City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Mar 07 2025 9:36 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 February 18, 2025. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:31 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Couture. The City Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM Bill Vautor, Templeton resident, spoke against petiton 030-25. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, February 27, 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Councilor Couture will be hosting a Ward 3 Community meeting at 6:00 PM at the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, on Thursday, February 20, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can We Talk… A spiritually inspired, community based, clinically supported safe space for sharing our pain. Second and fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30. Galilee Spiritual Life Center at First Parish UU Church located at 923 Main Street. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ECONMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Councilor Cragin For those interested in following Fitchburg Airport, the monthly Airport Commission meeting will be Wednesday, February 19, 6 pm here in the Legislative building. This weekend’s “Creative Network Summit” is a regionally significant event that will gather entrepreneurs from the Creative Economy that is forming here in Fitchburg and in North Central. Since an overarching goal is to build North Central MA’s creative economy, having the symposium held is Fitchburg is significant since it reflects our city’s leading role in utilizing arts/culture as a key aspect of our local economic development strategy. Also, with the Fitchburg Arts Community soon to have 68 new households of creatives residing in our downtown district, the summit is occurring as an opportune time for Fitchburg. The organizers have articulated their vision for the event as follows: “Our Vision: To foster collaboration, innovation, and growth in North Central Massachusetts' creative economy by connecting artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders through meaningful dialogue, skill-sharing, and relationship building.” This is at Fitchburg Art Museum, 6 to 8:30 pm; and at the Senior Center, 30 Wallace Avenue, Saturday, 8 to 4 pm, FREE. Also, we are working on an Economic Update as regards automobiles in Fitchburg – places to buy, and places to have your vehicle repaired. If you know of a garage you love, please reach out to Economic Director Mary Jo Bohart and myself. We’ll have some interesting history about cars in Fitchburg in our next Update – and yes, we will mention the remarkable legacy of Automobil=philiac the late Gerry Martel. Two public meetings are planned for Thursday Feb. 27 concerning the Water Street Corridor area. 9 to 10 am: meeting on Downtown infrastructure Construction Updates. The primary audience are downtown businesses and property owners. All are welcome to attend. This will be at Legislative building, 700 Main St. Fitchburg. 4 to 6:30 pm, in the City Hall Lobby there will be an informational open house for the ongoing Water Street Corridor Study. The focus is on business and property owners along the corridor, but feedback from the broader community is also welcome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of February 18, 2025 New Appointment: Fitchburg Cultural Council (Term to expire February 18, 2028) Ricardo Barros New Appointment: Fitchburg Cultural Council (Term to expire February 18, 2028) Eva Antonucci-Kelly Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Cultural Council (Term to expire January 1, 2028) Shara Osgood Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Planning Board (Term to expire September 1, 2027) Amanda Koeck Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals (Term to expire March 1, 2030) Brian Gallagher Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Minutes from the Regular City Council meeting February 4, 2025 Report accepted and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Zachary Bos, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Registrars, for a term to expire April 1, 2028. 2. New-Appointment letter: Heidi Bogner, as a Member of the Fitchburg Housing Authority Board, for a term to expire March 4, 2030. 3. New-Appointment letter: Maryam Ashraf, as a Member of the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire February 4, 2028. 4. Re-Appointment letter: Andrew J. Hawthorne, as a Member of the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds, for a term to expire January 1, 2028. 5. Re-Appointment letter: Cheryl Maguy-Stewart, as a Member of the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire January 1, 2028. 6. Re-Appointment letter: Josiah W. Richards, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds, for a term to expire January 16, 2028. 7. Re-Appointment letter: Chris Paquette, as a Member of the Board of Assessors for the City of Fitchburg, for a term to expire January 1, 2028. Appointments stand referred to the Appointments Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Community Development Block Grant Year 51 (To be referred to the Finance Committee) CDBG Year 51 Community Development Block Grant Year 51stand referred to the Finance Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of February 12, 2025 019-25. LOAN ORDER: the Loan Order #160-24, which was ordered by this Council on September 17, 2024 and authorized a borrowing of $12,700,000 for various water projects, is hereby amended by replacing it in its entirety to read as follows: ORDERED: That $11,400,000 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 $4,300,000; (ii) Main Street water main replacement project, at an estimated cost of $4,500,000, which amount is expected to be used in addition to certain American Rescue Plan Act funds available for the project; (iii) Regional Water Treatment Plant roof replacement and/or weatherproofing project, at an estimated cost of $850,000; and (iv) Water Street water main replacement project, at an estimated cost of $1,750,000; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $11,400,000 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. (Be Adopted) 013-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby rescinds Council Orders #273-22 and #274-22 returning NINETY-EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS ($98,400) to WATER ENTERPRISE FUND BALANCE RESERVED FOR LAND PURCHASES. (Be Adopted) 014-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Department of Mental Health police-based Jail Diversion Program (JDP) in the approximate amount of FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($47,000) for the purpose of maintaining the Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). (Be Adopted) 015-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($35,000) from POLICE PERSONAL SERVICES – Patrolmen to POLICE PERSONAL SERVICES – Dispatch Overtime. (Be Adopted) 016-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000) from FIRE PERSONAL SERVICES – Incentives to: FIRE EQUIPMENT & REPAIR – Automotive Repair - $50,000 FIRE MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING – Household - $50,000 (Be Adopted) 017-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from Massachusetts Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the approximate amount of FIFTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($15,500) for the purpose of purchasing TFT transformer nozzles, hazmat suits, and several AEDs. (Be Adopted) 018-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the transfer of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000) within CDBG Year 45 COVID-19 funds to COVID Rent and Utility Assistance from the following accounts: Pandemic Legal Assistance - $1,328.27 COVID Grant Administration - $3,671.73 (Be Held) Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 Members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders 013-25 – 017-25 signed by Mayor February 20, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of February 18, 2025 Oral Report 020-25. AN ORDINANCE: to adopt the provisions of G.L. c.60, §62A as amended by Section 89 through 91 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024. (Be Held) 021-25. RESOLUTION: A resolution by Councilor Cruz and Schultz in Support of Massachusetts “Medicare for All”. The resolution states as follows as outlined in the enclosed Resolution. (Leave to Withdraw 4/0) 007-25. Jeffrey A. Bean, to petition that the Legislative Building be named “The Ronald B. Ingemie Legislative Building”. (Leave to Withdraw 4/0) Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 Members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. ORDERS – FINANCE 022-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED FOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX AND 19/100 DOLLARS ($104,856.19) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS Expenses to RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS Cable Franchise Fee for the purpose of remitting to FATV the fourth quarter 2024 franchise fee. Motion and second for Suspension of Rules by roll call vote 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to approve order 022-25 by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by Mayor February 20, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 023-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant awarded by the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security in the approximate amount of FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO AND 76/100 DOLLARS ($479,882.76) to address the underlying causes of criminal activity, and to build positive relationships with young people. 024-25. ORDER THAT: The City of Fitchburg hereby appropriates the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000) same to be charged against Available Funds and credited to the following DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SNOW & ICE accounts: PERSONAL SERVICES - Overtime $75,000.00 EXPENSES - SALT $625,000.00 025-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriates from Available Funds, the sum of THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($35,000), to FACILITIES – Contracted Services, for critical equipment repairs and maintenance at City Hall and the Legislative Building. 026-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriates from Available Funds, the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($105,000), to be credited to: LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Labor Negotiator $100,000 LAW OTHER EXPENSES – Litigation/Special Counsel $5,000. Orders 023-25 through 026-25 referred to the Finance Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. ORDINANCE 027-25. AN ORDINANCE: the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that the ordering of the prior insertions in Ordinance 009-2024 is hereby corrected as follows: 1. Section 5 is struck its entirety. 2. Section 6 shall now insert a new Article X entitle “Snow and Ice” at the end of Chapter 169 Vehicles and Traffic. 3. A new Section 169-103 entitled “Duty to remove snow or ice from motor vehicles” shall be inserted under Article X and read as follows in Section 6 of Ordinance 009-2024. Ordinance stand referred to Legislative Affairs Committee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. PETITIONS The following Petition was referred to the Public Works: 028-25. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Andy Van Hazinga, on behalf of Harry Haldt of 66 Richardson Rd, to assess the need for a stop sign or other traffic control measures at the intersection at High Street and Mechanic Street. (Public Works) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following Petitions 029-25 an 030-25 were referred to Council as a Whole: 029-25. Mayor Samantha M. Squailia, to accept M.G.L. 64L, Section 2 to implement a local meal excise. Meals Excise Cities and Towns Revenue FY24 Meals Excise Cities and Towns MGL 64L S2 Local Meal Excise Mayor Letter (Legislative Affairs) 030-25. Mayor Samantha M. Squailia, to accept M.G.L. 32B, Section 21-23 regarding group Health Insurance. Health Insurance (Legislative Affairs) Motion and second to refer Petition 029-25 and 030-25 to Council as a Whole by roll call vote of 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following Petition was referred to the Legislative Affairs Committee: 031-25. The Planning Board is seeking to amend Special Permit Fees and review of updated Planning Board fee schedule as enclosed in the packet. Planning Board Fee Schedule (Legislative Affairs)  X. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 8:06 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk