City Council - 5.6.2025

City Council Meeting - 5.6.2025

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Chapters

Meeting Open (00:00:00)
Meeting Open
Public Forum (00:01:28)
Public Forum
Announcements (00:03:02)
Announcements
Report of the Appointments Committee Meeting - May 6, 2025 (00:07:11)
Report of the Appointments Committee Meeting - May 6, 2025

Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of May 6, 2025 New Appointment: Fitchburg Human Rights Commission (Term to expire April 1, 2028) David De Jesus New Appointment: Associate Member Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals (Term to expire May 6, 2027) Christopher Deloge
Report of the Committee on Records - Through April 15, 2025 (00:07:52)
Report of the Committee on Records - Through April 15, 2025

Regular City Council meeting minutes of April 15, 2025
Communication: New Appointments and Re-Appointments (00:08:10)
Communication: New Appointments and Re-Appointments

V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Full-Time Student Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg - Sara Coffey, Tyler Doucette, Angelina Magaw-Chan, Arlene Tostes 2. New-Appointment letter: Full-Time Student Police Officer for the City of Fitchburg - Adam Bourgault 3. New Appointment letter: Michael T. Hurley, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Registrars, for a term to expire on April 1, 2028. 4. New Appointment letter: Emily Stark, as a Member of the Fitchburg Disability Commission, for a term to expire on May 1, 2028. 5. Re-Appointment letter: James J. McGrath, as a Member of the Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners, for a term to expire on April 1, 2030. 6. Re-Appointment letter: Krista Fords-Rhodes, as a member for the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, for a term to expire on May 1, 2028
Annual Report: 082-25 - Fitchburg Fire Department for the FY 2024 (00:09:17)
Annual Report: 082-25 - Fitchburg Fire Department for the FY 2024
Report of the City Property Committee Meeting: May 6, 2025 (00:09:52)
Report of the City Property Committee Meeting: May 6, 2025

City Property Committee Meeting of May 6, 2025 Oral Report 066-25. ORDER THAT: the City Council does hereby approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Conservation Restriction by and between Ralph S. Baker, 840 Ashby West Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, Worcester County, being the sole owner of 24.8 acres, +/-, shown as Lot-1 on a plan of land titled Proposed Plan of Land for Ralph S. Baker Fitchburg, Massachusetts, dated September 10, 2021, by New England Engineering, 601 Shea St. Fitchburg, MA 01420, recorded at Worcester Northern District Registry of Deeds, Plan 531-6, on October 5, 2021, and the North County Land Trust, Inc., 325 Lindell Avenue, Leominster, MA as more fully set forth in the Conservation Restriction dated October 30, 2024 as included with this Order
Report of the Finance Committee Meeting: April 23, 2025 (00:10:31)
Report of the Finance Committee Meeting: April 23, 2025

Finance Committee Meeting of April 23, 2025 Oral Report + 071-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($9,500) from HEALTH - Travel & Meetings Expense to HEALTH -RUBBISH REMOVAL - Cleanup Funds. (Be Adopted) + 072-25. ORDER THAT: there be and is appropriated from AVAILABLE FUNDS the sum of TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000) for HEALTH - RUBBISH REMOVAL - Cleanup Funds. (Be Adopted) + 073-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Complete Streets Funding Program, in the approximate amount of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE DOLLARS ($456,121) to support pedestrian projects on Summer Street and at Electric Avenue and Rollstone Road. (Be Adopted) + 075-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of funds from Round 2 of the Department of Fire Services Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the approximate amount of FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO AND 33/100 DOLLARS ($5,452.33) for the purpose of purchasing handheld thermal imaging cameras. (Be Adopted) + 076-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriate and transfer the sum of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000) from Available Funds to the Stabilization Fund. (Be Adopted) + 077-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriate and transfer the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) from Available Funds to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund. (Be Adopted) + 078-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000) same to be charged against AVAILABLE FUNDS and credited to DPW ADMIN/ENGINEERING EXPENSES - Stormwater Contract Services. (Be Adopted) + 079-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000) from TREASURER PERSONAL SERVICES - Clerical to TREASURER EXPENSES - Temporary Services. (Be Adopted) + 080-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby transfers the sum of EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($8,000) from TREASURER PERSONAL SERVICES - Assistant Department Head to TREASURER EXPENSES - Training. (Be Adopted) + 068-25-2. We request the funds be deposited into a revolving fund effective July 1, 2026 for equipment maintenance and future upgrades. This fee is charged annually through the Fire Dept. for all Fire Alarm Systems. This system is maintained and monitored by the Fitchburg Fire Department Dispatch Center, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. (Be Amended and Held)
Order: 074-25 - Earmark Expenditure of $250,000 from the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (00:13:44)
Order: 074-25 - Earmark Expenditure of $250,000 from the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities

074-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of earmark funds from the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities in the approximate amount of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) to support the conversion of vacant upper-story space in downtown into housing. (Be Adopted)
Report of the Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting: May 6, 2025 (00:15:21)
Report of the Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting: May 6, 2025

Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting of May 6, 2025 Oral Report 070-25. President Zarrella, on behalf of FATV to adopt resolution in support of bill S.41 and H.91 'Streaming Bill' as per enclosed resolution.
Report of the Public Works Committee Meeting: April 29, 2025 (00:16:21)
Report of the Public Works Committee Meeting: April 29, 2025

Public Works Committee Meeting of April 29, 2025 Oral Report + 028-25. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Andy Van Hazinga, on behalf of Harry Haldt of 66 Richardson Rd., to assess the need for a stop sign or other traffic control measures at the intersection at High Street and Mechanic Street. (Be Granted) + 069-25. Councilor Andrew J. Couture, on behalf of Paul Gagne and other residents, to change the status of Central Ave. Ext. from a paper road to an actual road. (Leave to Withdraw) + 168-24. Councilor Andrew Couture on behalf of Paulo Fritz, to investigate water runoff from the property of 160 Stickney Rd. An apron and berm should be placed to stop the water intrusion to stop the damage to the property. (Leave to Withdraw)
Orders-Finance (00:25:28)
Orders-Finance

VIII. ORDERS - FINANCE + 083-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds awarded to the Parks Department by CoFF33 Corp. in the approximate amount of NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,000) for the purpose of beautifying traffic signal control boxes with murals. + 084-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE DOLLARS ($84,579), representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' share of the required match for participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Program. + 085-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000), from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities - Community Planning Grant Program, to develop a regional housing production plan with the City of Leominster. + 086-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($330,000), from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities - HousingWorks Infrastructure Program, to support the Green Acres Road and Sidewalk Replacement Project. + 087-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of SIXTY-TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($62,100), from the Community Compact Cabinet - Information Technology Grant Program, to support the city's 40U program with the purchase of handheld ticketing machines and software. + 088-25. ORDER THAT: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount of TWO HUNDRED FORTY-THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY DOLLARS ($243,130), from the Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division, for LED Lighting at Longsjo Middle School.
Order-Finance: 099-25 - To Appropriate $216,665.01 from 'Reserve for Appropriation - PEG Access Expenses' (00:25:47)
Order-Finance: 099-25 - To Appropriate $216,665.01 from 'Reserve for Appropriation - PEG Access Expenses'

099-25. ORDER THAT: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE AND 01/100 DOLLARS ($216,665.01) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS EXPENSES to support FATV capital needs. (Suspension of Rules)
Order-Other (00:26:35)
Order-Other
Ordinance: 020-25 - To Adopt the Provisions of G.L. c.60, Sect. 62A as Amended By Sect. 89-91 of Ch. 140 of the Acts of 2024 (00:27:18)
Ordinance: 020-25 - To Adopt the Provisions of G.L. c.60, Sect. 62A as Amended By Sect. 89-91 of Ch. 140 of the Acts of 2024

020-25. AN ORDINANCE: to adopt the provisions of G.L. c.60, Sect. 62A as amended by Section 89 through 91 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024. (Final Reading)
Ordinance: 027-25 - To Correct Ordinance 009-2024 - 'Snow or Ice on Motor Vehicles' (00:27:58)
Ordinance: 027-25 - To Correct Ordinance 009-2024 - 'Snow or Ice on Motor Vehicles'

027-25. AN ORDINANCE: the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that the ordering of the prior insertions in Ordinance 009-2024 is hereby corrected as follows: 1. Section 5 is struck its entirety. 2. Section 6 shall now insert a new Article X entitle ?Snow and Ice? at the end of Chapter 169 Vehicles and Traffic. 3. A new Section 169-103 entitled ?Duty to remove snow or ice from motor vehicles? shall be inserted under Article X and read as follows in Section 6 of Ordinance 009-2024. (Final Reading)
Ordinance: 090-25 - Amending Ch. 44 Sect. 10 (Council on Aging Hourly Positions) of the Fitchburg City Code (00:28:28)
Ordinance: 090-25 - Amending Ch. 44 Sect. 10 (Council on Aging Hourly Positions) of the Fitchburg City Code

AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 44 Section 10 (Council on Aging hourly positions) of the code of the City of Fitchburg. (First Reading)
Ordinance: 091-25 - To Raise the Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee to $300 (00:39:59)
Ordinance: 091-25 - To Raise the Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee to $300

AN ORDINANCE: by the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that a new Section 23-36 is inserted into Chapter 23 Fire Department, Article II Chief Engineer, reading as follows: Section 23-36 Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee The following rate is to be the fee charged for the City Fire Department to issue a license to monitor fire alarm systems: $300. This section shall take effect January 1, 2026. (First Reading)
Petitions (00:40:53)
Petitions

XI. PETITIONS + 092-25. Councilor Andrew Couture, to rename the Crocker Splash Pad at Crocker Park to the Joel Kaddy Memorial Splash Pad. (City Property/Park & Rec) + 093-25. Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk, to review the Mayor's salary and the City Councilors' salary, as required by Chapter 3-43 of the Code of the Fitchburg. (Council as a Whole) + 094-25. Community Development & Planning Department is requesting that City Council adopt zoning changes to comply with the Massachusetts Model Floodplain bylaws and incorporate the new FEMA floodplain maps effective July 8, 2025. (Planning Board/Public Hearing) + 095-25. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, in conjunction with Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Director of Public Health Steve Curry, to address public safety issues at 240 Water Street, the former St. Bernard's Church. The church spire is no longer straight up and down and presents a falling danger. In addition, homeless people frequently have broken into the church buildings and present an ongoing fire hazard for the city. A more permanent securing of the buildings at this address is necessary. (Public Safety) + 096-25. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga, to install a traffic sign on Davis Street at Highland Court warning ?Caution - Autistic Child?, or similar. (Public Works) + 097-25. City Councilor Bernie Schultz, on behalf of Jason Badillo of 126 South Street, to repair sidewalk on Charles Street next to his residence. The concrete part of the sidewalk has deteriorated, and a tree has lifted a portion of the nearby asphalt sidewalk. (Public Works)
Petition: 098-25 - To Extend the Solar Moratorium To Allow for Additional Time To Implement the Solar Zoning Change (00:44:08)
Petition: 098-25 - To Extend the Solar Moratorium To Allow for Additional Time To Implement the Solar Zoning Change

Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of the Shea Street neighborhood Group to extend the Solar Moratorium to allow for additional time to implement the solar zoning change. (Reference Ordinance #183-24) (Suspension of Rules)
Announcements (Continued) (00:46:20)
Announcements (Continued)

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