City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 24 2024 3:33 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 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 May 21, 2024. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:12 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Green. The City Clerk called the roll 9 Councilors were present (Cragin and Cruz were absent). Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM No one from the public provided any comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, May 30, 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. The first monthly meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Avenue, will take place on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. in the Card Room. Bonnie Shayler and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting. This initial monthly meeting at the Fitchburg Senior Center of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group is an additional regular meeting of the group. The Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will continue to meet every other Thursday at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center unless otherwise noted. The Fitchburg Health Department, in partnership with the UMass Chan Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency Program and UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital’s Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center, is hosting a free skin cancer screening on Thursday, May 23, 2024 4:30PM - 6:15PM at Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center, 275 Nichols Road, Fitchburg. A flyer with additional information is attached. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of May 21, 2024 New Appointment: Fitchburg Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds (Term to expire January 19, 2027) Jonathan Thompson New Appointment: Fitchburg Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds (Term to expire January 16, 2025) Josiah W. Richards New Appointment: Fitchburg Housing Authority Board (Term to expire May 1, 2029) Janice M. Spellane New Appointment: Fitchburg Council on Aging (Term to expire May 1, 2027) Anne Fitch New Appointment: Fitchburg Council on Aging (Term to expire May 1, 2027) Rose D’Alessio New Appointment: Fitchburg Council on Aging (Term to expire May 1, 2027) Eleanor Zichelle New Appointment: Fitchburg Board of Registrars (Term to expire April 1, 2027) Elmer Eubanks-Archbold New Appointment: Fitchburg Agricultural Commission (Term to expire April 1, 2025) Dominic Iacopino New Appointment: Fitchburg Conservation Commission (Term to expire May 1, 2027) Brad Joseph Pelletier New Appointment: Fitchburg Conservation Commission (Term to expire May 1, 2027) Kathryn D. Wallace Re-Appointment Fitchburg Board of License Commissioners (Term to expire May 1, 2030) Richard Boscardin Re-Appointment Fitchburg Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds (Term to expire January 20, 2026) Sophia Bogdasarian Motion and second to accept all appointments except the new appointment of Jonathan Thompson, Josiah W. Richards and the re-appointment of Sophia Bogdasarian to the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to accept the appointment of Jonathan Thompson by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to accept the appointment of Josiah W. Richards by a vote of 6 in favor and 3 Opposed (Couture, DiNatale, and Fleming). 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to accept the re-appointment of Sophia Bogdasarian 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 May 7, 2024 Regular City Council meeting and May 13, 2024 Special City Council meeting were correctly recorded. Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. COMMUNICATION From Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Michaela E. Horn, as Treasurer / Tax Collector in Training, effective June 5, 2024, followed by official appointment as Treasurer / Tax Collector on June 22, 2024, for a term to expire June 22, 2027. 2. New-Appointment letter: Special Police Officer for the City of Fitchburg James R. Arciprete Appointments stand referred to the Appointments Committee. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Promotion Letter 1. Promotion letter: Provisional Deputy Fire Chief Patrick J. Roy to Permanent Deputy Fire Chief. 2. Promotion letter: Provisional Deputy Fire Chief Patrick G. Haverty to Permanent Deputy Fire Chief. Promotions were read and filed in the City Clerk’s Office. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. ORDERS – FINANCE The following Orders were referred to the Finance Committee: 109-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the Executive Office of Health & Human Services Public Health Excellence Grant for FY25-FY27 in the approximate amount of ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY- NINE AND 40/100 DOLLARS ($1,667,339.40). The funding will improve public health systems and support staffing for the Montachusett Public Health Network of 13 communities to expand on shared services. 110-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the Department of Public Health Infectious Disease Investigation and Response Grant for FY25-FY26 in the approximate amount of THREE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($360,000) to support services in all 13 communities of the Montachusett Public Health Network (MPHN) including Disease Investigators and a Disease Resource Officer. 111-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the UMass Memorial Health Determination of Need (DoN) Grant in the approximate amount of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000). The funds will support efforts in a collaboration to provide free medical services to the underinsured, uninsured, in the City of Fitchburg. 112-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from Waste Management in the approximate amount of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000). This Betterment reimbursement grant will support efforts to improve and add trash receptacles on Main Street, and other areas if funds allow. 113-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the transfer of EIGHTY- FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($85,000) from POLICE PERSONAL SERVICES - Patrol to the following accounts: POLICE PERSONAL SVCS – Overtime $30,000 POLICE EQUP & REPAIR – Auto Repair $25,000 POLICE MNTC OF BUILDING – Bldg Repair $30,000 114-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000) from WATER ENTERPRISE - RETAINED EARNINGS to WATER ENTERPRISE – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, for completion of upgrades to the Pump Station serving the Montachusett Industrial Park. 115-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($70,000) to WATER ENTERPRISE – OVERTIME from the following WATER ENTERPRISE accounts: RETAINED EARNINGS $35,000 PERSONAL SVCS – Sick/Pers Buyback $15,000 PERSONAL SVCS – Summer Help $20,000 116-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($90,000) from WASTEWATER EAST PERSONAL SERVICES – Operators to WASTEWATER EAST – Overtime. 117-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds distributed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Disaster Relief Fund in the approximate amount of ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,140,000). This supplemental budget award will be used to repair damage caused by the severe flooding experienced citywide on July 16, 2023. 118-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINE AND 20/100 DOLLARS ($6,589.20) 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. 119-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the MEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($187,500). The funding will support the evaluation of the flooding problems in the downtown Urban Revitalization Area, and provide recommended measures to reduce flooding. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing 120-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO DOLLARS ($48,782) from SNOW & ICE – PLOW & Blades to SNOW & ICE – Overtime 121-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the total sum of THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($370,000) within various accounts as follows: From: DPW ADMIN/ENG P.S. – Public Works Inspector $ 40,000 DPW ADMIN/ENG P.S. – Civil Engineer $ 30,000 DPW ADMIN/ENG P.S. – Engineer II $ 50,000 DPW STREETS P.S. – Labor $250,000 To: DPW STREETS P.S. – Overtime $ 16,000 DPW STREETS EXP – Electricity $ 10,000 DPW STREETS EXP – Motor Vehicle Repairs $ 90,000 DPW STREETS EXP – Pothole Repair Supplies $ 30,000 DPW STREETLIGHTS – Streetlight Maintenance $ 81,000 DPW STREETLIGHTS – Electricity $ 50,000 DPW CAPITAL – Equipment $ 47,000 DPW CAPITAL – Building Renovation $ 46,000 122-24. ORDER THAT: the sum of NINE THOUSAND THIRTY-FOUR DOLLARS ($9,034) be appropriated , same to be credited to Parks and Playgrounds and charged as follows: CDBG Year 50 Administration $6,033 CDBG Year 50 Block Grant $3,001 123-24. ORDER THAT: the sum of THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE DOLLARS ($3,651) be transferred from CDBG YEAR 47 ADA Parking Improvements to CDBG YEAR 50 Sidewalk Accessibility. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. BUDGET ORDERS-FY 2025 The following Budget Orders were referred to the Council as a Whole Committee: 124-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget: General Fund $169,788,795 Water Enterprise $8,396,998 Wastewater Enterprise $17,655,832 Airport Fund $1,084,715 125-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000), same to be credited to the Fiscal Year 2025 TAX LEVY and charged against OVERLAY SURPLUS. 126-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,200,000), same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to the Fiscal Year 2025 TAX LEVY in order to reduce the tax rate. 127-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THREE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY-TWO AND 37/100 DOLLARS ($3,203,292.37), same to be charged against RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES and credited to the Fiscal Year 2025 TAX LEVY in order to reduce the tax rate. 128-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($80,000), same to be charged against PARKING METER/GARAGE RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 accounts as follows: Treasurer Personal Services $ 20,000 Treasurer Expenses $ 60,000 129-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000), same to be charged against PEG ACCESS AND CABLE RELATED FUND RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 accounts as follows: Information Technology - PEG Expenses $25,000 Information Technology - PEG Capital $25,000 130-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000), same to be charged against CEMETERY SALE OF LOTS AND GRAVES and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 CEMETERY PERSONAL SERVICES. 131-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of EIGHT MILLION THREE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY- EIGHT DOLLARS ($8,396,998) same to be charged against WATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 Water Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $2,318,468 Expenses $2,180,500 Indirect Costs $1,410,000 Debt Service $1,988,030 Capital Expenses $ 500,000 132-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVENTEEN MILLION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS ($17,655,832), charging $15,240,002 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and $2,415,830 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RETAINED EARNINGS, and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 Wastewater Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $2,932,460 Expenses $5,179,584 Indirect Costs $1,510,000 Debt Service $6,329,788 Capital Expenses $1,704,000 133-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($1,084,715) same to be charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $ 359,955 Expenses $ 724,760 134-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the following Revolving Funds, authorized by City Ordinance, up to the amount available in the fund or $100,000 (except Public Health Sustainability which shall have a FY2025 limit of $750,000), whichever is less: Revolving Fund Authorized Official Animal Control Police Chief Civic Days Mayor or Mayor’s Designee, Recreation Director Communication Tower & Equipment Fire Chief Community Development Community Development Director or Designee Demolition Community Development Director or Designee Public Cemetery Cemetery Superintendent, Public Works Commissioner Public Health Sustainability Public Health Director Public Library Library Trustees, Chief Librarian Traffic Enforcement Police Chief Traffic Safety Equipment Police Chief Senior Center Activities Executive Director of the Council on Aging Sidewalk Public Works Commissioner Stormwater Maintenance Public Works Commissioner Motion and second on Budget Orders 124-24 through 134-24 to refer to Council as a Whole meetings on May 22, 2024, May 23, 2024 and May 30, 2024 by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VIII. ORDERS – OTHER The following Order was referred to City Property: 135-24. ORDER THAT: Whereas, a certain utility easement is needed to provide fire suppression for the structure located at 305 Main Street. NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the City of Fitchburg upon a vote of the City Council in accordance with G.L. c. 40 sec. 15, shall authorize the Mayor, Samantha M. Squailia, approve and authorize the execution and delivery of the attached utility easement document in the current or substantially similar form and to authorize all other ats and documents which may be necessary, helpful or convenient to effectuate and ensure the execution of said easement. (Referred City Property) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. ORDINANCE 136-24. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg, as most recently amended, by adding thereto the following Grade assignments as outlined in the enclosed Ordinance. (Referred Legislative Affairs) Motion and second for suspension of rules to refer to Council as a Whole meeting on May 30, 2024 by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. OTHER BUSINESS Next Council as a Whole Meeting Wednesday, May 22, 2024, immediately following the Finance Committee meeting at 6:00 PM Next Council as a Whole Meeting Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM Next Council as a Whole Meeting Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 6:00 PM Special City Council meeting immediately after Council as a Whole Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk