City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Sep 09 2024 11:19 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 July 16, 2024. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:14 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Fleming. Principal Clerk Lilian Suarez called the roll of Councilors 8 were present (Councilors Cragin, DiNatale and Walsh absent). Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM No one from the public provided any comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next four meetings of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group. On Monday, July 22, 2024, a meeting will take place from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Room of the Fitchburg Senior Center. Bonnie Shayler and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting. On Thursday, July 25, Thursday, August 8, and Thursday, August 22, 2024, a meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place 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 meetings at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center. Councilor Couture, will be hosting a Ward 3 Meeting, July 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of July 16, 2024 New Appointments: Special Police Officers The following eleven Fitchburg State University Police Officers as Special Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg: Sergeant Andrew Himmer Sergeant Maxwell Summer Police Officer Timothy Stewart Police Officer Patrick Spooner Police Officer Dylan Soldi Police Officer Andrew Morris Police Officer Ryan McCarthy Police Officer Toros Matellian Police Officer Grace Kerr Police Officer Steven Ingman Police Officer Michael Chesson New Appointments: Poll Workers For the period of September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2025. (To be sworn in during training sessions) New Appointment: Trustees of Public Burial Grounds (Term to expire August 1, 2027) James P. McNamara Motion and second to accept all appointments except the new appointments for the Poll Workers by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present board consists of 11 members. Councilor Van Hazinga recused himself 7:20 PM Motion and second to accept the Poll Workers Appointments by unanimous consent 7/0. 7 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Councilor Van Hazinga returned at 7:24pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS (July 2, 2024) Report accepted and minutes adopted as amended by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  V. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of July 10, 2024 Oral Report 145-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000), same to be charged to MAYOR PERSONAL SERVICES – Assistant Department Head, and credited to: MAYOR EXPENSES – Office Supplies $400 MAYOR EXPENSES – Travel & Meetings $600 (Be Adopted) 146-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY- SEVEN and 81/100 DOLLARS ($15,887.81), same to be credited to ELECTION & REGISTRATION EXPENSE – Street Listing, from the following accounts: CITY CLERK PERSONAL SERVICES – Clerical $ 4,591.04 ELECTION & REGISTRATION P.S. – Election Workers $11,296.77 (Be Adopted) 147-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000) same to be charged to FACILITIES PERSONAL SERVICES – Dept Head and credited to FACILITIES PERSONAL SERVICES – Overtime. (Be Adopted) 148-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000), same to be charged to FIRE PERSONAL SERVICES – Incentives, and credited to FIRE BUILDING MAINTENANCE – Electricity. (Be Adopted) 149-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS ($6,000), same to be charged to BUILDING PERSONAL SERVICES – Assistant Inspectors, and credited to BUILDING PERSONAL SERVICES – Overtime. (Be Adopted) 150-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($120,000) to DPW CAPITAL – EQUIPMENT from the following accounts: DPW ADMIN/ENG P.S. – MS4 Temporary Labor $ 9,000 DPW STREETS P.S. – Summer Help $31,000 DPW STREETS P.S. – Labor $80,000 (Be Adopted) 151-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000) to PARKS EXPENSE – PLAYGROUND SAFETY WOOD FIBER from the following accounts: PARKS PERSONAL SERVICES – Labor $20,000 PARKS PERSONAL SERVICES – Summer Help $30,000 (Be Adopted) 152-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($7,500) same to be charged to HEALTH PERSONAL SERVICES – Nurses, and credited to HEALTH PERSONAL SERVICES – Overtime. (Be Adopted) 153-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from with Fiscal 2024 accounts the sum of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000) FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000) from HEALTH SANITARY LANDFILL EXPENSES – Closed Landfill to HEALTH RUBBISH REMOVAL EXPENSES – Contract Fees. (Be Adopted as amended) 154-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO DOLLARS ($57,242) same to be charged against the FY2025 TAX LEVY and credited to FISCAL 2025 accounts as follows: HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONAL SERVICES – Clerical $30,860 CITY CLERK PERSONAL SERVICES – Clerical $26,382 (Be Adopted) 155-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($600,000) same to be charged against Fiscal Year 2024 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS – HEALTH INSURANCE and credited to FISCAL 2025 - RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor July 23, 2024. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Safety Committee Meeting of July 16, 2024 Oral Report 142-24. Rayco Motors, to petition for a Class II Dealer’s License located at 447 Water St. Fitchburg, MA 01420. (Granted with conditions) 143-24. Paulino Auto Group, to petition for a Class II Dealer’s License located at 347 Lunenburg St. Fitchburg, MA 01420. (Granted) Report read and accepted. Petitions granted by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. ORDER 159-24. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SIXTY-EIGHT THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR AND 23/100 DOLLARS ($68,184.23) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS and transferred to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - FRANCHISE FEE for the purpose of remitting to FATV the first quarter 2024 franchise fee. Motion and second for Suspension of rules by unanimous consent 8/0. Order adopted by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the mayor July 23, 2024. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. LOAN ORDER 160-24. LOAN ORDER: that $12,700,000 aggregate amount is appropriated for the following projects, including all costs incidental and related thereto, which amount may be apportioned to such projects as needed to accomplish the projects: (i) rehabilitation and/or upgrade of the Meetinghouse Gatehouse and Mare Meadow Pump Station, at an estimated cost of $4,400,000; (ii) Main Street water main replacement project, at an estimated cost of $6,000,000, which amount is expected to be used in addition to certain American Rescue Plan Act funds available for the project; and (iii) Regional Water Treatment Plant roof replacement and weatherproofing project, at an estimated cost of $2,300,000; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $12,700,000 under G.L. c.44, §8 or any other enabling authority; that the Mayor is authorized to contract for and expend any federal or state aid available for the projects; that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out the projects; 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. Loan Order was referred to the Finance Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. ORDER – OTHER 161-24. ORDER THAT: Authorizing the City Clerk to notify the voters of the Primary Election to be held on September 3, 2024. Order adopted by unanimous consent 8/0. 8 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor July 30, 2024. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  IX. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:32 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk