Legislative Affairs Committee
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · October 26, 2022
Minutes
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Aug 31 2023 3:29 pm
Legislative Affairs Meeting Minutes
October 26, 2022
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 PM.
Present were Legislative Committee members Zarrella (Chair), Van Hazinga, Couture, and Cruz. (Cragin
absent.)
Present on behalf of his petition was Councilor DiNatale.
Agenda:
255-22 Councilor Marcus DiNatale, on behalf of Fitchburg resident Jacquelyn Wehjte, to change
the method by which members of the Board of Health are chosen from appointive to
elective. Members would serve 4 year terms and be chosen by the people of Fitchburg
via the November municipal election ballot on odd numbered years. Signature
requirements for ballot placement would be 50 valid certified signatures from Fitchburg
registered voters across all wards and precincts. If there are more than double the
number of candidates (more than 6) for the number of seats (3 seats), a preliminary
election will be held on a date subject to City Council approval.
After extensive discussion regarding the merits of direct versus representative democracy, public health
versus individual discretion, and the capability of the public to adequately judge the credentials of
medical professionals, motion was made by Councilor Van Hazinga and seconded by Councilor Cruz to
give the petition leave to withdraw.
Motion passed by a vote of 3-1 (Couture in opposition).
Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Van Hazinga, seconded by Councilor Cruz, and passed by
unanimous consent.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 PM.
Agenda
Filed in the City Clerk’s Office:
CITY OF FITCHBURG
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
1:25 pm, Oct 26, 2022
AGENDA
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
MEETING DATE: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
MEETING TIME: 6:00 PM
MEETING PLACE: LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
Address 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA
AGENDA ITEMS:*
The meeting can also be viewed on FATV.org by choosing Government Live Stream, on Comcast Channel 99, or on
Verizon Channel 37.
This meeting will be open to the public. Persons who wish to participate remotely in the Public Forum portion of the
meeting may request a remote attendance meeting link by contacting the City Clerk at cityclerk@fitchburgma.gov,
prior to NOON on the day of the meeting.
The public is invited to participate in the Zoom webinar of Oct 26, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Fitchburg Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting
Register in advance for the Public Comment/Hearing portion of the Agenda by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PGmNGr9BSgOU0cIAWRi2FQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about logging in to join the webinar
255-22 Councilor Marcus DiNatale, on behalf of Fitchburg resident Jacquelyn Wehjte, to change the method
by which members of the Board of Health are chosen from appointive to elective. Members would
serve 4 year terms and be chosen by the people of Fitchburg via the November municipal election
ballot on odd numbered years. Signature requirements for ballot placement would be 50 valid certified
signatures from Fitchburg registered voters across all wards and precincts. If there are more than
double the number of candidates (more than 6) for the number of seats (3 seats), a preliminary election
will be held on a date subject to City Council approval.
Anthony Zarrella, Chairman
Legislative Affairs Committee
Posted By Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, Clerk
*Please note: Massachusetts Open Meeting Law requires that all topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates must be listed and
that the list of topics must be sufficiently specific to reasonably inform the public of the issues to be discussed at the meeting.
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