City Council

Council President Councillors-at-Large Mark C. Bodanza Thomas F. Ardinger Council Vice President Susan Chalifoux-Zephir Pauline M. Cormier Brandon Robbins Claire M. Freda Ward Councillors Ward 1 – Robert M. Tocci Ward 2 – Pauline M. Cormier Ward 3 – David R. Cormier Ward 4 – Mark C. Bodanza Ward 5 – Peter A. Angelini MINUTES CITY OF LEOMINSTER CITY COUNCIL MARCH 10 , 2025 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAYOR, INFORMATIONAL MEETING, 03/10/2025; 6:15 P.M. C-36 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that the City Council vote to accept G.L.c. 64L Section 2 (a) to implement a local meals excise. The Mayor began the informational meeting at 6:15PM. The Mayor explained that most of the projects the City has done, probably does not add up to the cost of this project, Fall Brook Elementary School. The Mayor is proposing the local meals tax to help fund the new school. The Mayor also explained that the tax would generate an estimated $800,000 to $1.4 million annually. Craig DiCarlo from Left Field, the owners project management team and Nereyda Rodriguez from MDS Architects were present. The project team, and architects, presented details on the design, funding, and timeline via power point presentation. Estimated construction cost: $90 million; total project cost: $115 million. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is expected to contribute approximately 59% of the cost, which is a grant of $63.9 million, leaving the city responsible for around 41%, or $47.5 million. Councillor David Cormier asked if the school was built , how is it going to address future growth? How much more can we grow once this school is built and still accommodate comfortably how many more students above and beyond what we have? Craig DiCarlo MAYOR, INFORMATIONAL MEETING, cont’d did explain that they have accounted for that. the MSBA did a study with the city about what the future enrollment is going to be, and they came to an agreement on a number and that number is less than what is there today. Councillor Freda mentioned she thought the Council violated the open meeting law by giving a presentation on the Fall Brook Elementary School project, without notice on the agenda. President Bodanza stated that the Mayor’s primary reason for the local meals option is to fund the school. President Bodanza also stated that they are setting the table for discussing the revenue side of this project now. Mayor Mazzarella stated the School Committee was given this same presentation in February. LEGAL AFFAIRS, PUBLIC HEARING, 03/10/2025; 6:40 P.M. 29-25 Elizabeth Wood, On behalf of the Planning Board Request to amend the zoning ordinance pertaining to the Flood Plain. Federally mandated update to Flood Plain District (EP): Article VI, Section 22-34 Hearing opened at 7:25 P.M. with Councillor Angelini, Chair of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. Katie Paight with the flood hazard management program within the Department of Conservation and Recreation spoke about the flood insurance maps from FEMA as well as gave a presentation. Councillor Angelini asked the other members of Legal Affairs if they would like to speak, no one spoke. No other members of the City Council spoke. No one from the public spoke. Councillor Angelini asked that the public hearing be kept open. Page 2 LEGAL AFFAIRS, PUBLIC HEARING, 03/10/2025; 6:45 P.M. 24-25 Thomas M. Bovenzi, Esq. on behalf of Steve Boucher, requests to amend the Zoning District map for Parcel 352-6 such that entire parcel will be zoned Residence B. Since a portion is currently zoned Industrial. Hearing opened at 7:44 P.M. with Councillor Angelini, Chair of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. Councillor Angelini stated that the Council was anticipating having a referral from the Planning Board, however the Planning Board did not have a quorum for their last meeting. Steve and Elizabeth Boucher were present. Attorney Bovenzi was absent. Steve Boucher explained that if the petition is granted , the parcel will be used for either apartments or condominiums. Councillor Angelini asked if anyone from the public would like to speak. No one from the public spoke. Councillor Angelini asked that the hearing be kept open. PUBLIC FORUM, 6:55 P.M. The public forum is an opportunity for any member of the audience to speak on a matter specifically listed on the Council Agenda. Speakers will be asked to come to the microphone and state their formal name and address along with identifying the specific item(s) they wish to address. Each speaker is respectfully asked to keep their comments within a two (2) minute time frame. The Council will not be responding or answering any questions; however, at the discretion of the Council President, clarification may be given. The public forum began at 7:50 PM. No one signed up for the public forum. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the City Council opened at 7:00 PM. Councillor David Cormier made a motion to recess. Councillor Pauline Cormier seconded the motion. By a vote of 9-0 the meeting was recessed to continue the public hearing as scheduled at 7:03 PM. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:55 PM. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE Page 3  Attendance was taken by a roll call vote; all members were present. Councillor Bodanza, Councillor David Cormier, Councillor Pauline Cormier, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor Angelini, Councillor Tocci, Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir, Councillor Robbins, and Councillor Freda. Others present, Elizabeth Doiron, City Clerk, Maribel Perez, Assistant City Clerk. IV. APPROVAL OF RECORDS - February 24, 2025 – Minutes – Placed on File V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Councilor Bodanza recused himself from participating in discussing this petition due to a possible conflict of interest. He referred the petition to the Vice President, Councillor Pauline Cormier. Vice President, Councillor Pauline Cormier referred the petition to LEGAL AFFAIRS Chairman Councillor Angelini. Councilor Angelini recused himself from participating in discussing this petition as well. Vice President, Councillor Pauline Cormier then referred the petition to LEGAL AFFAIRS Clerk, Councillor Tocci. Councilor Tocci recused himself from participating in discussing this petition as well. The following COMMUNICATION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS and given REGULAR COURSE. Referrals were made to the Building Department, Code Enforcement, Health Department, Leominster Police Department, Leominster Fire Department and to KPLaw. C-50 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that the City Council hold a Hearing on Middlesex Integrative Medicine’s special Permit to operate a marijuana grow facility. The following COMMUNICATION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS and given REGULAR COURSE. C-51 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $1,750.000 be made to the Health Insurance Expense Accounts: the same amount to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Health Insurance -$1,250,000 Retired Insurance- $500,000 RE: Due to increases in enrollment and rates in the current year. Page 4 VI. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA The following COMMUNICATIONS were received, referred to the WAYS and MEANS and given REGULAR COURSE. 36-25 North Central MA Launch, LLC DBA Launch Leominster; Request to renew Bowling Alley License at 118 Commercial Road, Leominster, MA. 37-25 Everything Cutie, Inc. DBA Cutiques; Request to renew license to deal secondhand dealer articles at 901 Central Street, Leominster, MA. 38-25 Sam and Friends; Request to renew license to deal secondhand dealer articles at 701 North Main Street, Leominster, MA. 39-25 Fred’s Auction House, Request to renew license to deal secondhand articles at 92 Pleasant Street, Leominster, MA. 40-25 Cutie Patuties, Request to renew license to deal secondhand articles at 1021 Central Street, Leominster, MA. VII. FINANCIAL REPORT Councillor David Cormier, Chair of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, read the Financial Report for the City into the record. Account balance is as follows: Stabilization Account $22,136,498.03 VIII. MATTERS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IX. FINANCE The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-36. The City Council voted 9-0 via a roll call vote to Grant Communication C-36. C-36 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that the City Council vote to accept G.L.c. 64L Section 2 (a) to implement a local meals excise. Page 5 FINANCE, cont’d The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-39. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-39. ORDERED: - that the sum of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) be appropriated to the Police Station Capital project fund; the same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-39 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $2,000,000 be made to the Police Station Capital project fund; the same amount is to be transferred from the excess and deficiency account. RE: This is to help pay down the outstanding debt on the police construction. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-40. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-40. ORDERED: - that the sum of Six Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars and Five Cents ($637,722.05) be appropriated to the Sewer Department Capital Outlay Expense Account the same to be transferred from the from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-40 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $637,722.05 be made to the Sewer Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; the same amount is to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-41. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-41. ORDERED: - that the sum of One Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand, Thirty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Nine Cents ($167,039.79) be appropriated to the Water Department Capital Outlay Expense Account the same to be transferred from the from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-41 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $167,039.79 be made to the Water Department Capital Outlay Expense Account. The same amount is to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Page 6 FINANCE, cont’d The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-42. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-42. ORDERED: - that the sum of Six Hundred Seventy - Five Thousand Dollars and ($675,000.00) be appropriated to the Snow and Ice Account the same to be transferred from the from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-42 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $675,000.00 be made to the Snow and Ice Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Snow and Ice Expense: $525,000 Snow and Ice Overtime: $150,000 The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-43. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-43. ORDERED: - that the sum of Three Hundred Seventy - Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000.00) be appropriated to the Rubbish Account, the same to be transferred from the from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-43 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $375,000.00 be made to the Rubbish Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. RE: Due to the increase in recycling cost and mattress disposals. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-44. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-44. ORDERED: - that the sum of One Million, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000) be appropriated to the Stabilization Fund the same to be transferred from the from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-44 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $1,250,000 be made to the Stabilization Fund; the same amount is to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. (Undesignated Fund Balance). Page 7 FINANCE, cont’d The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-45. The City Council voted 8-0 to Grant Communication C-45. Councillor David Cormier abstained. ORDERED: - that the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and ($250,000.00) be appropriated to the Fire Department Public Safety Overtime Account the same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 8-0. C-45 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $250,000.00 be made to the Fire Department Public Safety Overtime Account; the same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-46. The City Council voted 8-0 to Grant Communication C-46. Councillor David Cormier abstained. ORDERED: - that the sum of One Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand, Three Hundred Three Dollars and Fifty-Three Cents ($163,303.53) be appropriated to the following fire accounts; the same to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 8-0. C-46 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of an estimated $163,303.53 be made to the following fire account; the same amount to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. RE: To fund the remaining portion of the first year (FY2025) of contract settlement from FY 2025-FY2027 agreement. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-47. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-47. ORDERED: - that the sum of Twelve Thousand, Nine Hundred Eight Dollars ($12,908.00) be appropriated to the following Paramedic accounts; the same to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-47 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of an estimated $12,908.00 be made to the following Paramedic Accounts; the same amount to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. RE: To fund the remaining portion of the first year (FY2025) of contract settlement from FY 2025-FY2027 agreement. Page 8 FINANCE, cont’d The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-48. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-48. ORDERED: - that the sum of Sixty-Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Ninety-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($64,898.34) be appropriated to the following Non-union accounts; the same to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-48 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of an estimated $64,898.34 be made to the following Non-union accounts; the same amount to be transferred from the Collective Bargaining Expense Account. RE: To fund first year (FY2025) of contract settlement from FY 2025-FY 2027 agreement. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT Communication C-49. The City Council voted 9-0 to Grant Communication C-49. ORDERED: - that the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) be appropriated to the Paramedics Overtime Account; the same to be transferred from the Collective Excess Deficiency Account. Order ADOPTED by a vote of 9-0. C-49 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request that an appropriation of $25,000.00 be made to the Paramedics Overtime Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Excess Deficiency Account. X. LEGAL AFFAIRS Recommendation made for FURTHER TIME was GRANTED. Vote 9-0. A Public Hearing date was established for March 24, 2025, at 6:30pm. Vote 9-0 29-25 Elizabeth Wood, On behalf of the Planning Board Request to amend the zoning ordinance pertaining to the Flood Plain. Federally mandated update to Flood Plain District (EP): Article VI, Section 22-34. Page 9 LEGAL AFFAIRS, cont’d Recommendation made for FURTHER TIME was GRANTED. Vote 9-0. A Public Hearing date was established for April 14, 2025, at 6:30pm. Vote 9-0 24-25 Thomas M. Bovenzi, Esq. on behalf of Steve Boucher, requests to amend the Zoning District map for Parcel 352-6 such that entire parcel will be zoned Residence B. Since a portion is currently zoned Industrial. PUBLIC SAFETY and TRAFFIC Recommendation made for FURTHER TIME was GRANTED. Vote 9-0. A Public Hearing date is already established for March 24, 2025, at 6:40pm. Vote 9-0 32-25 Susan Chalifoux Zephir, City Councillor At-Large: Request the installation of two poles for placement of permanent speed feedback signs on Mechanic St. at approximately the same location as the temporary speed feedback trailer previously place by the Leominster Police Department on Mechanic St. Location to be determined by the Leominster Police Department and DPW. Recommendation made for FURTHER TIME was GRANTED. Vote 9-0 35-25 Kenneth Delgado, 8 Highland Street, Lancaster, MA; Request to amend the current lot width under zoning district RB for two family dwellings. The amendment would consist of changing the minimum required width from 80 ft to 50 ft for two family dwellings. The current frontage requirement for two family dwellings in RB is 50’ and 80’ lot width requirement would create “Pork Chop” lots, which the city does not favor. Lot configuration would be rectangular and consistent if both frontage and lot width were equal. Re: 1420, 1426, 1428, 1432 Central Street, Leominster, MA. XI. WAYS AND MEANS The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. By a vote of 9-0 the petition was GRANTED. 31-25 Entertainment Cinemas Leominster LLC; Request to renew License at 45 Sack Blvd, Leominster, MA Page 10 WAYS AND MEANS, cont’d The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the following petitions. By a vote of 9-0 the petitions were GRANTED. 33-25 House of Relics: Request to renew license to deal secondhand dealer articles at 1292 Main Street, Leominster, MA 34-25 EcoATM, LLC; Request to renew license to deal secondhand dealer articles at 11 Jungle Road, Leominster, MA. XII. NEW BUSINESS XIII. OLD BUSINESS XIV. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Councillor Freda reminded everybody that the Rte. 12 project is beginning, it started today. It was her understanding that DOT, Department of Transportation, would have a 50% hearing. XV. ADJOURNMENT Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir made a motion to adjourn, Councillor Robbins seconded the motion, meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. - Elizabeth Doiron, City Clerk Page 11