City Council
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · April 2, 2024
Minutes
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Apr 24 2024 1:09 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 L. Green
Andrew J. Van Hazinga Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga
Elizabeth R. Walsh 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 April 2, 2024.
The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:07 P.M. The meeting opened with a
salute to the Flag led by Councilor Cruz. The City Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were present.
Board consists of 11 members.
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I. PUBLIC FORUM
No one from the public provided any comments.
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II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Schultz: The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take
place on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 4 until 5:30 p.m. in Room 205 at the Fitchburg State
University Recreation Center, 130 North Street. Kelley Lynn and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate
the meeting.
Fitchburg Ward 1 City Councilor Bernie Schultz is hosting a Ward 1 Community Meeting on
Monday, April 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. right here in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street.
Council on Aging Executive Director Amanda Koeck and Commissioner of Public Works & City
Engineer Nick Erickson will make presentations, and then answer questions following their
presentations. In addition to Fitchburg Ward 1 residents, all other Fitchburg residents are welcome
to attend the meeting.
Love your Pets festival at Crocker playground, Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, there
will vendors, therapy pets, food trucks, pet massage workshop, and kids crafts and more.
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III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE
There is no report of the Appointments Committee at this time.
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III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
The Committee on records reported the minutes of March 19, 2024 City Council meeting were
correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members
present. Board consists of 11 members.
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V. COMMUNICATION
From Her Honor the Mayor
1. Appointment letter:
James P. McNamara, as a member of the Fitchburg Board of Registrars, for a term to
expire April 1, 2027.
Appointment stands referred to the Appointments Committee.
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VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES
City Property Committee
Meeting of March 26, 2024
Oral Report
005-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg shall, through its Mayor Samantha M.
Squailia, approve and authorize the execution of a Conservation Easement
Agreement in form substantially similar to that attached hereto and authorize all
other acts which will be necessary, helpful or convenient thereto, in order to
effectuate the Zoning Board decision of September 27, 2023 as recorded in the
Worcester North Registry of Deeds at Book 10655, Page 369.
1341 Rindge Road Easement
(Be Adopted as amended)
Report read and accepted. Order adopted as amended by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members
present. Board consists of 11 members.
Order signed by the Mayor April 4, 2024
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Finance Committee
Meeting of March 27, 2024
Oral Report
086-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THIRTEEN
THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS ($13,390) same to be
charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to AIRPORT
IMPROVEMENTS.
(Be Adopted)
087-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVEN
HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($710,000) from
AVAILABLE FUNDS to credit SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - SCHOOL
EXPENSES.
(Be Adopted)
Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board
consists of 11 members.
Orders signed by the Mayor April 4, 2024
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Public Safety Committee
Meeting of April 2, 2024
Oral Report
195-23. Councilor Fleming on behalf of several residents, employee's 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 Granted)
203-23. Remove the current no parking area on the east side of Snow St. (Snow Street East
from Cherry Street to opposite Union Street) and replacing it with time limit
parking (Two Hour Parking) to add ten new parking spots.
(Be Granted)
044-24. Marisa Fleming on behalf of Maritza Rivera of 478 Pearl St to install a blind
driveway sign. This is to ensure oncoming vehicles traveling in both directions of
Pearl St are aware of this hidden driveway. To also change the thru way between
the monument and the house from a two way street to a one way street entering one
way from Pearl St to Townsend St.
(Given Leave to Withdraw)
045-24. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Beth Walsh, on behalf of Lisa Bailey, to install
additional stop signs at the intersection of Billings Road and Arn-How Farm Road,
to make the intersection of Billings Road and Arn-How Farm Road a 3-way stop.
(Given Leave to Withdraw)
Report read and accepted. Petitions 195-23 and 203-23 granted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11
members present. Board consists of 11 members.
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Public Works Committee
Meeting of March 26, 2024
Oral Report
079-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Orlando Jimenez of 507 Water Street,
to request removal of dying trees on Lancaster Street located above his home.
(Be Granted)
083-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of The Church of God Pentecostal M.I. at
276 Water Street, to request installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
(RRFBs) at the 276 Water Street crosswalk.
(Be Granted)
084-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Pam Lawrence of 566 Milk Street and
Rosemary Reynolds of 570 Milk Street, to request removal of tree stumps from
recently cut down city trees, one tree stump in front of 566 Milk Street and the
second tree stump in front of 570 Milk Street, and to also include sidewalk repair
once the two tree stumps are removed.
(Be Granted)
256-23. Andrew Couture on behalf of Brian Rufiange to request a berm to be placed from
the intersection of Oak Hill to the storm drain just past 394 Franklin Rd.
(Be Held)
Report read and accepted. Petitions 079-24, 083-24 and 084-24 granted by unanimous consent
11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members.
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VII. ORDERS – FINANCE
088-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant
funds from the Department of Fire Services Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in
the approximate amount of TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED
FORTY DOLLARS ($24,840) for the purpose of purchasing an accountability
board/mobile command console, scene lighting, a rescue boat, and lifting air bags.
089-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION
NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,900,000) from
AVAILABLE FUNDS to credit EMPLOYEE BENEFITS – HEALTH
INSURANCE.
090-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THREE
HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY AND
00/100 DOLLARS ($322,430) from AVAILABLE FUNDS to credit SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT - TRANSPORTATION.
Orders 088-24 through 090-24 stand referred to Finance Committee.
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VIII. ORDINANCE
078-24. AN ORDINANCE: Article 2 § 169-58 entitled Violations and Penalties be amended
as follows (bold and underline is new language and cross through is omitted
language):
B. Pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 20A 1/2, any person violating any
provision of any rule, regulation, order or ordinance regulating the parking of motor
vehicles shall be punished by a fine for each offense as hereinafter set forth:
(1) Group A, $300.
(a) 01. Handicapped parking.
(b) 02. Blocking a wheelchair ramp.
(2) Group B, $30. (2) Group B, $100.
(a.1) 03. Parking ban/snow emergency.
(a) 03. Tow zone — no parking area.
(b) 04. Within 10 feet of a hydrant.
(c) 05. Double-parking.
(d) 06. Within an intersection.
(e) 07. Less than 10 feet from an unobstructed way.
(f) 08. Fire lane.
(g) 09. Within five feet of a driveway or alley.
(h) 10. Within 20 feet of an intersecting way.
(3) Group C, $30.
(a) 04. Tow zone — no parking area.
(b) 05. Within 10 feet of a hydrant.
(c) 06. Double-parking.
(d) 07. Within an intersection.
(e) 08. Less than 10 feet from an unobstructed way.
(f) 09. Fire lane.
(g) 10. Within five feet of a driveway or alley.
(h) 11. Within 20 feet of an intersecting way.
(a) 11 (i) 12. All-night parking.
(a.1) 11.1. Parking ban/snow emergency.
[Added 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 076-2015]
(b) 12 (j) 13. Right wheels not at curb.
(c) 13 (k) 14. Wheels more than one foot from curb.
(d) 14 (l) 15. On a sidewalk.
(e) 15 (m) 16. On a crosswalk.
(f) 16 (n) 17. No parking area.
(g) 17 (o) 18. Within a bus stop.
(h) 18 (p) 19. Ten-hour meter violation.
(i) 18.1 (q) 19.1. Parking of nonmotorized vehicle or trailer.
(4) Group D, $15.
(a) 19. Within a loading zone or taxi stand.
(b) 20. Meter violation.
(c) 21. Overtime parking.
(Third and Final Reading)
Ordinance was sent to a final reading, ordained, and ordered advertised by roll call vote of 9 in
favor and 2 opposed (Councilor Cruz and DiNatale). 11 members present. Board consists of 11
members.
Ordinance was signed by the Mayor April 4, 2024.
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XI. PETITIONS
The following petition was referred to the Public Works Committee:
091-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Milk Street residents, to connect
existing sections of sidewalk on one side of Milk Street from the corner of Electric
Avenue to Ellis Street (sidewalk side to be chosen by Department of Public Works)
to help school children walking to the bus stop at the corner of Electric Avenue and
Milk Street.
(Refer to Public Works)
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The following petition was referred to Legislative Affairs Committee:
092-24. Pursuant to M.G.L. 64G §3A, amend the City of Fitchburg local room occupancy
excise to the rate of SIX PERCENT (6%).
(Refer to Legislative Affairs)
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X. OTHER BUSINESS
051-24. LOAN ORDER: the sum of Thirty Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($39,500,000) be and hereby is appropriated to pay the cost of various sewer
separation projects including, but not limited to, sewer separation project CSO 032,
045 and 083 Separation/Rehabilitation; and that to meet this appropriation, the City
Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow all or part of said
amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7(1) or 8(14), from the
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C, or pursuant
to any other enabling authority, to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor, and to
file or execute all necessary documents with the Municipal Finance Oversight
Board to qualify such bonds under M.G.L. Chapter 44A; and that the Mayor or
other relevant City official is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement
with the Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for
the project and to take any other action necessary to carry out the project.
(Re-Vote on and sent to a first reading)
Motion and second to send Loan Order to a first and second reading by roll call vote of 11 in favor
and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members.
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Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 P.M.
___________________________________
Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk
Agenda
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Mar 29 2024 3:07 pm
WELCOME TO THE FITCHBURG CITY COUNCIL
April 2, 2024
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
There is no report of the Appointments Committee at this time.
IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
V. COMMUNICATION
From Her Honor the Mayor
1. Appointment letter:
James P. McNamara, as a member of the Fitchburg Board of Registrars, for a term to expire
April 1, 2027.
VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES
City Property Committee
Meeting of March 26, 2024
Oral Report
005-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg shall, through its Mayor Samantha M. Squailia,
approve and authorize the execution of a Conservation Easement Agreement in form
substantially similar to that attached hereto and authorize all other acts which will be
necessary, helpful or convenient thereto, in order to effectuate the Zoning Board
decision of September 27, 2023 as recorded in the Worcester North Registry of Deeds
at Book 10655, Page 369.
1341 Rindge Road Easement
(Be Adopted as amended)
Finance Committee
Meeting of March 27, 2024
Oral Report
086-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THIRTEEN
THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS ($13,390) same to be
charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to AIRPORT
IMPROVEMENTS.
(Be Adopted)
087-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED
TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($710,000) from AVAILABLE FUNDS
to credit SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - SCHOOL EXPENSES.
(Be Adopted)
Page 1
Public Safety Committee
Meeting of April 2, 2024
Oral Report
195-23. Councilor Fleming on behalf of several residents, employee's 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.
203-23. Remove the current no parking area on the east side of Snow St. (Snow Street East
from Cherry Street to opposite Union Street) and replacing it with time limit parking
(Two Hour Parking) to add ten new parking spots.
044-24. Marisa Fleming on behalf of Maritza Rivera of 478 Pearl St to install a blind
driveway sign. This is to ensure oncoming vehicles traveling in both directions of
Pearl St are aware of this hidden driveway. To also change the thru way between the
monument and the house from a two way street to a one way street entering one way
from Pearl St to Townsend St.
045-24. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Beth Walsh, on behalf of Lisa Bailey, to install
additional stop signs at the intersection of Billings Road and Arn-How Farm Road, to
make the intersection of Billings Road and Arn-How Farm Road a 3-way stop.
Public Works Committee
Meeting of March 26, 2024
Oral Report
079-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Orlando Jimenez of 507 Water Street, to
request removal of dying trees on Lancaster Street located above his home.
(Be Granted)
083-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of The Church of God Pentecostal M.I. at
276 Water Street, to request installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
(RRFBs) at the 276 Water Street crosswalk.
(Be Granted)
084-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Pam Lawrence of 566 Milk Street and
Rosemary Reynolds of 570 Milk Street, to request removal of tree stumps from
recently cut down city trees, one tree stump in front of 566 Milk Street and the second
tree stump in front of 570 Milk Street, and to also include sidewalk repair once the
two tree stumps are removed.
(Be Granted)
256-23. Andrew Couture on behalf of Brian Rufiange to request a berm to be placed from the
intersection of Oak Hill to the storm drain just past 394 Franklin Rd.
(Be Held)
Page 2
VII. ORDERS – FINANCE
088-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds
from the Department of Fire Services Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the
approximate amount of TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY
DOLLARS ($24,840) for the purpose of purchasing an accountability board/mobile
command console, scene lighting, a rescue boat, and lifting air bags.
089-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION
NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,900,000) from
AVAILABLE FUNDS to credit EMPLOYEE BENEFITS – HEALTH
INSURANCE.
090-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THREE HUNDRED
TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY AND 00/100
DOLLARS ($322,430) from AVAILABLE FUNDS to credit SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT - TRANSPORTATION.
VIII. ORDINANCE
078-24. AN ORDINANCE: Article 2 § 169-58 entitled Violations and Penalties be amended
as follows (bold and underline is new language and cross through is omitted
language):
B. Pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 20A 1/2, any person violating any
provision of any rule, regulation, order or ordinance regulating the parking of motor
vehicles shall be punished by a fine for each offense as hereinafter set forth:
(1) Group A, $300.
(a) 01. Handicapped parking.
(b) 02. Blocking a wheelchair ramp.
(2) Group B, $30. (2) Group B, $100.
(a.1) 03. Parking ban/snow emergency.
(a) 03. Tow zone — no parking area.
(b) 04. Within 10 feet of a hydrant.
(c) 05. Double-parking.
(d) 06. Within an intersection.
(e) 07. Less than 10 feet from an unobstructed way.
(f) 08. Fire lane.
(g) 09. Within five feet of a driveway or alley.
(h) 10. Within 20 feet of an intersecting way.
(3) Group C, $30.
(a) 04. Tow zone — no parking area.
(b) 05. Within 10 feet of a hydrant.
(c) 06. Double-parking.
(d) 07. Within an intersection.
(e) 08. Less than 10 feet from an unobstructed way.
(f) 09. Fire lane.
(g) 10. Within five feet of a driveway or alley.
(h) 11. Within 20 feet of an intersecting way.
(a) 11 (i) 12. All-night parking.
(a.1) 11.1. Parking ban/snow emergency.
[Added 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 076-2015]
Page 3
(b) 12 (j) 13. Right wheels not at curb.
(c) 13 (k) 14. Wheels more than one foot from curb.
(d) 14 (l) 15. On a sidewalk.
(e) 15 (m) 16. On a crosswalk.
(f) 16 (n) 17. No parking area.
(g) 17 (o) 18. Within a bus stop.
(h) 18 (p) 19. Ten-hour meter violation.
(i) 18.1 (q) 19.1. Parking of nonmotorized vehicle or trailer.
(4) Group D, $15.
(a) 19. Within a loading zone or taxi stand.
(b) 20. Meter violation.
(c) 21. Overtime parking.
(Third and Final Reading)
XI. PETITIONS
091-24. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Milk Street residents, to connect existing
sections of sidewalk on one side of Milk Street from the corner of Electric Avenue to
Ellis Street (sidewalk side to be chosen by Department of Public Works) to help
school children walking to the bus stop at the corner of Electric Avenue and Milk
Street.
(Refer to Public Works)
092-24. Pursuant to M.G.L. 64G §3A, amend the City of Fitchburg local room occupancy excise
to the rate of SIX PERCENT (6%).
(Refer to Legislative Affairs)
X. OTHER BUSINESS
051-24. LOAN ORDER: the sum of Thirty Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($39,500,000) be and hereby is appropriated to pay the cost of various sewer
separation projects including, but not limited to, sewer separation project CSO 032,
045 and 083 Separation/Rehabilitation; and that to meet this appropriation, the City
Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow all or part of said
amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7(1) or 8(14), from the
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C, or pursuant to
any other enabling authority, to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor, and to file or
execute all necessary documents with the Municipal Finance Oversight Board to
qualify such bonds under M.G.L. Chapter 44A; and that the Mayor or other relevant
City official is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the
Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for the project
and to take any other action necessary to carry out the project.
(Re-Vote on and sent to a first reading)
Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM
Page 4
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