Human Rights Commission
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · August 11, 2020
Minutes
Feb 12 2021 11:49 am
CITY OF FITCHBURG
PUBLIC MEETING
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Date: August 11, 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Location: via Zoom
In attendance were: Commissioners: Barbara Nealon, David Roth, Cheryl Maguy-Stewart, April Maldanado,
Senovia Bolivar, Martiza Knight and guest Rev.Thomas Hughes
Meeting called to order at 5:30pm
● Welcoming and attendance of meeting conducted.
● Review of previous meeting minutes from: July 14, 2020 meeting minutes accepted as written.
● Public Comment Period-Opportunity for the public to speak during a Commission Meeting
Chairperson or designee will ask if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on any matter appearing on the agenda.
If you wish to address the commission, raise your hand, when recognized, you must stand state your name and
address and the reason for your speaking: Rev. Thomas Hughes presented concerns specific to the re-opening of
schools during the pandemic. He attended a community meeting last evening with the School Committee on
Pandemic planning.
Discussion followed with Commissioners who agreed more information is needed including clarity specific to
reopening of schools. Concern for health equity, access and safety noted and thanked Rev. Hughes for his
attendance and participation in tonight’s meeting and brining his thoughts forward. Several commissioners
planned to also follow up on school system reopening directly with various members of the school committee
directly including the Superintendent to obtain additional information for clarity.
New Business-no presentation provided. Will plan to reschedule presentation with:
o The Leominster Haitian American Community Center
Rev Beatrice Cayo, ADN, MA in Divinity
President of Leominster Haitian American Community Center
leominsterhaitiancommunityctr@gmail.com
Racial Justice Issues-Local, State and National News discussed.
o Acknowledgment: National and State news specific to how much more work needs to be done to end systemic
racism and continued need for community engagement at all levels is needed.
o Addressing racial justice within the City
a. Anonymous resident concern for fellow neighbor-Barbara provided report from a neighbor witnessing
event within his neighborhood. Barbara followed up with person who preferred not to share
information re: specifics, address etc. but agreed to provide our information directly to the neighbor.
Neighbor over heard landlord using the “N” word toward his neighbor. Mass Commission Against
Discrimination information was shared with the resident to provide neighbor as well as her phone
number if he/she wished to speak directly to her. No follow up has been made as of this date.
b. HRC efforts on drafting recommendations to City Council on Racial Justice initiatives continues in
process with Adrian’s lead.
c. City Block Health notified Barbara of the HRC’s $1,000 grant award to go towards our Racial Justice
initiatives. Commissioner April Maldonado, submitted the Commission’s name in for funding and we
were selected. Thank you April! Commissioner’s to think of ways we may be able to use these
resources towards our racial justice initiatives moving forward.
Old Business
o Performance Improvement Policy with AA Plan & EOE specific measurements –Adrian
o SURJ –Racial Justice program update-deferred
o Other items, topics, programs for discussion for future meetings
Adjournment at 6:20pm.
Meeting minutes submitted by,
Agenda submitted by,
Barbara Nealon
Agenda
CITY OF FITCHBURG Filed in the City Clerk's Office:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
HUMAN RlGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: Tuesday,Augustll,2020 'wm
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City Fitchburg
AGENDA ITEMS: * VlRTUALMEETING
• Meetingcall to order
• Welcoming and Introductions {attendance}
• Review of previous meeting minutes July 14, 2020
• Public Comment Period-OpportL/n/'ty/or the public to speak during a Commission Meeting
Chairperson or designee will ask ifanyone in the audience wishes to speak on any matter appearing on the agenda. Ifyou wish to
address the commission, raise your hand, when recognized, you must stand state your name and address and the reason for your
speaking
• New Business-
o Presentation-Overview ofthe Leominster Haitian American Community Center
Rev Beatrice Cayo, ADN, MA in Divinity
President ofLeominster Haitian American Community Center
leominsterhaitiancommunityctr@Qmail.com
o Addressing racial justice within the City
a. Resident concern for fellow neighbor
b. HRC efforts on drafting recommendations to City Council on Racial Justice initiatives
• Old Business
o Performance Improvement Policy with AA Plan & EOE specific measurements -Adrian
o Other items, topics, programs for discussion for future meetings
• Adjournment
Agenda submitted by,
Barbara Nealon, Chairperson
*Please note: Massachusetts Open Meeting Law requires that all topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates must be listed and
that the list oftopics must be sujficiently specific to reasonably inform the public ofthe issues to be discussed at the meeting.
CITY OF FITCHBURG
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
hould there be any Human Right needs be identified during the Pandemic
please contact Phone: 978-829-1801 or humanrightscomm@fitchburgma.gov
*Please note: Massachusetts Open Meeting Law requires that all topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates must be listed and
that the list oftopics must be sufficiently specific to reasonably inform the public ofthe issues to be discussed at the meeting.
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