City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 10 2025 9:08 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 20, 2025. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:15 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Zarrella. The City Clerk called the roll 10 Councilors were present (Councilor Cruz via zoom) Councilor Walsh absent. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM • Dr. Joshua Klaus, Fitchburg resident, spoke in support of the report of the Appointments Committee and on Petition 092-25. • Jacquelyn Wehtje, Fitchburg resident, spoke in support of 111-25. • Jean Raabe, Fitchburg resident, spoke in support of 111-25. • Karen Spencer, Leominster resident, spoke in support of 111-25. • Jessica Jacobson, Fitchburg resident, spoke in support of 111-25. • Philip Valeri, Leominster resident, spoke in support of 111-25. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, May 22, 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 Thurston Consort will have a free event on Saturday, May 31 at 2:00 PM 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. The program is free, but donations are welcome to help our first project: Mausoleum Restoration. With thanks to Fitchburg Cultural Council for support. RSVP: seating is limited. Email: friendsoffitchburgcemeteries@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, May 31 at 10:00AM, there will be Spring Plantings occurring. Meeting at Fitchburg City Hall 718 Main Street. To sign up send us an email at mayor@fitchburgma.gov ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On May 29, from 8-9:30AM at 700 Main Street – Legislative Building, there will be a workshop called 36 Hours in Fitchburg, to help design The City’s Cultural District Marketing Strategy. You can review sample itineraries and brainstorm the perfect local guide. It’s open to anyone, but especially if you are a Local Business, Entrepreneur, Property Owner and Community Member. Your input is important. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Councilor Couture will be hosting a Ward 3 Community meeting at 6:00 PM at the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Councilor Cragin would like to invite all singers and musicians to join her at Victor’s on Main Thursday, May 22 at 6:00PM to meet with Victor as the restaurant is looking to add live music. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of May 20, 2025 New-Appointment letters: Full-Time Student Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg Sara Coffey Tyler Doucette Angelina Magaw-Chan Arlene Tostes New-Appointment letter: Full-Time Student Police Officer for the City of Fitchburg Adam Bourgault New Appointment letter: Fitchburg Board of Registrars (For a term to expire April 1, 2028) Michael T. Hurley New Appointment letter: Fitchburg Disability Commission (For a term to expire May 1, 2028) Emily Starks – Be Held Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners (For a term to expire April 1, 2030) James J. McGrath Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Human Rights Commission (For a term to expire May 1, 2028) Krista Fords-Rhodes Motion and second to accept the report of Committee with the exception of Michael T. Hurley by roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Councilor Cragin called point of order at 7:38PM on Councilor DiNatale Motion to accept the appointment of Michael T. Hurley by roll call vote 8 in favor and 2 opposed (Councilor Couture and Fleming). 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Regular City Council meeting minutes of May 6, 2025 Report read and accepted by roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Brittney Fish, to the position of Human Resources Director for the City of Fitchburg, for a term to expire December 31, 2026. 1. New-Appointment letter: Felix I. Zemel, to the position of Building Commissioner for the City of Fitchburg, for a term to expire June 1, 2028. Appointment stands referred to the Appointments Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Historical Commission May Preservation Month May Preservation Month Presentation 2025 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VII. REPORT OF COMMITTEES City Property Committee Meeting of May 20, 2025 Oral Report 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. Motion and second to accept the recommendation of the Committee to adopt Oder 089-25 by roll Call vote of 9 in favor and 0 opposed. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. (Councilor Fleming left room). Order signed by the Mayor May 29, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 092-25. RESOLUTION THAT: Councilor Andrew Couture, to rename the Crocker Splash Pad at Crocker Park to the Joel Kaddy Memorial Splash Pad. Councilor Van Hazinga recused himself at 8:23PM Motion and second to adopt Resolution 092-25 by roll call vote of 9 in favor and 0 opposed. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Councilor Van Hazinga returned at 8:26PM Resolution signed by the Mayor May 29, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Economic Development Committee Meeting of May 20, 2025 Oral Report • Update on Housing, including InTown Fitchburg HDIP units • New Businesses opened in Fitchburg since last meeting of ED Subcommittee • Cultural District Marketing Plan Meeting 5-29 • Other No action needed for a vote. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance Committee Meeting of May 14, 2025 Oral Report 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. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) 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. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor May 29, 2025. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VIII. BUDGET ORDERS-FY 2026 Waive reading of Budget Orders. 100-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget: General Fund $ 181,515,682 Water Enterprise $ 9,018,485 Wastewater Enterprise $ 20,126,481 Airport Fund $ 1,100,437 101-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000), same to be credited to the Fiscal Year 2026 TAX LEVY and charged against OVERLAY SURPLUS. 102-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY- THREE DOLLARS ($3,847,163), same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to the Fiscal Year 2026 TAX LEVY in order to reduce the tax rate. 114-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($450,000), same to be charged against the STABILIZATION FUND and credited to the Fiscal Year 2026 TAX LEVY in order to reduce the tax rate. 103-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($120,000), same to be charged against PARKING METER/GARAGE RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 accounts as follows: Treasurer Personal Services $ 40,000 Treasurer Expenses $ 80,000 104-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($55,000), same to be charged against PEG ACCESS AND CABLE RELATED FUND RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 accounts as follows: Information Technology - PEG Expenses $25,000 Information Technology - PEG Capital $30,000 105-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($45,000), same to be charged against CEMETERY SALE OF LOTS AND GRAVES and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 CEMETERY PERSONAL SERVICES. 106-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of NINE MILLION EIGHTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($9,018,485) same to be charged against WATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 Water Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $2,417,125 Expenses $2,421,000 Indirect Costs $1,452,300 Debt Service $2,178,060 Capital Expenses $ 550,000 107-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY MILLION ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE DOLLARS ($20,126,481), charging $18,344,495 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and $1,781,986 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RETAINED EARNINGS, and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 Wastewater Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $3,183,418 Expenses $6,313,005 Indirect Costs $1,555,300 Debt Service $6,673,958 Capital Expenses $2,400,800 108-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($1,100,437) same to be charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $ 354,799 Expenses $ 745,638 109-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the following Revolving Funds, authorized by City Ordinance, up to the amount available in the fund or $100,000 (except Public Health Sustainability which shall have a FY2026 limit of $750,000), whichever is less: Revolving Fund Authorized Official Animal Control Police Chief Civic Days Mayor or Mayor’s Designee, Recreation Director Communication Tower & Equipment Fire Chief Community Development Community Development Director or Designee Demolition Community Development Director or Designee Public Cemetery Cemetery Superintendent, Public Works Commissioner Public Health Sustainability Public Health Director Public Library Library Trustees, Chief Librarian Traffic Enforcement Police Chief Traffic Safety Equipment Police Chief Senior Center Activities Executive Director of the Council on Aging Sidewalk Public Works Commissioner Stormwater Maintenance Public Works Commissioner Motion and second for suspension of rules to send Budget Orders to Council as a Whole by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  IX. ORDINANCES 090-25. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44 Section 10 (Council on Aging hourly positions) of the code of the City of Fitchburg. (Final Reading) Ordinance was sent to a third and final reading and adopted to be enrolled and ordained by roll call vote 9 in favor and 1 opposed (Councilor Beauchemin). 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Ordinance signed by the Mayor May 29, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. (Final Reading) Ordinance was sent to a third and final reading and adopted to be enrolled and ordained by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Ordinance signed by the Mayor May 29, 2025. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 110-25. AN ORDINANCE: Chapter 181, § 181.66.A.2 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg be amended as follows: That the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 181, § 181.66.A.2, as most recently amended, be further amended by deleting the language denoted with strikethrough and replacing with the language denoted as emboldened: 2. For the reasons set forth above and notwithstanding any other provision of the Zoning Ordinance to the contrary, the City hereby adopts a temporary moratorium on the permits for and use of land for large scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic facilities. The moratorium shall be in effect through May 31, 2025 October 15, 2025, unless adoption of new Zoning Ordinance addressing Large Scale Ground- Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Facilities is in effect, whichever is earlier. During the moratorium period, the City shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of large-scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic facilities and related uses, and shall consider adopting new Zoning Ordinances to better address the impact and construction of same in the City. (Public Hearing June 3, 2025) Ordinance was sent to a public hearing by roll call vote 10 in favor and 0 opposed. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  X. PETITIONS 111-25. Councilor Marcus L. DiNatale and Andrew Couture, on behalf of multiple Fitchburg residents, to abolish the use of fluoride treatments in the city's public water supply. (Council as a Whole) Motion and second for suspension of rules to send petition 111-25 to Council as a Whole by roll call vote 3 in favor and 7 opposed (Councilor Beauchemin, Cragin, Cruz, Green, Schultz, Van Hazinga and Zarrella). Motion fails. Petition stands referred to Legislative Affairs Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition was referred to Legislative Affairs: 112-25. Councilor Beauchemin, to PETITION TO ENACT A MORATORIUM ON THE NAMING OF CITY BUILDINGS AFTER INDIVIDUALS WHEREAS, the City Council of Fitchburg recognizes the importance and permanence of naming municipal buildings and facilities; and WHEREAS, the naming of public buildings after individuals is a significant civic gesture that should reflect broad community values and historical context; and WHEREAS, recent discussions and public feedback have indicated the need to review and potentially revise the city’s policies and procedures regarding such dedications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that: A moratorium is hereby established on the naming or renaming of any city-owned building, facility, or public space after any individual for a period of five (5) years from the date of adoption of this resolution. During this moratorium, no new dedications, plaques, signage, or official designations of any kind shall be approved by any department or board of the city in honor of a specific individual. This moratorium shall not apply to dedications previously authorized by formal vote of the City Council prior to the adoption of this resolution. The City Council reserves the right to review and amend this policy or adopt formal criteria and procedures for naming city properties during the moratorium period. (Legislative Affairs) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition was referred to a Public Hearing scheduled for June 3, 2025: 113-25. Unitil, to petition to relocate p#14, 14’s as painted on ground for new driveway. The proposed p#14 would be 95’ from Columbus St. and 103’ from St. Joseph St., Fitchburg, as outlined in the enclosed Petition. (Public Hearing June 3 June 17, 2025) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XI. OTHER BUSINESS Next Council as a Whole - 5 Year Budget Planning Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 @ 6:00 PM Next Council as a Whole Meeting – Budget Hearing Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM Next Council as a Whole Meeting – Budget Hearing Thursday, May 29, 2025 @ 6:00 PM Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 3, 2025 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk