City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jul 03 2024 9:31 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 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 June 18, 2024. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:01 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Couture. The City Clerk called the roll 10 Councilors were present (Councilor DiNatale absent). Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM Jacquelyn Wehtje, Fitchburg resident, spoke on item IV, opposed on TIE agreements. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, June 27, 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 City of Fitchburg has been approved for a grant that allows us to greatly subsidize the cost of backyard composting bins. These bins are great for anyone with a garden, or even those with indoor plants. Backyard composting is a great way to help alleviate the waste going to our quickly filling landfills, while providing a nutrient rich fertilizer for home plantings. The bins are made of recycled plastics, and have easy to read assembly instructions that are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. You must be a resident of Fitchburg to qualify and there is a limit of two per household. Compost bin pickups will be at City Hall, and will be arranged during the months of June and July. You will receive an email notifying you when they are available along with the pickup dates. If there are any questions they can be referred to Sean-Michael or Jean Francois at the Board of Health. BoardOfHealth@fitchburgma.gov or 978-829-1870. The Fitchburg Community Lions Club, will be collecting eyeglasses at the Civic Days Block Party. The goal is to distribute 500 pairs of repurposed glasses to those with low vision. The table and collection site will be located next to the library from July 3, 2024 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Councilor Couture, will be hosting a Ward 3 Meeting, June 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. SPECIAL PRESENTATION SBA Disaster Program SBA Disaster Program Fact Sheet SBA Disaster Program Fact Sheet Spanish Disaster Loans for homeowners and renters handout ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Economic Development Meeting of June 18, 2024 Oral Report Liz Murphy, Executive Director of Community Development & Planning to discuss TIE Agreements: 1. 280-288 Main St.- CMK Development, (together with 326-344 Main St, 80 units) (Approved) 2. 326-344 Main St.- CMK Development, (together with Main St, 280-288 80 units) (Leave to Withdraw) 3. 329-335 Main St.- PProps Development 8 units (Approved) 4. 347-355 Main St.-Watch Us Grow, 8 units (Approved) 5. 633-639 Main St.- Prime Real Estate Investment, 16 units (Approved) 6. 87 River St., - IV J Group (Approved) 7. 89 River St., - IV J Group (Approved) 8. 91 River St., - IVJ Group (Approved) Motion and second to approve the report and recommendations of the Economic Development Committee by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance Committee Meeting of June 12, 2024 Oral Report 137-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the total sum of THIRTY- THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED ONE DOLLARS ($33,201) to LAW EXPENSES – City Solicitor from the following accounts: LAW PERSONAL SERVICES – Dept Head $ 2,871 LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Code Enforcement $ 600 LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Damages Persons & Property $10,000 LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Litigation/Special Counsel $ 9,730 LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Labor Negotiator $10,000 (Be Adopted 4-1) Motion and second to accept and adopt Order 137-24 by roll call vote of 7 in favor and 3 opposed (Couture, Fleming, Green). 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor June 27, 2024. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 138-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, in the approximate amount of THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($38,360), awarded to the city Summer Recreation Program from the DESE After School and Out of School Time Program Grant. (Be Adopted) 139-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, in the approximate amount of TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($12,000), for the purpose of assisting businesses with signs and awnings. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted with the exclusion of Order 137-24. Motion and second to approve and adopt Orders 138-24 and 139-24 by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor June 27, 2024. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. ORDER The following Order stands referred to Finance Committee: 144-24. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from MassDOT Aeronautics in the approximate amount of EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY DOLLARS ($821,730) for the purpose of grooving the 32/14 runway. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VI. PETITIONS The following petitions stand referred to Public Safety Committee: 142-24. Rayco Motors, to petition for a Class II Dealer’s License located at 447 Water St. Fitchburg, MA 01420. (Public Safety) 143-24. Paulino Auto Group, to petition for a Class II Dealer’s License located at 347 Lunenburg St. Fitchburg, MA 01420. (Public Safety) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk