in curbside collection service provider Waste Management. The
resolution states as follows as outlined in the enclosed Resolution.
Move Order 046-23 along with Order 187-23 to Council as a Whole so Waste Management can
Participate by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members.
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VIII. PETITION
The following petition was referred to Public Works:
225-23. Andrew Couture on behalf of Evan Halstead to install more street light on Sheldon
Road at and around 455 Sheldon Road on the east side of the road.
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IX. OTHER BUSINESS
Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 7:00 PM
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 P.M.
___________________________________
Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk
Agenda
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Sep 14 2023 2:33 pm
WELCOME TO THE FITCHBURG CITY COUNCIL
September 19, 2023
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 city of residence.
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 Councilor 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 by 12:00 PM (noon) on the day of meeting.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE
Appointments Committee
Oral Report
Meeting of September 19, 2023
New Appointment:
Conservation Commission
(Term to expire September 1, 2026)
Sean-Michael Tantinarawat
New Appointments:
Board of License Commissioners
(Term to expire May 1, 2026)
Glenn Fossa
New Appointments:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire October 1, 2026)
Georgie Rodriguez
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2024)
Dan H. Mylott
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2025)
Joanne Huse
Re-Appointment:
Board of Registrars of Voters
(Term to expire April 1, 2026)
Alice E. Hillman
Re-Appointment:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire May 1, 2026)
Dr. Maritza Knight
Page 1
Re-Appointment:
Human Rights Commission
(Term to expire January 1, 2025)
Cheryl Maguy-Stewart
IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
V. COMMUNICATION
Ethier St.
Ethier Street Memorandum of the Planning Board
City Property Minutes
VI. ORDERS – FINANCE
223-23. 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 Training Grant in the approximate amount of $88,026.65
(EIGHTY-EIGHT THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX and 65/100 DOLLARS) for the
purpose of said grant, which is to train Fire Department dispatchers in Emergency
Medical Dispatch procedures, and Police Department dispatchers in 911 Emergency
procedures.
(Refer Finance)
224-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from
the Massachusetts Cultural Council Festivals & Projects grant in the approximate
amount of $2,500 (TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS) for the
purpose of said grant, which is to support the Fitchburg Parks and Recreation
Department’s Summer 2023 Concerts in the Common series.
(Refer Finance)
VII. RESOLUTION
046-23. RESOLUTION: A resolution by Councilor Marcus DiNatale seeking a vote of no
confidence in curbside collection service provider Waste Management. The resolution
states as follows as outlined in the enclosed Resolution.
VIII. PETITION
225-23. Andrew Couture on behalf of Evan Halstead to install more street light on Sheldon
Road at and around 455 Sheldon Road on the east side of the road.
(Refer Public Safety)
IX. OTHER BUSINESS
Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 7:00 PM
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