City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jan 06 2026 10:47 am City of Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420 CITY COUNCIL Councilors at Large President Ward Councilors 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 November 5, 2025. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:04 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Cruz. The Clerk called the roll 10 Councilors were present (Councilor DiNatale absent). Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. PUBLIC FORUM There were no comments from the public. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed Support Group will take place on Thursday, November 13 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World, Thursday, November 20, 6:00 p.m. Talk by Lynne Tolman, President of the Major Taylor Association. Lynne Tolman is a cyclist herself, an editor -- retired from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette -- and president of the nonprofit Major Taylor Association, based in Worcester. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She has written about bicycling for VeloNews, USA Cycling, and other publications, and she bikes with the Seven Hills Wheelmen. One of her other hobbies is genealogy, another species of the history bug. Fitchburg Historical Society, Phoenix Building, 781 Main Street - (978) 345-1157 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calling all local Fitchburg Businesses: The Holiday shopping season is upon us! Take a picture of Caps the Duck in your establishment and send it to CommDev@fitchburgma.gov between now and November 14th. We’ll start sharing this pictures November 17th and through the holiday season as part of our FOCUS LOCAL holiday shopping campaign. Ducks are available on the 3rd floor of City Hall in the Community Development Office. If you can’t pick up your duck, let us know- we’ll try to deliver the duck to you! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Jeffrey P. Stevens low-cost pet vaccine clinic has recently been expanded to Leominster. They will have a session at the Leominster Emergency Management Building located at 37 Carter Street, Leominster on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be $5 rabies vaccine, free distemper vaccine and $22 for Microchips. This will be open to all residents of all cities and towns. Dogs must be on leash and cats in carriers for the safety of all. You can pre- register at secondchanceanimals.org it will take you to the QR code. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone involved in the Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November4th. The day was smooth, organized, and successful thanks to your dedication and teamwork. Thank you to our Election Workers for your professionalism, patience, and commitment throughout a long day. Your service ensures that every voter is welcomed and supported in casting their ballot. We also heard your feedback regarding increasing “Vote Here” signage across polling locations, and we will make that that improvement moving forward. Thank you to the Board of Registrars, the Department of Public Works Department, Parks Department, Police, Fire, and City Hall staff for your preparation, setup, and responsiveness. Your work behind the scenes is essential and deeply valued. A special thank you to Superintended Thompson and the Fitchburg Public Schools for welcoming our polling locations back into school buildings. This partnership not only strengthens our community connection, but also results in a cost savings of approximately $2,800 per election (compared to $8,400 in 2024) in rental fees. I am truly grateful for the collaboration, hard work, and dedication shown by every department and individual involved. Your efforts are exemplary and reflect our shared commitment to serving the residents of Fitchburg. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE New Appointments: Fitchburg Historical Commission (Term to expire November 1, 2028) Emily S. Randall Councilor Van Hazinga recused himself at 7:12 PM Motion and second to accept the appointment of Emily S. Randall by unanimous consent 9/10. 9 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Councilor Van Hazinga returned at 7:13 PM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Re-Appointment: Fitchburg Historical Commission (Term to expire February 1, 2028) Donald Ostrowski Motion and second to accept the re-appointment of Donald Ostrowski by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Regular City Council meeting minutes of October 7th and October 21st, 2025 Report read and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of October 22, 2025 Oral Report 170-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of funds in the approximate amount of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE THOUSAND THIRTY-SIX DOLLARS ($339,036) from the US Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. (Be Adopted) 171-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of a gift from the Nashoba Regional High School class of 1971, made to the Pawlak Playground gift account, in the approximate amount of SEVEN HUNDRED TWELVE AND 50/100 DOLLARS ($712.50). (Be Adopted) 183-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of funds in the approximate amount of EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX DOLLARS ($84,996) from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s Digital Equity Implementation Grant program. (Be Adopted) 184-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg amend Council Order #153-25 as follows: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($26,500) TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($24,500) same to be charged against RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES - Expenses and credited to the following accounts: TREASURER - Personal Services $1,000 POLICE - Personal Services $23,500 AIRPORT - Personal Services $2,000 (Be Adopted) 185-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000) same to be charged against AIRPORT RECEIPTS RESERVED and credited to AIRPORT - Personal Services - Labor. (Be Adopted) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 186-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg amend Council Order #106-25 to reduce the sum appropriated to Water Expenses by $350,000, as follows: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of NINE MILLION EIGHTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($9,018,485) EIGHT MILLION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($8,668,485) 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 $1,102,300 Debt Service $2,178,060 Capital Expenses $ 550,000 (Be Adopted) Motion and second to give Order 186-25 Leave to Withdraw by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 187-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg amend Council Order #107-25 to reduce the sum appropriated to Wastewater Expenses by $750,000, as follows: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY MILLION THIRTY- SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE DOLLARS ($20,037,331) NINETEEN MILLION TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE DOLLARS ($19,287,331), charging $17,594,495 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RECEIPTS and $1,692,836 against WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND RETAINED EARNINGS, and credited to Fiscal Year 2026 Wastewater Enterprise Fund accounts as follows: Personal Services $3,094,268 Expenses $6,313,005 $5,563,005 Indirect Costs $1,555,300 Debt Service $6,673,958 Capital Expenses $2,400,800 (Be Adopted) Motion and second to approve the report and recommendation of the Finance Committee on items, excluding 186-25. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by the Mayor November 6, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of November 5, 2025 Oral Report 188-25. AN ORDINANCE: Chapter 111, § 111.2 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg be amended as follows: That the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 111, § 111.2, as most recently amended, be further amended by adding the language denoted as emboldened: §111.2 Board officers; quorum. Amend by inserting the following emboldened language: 111.2 In February of each year the Board of Health shall organize by electing one of its members as Chair and by electing a Clerk, who need not be a member of the Board. The salary of the Clerk shall be fixed by the Board. Two members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Report read and accepted as amended. Motion and second to send Ordinance to a first and second reading and ordered advertised by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VI. PUBLIC HEARING 189-25. Unitil, to petition relocate p#31-52. The proposed p#31-52 would be moved 14' west from original pole and located approximately 275' from Mount Elam Road., Fitchburg as enclosed outlined in the petition. President Zarrella declared the Public Hearing open at: 7:20 PM No one spoke in favor to the petition. No one spoke in opposition to the petition. President Zarrella declared the hearing closed at: 7:21 PM Petition is to be continued ad the next City Council meeting November 18th, 2025 by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. ORDERS – FINANCE Waive the reading and Orders stand referred to Finance: 190-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of MassTrails Grant funds awarded to the city by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation in the approximate amount of NINETY-NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE AND 68/100 DOLLARS ($99,999.68) for access and safety improvements at Coggshall Park. 191-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of funds awarded to the city by the Friends of Coggshall Park in the approximate amount of NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($9,500), to match the MassTrails Grant, for access and safety improvements at Coggshall Park. 192-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg accept a donation of property from the Ron Bouchard Racing Charity and Mrs. Paula Bouchard, in the form of a sculpture memorial, community bench, and story walk installation in Coolidge Park. 193-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg approve the expenditure of an earmark from the Commonwealth of Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation in the approximate amount of FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($40,000) for improvements to Lowe Park. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. PETITIONS Petition was referred to Public Works: 194-25. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Connie Tessi of 80 Elizabeth Street, to repair several sections of sidewalk in front of her residence, to include leveling of sidewalk to prevent older adults from falling. (Public Works) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition was referred to a Public Hearing: 195-25. The Planning Board, to petition for an amendment to the Fitchburg Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 181 of the Fitchburg City Code by making the following amendments as outlined in the enclosed petition. Amending the Fitchburg Zoning Ordinance (Refer to a Public Hearing December 2, 2025) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. OTHER BUSINESS Tax Classification Public Hearing Classification and taxation of property according to use, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 797 of the Acts of 1979, as amended by Chapter 79 of the Acts of 1983. 2025 Classification and Taxation Hearing FY 2026 Final Book Tax Classification --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- President Zarrella declared the Classification and Taxation hearing open at 7:23 PM Assessors Chris Paquette and Ryan Beauvais were present to answer any questions posed by the Council. A link to view this booklet: FY 2026 Final Book Tax Classification President Zarrella declared the hearing closed at: 8:30 PM Motion and second to adopt a single tax rate 100% shift rate by 9 in favor in 1 opposed (Councilor Green). 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 8:31 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk