City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting - 5.2.2023

File Attachments:

City Council Meeting Agenda 5.2.23 (application/pdf, 312 KB, opens in new window/tab)

Chapters

Meeting Open - Agenda Item I Public Forum (00:00:00)
Meeting Open - Agenda Item I Public Forum

I. PUBLIC FORUM
Agenda Item II Announcements (00:08:40)
Agenda Item II Announcements

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Agenda Item III Appointments Committee (00:14:08)
Agenda Item III Appointments Committee

III. APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE Appointments Committee Withdrawal Oral Report Meeting of May 2, 2023 Re-Appointment: Council on Aging For the City of Fitchburg (Term to expire November 1, 2025) Annie DeMartino - Withdrew
Agenda Item IV Report of Committee on Records (00:15:23)
Agenda Item IV Report of Committee on Records

IV. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECORDS
Agenda Item V Annual Report (00:15:58)
Agenda Item V Annual Report

V. ANNUAL REPORT 109-23. ANNUAL REPORT: Independent Auditor’s report for the year ended June 30, 2022. (See Full Document that is posted on the City’s website) On file with the City Clerk.
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Council as a Whole (00:16:30)
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Council as a Whole

VI. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Council as a Whole Committee Oral Report Meeting of April 26, 2023 085-23. Councilor Marcus DiNatale, on behalf of multiple residents, to end the use of fluoride in Fitchburg’s public water treatment. (Given Leave to Withdraw)
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Finance Committee (00:18:02)
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Finance Committee

Finance Committee Meeting of April 26, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes 100-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Best Value grant in the approximate amount of $135,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to continue providing staffing for various vaccine clinics and to continue providing outreach and collaborate with key stakeholders. (Be Adopted) Page 2 101-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Federal Aviation Administration, Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law grant in the approximate amount of $256,491.00 (TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-ONE AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to perform an environmental assessment and wildlife hazard assessment on the airport property. (Be Adopted)
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Public Works (00:19:03)
Agenda Item VI Report of Committees: Public Works

Public Works Committee Oral Report Meeting of April 25, 2023 037-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz and Anthony Velardi of 229 Rollstone Street to request continuation of sidewalk paving on Rollstone Street from the corner of Charles Street and Rollstone Street to Kimball Street. (Be Granted) 038-23. Councilor Andy Van Hazinga to repair approx. 6 feet of plow-damaged berm at 201 Scott Rd. (Be Granted) 084-23. Councilor Cruz and President Zarrella, on behalf of the residents of Eleanor Street, Tibbett Circle, Watts Way, and Brittany Lane, for sidewalk repairs and improvements to be made throughout the neighborhood. (Be Granted) 093-23. City Councilors Bernie Schultz and Amy Green, on behalf of Barry Watson petition for a sidewalk repair located at 24 Spruce St. (see enclosed photo) (Be Granted) 094-23. City Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga on behalf of 138 Mount Vernon Street, to repair the asphalt berm, which was extensively damaged by snow plows during the winter. (Be Granted) 095-23. City Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga on behalf of Jeff Jollimore, to petition for repairs to the asphalt berm at 131 Longwood Avenue along Caswell Street, which was damaged by snow plows during last winter. (Be Granted) 105-23. City Councilor Bernie Schultz and Gina Teixeira of 40 Nashua Street to request repair of sidewalk asphalt in front of 40 Nashua Street. (Be Granted) 106-23. Councilors Marcus DiNatale and Andrew Couture, on behalf of Leo and Debra Bousquet, to replace damaged berm at 580 Shea Street. (Be Granted) 089-20. Councilor Bernie Schultz and resident Alex Freeman to remove the “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection of John T. Cetrino Memorial Drive and Water Street. (Given Leave to Withdraw) Page 3 093-22. Councilor Sam Squailia on behalf of resident Nick Hains, to add a 4-way controlled stop at the intersection of Victoria Lane, Industrial Drive and Game-On Way. During times of heavy traffic flow in or out of the Game-On facility, residents of Victoria Lane do not have the right of way to cross, and thus must wait for long periods while the traffic lines go through. If a 4-way stop sign is not feasible, an alternate solution shall be investigated by the City. (Given Leave to Withdraw) 243-22. City Councilor Bernie Schultz and Judy Perla of 236 Walton Street to install a yield sign on Pole 1615 facing out on Munroe Street at the intersection of Fairbanks and Munroe Streets to improve traffic safety when motorists depart from South Street Elementary School. (Given Leave to Withdraw) 244-22. City Councilor Derrick Cruz on behalf of Tyrone and Sheila Tines, residents of Clyde Street. I request that the City of Fitchburg implement either “No Parking from Here to the Corner” or “No Parking Signs” at the corner of Hancock and Summer Street, an appropriate distance on both sides. As residents exiting Hancock Street cannot see past the row of cars parked there, it has become a public safety concern for them. (Given Leave to Withdraw)
Agenda Item VII Orders - Finance (00:23:03)
Agenda Item VII Orders- Finance

VII. ORDERS – FINANCE 110-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of EIGHTYFIVE THOUSAND 00/100 DOLLARS ($85,000.00) same to be transferred from POLICE, PERSONAL SERVICES, PATROLMAN and credited to the following POLICE DEPARTMENT accounts: EQUIPMENT & REPAIR, AUTO REPAIR $35,000.00 EQUIPMENT & REPAIR, TRAINING $20,000.00 MAINT. OF BUILDING, REPAIR & CARE $15,000.00 MAINT. OF BUILDING, ELECTRICITY $15,000.00 111-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND 00/100 DOLLARS ($75,000.00) same to be transferred from FIRE, PERSONAL SERVICES, FIREFIGHTERS and credited to FIRE, PERSONAL SERVICES, OVERTIME. 112-23. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Cultural Council grant in the approximate amount of $2,500.00 (TWO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to support Concerts in the Common during the summer months. 113-23 ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from the National Fitness Campaign grant in the approximate amount of $50,000.00 (FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS) for the purpose of said grant, which is to support the construction of the National Fitness Campaign Fitness Park and Outdoor Fitness Studio. Page 4 114-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($335,000.00) same to be transferred from RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES and credited to PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL EXPENSE, EQUIPMENT for the purpose of acquiring a loader and a 1-ton pickup truck. 115-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred from within the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($200,000.00) same to be transferred from RESERVE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, CAPITAL EXPENSES and credited to PARKS CAPITAL EXPENSE, PARK & PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS for purpose of making improvements to the playgrounds. 116-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is transferred the sum of TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($275,000.00) same to be charged against RESERVE FOR SNOW & ICE REMOVAL and credited to the following DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SNOW & ICE accounts: OVERTIME $ 26,973.00 EQUIPMENT RENTAL $ 84,249.00 SALT $163,778.00. 117-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($54,791.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to the following DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SNOW & ICE accounts: SALT $54,791.00. 118-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($10,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to CITY AUDITOR, PERSONAL SERVICES, DEPUTY AUDITOR. 119-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($175,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to LAW OTHER EXPENSES, DAMAGES PERSONS & PROPERTY to settle two claims. 120-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($35,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to FACILTIES DEPARTMENT, EXPENSES. 121-23. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($120,000.00) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to the following AIRPORT EXPENSE accounts: AVIATION FUEL AND OIL $100,000.00 ELECTRICITY $ 20,000.00
Agenda Item VIII Ordinances (00:23:27)
Agenda Item VIII Ordinances

VIII. ORDINANCES 122-23. BE IT ORDAINED THAT: §147-10.1 entitled “Sewer use rates” shall be struck in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in its place as enclosed in the link. Waste Water Increase 123-23. BE IT ORDAINED THAT: §177-15 of the Fitchburg City Code shall be revised as reflected in the chart attached hereto. Specifically, §177-15 shall be revised as enclosed in the link. Revised Water Fee Increase
Agenda Item IX Petitions (00:24:14)
Agenda Item IX Petitions

Petitions
Agenda Item X Other Business - Adjournment (00:37:29)
Agenda Item X Other Business - Adjournment

X. OTHER BUSINESS Review of April 23, 2023 Open Meeting Law Complaint