City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK May 22 2024 4:05 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 L. Green Vice President 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 Special 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 May 13, 2024. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:40 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Fleming. The City Clerk called the roll 10 Councilors were present Councilor Cruz was absent. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM No one from the public provided any comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Finance Committee Meeting of May 8, 2024 Oral Report 101-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS ($233,800) from COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – CONSTRUCTION to COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – TWIN CITIES RAIL TRAIL PHASE II for the purpose of acquiring rights of way to complete Phase II of the Twin Cities Rail Trail project. (Be Adopted) 102-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($60,000) from CEMETERY - PERPETUAL CARE to CEMETERY – CAPITAL REPAIRS to mitigate water issues in Section Q and the memorial garden areas, and help with preparation for a new columbaria unit. (Be Adopted) 103-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($4,487) from VETERANS BENEFITS – Cash Benefits to VETERANS EXPENSES – Office Expense. (Be Adopted) 104-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED TWELVE DOLLARS ($1,612) from VETERANS BENEFITS – Cash Benefits to VETERANS PERSONAL SERVIES – Clerical. (Be Adopted) 105-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000) from FIRE DEPT – PERSONAL SERVICES - MECHANICS to FIRE DEPT – EQUIPMENT & REPAIR – AUTO REPAIR. (Be Adopted) 106-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY-TWO AND 37/100 DOLLARS ($1,803,292.37) crediting RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, and charging the following ARPA accounts: Unappropriated Available Funds $1,190,534.11 COVID Test/Trace/Vaccinate $312,758.26 Rental Repair Program $250,000.00 Storefront Activation $50,000.00 (Be Adopted) 107-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR THOUSAND ($164,000) from PARKS DEPARTMENT CAPITAL crediting RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES. (Leave to Withdraw 4-1) 108-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND ($1,400,000) from FIRE DEPT – VEHICLE REPLACEMENT to RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES. (Be Adopted) Report read accepted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by Mayor May 15, 2024 100-24. LOAN ORDER: that ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,400,000) is appropriated for purchasing and equipping an aerial ladder truck for the Fitchburg Fire Department, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $1,400,000 under G.L. c.44, §7(1) or any other enabling authority; that the Mayor is authorized to contract for and expend any federal or state aid available for the project; that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project; and that 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. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted. Loan Order sent to a first and second reading by roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. XII. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:45 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk