City Council - 5.20.2025

City Council Meeting - 5.20.2025

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Agenda (pdf, 456 KB, opens in new window/tab)

Chapters

Meeting Open (00:00:00)
Meeting Open
Public Forum (00:01:39)
Public Forum
Announcements (00:14:15)
Announcements
Report of the Appointments Committee Meeting - May 20, 2025 (00:17:35)
Report of the Appointments Committee Meeting - May 20, 2025

Appointments Committee Oral Report Meeting of May 20, 2025 New-Appointment letters: Full-Time Student Police Officers for the City of Fitchburg + Sara Coffey + Tyler Doucette + Angelina Magaw-Chan + Arlene Tostes New-Appointment letter: Full-Time Student Police Officer for the City of Fitchburg + Adam Bourgault New Appointment letter: Fitchburg Board of Registrars (For a term to expire April 1, 2028) - Michael T. Hurley New Appointment letter: Fitchburg Disability Commission (For a term to expire May 1, 2028) - Emily Starks Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners (For a term to expire April 1, 2030) - James J. McGrath Re-Appointment letter: Fitchburg Human Rights Commission (For a term to expire May 1, 2028) - Krista Fords-Rhodes
Report of the Committee on Records - Through May 6, 2025 (00:38:17)
Report of the Committee on Records - Through May 6, 2025

Regular City Council meeting minutes of May 6, 2025
Communication: New Appointments (00:38:54)
Communication: New Appointments

V. COMMUNICATION Her Honor the Mayor 1. New-Appointment letter: Brittney Fish, to the position of Human Resources Director for the City of Fitchburg, for a term to expire December 31, 2026. 2. New-Appointment letter: Felix I. Zemel, to the position of Building Commissioner for the City of Fitchburg, for a term to expire June 1, 2028.
Special Presentation: Historical Commission - May Preservation Month (00:42:06)
Special Presentation: Historical Commission - May Preservation Month
Report of the City Property Committee Meeting: May 20, 2025 (01:07:18)
Report of the City Property Committee Meeting: May 20, 2025

City Property Committee Meeting of May 20, 2025 Oral Report + 089-25. ORDER THAT: the City Council of the City of Fitchburg, duly elected, qualified, and acting as such, on behalf of the City, votes to authorize the Mayor to execute an extension of the lease by and between the City of Fitchburg and Crown Atlantic Company LLC, as the successor of Bell Atlantic Mobile of Massachusetts Corporation, Ltd., d/b/a Verizon Wireless for the property located at 1078 Franklin Road, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for the final renewal term of five years commencing on April 15, 2025 and ending on April 15, 2030 and to take any other action necessary or convenient to carry out this vote. + 092-25. RESOLUTION THAT: Councilor Andrew Couture, to rename the Crocker Splash Pad at Crocker Park to the Joel Kaddy Memorial Splash Pad.
Report of the Economic Development Committee Meeting: May 20, 2025 (01:10:41)
Report of the Economic Development Committee Meeting: May 20, 2025

Economic Development Committee Meeting of May 20, 2025 Oral Report + Update on Housing, including InTown Fitchburg HDIP units + New Businesses opened in Fitchburg since last meeting of ED Subcommittee + Cultural District Marketing Plan Meeting 5-29 + Other
Report of the Finance Committee Meeting: May 14, 2025 (01:12:42)
Report of the Finance Committee Meeting: May 14, 2025

Finance Committee Meeting of May 14, 2025 Oral Report + 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. (Be Adopted) + 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. (Be Adopted) + 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. (Be Adopted) + 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. (Be Adopted) + 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. (Be Adopted) + 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. (Be Adopted)
Budget Orders - FY2026 (01:16:37)
Budget Orders - FY2026
Ordinance: 090-25 - Amending Ch. 44 Sect. 10 (Council on Aging Hourly Positions) of the Fitchburg City Code (01:18:36)
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. (Final Reading)
Ordinance: 091-25 - To Raise the Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee to $300 (01:28:49)
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. (Final Reading)
Ordinance: 110-25 - To Extend the Solar Moratorium through October 15, 2025 (01:29:33)
Ordinance: 110-25 - To Extend the Solar Moratorium through October 15, 2025

110-25. AN ORDINANCE: Chapter 181, Section 181.66.A.2 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg be amended as follows: That the General Ordinances of the City of Fitchburg, Chapter 181, Section 181.66.A.2, as most recently amended, be further amended by deleting the language denoted with strikethrough and replacing with the language denoted as emboldened: 2. For the reasons set forth above and notwithstanding any other provision of the Zoning Ordinance to the contrary, the City hereby adopts a temporary moratorium on the permits for and use of land for large scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic facilities. The moratorium shall be in effect through October 15, 2025, unless adoption of new Zoning Ordinance addressing Large Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Facilities is in effect, whichever is earlier. During the moratorium period, the City shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of large-scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic facilities and related uses, and shall consider adopting new Zoning Ordinances to better address the impact and construction of same in the City. (Public Hearing June 3, 2025)
Petitions (01:30:16)
Petitions

XI. PETITIONS + 111-25. Councilor Marcus L. DiNatale and Andrew Couture, on behalf of multiple Fitchburg residents, to abolish the use of fluoride treatments in the city's public water supply. (Council as a Whole) + 112-25. Councilor Beauchemin, to PETITION TO ENACT A MORATORIUM ON THE NAMING OF CITY BUILDINGS AFTER INDIVIDUALS WHEREAS, the City Council of Fitchburg recognizes the importance and permanence of naming municipal buildings and facilities; and WHEREAS, the naming of public buildings after individuals is a significant civic gesture that should reflect broad community values and historical context; and WHEREAS, recent discussions and public feedback have indicated the need to review and potentially revise the city's policies and procedures regarding such dedications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fitchburg that: A moratorium is hereby established on the naming or renaming of any city-owned building, facility, or public space after any individual for a period of five (5) years from the date of adoption of this resolution. During this moratorium, no new dedications, plaques, signage, or official designations of any kind shall be approved by any department or board of the city in honor of a specific individual. This moratorium shall not apply to dedications previously authorized by formal vote of the City Council prior to the adoption of this resolution. The City Council reserves the right to review and amend this policy or adopt formal criteria and procedures for naming city properties during the moratorium period. (Legislative Affairs) + 113-25. Unitil, to petition to relocate p#14, 14's as painted on ground for new driveway. The proposed p#14 would be 95' from Columbus St. and 103' from St. Joseph St., Fitchburg, as outlined in the enclosed Petition. (Public Hearing June 3, 2025)