City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK May 28 2025 11:39 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 May 6, 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 Van Hazinga. The City Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM • Charlene Laakso, Fitchburg resident, spoke on item 098-25. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, May 8, 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fitchburg City Councilor Bernie Schultz is hosting a City Council Community Meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. right here in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street. Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia and FATV Executive Director Nate Glenny will make presentations, and then answer questions following their presentations. This meeting on May 12 will be the last City Council Community Meeting hosted by Councilor Schultz until September. Like the last few years, Councilor Schultz does not schedule community meetings during the summer months (June, July, and August). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Health Department invites the public to join NAMI North Central Mass for a program on navigating mental health. This will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street. Local counseling agencies will have resource tables available at 5:30pm and the program begins at 6:00pm. There will be a presentation on navigating mental illness from two perspectives – a family member will share the experience of accessing mental health care for a loved one and an individual living with mental illness will share their journey. A panel discussion will follow, led by Heather Powell, North County Site Director, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. This free program is open to the public and refreshments will be available. Please call (978) 829- 1854 for more information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, May 31 at 2:00 pm The Thurston Consort will have a piano consort at the Forest Hill Abbey (AKA “The Mausoleum”). Award winning pianist Sylvia Boto of Rumania. Sylvia is a music teacher at Groton Hill Music Center. RSVP: seating is limited. Email: friendsoffitchburgcemeteries@gmail.com With thanks to Fitchburg Cultural Council for support. The program is free, but donations are welcome to help our first project: Mausoleum Restoration. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, Stratton Players celebrates their centennial season with two free programs. On Thursday, May 8, 7 pm come to Play-reading at Leominster Library, and help us select plays for our next season. Come read a part, or sit and listen, teens and adults welcome. And on Friday, May 9, 6:30 to 7:30 pm Stratton Players debuts a new program for youth, adults, and seniors. “Fun Family Improv.” is an opportunity to explore theatre skills, try on costumes, and use props to create crazy characters and situations. This is a free program, but donations are very welcome. RSVP is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. For more information, and to RSVP visit Stratton Players on Facebook or Email: strattonplayers@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of May 6, 2025 New Appointment: Fitchburg Human Rights Commission (Term to expire April 1, 2028) David De Jesus New Appointment: Associate Member Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals (Term to expire May 6, 2027) Christopher Deloge Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Regular City Council meeting minutes of April 15, 2025 Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letters: Full-Time Student Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg Sara Coffey Tyler Doucette Angelina Magaw-Chan Arlene Tostes 2. New-Appointment letter: Full-Time Student Police Officer for the City of Fitchburg Adam Bourgault 3. New Appointment letter: Michael T. Hurley, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Registrars, for a term to expire on April 1, 2028. 4. New Appointment letter: Emily Stark, as a Member of the Fitchburg Disability Commission, for a term to expire on May 1, 2028. 5. Re-Appointment letter: James J. McGrath, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners, for a term to expire on April 1, 2030. 6. Re-Appointment letter: Krista Fords-Rhodes, as a member for the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire on May 1, 2028. Appointment stands referred to the Appointments Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. ANNUAL REPORT 082-25. ANNUAL REPORT: Fitchburg Fire Department for the FY 2024. Fitchburg Fire Department 2024 Annual Report Report filed in the City Clerk’s Office. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VII. REPORT OF COMMITTEES City Property Committee Meeting of May 6, 2025 Oral Report 066-25. ORDER THAT: the City Council does hereby approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Conservation Restriction by and between Ralph S. Baker, 840 Ashby West Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, Worcester County, being the sole owner of 24.8 acres, +/-, shown as Lot-1 on a plan of land titled Proposed Plan of Land for Ralph S. Baker Fitchburg, Massachusetts, dated September 10, 2021, by New England Engineering, 601 Shea St. Fitchburg, MA 01420, recorded at Worcester Northern District Registry of Deeds, Plan 531-6, on October 5, 2021, and the North County Land Trust, Inc., 325 Lindell Avenue, Leominster, MA as more fully set forth in the Conservation Restriction dated October 30, 2024 as included with this Order. Report read and accepted. Order adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance Committee Meeting of April 23, 2025 Oral Report 071-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($9,500) from HEALTH – Travel & Meetings Expense to HEALTH -RUBBISH REMOVAL – Cleanup Funds. (Be Adopted) 072-25. ORDER THAT: there be and is appropriated from AVAILABLE FUNDS the sum of TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000) for HEALTH – RUBBISH REMOVAL – Cleanup Funds. (Be Adopted) 073-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Complete Streets Funding Program, in the approximate amount of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE DOLLARS ($456,121) to support pedestrian projects on Summer Street and at Electric Avenue and Rollstone Road. (Be Adopted) 074-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of earmark funds from the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities in the approximate amount of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) to support the conversion of vacant upper-story space in downtown into housing. (Be Adopted) 075-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from Round 2 of the Department of Fire Services Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the approximate amount of FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO AND 33/100 DOLLARS ($5,452.33) for the purpose of purchasing handheld thermal imaging cameras. (Be Adopted) 076-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriate and transfer the sum of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000) from Available Funds to the Stabilization Fund. (Be Adopted) 077-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriate and transfer the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) from Available Funds to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund. (Be Adopted) 078-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to DPW ADMIN/ENGINEERING EXPENSES – Stormwater Contract Services. (Be Adopted) 079-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000) from TREASURER PERSONAL SERVICES – Clerical to TREASURER EXPENSES – Temporary Services. (Be Adopted) 080-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($8,000) from TREASURER PERSONAL SERVICES – Assistant Department Head to TREASURER EXPENSES – Training. (Be Adopted) 068-25-2. We request the funds be deposited into a revolving fund effective July 1, 2026 for equipment maintenance and future upgrades. This fee is charged annually through the Fire Dept. for all Fire Alarm Systems. This system is maintained and monitored by the Fitchburg Fire Department Dispatch Center, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. (Be Amended and Held) Motion and second to accept the report of committee and adopt all Orders excluding Order 074-25 by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Order 074-25 was adopted by 8 in favor and 3 opposed (Councilor Couture, DiNatale and Green). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of May 6, 2025 Oral Report 070-25. President Zarrella, on behalf of FATV to adopt resolution in support of bill S.41 and H.91 “Streaming Bill” as per enclosed resolution. Report read and accepted. Resolution was adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Resolution signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Works Committee Meeting of April 29, 2025 Oral Report 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. (Be Granted) 069-25. Councilor Andrew J. Couture, on behalf of Paul Gagne and other residents, to change the status of Central Ave. Ext. from a paper road to an actual road. (Leave to Withdraw) 168-24. Councilor Andrew Couture on behalf of Paulo Fritz, to investigate water runoff from the property of 160 Stickney Rd. An apron and berm should be placed to stop the water intrusion to stop the damage to the property. (Leave to Withdraw) Report read and accepted. Petition granted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. ORDERS – FINANCE Waive reading. Orders 083-25 through 088-25 stand referred to Finance Committee: 083-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds awarded to the Parks Department by CoFF33 Corp. in the approximate amount of NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,000) for the purpose of beautifying traffic signal control boxes with murals. 084-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE DOLLARS ($84,579), representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ share of the required match for participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Program. 085-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000), from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities – Community Planning Grant Program, to develop a regional housing production plan with the City of Leominster. 086-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($330,000), from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities – HousingWorks Infrastructure Program, to support the Green Acres Road and Sidewalk Replacement Project. 087-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of SIXTY-TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($62,100), from the Community Compact Cabinet – Information Technology Grant Program, to support the city’s 40U program with the purchase of handheld ticketing machines and software. 088-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of TWO HUNDRED FORTY-THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY DOLLARS ($243,130), from the Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division, for LED Lighting at Longsjo Middle School. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Motion and second for suspension of rules by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 099-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE AND 01/100 DOLLARS ($216,665.01) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS EXPENSES to support FATV capital needs. (Suspension of Rules) Motion and second to approve and adopt Order 099-25 by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. ORDER – OTHER Order stands referred to City Property: 089-25. ORDER THAT: the City Council of the City of Fitchburg, duly elected, qualified, and acting as such, on behalf of the City, votes to authorize the Mayor to execute an extension of the lease by and between the City of Fitchburg and Crown Atlantic Company LLC, as the successor of Bell Atlantic Mobile of Massachusetts Corporation, Ltd., d/b/a Verizon Wireless for the property located at 1078 Franklin Road, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for the final renewal term of five years commencing on April 15, 2025 and ending on April 15, 2030 and to take any other action necessary or convenient to carry out this vote.  (City Property) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. ORDINANCES 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. (Final Reading) Ordinance was sent to a third and final reading and adopted to be enrolled and ordained by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Ordinance signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. (Final Reading) Ordinance was sent to a third and final reading and adopted to be enrolled and ordained by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Ordinance signed by the Mayor May 14, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 090-25. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44 Section 10 (Council on Aging hourly positions) of the code of the City of Fitchburg. (First Reading) Ordinance was sent to a first and second reading and ordered advertised by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 091-25. AN ORDINANCE: by the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that a new Section 23-36 is inserted into Chapter 23 Fire Department, Article II Chief Engineer, reading as follows: § 23-36 Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee The following rate is to be the fee charged for the City Fire Department to issue a license to monitor fire alarm systems: $300. This section shall take effect January 1, 2026. (First Reading) Ordinance was sent to a first and second reading and ordered advertised by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XI. PETITIONS Petition referred to City Property: 092-25. Councilor Andrew Couture, to rename the Crocker Splash Pad at Crocker Park to the Joel Kaddy Memorial Splash Pad. (City Property/Park & Rec) Motion and second to amend from petition to resolution by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition referred to Council as a Whole: 093-25. Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk, to review the Mayor’s salary and the City Councilors’ salary, as required by Chapter 3-43 of the Code of the Fitchburg. (Council as a Whole) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition referred to a Public Hearing: 094-25. Community Development & Planning Department is requesting that City Council adopt zoning changes to comply with the Massachusetts Model Floodplain bylaws and incorporate the new FEMA floodplain maps effective July 8, 2025. (Planning Board/Public Hearing) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition referred to Public Safety: 095-25. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, in conjunction with Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Director of Public Health Steve Curry, to address public safety issues at 240 Water Street, the former St. Bernard's Church. The church spire is no longer straight up and down and presents a falling danger. In addition, homeless people frequently have broken into the church buildings and present an ongoing fire hazard for the city. A more permanent securing of the buildings at this address is necessary. (Public Safety) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petitions were referred to Public Works: 096-25. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga, to install a traffic sign on Davis Street at Highland Court warning “Caution – Autistic Child”, or similar. (Public Works) 097-25. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Jason Badillo of 126 South Street, to repair sidewalk on Charles Street next to his residence. The concrete part of the sidewalk has deteriorated, and a tree has lifted a portion of the nearby asphalt sidewalk. (Public Works) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Motion and second for suspension of rules by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 098-25. Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of the Shea Street neighborhood Group to extend the Solar Moratorium to allow for additional time to implement the solar zoning change. (Reference Ordinance #183-24) (Suspension of Rules) Motion to amend to October 15, 2025 by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Petition was granted as amended by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XII. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk