City Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Feb 05 2026 10:28 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 Amy L. Green Ward 3 – Joseph S. Bowen, Jr. Kevin T. Starr Vice President Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga Elizabeth R. Walsh Derrick J. Cruz 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 January 20, 2026. The meeting was called to order by President Zarrella at 7:17 P.M. The meeting opened with a salute to the Flag led by Councilor Beauchemin. The Clerk called the roll 11 Councilors were present. 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, January 22 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 dog license poster contest is beginning. Calling all your artists who are animal lovers! Leominster Fitchburg Animal Control, and the City Clerk of Fitchburg seek submission to the annual “Dog License Poster Contest.” Artists who live or are educated in Fitchburg from grades 1 to 6 are invited to create an original artwork to help members of our city keep their dog safe! Prizes include trophies from Fitchburg Police Department, and goody bags contributed by sponsors Friends of Fitchburg DOGS and Be PAWSitive Therapy Pets and Community Education. One drawing will be selected for artwork for winning poster, and numerous Honorable Mentions will be given. Flyer will be posted on the City of Fitchburg Facebook page, and available at the Clerk’s Office. The deadline is Friday, February 13th, 2026. Work must be original, no stencils and use bright colors; 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper oriented vertically. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fitchburg Historical Society is hosting a Public Reception with historic snacks on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m to celebrate the founding of the Fitchburg Historical Society on February 3rd, 1892 – 134 years ago. We will have a few snacks created from cookbooks of the past, chosen from our collection. And a Carrie Nation approved temperate beverage. The event is FREE and the public is invited, but donations are accepted. The Historical Society is located in the Phoenix Building at 781 Main Street, call them at 978-345-1157 for more information. Also, there is a temporary exhibition currently on view at the Historical Society of two historic Iver Johnson bicycles and also a display about the history of music in Fitchburg. Open Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays and free to visit. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. REPORT OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of January 20, 2026 New Appointment: Board of Trustees for the Public Library (Term to expire January 20, 2029) Reverend Daniel W. Spigelmeyer, Jr. (Be Held) Re-Appointment: Board of Trustees for the Public Library Sabrina Holley-Williams – For a term to expire January 1, 2029 Joanne Huse – For a term to expire January 2, 2029 New Appointment: Fitchburg Council on Aging (Term to expire January 1, 2029) Thomas C. Hopkins Re-Appointment: Fitchburg Council on Aging (For a term to expire January 1, 2029) Deborah Dion Re-Appointments: Fitchburg Disability Commission Tiffany Wells - For a term to expire October 1, 2028 Doris Matte – For a term to expire February 1, 2028 Carolyn Quirk – For a term to expire February 1, 2028 Barbara Slattery – For a term to expire July 1, 2028 Report read and accepted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Organizational City Council meeting minutes January 5, 2026 Regular City Council meeting minutes of January 6, 2026 Report read and minutes adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. Re-Appointment letter: Hafsa Ahmed Asfa, as a Member of the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire October 1, 2028. Appointment stands referred to the Appointments Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Finance Committee Meeting of January 14, 2026 Oral Report 003-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funds in the approximate amount of SEVENTY-SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND SEVEN AND 11/100 DOLLARS ($76,307.11) for the purpose of continuing the Police Department Civilian Domestic Violence Advocate program. (Be Adopted) 004-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the approximate amount of TWENTY-NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS ($29,556) for critical technology and equipment upgrades to support community policing efforts. (Be Adopted) Report read and accepted. Orders adopted by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Orders signed by Mayor January 29, 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of January 20, 2026 Oral Report 005-26. BE IT ORDAINED THAT – Chapter 138, §§ 138.2 through 138.3 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg be amended as follows to enhance enforcement of junk vehicle infractions: That the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 138, §§ 138.2 through 138.3, as most recently amended, be further amended by adding the language denoted as emboldened in the enclosed Ordinance. Ordinance 005-26 006-26. BE IT ORDAINED THAT – Chapter 172, §§ 172.1 through 172.6 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg be amended as follows to enhance enforcement of junk vehicle infractions: That the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 172, §§ 172.1 through 172.6, as most recently amended, be further amended by deleting the language denoted with strikethrough and replacing with the language denoted as emboldened in the enclosed Ordinance. Ordinance 006-26 Report read and accepted. Motion and second to send Ordinance to a first and second reading and ordered advertised by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. ORDERS – FINANCE Orders stand referred to Finance Committee: 008-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000) from the Community Development Block Grant Housing Revolving Fund to the CDBG Year 51 Demolition activity account. 009-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of Massachusetts Audubon Society grant funds in the approximate amount of SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($71,550) to fulfill the city’s matching obligation for a conservation restriction at 71 Bennett Road. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  VIII. ORDERS – OTHER 010-26. ORDER THAT: That the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an Easement and Maintenance Agreement for a portion of the property located 62 Academy Street and 82 Academy Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, owned by FAC Owner LLC as indicated in the attached order and agreement. (Suspension of Rules) Motion and second for suspension of rules by roll call vote 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. Motion and second to adopt Order by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board Consists of 11 members. Order signed by the Mayor January 29, 2026. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Order stands referred to Legislative Affairs: 011-26. ORDER THAT: The Fitchburg City Council accepts the provisions of Section 12D of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, as added by Section 51 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025, to allow the Fitchburg Liquor License Commission as the local licensing authority of the City, to approve a request from a licensee to convert an existing license to sell wines and malt beverages only for on-premises consumption to a license to sell all alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption, subject to all other provisions of G.L. c.138, including notice, publication, and certified mailing of, and a public hearing on, such conversion. (Legislative Affairs) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. PETITIONS Motion and second for suspension of rules by roll call vote 10 in favor and 1 opposed (Councilor Starr). 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. 012-26. Councilor Beauchemin, to propose an amendment to 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. (Suspension of Rules) Motion and second to grant petition by roll call vote 11 in favor and 0 opposed. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 013-26. On behalf of President Zarrella and City Clerk Bilotta: That the City Council of the City of Fitchburg hereby votes to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 110A, which authorizes public offices in the City to remain closed on any or all Saturdays, as determined by the City Council, with such Saturdays to be treated in the same manner as legal holidays. (Legislative Affairs) 014-26. Petition sponsored by Councilor Cruz and Walsh, to amend Ordinance regarding Interim Appointments as outlined in the enclosed petition. Amendment to Interim Appointments (Legislative Affairs) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following petitions were referred to Planning Board with a TBD Public Hearing: 015-26. Fitchburg Planning Board, City of Fitchburg, Paula Caron, Chair, request to amend the Fitchburg Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 181 of the City Code in multiple sections as outlined in the attached memo and draft document. Replacing petition #195-25 – Give Leave Withdraw (Planning Board & Public Hearing TBD) 016-26. Fitchburg Planning Board, City of Fitchburg, Paula Caron, Chair, to change Section 181.647 of the Fitchburg zoning code the allowable hours of operation for Marijuana retail Establishments from 8AM to 8PM to 8AM to 11PM, as outlined in the attached letter. Replacing petition #207-25 – Give Leave Withdraw (Planning Board & Public Hearing TBD) 017-26. Fitchburg Planning Board, City of Fitchburg, Paula Caron, Chair, to change the Table of Principal Use Regulations to allow Marijuana Delivery Courier and Marijuana Delivery Operator uses in the Industrial and Adaptive Industrial Districts, by changing 181.313 E. 15 - Marijuana Delivery Courtier and Marijuana Delivery Operator from “N” under I and AI to “PB”, as outlined in the attached memo. Replacing petition #208-25 – Give Leave Withdraw (Planning Board & Public Hearing TBD) Motion and second to give Petitions 195-25, 207-25 & 208-25 Leave to Withdraw by unanimous consent 11/0. 11 members present. Board consists of 11 members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition was referred to Public Safety: 018-26. Podium Motors, LLC, to petition for a Class II Dealer’s License located at 401 Summer St. Fitchburg, MA 01420. (Public Safety) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. OTHER BUSINESS Next Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 3, 2026 7:00 PM The meeting adjourned at 8:07 P.M. ___________________________________ Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk