City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jan 27 2025 3:34 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 January 7, 2025. 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 Walsh. The City Clerk called the roll 9 Councilors were present (Councilor Beauchemin and Fleming absent). Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM • Chief Ernest Martineau, Fitchburg resident, spoke in favor of the appointment of Captain Seven D. Giannini. • Captain Mathew Lemay, Fitchburg resident, spoke in favor of the appointment of Captain Steven D. Giannini. • Captain Christ Garcia, Fitchburg resident, spoke in favor of the appointment of Captain Steven D. Giannini. • Glenn Fosa, Fitchburg resident, spoke in favor of the appointment of Captain Steven D. Giannin. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025 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 Montachusett Martin Luther King Coalition (MMLKC) would like to invite you to its 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The celebration will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2025, from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Fitchburg Senior Center. The City of Fitchburg has designated this year’s celebration as a Civic Days event. This year's keynote speaker for the celebration will be Leona Whetzel, MOC’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Members of the public are welcome to participate in a citizen-lead group researching the history of Black residents in Fitchburg and the region. The group meets at Fitchburg Historical Society every Wednesday from 3 pm to 6 pm. We are preparing for Black History Trivia Night at the Society on Saturday, February 8, 7 pm, but we are also researching Black individuals, businesses, and associations to add to the archives. There is no cost, and we welcome students, adults and seniors. Again, this meets every WEDNESDAY from 3 to 6 pm at the Society. Call 978-345-1157 to learn more, or just join us. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS City Council meeting minutes of December 17, 2024 Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Captain Steven D. Giannini, to the position of Chief of Police, effective February 1, 2025, for a term to expire January 31, 2028. (Suspension of the Rules, if approved Recess into Council as a Whole Meeting) Motion and second for Suspension of Rules by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to send new appointment to Council as a Whole and to recess and go into Council as a Whole Committee by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. President Zarrella stated the City Council meeting will call a recess to go into a Council as a Whole meeting, once that agenda item is concluded the City Council will reconvene into open session to continue the City Council Meeting. City Council went into recess at 7:18 PM. City Council reconvene at 7:53 PM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. REPORT OF COMMITTEES COUNCIL AS A WHOLE Meeting of January 7, 2025 Oral Report 1. New-Appointment letter: Captain Steven D. Giannini, to the position of Chief of Police, effective February 1, 2025, for a term to expire January 31, 2028. Report read and accepted. The appointment of Captain Steven D. Giannini to Chief of Police was approved by roll call vote of 9 in favor and 0 opposed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. ORDERS – FINANCE The following Orders were referred to the Finance Committee: 003-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the Mass DEP FY25 Sustainable Material Recovery Recycling Program, Recycling Dividends Fund, in the approximate amount of THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($30,000) for the purpose of said grant, which is to implement specific programs and policies to maximize reuse, recycling, and waste reduction of curbside and drop-off disposal in Fitchburg. 004-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the approximate amount of NINETEEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($19,287) for community policing efforts. 005-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($75,000) from POLICE PERSONAL SERVICES – Patrolmen to the POLICE DETAIL ESCROW fund. Waive the reading and refer the following orders 003-25 through 005-25 to the Finance Committee by unanimous consent 9/0. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. ORDER – OTHER The following Orders was referred to the Public Safety Committee: 006-25. ORDER THAT: Authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between The City of Fitchburg and The Fitchburg Police Union as outlined in the attached Order. (Public Safety) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. PETITION The following Orders were referred to the Legislative Affairs Committee: 007-25. Jeffrey A. Bean, to petition that the Legislative Building be named “The Ronald B. Ingemie Legislative Building”. (Legislative Affairs) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VIII. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk