City Council

Council President Councillors-at-Large Claire M. Freda Thomas F. Ardinger Council Vice President Susan Chalifoux-Zephir Pauline M. Cormier Brandon Robbins Claire M. Freda Ward Councillors Ward 1 – Eladia Romero Ward 2 – Pauline M. Cormier Ward 3 – David R. Cormier Ward 4 – Mark C. Bodanza Ward 5 – Carrie Noseworthy CITY OF LEOMINSTER CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 25, 2026 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PUBLIC HEARING, 6:30 P.M. 3-26 Glenn Eaton, Executive Director, Montachusett Regional Planning Commission; Request to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to replace Article XV: Accessory Apartments with a new Article XV that complies with recently passed state law, and make other changes to implement the new ordinance. (Legal Affairs Committee; Regular Course; 8/11/2025 Further Time; Continued Public Hearing 9/8/2025; at 6:30 P.M; Further Time; Continued Public Hearing 10/14/2025;at 6: 50 P.M; Further Time; continued Public Hearing 11/24/2025; at 6:20 P.M.; Continued Public Hearing Further Time 12/08/2025; at 6:25; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote; .; Continued Public Hearing Further Time 1/12/2026; at 6:43; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote; Further Time; Public Hearing 2/25/2026; at 6:30; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote) PUBLIC HEARING, 6:35 P.M. 25-26 Attorney Jeffery Aveni, Dombrowski, Aveni & Bunnell, P.C Request to amend Section 22-17, as to Underlying Zoning Districts Table of Uses, for the City of Leominster Zoning Ordinance, as amended, and under the Business Uses Table of Uses in the Multi-Use (MU1) Underlying Zoning Districts and change the use so designated as Self Storage from "N", not allowed, to Special Permit Planning Board "SPPB", "Planning Board Special Permit Required." Pursuant to the City of Leominster Zoning Ordinance, Self-Storage is characterized as a Business Use but is only allowed in the Industrial Zoning District. Introduction: 21 Jungle Road, LLC ( hereinafter "Jungle Road") is the owner of 21 Jungle Road, Leominster, MA as same is referenced as Map ID 301 Parcel 1 ( hereinafter " the Premise"). Jungle Road has entered into a purchase and sales agreement with Horizon Storage Group, LLC ( hereinafter "Horizon") for the purchase of the Premise, contingent upon Horizon receiving all necessary approvals and permits for the construction of a self-storage facility on the Premise. The PUBLIC HEARING, cont’d Premises is an ideal site for self-storage based on its proximity to Rte. 2 and Rte. 190. The Premises is located an area that is for the most part commercial or industrial in nature. There are no residential uses that abut or are in the vicinity of the Premises. As part of this petition, please see narrative by Horizon Storage Group, LLC as to the proposed use of the Premises as Exhibit "A", Concept Site Plan as Exhibit "B'', and Example Architectural Rendering(s) and as Exhibit "C." (Legal affairs Committee; Regular Course; 11/10/2025; Public Hearing 12/8/2025 at 6:40 P.M.: Further Time; Rescheduled 1/12/2026 at 6:30 P.M.; Majority Vote; Further Time; Public Hearing 2/25/2026 at 6:35 P.M.) 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. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE IV. APPROVAL OF RECORDS - February 9, 2026 V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR C-46 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request the appropriation of $10,000.00 to the Building Expense Account, with the same amount to be transferred from excess and deficiency. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) C-47 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request the appropriation of $500.00 to be used for the distribution of a scholarship to a disabled high school student. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) Page 2 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR, cont’d C-48 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request an appropriation of $3,000,000.00 to be transferred to the stabilization account from excess and deficiency. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; 2/3 Vote) C-49 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request an appropriation of $3,812.50 to the Parking Enforcement Expense Account, with the same amount to be transferred from excess and deficiency. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) C-50 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; that the amount of $20,000.00 be made to the Bulletproof vest fund, with the same amount to be transferred from excess and deficiency (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) C-51 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request an appropriation of $50,000 to the City Solicitor Expense Account, with the same amount to be transferred from excess and deficiency. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) C-52 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request an appropriation of $420.00 to the Veterans Expense Account, with the same amount to be transferred from excess and deficiency. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) VI. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 36-26 Gregory C. Chapdelaine, Purchasing Agent: Requests to allow the Purchasing Agent to award a contract for School Bussing Services for a five-year period. The current contract will expire at the end of this School Year (June 30, 2026), and in anticipation of this expiration, I am in the process of preparing an Invitation to Bid to secure transportation services for the next 5 years, said services to begin July 1, 2026. (Finance; Regular Course 02/25/2026; Majority Vote) 37-26 Carrie Noseworthy, Ward 5 Councillor: Requests that the City Council adopt the following policy and establish a human rights commission for the City of Leominster. (See attached) (Legal Affairs Committee; Regular Course; 2/25/2026, Majority Vote) VII. MATTERS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL VIII. FINANCIAL REPORT IX. FINANCE Page 3 X. WAYS AND MEANS C-44 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request that the City Council vote to approve Suzanne Koehler and Sandra Cucchiara to the membership of the School Building Committee for Fall Brook Elementary School. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 02/09/2026: Majority Vote) C-45 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; Request the appointment of the following: Planning Board: term to expire 4/15/2031 John J. Souza 347 Prospect Street Leominster, MA (Ways & Means; Regular Course 02/09/2026: Majority Vote) 33-26 Ginny’s Helping Hand Inc, Request to renew license to deal secondhand articles at 52 Mechanic Street, Leominster, MA (Ways & Means; Regular Course 02/09/2026: Majority Vote) 34-26 George's Fine Jewelers DBA House of Relics, Request to renew license to deal secondhand articles at 1292 Main Street, Leominster, MA (Ways & Means; Regular Course 02/09/2026: Majority Vote) 35-26 George's Fine Jewelers, INC., Request to renew license to deal secondhand articles at 255 North Street, Leominster, MA (Ways & Means; Regular Course 02/09/2026: Majority Vote) XI. LEGAL AFFAIRS 3-26 Glenn Eaton, Executive Director, Montachusett Regional Planning Commission; Request to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to replace Article XV: Accessory Apartments with a new Article XV that complies with recently passed state law and make other changes to implement the new ordinance. (Legal Affairs Committee; Regular Course; 8/11/2025 Further Time; Continued Public Hearing 9/8/2025; at 6:30 P.M; Further Time; Continued Public Hearing 10/14/2025; at 6: 50 P.M; Further Time; continued Public Hearing 11/24/2025; at 6:20 P.M.; Continued Public Hearing Further Time 12/08/2025; at 6:25; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote; .; Continued Public Hearing Further Time 1/12/2026; at 6:43; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote; Further Time 2/9/2026; Public Hearing 2/25/2026; at 6:30; PM.; 2/3 Majority Vote) Page 4 LEGAL AFFAIRS, cont’d 25-26 Attorney Jeffery Aveni, Dombrowski, Aveni & Bunnell, P.C Request to amend Section 22-17, as to Underlying Zoning Districts Table of Uses, for the City of Leominster Zoning Ordinance, as amended, and under the Business Uses Table of Uses in the Multi-Use (MU1) Underlying Zoning Districts and change the use so designated as Self Storage from "N", not allowed, to Special Permit Planning Board "SPPB", "Planning Board Special Permit Required." Pursuant to the City of Leominster Zoning Ordinance, Self-Storage is characterized as a Business Use but is only allowed in the Industrial Zoning District. Introduction: 21 Jungle Road, LLC ( hereinafter "Jungle Road") is the owner of 21 Jungle Road, Leominster, MA as same is referenced as Map ID 301 Parcel 1 ( hereinafter " the Premise"). Jungle Road has entered into a purchase and sales agreement with Horizon Storage Group, LLC ( hereinafter "Horizon") for the purchase of the Premise, contingent upon Horizon receiving all necessary approvals and permits for the construction of a self-storage facility on the Premise. The Premises is an ideal site for self-storage based on its proximity to Rte. 2 and Rte. 190. The Premises is located an area that is for the most part commercial or industrial in nature. There are no residential uses that abut or are in the vicinity of the Premises. As part of this petition, please see narrative by Horizon Storage Group, LLC as to the proposed use of the Premises as Exhibit "A", Concept Site Plan as Exhibit "B'', and Example Architectural Rendering(s) and as Exhibit "C." (Legal affairs Committee; Regular Course; 11/10/2025; Public Hearing 12/8/2025 at 6:40 P.M.: Further Time; Rescheduled 1/12/2026 at 6:30 P.M.; Majority Vote; Further Time 2/9/2026; Public Hearing 2/25/2026 at 6:35 P.M.) 30-26 Brandon Robbins and Susan Chalifoux-Zephir, Councillors at Large: Request that the Mayor authorize the appropriate department(s) to research, develop and participate in a contract, or contracts, to aggregate the electricity load of the residents and businesses in the City and for other related services, independently, or in joint action with other municipalities, and authorize the Mayor to execute all documents necessary to accomplish the same. (Ways & Means and Legal Affairs; Regular Course 01/12/2026; Majority Vote Further Time; 1/29/2026 Majority Vote; Further Time; 2/9/2026 Majority Vote) Page 5 XII. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE 27-26 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc requests permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way: Pleasant St – National Grid to install 1 JO Pole on Pleasant St beginning at a point approximately 10’ feet east of the centerline of the intersection of Lisa Dr and continuing approximately 10 feet in an easterly direction. National Grid is installing a push brace on P70 in order to remove an existing tree guy. Location approximately as shown on plan attached Wherefore it prays that after due notice and hearing as provided by law, it be granted a location for and permission to erect and maintain poles and wires, together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary, said poles to be erected substantially in accordance with plan filed herewith marked – Pleasant St – Leominster- Massachusetts. No. #31199528 October 23, 2025 Also, for permission to lay and maintain underground laterals, cables, and wires in the above or intersecting public ways for the purpose of making connections with such poles and buildings as each of said petitioners may desire for districting purposes. (Public Service Committee; Regular Course; 12/08/2025; Public Hearin 1/12/2026 at 6:40 P.M.; Majority Vote; ; Continued Public Hearing 2/9/2026 at 6:30 P.M.; Majority Vote; Further Time; 2/9/2026 Majority Vote) XIII. NEW BUSINESS XIV. OLD BUSINESS XV. COMMUNITY CALENDAR XVI. ADJOURNMENT - Elizabeth Doiron, City Clerk Page 6