City Council - 11.4.2026

City Council Meeting - 11.4.2026

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Chapters

Meeting Open (00:00:00)
Public Forum (00:01:16)
Announcements (00:01:35)
Report of the Appointments Committee - November 4, 2026 (00:08:41)
Report of the Committee on Records - Through October 20, 2026 (00:09:00)

IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS Regular City Council meeting minutes of October 20, 2026
Communications: New Appointments and Re-Appointments (00:09:24)

V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Kathleen G. Goss, as a member of the Fitchburg Cultural Council, for a term to expire March 18, 2028. 2. New-Appointment letter: Permanent Full Time Firefighters For the City of Fitchburg Cole Johnson Chase Bourgault Andrew St. Denis 3. New-Appointment letter: Jeanne M. Hudson, as a member of the Fitchburg Conservation Commission, for a term to expire May 1, 2027. 4. Re-Appointment letter: Michele Marino, as Veterans Service Commissioner, for a term to expire October 1, 2029. 5. Re-Appointment letter: Sean-Michael Tantinarawat, as a member of the Fitchburg Conservation Commission, for a term to expire September 1, 2029.
Communications: Winter Readiness (00:10:14)

COMMUNICATION Nicholas J. Erickson, PE Commissioner of Public Work & City Engineer Winter Readiness
Report of the Finance Committee - October 28, 2026 (00:53:56)

Finance Committee Meeting of October 28, 2026 Oral Report 172-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate grant funds in the approximate amount of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,979,000) from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Eco One Stop Grant to complete the construction phase of the McTaggart Pond Dam Removal and Phillips Brook Restoration Project. (Be Adopted) 173-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate grant funds in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($133,700) from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Eco One Stop Grant to conduct a feasibility study to assess removal of the Overlook Reservoir Dam and Dike, or lowering the normal pool elevations. (Be Adopted) 174-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate grant funds in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000) to advance the design and permitting for two replacement culverts along Ashby West Road. (Be Adopted) 175-26. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 40/100 DOLLARS ($22,658.40) same to be charged against RESERVED FOR APPROPRIATION - TNC PER RIDE ASSESSMENT and credited to DPW CAPITAL EXPENSES - STREET REPAIR for the purpose of road repaving. (Be Adopted) 176-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate grant funds in the approximate amount of TWO HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($260,000) from the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Land and Water Conservation Grant Fund, toward construction of the Riverfront Park Stage. The total project cost is $520,000; this reimbursable grant will supplement previous appropriations from New Vue Communities, State Earmarks, Beers for Good, and CDBG Year 52. (Be Adopted) Page 3 177-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($40,000) from RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES for title searches, appraisals, and easements related to the construction of new sidewalks leading to Memorial Middle School. (Be Adopted) 178-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate SIXTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($64,575) from RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES to address DEP clean-up costs at several city-owned sites. (Be Adopted) 179-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg appropriate TWO HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND 80/100 DOLLARS ($205,817.80) from RESERVE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES to cover the following Fiscal Year 2026 budget deficits: LAW OTHER EXPENSES - Labor Negotiator $197.39 BOARD OF HEALTH - Rubbish Removal $4,420.26 BOARD OF HEALTH - Sanitary Landfill Expenses $61,110.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - Workers Compensation $139,810.35 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - Medicare $279.62 (Be Adopted) 180-26. LOAN ORDER: that Loan Order #019-25, which was ordered by this Council on March 18, 2025 and authorized a borrowing of $11,400,000 for various water projects, is hereby amended by replacing it in its entirety to read as follows: ORDERED: That $11,400,000 aggregate amount is appropriated for the following projects, including all costs incidental and related thereto, which amount may be apportioned to such projects as needed to accomplish the projects: (i) rehabilitation and/or upgrade of the Meetinghouse Gatehouse and Mare Meadow/Bickford Pump Station, at an estimated cost of $4,220,000; (ii) Main Street water main replacement project, at an estimated cost of $3,290,000, which amount is expected to be used in addition to certain American Rescue Plan Act funds available for the project; (iii) Regional Water Treatment Plant roof replacement and/or weatherproofing project, at an estimated cost of $740,000; (iv) Water Street water main replacement project, at an estimated cost of $1,750,000; and (v) Exeter Street and Rodimon Avenue water main replacement projects, including fire hydrants and domestic/fire service lines, at an estimated cost of $1,400,000, which amount is expected to be used in addition certain other funds available through the City's annual operating budget; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $11,400,000 under G.L. c.44, Section 8 or any other enabling authority; that the Mayor is authorized to contract for and expend any federal or state aid available for the projects; that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out the projects; and that the Treasurer is authorized to file an application with the Municipal Finance Oversight Board to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any or all of the bonds authorized by this order and to provide such information and execute such documents as the Municipal Finance Oversight Board may require for these purposes. (Be Adopted - First Reading)
Report of the Legislative Affairs Committee - November 4, 2026 (00:57:30)

Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of November 4, 2026 Oral Report 181-26. RESOLUTION: NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City Council of Fitchburg thanks and honors Ronald B. Ingemie for his distinguished service and lasting contributions to the City and its residents; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a portrait of Ron Ingemie and a plaque memorializing his service, the same to be donated by private parties, be displayed in the Legislative Building.
Orders-Finance: Overview (01:01:45)
184-26: Grant Fund Expenditure of $20,134 from the DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) (01:02:53)

184-26. 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 THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTYFOUR DOLLARS ($20,134) for the purchase of ballistic shields and shield lights. (Suspension of Rules)
185-26: Grant Fund Expenditure of $140,000 from the Department of Mental Health Jail Diversion Program (JDP) (01:03:56)

185-26. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Department of Mental Health Jail Diversion Program (JDP) in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($140,000) to fund the placement of a mental health professional embedded with the Police Department, as well as training for the purpose of maintaining the Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), supporting individuals in mental health crises other disturbances. (Suspension of Rules)
Resolution: 187-26 - To Fulfill the Requirements of the Previously Approved EOEEA Grant (Stage at Riverfront Park) (01:17:04)

IX. RESOLUTION 187-26. RESOLUTION: Liz Murphy, Executive Director of Community Development & Planning, requesting the Council to fulfill the requirements of the previously approved EOEEA grant, for construction of a stage at Riverfront Park, by adopting the enclosed resolution. Resolution (Ref. Order 176-26) (Finance)
Order-Other (01:20:53)

186-26. ORDER THAT: AN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 98 MAVERICK STREET. THAT the City Council of the City of Fitchburg adopts this Order to authorize the Mayor to acquire for One Dollar, the land known as 98 Maverick Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, as more particularly described in a deed recorded in the Worcester North Registry of Deeds in Book 1309, Page 167, appended hereto, and to authorize the Mayor to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of this vote: and THAT, Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary or convenient to carry out this order. (City Property)
Ordinance (01:21:02)
Petitions (01:21:19)

XI. PETITIONS 189-26. CRAWFORD ST - Unitil petition for a new proposed pole #19A on Crawford St., approximately 380' from Blueberry Lane and approximately 2885' from Airport Blvd. Crawford St. (Refer to Public Hearing November 17, 2026) 190-26. WILMOT ST - Unitil petition for a new proposed pole #2A on Wilmot St., approximately 100' from Prescott St. and approximately 307' from Lunenburg St. Wilmot St. (Refer to Public Hearing November 17, 2026) 191-26. Councilor Fleming, on behalf of Matthew Comeau of 81 Winter St., requests No Parking signs on both sides of Boutelle St. Cars often travel at high speeds along this busy road, and parked vehicles frequently block the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the street. This is especially dangerous at night, when visibility is low. (Public Safety) 192-26. Mary Delaney, Chief Procurement Officer, requesting an order petitioning the State for Special Legislation allowing for digital posting of legal notices by the City of Fitchburg. Digital Posting (Legislative Affairs)
Other Business: To Schedule Future Executive Session, Regarding Pending Litigation in Suarez v. City of Fitchburg (01:22:12)

XII. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion to determine a date for an Executive Session with the Mayor pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, ? 21(a)(3), regarding pending litigation in Suarez v. City of Fitchburg.