City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jan 21 2026 9:24 am CITY OF FITCHBURG OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 718 Main Street Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Fitchburg, MA 01420 jbilotta@fitchburgma.gov 978-829-1820 December 19, 2025 WARRANT FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Dear Councilors: The Organizational Meeting of the 2026 City Council will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Legislative Building, 700 Main St., Fitchburg MA. Persons who wish to participate remotely in the Public Forum portion of the meeting may request a remote attendance link by contacting the City Clerk at cityclerk@fitchburgma.gov by 9:00 AM on the day of meeting. The Meeting has been called for the following purposes: Election of the Council President for the year 2026; Election of the Council Vice President for the year 2026; 1 – 26 ORDER: Adopting Rules of the City Council for the year 2026; 2 – 26 ORDER: Setting dates of Regular Meetings of the City Council for the year 2026; Per Order: Joanna Bilotta-Simeone City Clerk Clerk, City Council The Organizational Meeting of the City Council was called to order by City Clerk Joanna Bilotta at 10:02 a.m. The Salute to the Flag was led by Councilor Van Hazinga. The City Clerk called the roll and nine (10) members were present (Councilor Cragin absent). Board consists of eleven (11) members. The City Clerk read the warrant for the Organizational Meeting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Clerk Joanna Bilotta administered the Oath of Office to the 2026 Elected Officials, including Mayor Squailia, members of the City Council, and members of the School Committee. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations for Council President were declared open by the City Clerk. The name of Councilor Anthony Zarrella was placed in nomination and seconded. There were no further nominations. Nominations were declared closed following a roll call vote 10 in favor 0 opposed. A roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed resulted in the election of Councilor Anthony Zarrella as President of the City Council for the year 2026. President Zarrella assumed the Chair for the remainder of the meeting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations for Council Vice President were declared open by President Zarrella. The name of Councilor Derrick J. Cruz was placed in nomination and seconded. There were no further nominations. Nominations were declared closed following a roll call vote of 10 in favor and 0 opposed. A roll call vote ten (10) in favor and 0 opposed resulted in the election of Councilor Derrick J. Cruz as Vice President of the City Council for the year 2026. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following Order were received: 1 – 26. ORDER: Adopting Rules of the City Council for the year 2026. Proposed Amendments to the 2026 Rules and Orders for the City Council: PROPOSAL #1 (Beauchemin sponsor): Section 4.6 to permit its Councilors to participate in their capacity as such in meetings of Council committees of which they are not a member, provided that, if there is a quorum of the Council present (a committee of the whole) the Council must post its own meeting notice in addition to the committee’s notice. • Concerns that all councilors would have to be part of the voting Committee • Concerns that all councilors would have to attend all the subcommittee meetings Motion and second to hold, until City Solicitor could be present to further discuss unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to approve the rules and orders of the City Council as previously adopted January 6, 2025 by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present 2 – 26. ORDER: Setting dates of Regular Meetings of the City Council for the year 2026. The dates of the regular meetings of the City Council for the year 2026 are as follows: JANUARY Tuesday 6th and Tuesday, 20th FEBRUARY Tuesday 3rd and Tuesday 17th MARCH Tuesday 3rd and Tuesday 17th APRIL Tuesday 7th and Tuesday 21st MAY Tuesday 5th and Tuesday 19th JUNE Tuesday 2nd and Tuesday 16th JULY Tuesday 7th and Tuesday 21st AUGUST NO MEETINGS SEPTEMBER Wednesday 2nd and Tuesday 15th OCTOBER Tuesday 6th and Tuesday 20th NOVEMBER Wednesday 4th and Tuesday 17th DECEMBER Tuesday 1st and Tuesday 15th Meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM In the Legislative Building at 700 Main Street Persons who wish to participate remotely in the Public Forum portion of the meeting may request a remote attendance link by contacting the City Clerk at cityclerk@fitchburgma.gov by 12:00 PM (noon) on the day of meeting. Order was adopted by unanimous consent 10/0. 10 members present. Board consists of 11 members. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM. ___________________________ Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk