City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 25 2025 10:36 am City of Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420 CITY COUNCIL Councillors at Large President Ward Councillors Anthony M. Zarrella Sally H. Cragin Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz III Marcus L. DiNatale Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin Amy Green Vice President Andrew J. Van Hazinga Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture Elizabeth R. Walsh Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 5 – Marisa R. Fleming Ward 6 – Derrick J. Cruz COUNCIL AS A WHOLE COMMITTEE MEETING Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM The Council as a Whole Committee Meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 6:05 PM. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Couture. The City Clerk called the roll 9 Councilors were present (Councilor Walsh via Zoom). (Councilor Cragin and Van Hazinga absent). Board consists of 11 members. Also present were members of the Finance Team: Jacquelyn M. Cronin, Auditor, Michaela Horn, Treasurer, Chris Paquette, Chief Assessor, Myles Phillips-Wilcox, Deputy Chief of Staff and Hon. Mayor Samantha Squailia. The Honorable Mayor Samantha Squailia and the finance will formally present in detail the FY2026 budget to the City Council for City Council, City Clerk, Election, License, Mayor, Human Resources, Legal, Assessor, Auditor, Purchasing, Information Technology, Parking, and Tax Collection. I. BUDGET ORDERS-FY 2026 The following Budget Orders were referred to the Council as a Whole Committee: 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 FY26 Final Budget --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommendation for a recess was made at 7:58 PM Meeting returned back to session at 8:05 PM Mayor Squailia addressed the Council with the following remarks: Dear Honorable City Councilors, I am pleased to present the official Fiscal Year 2026 Budget for the City of Fitchburg which breaks down as follows: • General Fund $181,515,682 • Water $ 9,018,485 • Wastewater $ 20,126,481 • Airport $ 1,100,437 This FY26 budget reflects our collective commitment to responsible financial management. We are addressing challenges head-on while delivering the services our residents expect and deserve. Fitchburg continues to face fiscal pressure shaped by major long-planned infrastructure projects, competitive contract obligations, and the same inflationary cost trends impacting municipalities across Massachusetts, particularly in healthcare and school special education transportation. Despite these challenges, Fitchburg is moving forward with discipline and optimism. We have successfully reduced the structural budget deficit year over year by $3.2 million, from $7.6 million to $4.4 million, while avoiding layoffs and maintaining high-quality city services. Over the past year, we achieved: $2.1 million in annual estimated savings through proactive health insurance negotiations and pharmacy benefit restructuring. $1 million in new annual estimated revenues through adoption of a local Meals Excise and right- sizing of our Hotel Excise. $5.08 billion in total assessed property value, a 15% increase year-over-year, reflecting significant residential & commercial development across the city. Continued major investments in public infrastructure, including road infrastructure, the Crocker Elementary School and the Fitchburg Public Library redevelopment. Fitchburg’s strong financial stewardship is matched by strong legal leadership. Under the City Solicitor’s guidance, eight of nine active litigation matters were successfully resolved in FY25, with settlements averaging 80 percent of the City’s demands. Today, there are no outstanding legal concerns beyond those handled by insurance counsel. Legal services covering procurement, zoning, land use, public construction, and regulatory matters are now assigned to the correct cost centers for greater transparency. Immediate, proactive legal support is helping us prevent costly litigation before it happens, protecting Fitchburg’s progress and ensuring we are well-positioned for future success. Looking forward, our FY26 budget planning is being paired with the launch of a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan and a Pavement Management Plan, ensuring that long-term investment decisions are data-driven and strategically aligned with Fitchburg’s future needs. This budget continues Fitchburg’s path of resilience and road to fiscal solvency. We are stabilizing our finances, investing wisely in our people and infrastructure, and positioning the city for sustainable growth, all while being mindful stewards of the public’s trust. I appreciate your input and collaboration. Department heads are available to meet regarding specific budget details, or feel free to contact my office directly at (978) 829-1801 or by email at mayor@fitchburgma.gov. Samantha M. Squailia, Mayor The meeting adjourned at 10:29 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk