2025 meeting of Fitchburg city council.

Right now, call this meeting to order.

Please be advised that F a T V is conducting

audio and video recording of this meeting for public broadcast.

Past anyone else in the audience who is recording this

meeting to please identify themselves for the record now.

By standing and stating their name and city of residence.

Seeing none.

At this time, I ask that all electronic devices be

placed into silent mode.

Would everyone please join me in the salute to the

flag.

I pledge lesions to the flag of the United States of America.

Would you say one underdog invisible bubble with liquidity and

justice for all?

Madam clerk, would you please call the roll president Zola

here.

Count to the Bosman here. Council Kucher here. San Cragan

here. Council Cruz.

I remotely

council. Dean Charlie here. Council Fleming here. Council green here.

Council Schultz here. Council being housing here.

Walsh.

Thank you. We have 10 members present.

Thank you very much. We have no one signed in

remotely for public comment this evening.

I would ask that anyone in the audience wishing to

participate in public comment, please approach the center podium.

Identify yourself by name and city of residence and the

agenda item on which you wish to speak. And you'll

be given not more than two minutes.

Thank you, Mr. President, my name is Dr. Joshua Klaus.

I'm a resident of the city of Fitchburg. I'd like

to speak in support of the following appointments.

Sarah coffee, Tyler Duette Angelina McGaw, Chan Arlene.

Toasts Adam Borgo.

Michael T. Hurley, Emily Starks.

Starks James J McGrath and Krista Ford's roads. And the

last thing I'd like to speak in favor of tonight

is petition zero nine.

Two dash 25.

This is in it, a wonderful tribute to.

Former counselor and police officer, Joe caddy, and many of

us doing him. And I think.

Him and his family for their service to the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Jacqueline watchy Fitchburg resident speaking on one 11 dash 25.

When this matter was before you, two years ago, you

heard a lot of anecdotes. One retired dentist said that

when he was in post world war II, France,

the people had bad teeth and he blamed a lack

of fluoride though in 1945, only one placed in the

world was fluoridating water grand rapids, Michigan.

Nutrition has a great impact on dentitian. When living in

Europe, during world war II, my mother used to sneak

behind the stove and pull pieces of limestone out of

the wall to chew on because her body was craving

calcium.

Other dentists claimed their lemon. Mr. Patients said worse teeth

in their Fitchburg patients since Lester doesn't fluoridate its water.

And that may be their perception, but they presented no

evidence.

When Utah's governor looked at fluoridated and non fluoridated communities,

he found no difference in ban the practice as has

Florida.

As you prepare for this hearing.

Please familiarize yourselves with current.

Randomized double blind.

Placebo controlled. Peer-reviewed.

Science not antiquated information.

Anecdotes and propaganda. It's okay to admit we were wrong.

As we'd done with lead paint, with tobacco, with thalidomide

and with hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women, among many

other instances on the one side, you will hear paid

full fluoride Lotus and on the other.

Disinterested experts who urge you to use water to hydrate?

Not to medicate people without their consent.

Every drug has side effects and fluoride is no different.

We should follow the precautionary principle that says first do.

No harm. Thank you.

Good evening. I'm Jean Robby. I live in Fitchburg on

water street.

I'm here to talk about one 11 dash 25 fluoridation.

In the past fluoride.

Was an accepted preventable.

Measure that they used.

The industry has changed.

But today science.

Has found it actually is harmful when ingested.

Fluoride is in our drinking water.

It is an involuntary

mass medication.

To the public.

If you

legitimately care.

About our environment.

And the people of Fitchburg.

You would no longer allow this in our water.

Lemon stir.

Is one of 150.

Towns in Massachusetts that does not fluoride.

There's no fluoride in their water.

No fluoride in their vegetable gardens.

Gardens, but the city of Fitchburg.

Who does all their employees get bottled water?

But those of us who can't afford bottled water.

Are stuck with city water.

And those who have to have it lose our teeth.

Losing teeth is permanent.

So

it says right on the toothpaste.

Do not swallow.

So it's not meant to be consumed.

Into our bodies that way. So please, I'm asking you.

Let's stop the fluoridation in Fitchsburg.

Thank you.

I am going to ask for reasons of timeliness and

decorum that we hold applause.

Everyone can say what they want. This is public comment.

But only the per only the people at the podium,

please.

My name is Karen Spencer. I'm a resident of Leominster.

And I was invited to speak on behalf of the

Fitchburg people.

About one 11 dash 25.

Because of my subject matter expertise.

In, in this matter, the science and the.

Policy as well as having been part of the trial.

That just finished up in September of 2024.

Found in our favor.

The trial was

focused just on

the effect of IQ.

IQ. And despite what you may have heard.

Many of the studies, many of the best studies.

Were done in Canadian communities like Toronto.

Where they found when testing the women's.

Women's urine fluoride levels that they had.

More fluoride than they would be expected.

Because they were drinking more Flo fluoridated water.

And that there was a correspondence.

With their children's IQ.

IQ lower IQ.

You associated with that, but there are more studies on

other matters of neurotoxicity.

Such as a D

and, and, and executive functioning and.

All kinds of other things have, that have been done

in the United States.

Since I spoke last to this council.

And I would like to speak to that. You've heard

that Utah and Florida.

Have banned fluoridation based on the science.

That the surgeon generals of.

Florida and Louisiana said, gee, we thought it was a

good deal.

When we looked at the science and they are MDs

and PhDs, we realized this needs to come out of

the water.

The FDA is taking.

Away the supplements for children.

Because not just because of the neuro deity, but also

because of the effect on the gut and the microbiome.

Is poisoning children's guts and infecting the immunity.

Right from childhood, as well as affecting their thyroid and

leading to obesity.

There's a lot of new science. Yeah.

And I hope to have the opportunity to tell you

about it.

Zoom. Thank you. Thank you.

Hi, Jessica Jacobson, Fitchburg resident.

Speaking on 1 11 25.

Counselor Zarella last time, the issue appeared on the agenda.

You mocked my concerns about fluoride exposure, joking that you

didn't mind, a little spa, little fluoride in your spaghetti.

Spaghetti referencing your Italian heritage, but that response missed the

point entirely. Fluoride is in just one bowl of pasta.

It's in the food you cook.

The fountain drinks you serve nearly everything prepared in the

city water here in Fitchburg.

It accumulates. It's not it's even in the water we

bathe in given that your skin is the largest.

Organ with the understanding how readily it absorbs chemicals and

that's not food pseudoscience.

Considering this, that you wouldn't let your daughter sit next

to someone who is smoking.

Not even just for a few minutes. Not because she'd

get cancer from a little secondhand smoke.

But because now, you know, the harmful small.

How harmful even small exposures can be.

Science evolves. There was a time when doctors endorsed cigarettes

as healthy.

Most didn't want to admit they were wrong.

Many resisted the new evidence. Are we repeating that mistake?

You don't need

to like me personally, and I'm not here asking for

that.

But I am asking you to listen to the science.

To the expert who just spoke. She spent her career

studying fluoride dentist play a vital role in oral health,

but that doesn't make them an expert in the systematic

effects of fluoride when ingested or absorbed. I do also

also want to address false narrative that influenced some decisions

last time.

It was suggested that the opposed opposition of the floor

water in the fluoride was rooted in a disregard for

low income communities.

That couldn't be farther from the truth affordable.

Fluoride toothpaste is readily available at the local dollar store.

Meanwhile higher end fluoride free options cost more.

Additionally, the low income residents have access to ma mass

health.

Which provides free dental, including fluoride treatments.

Temp transportation is even available free.

If they wanted to go seek one of their free

dental offices.

I don't expect you to agree with me personally, I'm

aware of the tension.

That there is sometimes when I speak.

But personal feelings aside, I urge you to listen to

the science and the experts. Karen.

We would like to have her do another presentation.

Let's not allow outdated assumptions and misinformation to dictate our

public health safety.

Anyone else?

I I'm sorry. Only once per person.

Hi, good evening.

Philip Valari 6 39 mechanic street, Lester.

Lemons, sir, I'm speaking with my friends today.

Just

on this particular fluoride matter.

I want to first appreciate counselor. Kragan.

For coming out to Lester and speaking about the landfill.

Project being proposed with the horse track.

And I just, I would like anyone who's considering voting.

You know,

to not to not consider this any further.

At at least think of.

What council of Craig's words were.

When she came to Lester about a week ago or

two weeks ago, and essentially said,

you know, would all the counselors, excuse me, if I'm

paraphrasing, but essentially like, would all the counselors, you know,

like to take the risk of their great-grandchildren their great-grandchildren.

After that, you know, having some kind of cancer or

some serious.

Health effects from disturbing.

A landfill that was used for, I don't know, 60,

80 years or more.

I would like everyone on this council to consider.

A similar feeling.

Towards, you know, the potentiality.

That even, you know, if you don't believe.

Maybe some of the actors, like in the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

At least consider that there are scientists.

Scientists and, and journalists and, and people.

Who have invested their time into this, that aren't are

not so well known and are not so wealthy.

So I, I appreciate your concerns.

Concerns for our city. And I hope you'd appreciate.

My interest and concern for your city.

Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else?

Seeing none.

We will move on to announcements.

The next meeting of the widowed helping widowed support group

will take place on Thursday, May 22nd.

From four until 5:30 PM in room 2, 0 5 at the Fitchburg

state university recreation center.

One 30 north street, Kelly Lynn, and Bernie Schultz will. Co-facilitate

the meeting.

The Thurston consort will have a.

Free event.

On Saturday, May 31st at 2:00 PM.

At the forest hill Abbey, otherwise known as the Mali.

With

award-winning pianist, Sylvia Boto of Romania, who is a music

teacher at the Grotton hill music center.

Donations are welcome. It is a free event, but donations

are welcome to aid in the restoration of the mausoleum.

You do have to RSVP. However, as seating is limited,

you can email.

Friends of Fitchburg cemeteries.

At gmail.com. That's friends of Fitchburg cemeteries, one word plural

at the end.

At gmail.com.

And this is also with the aid of the Fitchburg

cultural council.

Oh, thank you.

There will also on Saturday, May 31st be spring plantings occurring.

At 10:00 AM meeting at Fitchburg city hall.

Seven 18 main street.

To sign up, send an email to mayor Fitchburg, ma.gov.

Gov

on May 29th.

This year from eight to 9:30 AM at 700 main street.

That's here. The legislative building.

There will be a workshop.

Called 36 hours in Fitchburg to help design the city's

cultural district marsh marketing strategy.

You can review sample itineraries and brainstorm the perfect local.

Guide it's open to anyone, but especially if you are

a local business owner,

entrepreneur property owner.

Or

you know, other stakeholder.

In the Fitchburg arts and culture and business community.

Your input is especially desired.

Let me just make sure I got all of these.

Thank you.

There will be a ward three.

Meeting.

This Thursday, the 22nd here in the legislative building.

At 6:00 PM hosted by council Crutcher.

and lastly,

counselor Kragan would like to invite.

All singers and musicians to join her at Victor's on

main on also on Thursday at six.

To meet with Victor.

As the restaurant is looking to add live music.

Thank you. Next up, we have the report of the

appointments committee, counselor Crutcher. Thank you very much, Mr. President,

the appointments committee met earlier this evening, we took up

five new appointments to for full-time student police officers for

the city of Fitchburg.

Sarah Coffey, Tyler Duce.

Ducet Angelina Maga Chan and Ariana toast toes.

As well as Adam BOGO all were unanimously approved.

There was a new appointment to the Fitchburg board of

registers.

Registers returned to expire April 1st, 2028.

For Michael Hurley, there were three in favor and two against,

so it passed.

New appointment letter to the Fitchburg disability commission, Emily Stark, that

was held.

As Ms. Stark was, did not appear before the committee.

And two reappointment letters, one to the Finchburg board of

parks, commissioner, and the other one to the Finchburg human

rights commission.

James McGrath and Krista Ford Rhodes.

Both were unanimously approved, emotionally accepted.

Second on the motion. Councilor Fleming. Yeah. I'd like to

pull the Fitch of the Fitchburg board of registers.

Registers involved on that separately.

That is up to the maker of the motion.

You put me in a bind.

I'll do it for you.

Thank you. All right. So this will be.

A do I still have a second on that second,

second. All right. So this will be a vote on

all items taken up by the appointments committee.

Accept the appointment of

Michael Hurley.

Lee, do I have any objection?

Seeing none will take it by unanimous consent.

And now we have before us. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank

you. Because we do have a remote member. Madame clerk,

would you please call the roll? Absolutely. President Zella. Yes.

Council Boshman yes. Council Kucher. Yes. Council Kragan. Yes. Council

Cruz.

Yes. Council Dean Nat. Yes. Council Fleming. Yes. Council green.

Yes. Council shields. Yes. Council van hazing. Yes. That past

10 members.

Thank you very much. We now have before us, the

appointment of Michael Hurley.

Motion to approve. Second, second, second.

On the motion councilor Jean, I, I just, I, I

did not witness the appointments committee hearing.

I do recall though, on prior appointments for the board

of registrars, that there was some concerns.

Concerns by you, counselor Fleming about.

The balance.

Of political affiliations on the board of registers. How many

board of registers are there again? Is it there's three

mm-hmm and.

Currently, this will fill a vacancy.

So am I free to ask or is it allowed

to be known? What are the political affiliations? The other

two members.

Yes, because, because it's mandated that we have at least

one from each party party. I believe those are a

matter of record. So we have currently one Democrat and

one Republican.

And then the third

seat can be filled by with someone of.

Either party as well or any, well, anyone, but we

can have two Democrats and one Republican or one that's

correct. Two Republican. Okay.

And I think the argument being made against Mr. Hoy's

appointment is.

I believe he is a Democrat and I think counsel

Fleming wants balance in terms of.

Having an unenrolled person serving on the board.

Because I believe if not a majority.

I think it's a major, it's a plurality of registered

voters are unenrolled in this city.

This one is tough for me because I know Mr.

Hurley personally, and I.

Obviously voted for him to be on the Monty tech

school committee. And.

I, I guess I, I.

While it is legal and perfectly.

Acceptable at the state level to have two Democrats and

one Republican.

And I have no doubt Mr. Hurley's ability to serve

the city, honestly, and impartially.

I do find it.

About really sure as to why we can't have somebody.

Why the mayor, whether it's the prior one, the current,

why, why, why there is a refusal?

To put someone who is unenrolled that represents a plurality

of voters in the city.

I don't think it's a big ask. I mean, I

know people may not come forward who are interested.

I know this mayor is.

Considered the Joan of arc of social media.

So, you know, border

just a moment. Good. At social media. Yeah.

Do have to hear the point of order first.

Even if you're willing to withdraw your comment, I still

have to hear it first.

Counselor ridicule.

Ridicule phone number. All right.

Let's just

keep it, keep it level. That's all. That's all. I'll

say.

Considering that the mayor's use of social media is.

Unprecedented.

I would like to think that.

If there were more advertising for an unenrolled person to

come forward.

There is at least one person in the city who

would express interest.

So I, I, with all that being said, I don't

think it's fair to Mr. Hurley.

That he not be appointed.

Because he came forward.

He's volunteering his time and I don't believe we should

hold it against, and I'm not saying you're doing this

counselor, but I feel like the appearances we're holding it

against him.

For the P for the, the appointment that the mayor

chose to make.

There's nothing unqualified about him serving.

I think the issue that some of us may have

is with the mayor's decision on who she appointed.

But the appointment being before us.

I can't in good conscious vote against him because I

don't see a good reason not to.

Other than what his political affiliation is.

If there was some evidence that there would be some.

Problems then that's a different story, but I see no

evidence. I've never had any evidence of that, obviously. So.

I do. I think the point's been made from some

of us that we would encourage.

An appointment from, from the unenrolled side, but I don't

think it's fair of us to hold that against Mr.

Hurley.

And so I'll be supporting his appointment. Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes. Anyone else on the motion, counselor green? I would

just like to ask our city clerk is.

It's not like there's been.

Oh, so I just have to ask.

I, I did not record who made the motion.

Initially, but I do have to ask that the motion

be withdrawn because.

Even though

so to me as well, the city clerk often feels

like.

A 12th counselor.

She is technically an outside.

Speaker. So we would have to have no motion on

the table in order to.

Receive input from her. Nope. Then I'm good with my

question.

Okay.

Anyone else on the motion.

Council Flemmi may I respond to counselor? Deanna? Ali's through

me.

Okay. So at the last meeting,

for his position.

And the mayor was here at that.

At that time, her first appointment.

Was not approved.

And the argument was exactly the same argument.

I gave tonight.

So

the the, the mayor.

Didn't know. Well, and at that time it was.

It seemed everybody, but one booted to a BR to

approve the, the.

The appoint, the non appointment of that last person.

Why she did not.

Try to recruit an independent.

Independent. And I had to use the same argument because

then it would become personal.

At that last meeting, and I believe that it is

personal in this meeting.

So

I yelled the floor.

All right. I'll I'll just note briefly that I think

at, in the last instance,

many of us had

other considerations beyond merely political balance.

That went into our votes, but there's no need to

rehash that.

Counsel Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Christoff. Thank you. And, and everyone

else on the council for letting me be remote today,

I got stuck at the office.

So thank you. I know it's a hassle to have

the roll call in every vote. It can be a

hassle. So thank you for that. I just want clarification

regarding the motion.

Are we voting to approve the report of three to

two? Or are we voting again on the appointment? Thank

you, Mr. Chair.

At this point because we.

Voted on the report after extracting that one item.

At this point, I believe we would be voting to

accept the recommendation of the committee.

On that singular item.

So a vote in favor.

Would be a vote to appoint Mr. Hurley, a vote

against would be a vote.

Not necessarily not to, but a vote to place it

before the council, as a separate item and not act

on the.

Committee's recommendation, reject the report, right.

Yes. Thank you. Reject the report.

Councilor Rochman

I know Mr. Hurley. I think if I'm not mistaken,

right, Mike, I think you were ward two counselor at

And you represented all the people in that ward.

Large, large, large. It was a contract large, sorry, but,

and you re you represented all the people.

Everybody was independence Republicans.

Republicans Democrats, and even people you didn't want to represent

even represented them.

so, you know, I have no problem with it. I'm

an independent and really, I don't have a problem with

it at all.

You know, you know, you're not supposed to be biased.

I'm not biased.

You know, but he's not gonna be biased and no

one pretty good.

And he would do a good job for the city.

He does a good job when he was planter and

this city college called council lodge.

Annette, we had a disagreement, but he did a good

job.

And he can have my support.

So, I'm sorry, Melissa. I usually back here, but not

this time.

So

alright, anyone else on the motion?

Alright, Madame clerk, would you please call the roll?

Again, just to clarify, this is to.

Approve the action recommended by the committee, which is.

The appointment of Mr. Hurley.

President Zola. Yes.

Counsel Bosman. Yes. Council Kutcher.

No.

Counsel Cragan

absolutely. Yes. Council cruise.

Yes, council Dean at Talley. Yes. Council Fleming.

No.

Council green. Yes.

Council Shilts. Yes. Council being Hazinga. Yes.

So we have two

two eight to two.

All right. Motion passes. Who's missing. Yes. By eight to

two. Who's missing.

All that that's

before we move on to our next appointment.

We do have some new student police officers.

Officers chief, you can

come on up. Yeah. Thank you very much, counsel, for

approving their appointments.

Madam clerk, if you would be willing to sway them

in, I would appreciate it. Does the council wanna hear

the whole bios of all of them?

That's up to the council. Would you like, I know

not everyone was here for appointments. Would you like to

hear the brief bios of the.

Candidates. Yes. And I, I just have a, I have

something to say. I don't need to hear it, but

I just wanted this. Okay. Well, I've, I've heard at

least a couple yeses, so yes, I have two. So

there's five names. It's only four standing before us. So

Ms. Sarah Koff is out of the country and there

was a trip scheduled along before this evening was.

Scheduled

so Sarah coffee of the Fitchburg resident, she grew up

in Norton mass. She attended Coyle Cassidy high school in

Toton. She previously worked as a security guard for health

Alliance, Lester campus.

And she has been a dispatcher at the Fitchburg police

department for a number of years at this point. Okay.

Angelina is also a Fitchburg resident.

Angelina grew up between Fitchburg and lemon through she graduated

from Lester technical high school.

And she currently works at best buy and limit store.

Lester Tyler Doucette is a Fitchburg resident. He moved here

with his family a short time ago. He grew up

in Lowell, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lowell high school. He

currently serves in the army reserve and he is currently

working at the Thomas G. Gallagher mechanical contracts, which is headquartered in

Waltham, Massachusetts.

Arlene TOK is an Athal resident. She grew up in

west Warwick, Rhode Island, and graduated from Pilgrim high school, which

is in Warwick, Rhode Island. She served in the Rhode Island national

guard, and she also is a current Fitchburg police dispatcher.

And lastly, Adam Bogart, he is born and raised in

Fitchburg, graduated from Fitchburg high school, currently attends Fitchburg state

university.

As part of their four plus one program today is

actually day two of the police academy for Mr. Boral.

He formerly worked at Atlas distributing.

He is separate from the other four, as far as

the academy goes due to his relationship with Fitchburg state

that I just mentioned, the other four will all start

the academy June 2nd. Okay. That's fine.

All right.

I had counselor James Holly wanted to make a comment.

I is, is

chief, there was a few days ago. You mentioned to

me about.

Vacancies in your department, correct?

Are those numbers you gave me.

Outside of these appointments, correct? Right. This minute, we're nine

down. These five bring us to four down, which got

it. Is the information. And again, how long does it

take.

These individuals to get through the process.

And then like when do they get on the beat?

The academy itself is.

Five to six months.

And they have approximately three months of in-house training. So

if they get in now,

early next year, they'll be working independently. If all goes

to plan.

The three months of in-house training. They're shadowing officers.

Officers. Yes. The first three weeks with Sergeant mcg Boyne,

who's currently here and they go through over overall the

general orders, policies, and procedures of the department.

They also are with our Armar Ben Kalinowski who goes

over, even though they have all use of force in

the academy.

He brings them up to speed on our specific policy

and our tactics.

Tactics, they then are assigned to a field training officer.

They have a primary officer and they, we make sure

they go with one officer on every shift.

Each new officer is three weeks. And then at the

end, he goes back to the primary.

To see the improvement from the first phase. And that

takes a couple months.

I just wanted to say thank you to the, to

the, for your willingness to serve the city of Fitchburg

and its people.

And your service and sacrifices for on behalf of us.

Are greatly appreciated and I wish you all a very

successful career in this city. Thank you.

Thank you, council. Rochman.

Chief. I know the party to my left asked a

question.

If, if she knows I was gonna ask the question,

if they're gonna move to Fitchburg, I just wanna say

to you guys, if you're pointing on moving to Fitchburg,

Ary come to clay on you at the best ward

in the city right there. And you'll be happier there

than anybody ever be. I tend, I just want you

to let you know or the form of the

five are currently Pittsburgh residents. How's that four of the

five are already Fitchburg residents. Okay. And the fifth one

is in the indicated that she plans on moving to

Fitchburg. Oh, you can always move to my watch.

Do you have an apartment? I'm not gonna take nothing

away from us. .

Okay, ready? All set. I would ask.

As usual that we push you clear the bench.

Yes, mom.

Swear.

My knowledge and

eligibility officer.

That's. Oh my gosh. Thank you. It's congratulations. Welcome. Yes,

congratulations.

Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank thank you. Congratulations. Thank

for your thank congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you for your good

luck. Luck to you. Yeah, I'm sure.

That's

oh, wow. Thank you of coming attractions.

All right. Yes, time's wrong. Next up, we have the

report of the committee on records. Councilor James Holly.

With I've.

You, I have reviewed the minutes of the May 6th meeting

and they appear to be in order. I make a

motion. We have shipped.

Second I have motion. And second Madam clerk, if you

would please call the roll president. Zoff yes. Council. The

Bosman. Yes. Council Kucher. Yes. Council Cragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes. Council Dean Natali. Yes. Council Fleming.

Yes. Council green. Yes. Council Shils. Yes. Council being Hazinga.

Yes. That pass and amend.

This thank you very much. We have two new appointment

letters from her honor. The mayor.

An appointment of Britney fish to the position of human

resources director for the city of Fitchburg for a term

to expire December 31st, 2026.

And Felix, I Zimmel to the position of building commissioner

for the city of Fitchburg.

For a term to expire June 1st, 2028.

Both of those stand referred to the appointments committee.

Next we have a special presentation by the historic commission.

For may preservation month.

Excellent. Welcome. Welcome. Thank you.

might need some help here on the screen share.

Okay. Okay. So go back to your.

We can just use

he was going to screen share, and then it disconnected.

Ah. Okay. So we're just gonna use direct connection.

He's just getting the adapter for that.

No worries. Yep. I would say also don't call for

a recess. I'm out here. I can't do anything. .

We'll have to press a button too. I will have

to press a button to make Derek disappear for a

moment though. Mm-hmm okay. But.

And council Cruz, since you won't be visible to us.

While the screen share is active. Just.

Feel free to

call out discreetly. If you have your hand raised and.

I don't know it. We'll do Mr. President. Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, good evening.

President Darella

members of the city council.

May is preservation mud throughout the us. And I thought

it would be.

Good just to make a short presentation to city council

and to the residents of the city to.

Kind of remind, remind ourselves about what a great city

we live in. The great heritage that we do have.

I'm Keith Chino chair of the Fitchburg historical commission.

Other members of the commission are L and D. Geronimo

is right here.

Brian Gallagher who happened to be sitting beside her.

Don Troske that couldn't make it this evening.

Mary self

Mary is here.

Charles Sterno

Malo joining is here also.

Andy lap. Pasti who's our secretary.

And thank you for letting us make a brief presentation

on this.

Again, we're celebrating May's preservation month in Pittsburgh. It's such

a great city that we just want to kinda remind

ourselves and the public in general.

All the great qualities we have in our city.

We are celebrating.

Oops going wrong direction here.

All right. Celebrating Pittsburgh's unique identity and heritage.

Seem to be advancing here. Let me just.

As we all know, we're probably take for granted, but

Fitchburg is really a very special place.

We go to other towns and cities in Massachusetts, new,

no place that quite has the geography that we have

here.

The people, the heritage, the innovation that's that's happened throughout

the history of the city.

Starting with

perhaps Fitchburg union geography.

Are we the

second hilliest city in the, in the us.

We think we are, we know that fellow.

City residents had very strong legs from being able to

walk up and down the many Hills.

And as our many members of our own commission have

great history of.

Of living here and experiencing the great environment we have

here. But when we look at kind of the.

The geography of the city. This is a, a LIDAR.

Image of the city would kind of represents the topography.

That we have, we know it's a hilly city.

I've kind of noted many of the, the some familiar

Hills that we have in the city, little red star

in the middle represents.

Where we are here in the city hall complex.

But we had, we see the valley, that's been cut

through the unique.

Topography that's been left over by the glaciers and that's

happened in our Earth's evolution.

During early times of

our kind of recorded history. This used to be the.

The land of the

the Nipmuck branch of the.

Or the Nashua branch of the Nipmuck tribe in many

earlier.

Residents in this area of the indigenous people.

We know that the river has been such a great

influence on the city.

The Nashua river or the north branch of the Nashua

river that is carved down through the city.

Has been a powerful has had a powerful effect on.

Our our, the city.

Providing water, providing water power for early industry.

And sources of processing for the industry that made Fitchburg

what it is, happens to be a.

Early map of the city during the.

1850s. This was just a few years after the railroad

came through.

It represent, we can see again, city hall is kind

of this little red star in the middle.

Nashua flows in this direction, down through.

And we can see the.

Over a hundred and

50 years ago, perhaps.

My math is correct here. We can see the areas

that have changed so much in valley. We were damned

up dammed up the river, creating ahead of water, creating

strong power for various mills and in industry the had

grew an advanced in, in Fitchburg.

Making it a great industrial center.

We can see the railroad just starting in through.

And align, starting to go to the west.

This had such a great influence on.

What we see in Fitchburg today?

By 1882. This is at Panorama, a great renderings that

that people did before we were able to get up

in the sky and take those aerial photographs.

Photographs. This is roll stone hill over to the left.

The river flows down through the street from.

Left to right. And we can see the railroad.

30 years later here.

As great terminals roundhouses et cetera.

We can see that St. Bernard's churches isn't here, the

patch has been established.

The city has become a, a industrial powerhouse.

And the influx of

immigrants from all different walks and nationalities.

Were the power for the industry that thrived in our

city here.

So it's quite a melding pot.

We can see some of the remnants of the.

History, some still, still existing. The Fitchburg machine works on

the upper left.

Is currently Fitchburg plumbing and heating.

The train Depot.

Was here and through the 1960s when it was removed

at that time.

And an example down on the bottom left is the

Iver Johnson's arms and cycle works.

Which is in on river street heading toward west Fitchburg.

Oh, yes. The city has its own major quarry.

Roll stone quarry.

And obviously the Boulder

having a major quarry in our city.

Made a great difference. Many, much of the product was

exported to other cities up and down the coast.

And a lot of it was used to.

Tame and

work our hilly terrain here that we have, we see

it everywhere we go in the city makes it so

much different than other cities.

Stone retaining walls.

For me to hold up the streets against the hillsides.

This upper left is the high street retaining wall. It

must be over 40 feet hive, dry laid stone. This

is back behind the state stable building at the vehicle

brown complex.

We see these all over the city.

We also see the Laurel street bridge.

This is looking toward the north.

Water street bridge is crossing over here.

The four granite arch bands going across.

Show the, how we

got across our rivers and.

Again, Putnam street bridge. This is kind of a side

view shortly after it was constructed.

And also looking at more.

Refined products of our granite, the Walway stairs going up

Wallace avenue.

Up toward, which is now laundry school. And this is

the.

Older high school building that was destroyed by fire.

With this great granite.

Walkway connecting main street.

Up up to

Richard academy street is, you know,

exceptional stone work. And it was probably more came from

our own good, our, our city seal.

Anything that we've kind of been talking about or a

lot of what we see in our city.

It's Steve hilly terrain.

Our agrarian background of farming and produce.

The Hilltop quarry with there's Dereks and cranes up the

top, the railroad.

Innovation and

innovation and invention happening.

All of the industrialists and, and smart thinkers in our

city.

And industry in commerce from all types of industry that

they were.

Developed here in Fitchburg.

And had great heyday made and built the city as

it is today.

Preservation is about relationships making the old, new, and relevant

again.

Building pride and connecting people to our heritage.

Making the old new, again, these are just a few

examples of some of our successful projects that are happening.

Even today and coming to fruition.

There's many, many more examples of this.

We can see going up and down main street, that,

that the great things that are happening.

And support the cities providing these.

Let's keep in mind our heritage and importance of preservation.

Just just so we're all aware.

Of the Pittsburgh is IIED more than a thousand historic

sites in areas.

Building sites.

Historic areas and things.

And this is just kind of an outline of this.

City boundaries in each one of these blue dots and

some of these rectangles.

Hand will represent historic surveyed sites.

That are in our city and available for any of

us to, to look up and find information about our

And individual pieces of our, our.

Locations and property. This is below up of that same.

Map survey the downtown area.

Yeah, the city hall is where the red star is.

This is

grand number of buildings that are, have been inventoried in

the past by, by our city.

And this is all available to anyone that wants to

is to go to Makris.

M a C R I S. That's Massachusetts.

Cultural resource information center. If you just Google Maio able

to get to it.

There is a website listed here also.

Just looking at throughout the city, we've gotten a couple

examples from each of the wards, just to say, we're

not concentrating.

Just on downtown at our heritage.

Goes out to all of our boundaries.

A couple examples, ward one, this happens to be on

south street. Frank O. Hardy house built in 1883.

Another up south street, just a few.

Block or so up. Wonderful Italian aid style building.

Built in 1865.

Moving toward two.

When Daniel street, 1865, the sister's faithful.

Convent and is now used as a, you know, a

rest home now.

Wonderful architecture that we have.

And preserved in our filming.

Another

word to example, and I believe this is actually been

changed since this older photograph. I think it's been.

Recited. And I think a lot of this detail was

not there anymore.

But this happens to be the Charles Mason house. It was

built around 1860.

A wonderful house with a great overview of the city

up off of roll stone street.

Ward three, some of our older buildings.

Buildings listed here. Anyhow, the on Ashburn hill road.

This is a 1777.

Upton Tavern or the Dean hill Tavern came to be

known.

A great central chimney here that shows it as kind

of this 18th century structure.

Another Asheville burn hill.

Home. This was

about a hundred years later, 1850s.

Fifties, the Thomas Ford house. We see this.

Style of building throughout the city. And this just happens

to be one example of the brick.

Was a Greek revival, transitional buildings that we have from

the mid 19th century.

A wonderfully preserved home here.

Next in word four prospect street.

Originally built in 1864.

And later remodeled by Pittsburgh's architect. Hm. Francis.

This is, was, is known as a Rodney Wallace house.

I think we all know of this house. Love its

presence on plastics, prospect street.

Another ward for building is on blossom street.

This happens to be in 1913.

It's called the Russell low house.

This was actually designed by a famous.

Chicago architect that Mr. Lowe.

Brought in for designing his home off of PO street.

Going on ward five on Pearl hill road. One of

our older.

Buildings in, in our city, 1744. This is.

Four there's Fitchburg became a town. This is the Isaac

Gleason house.

Wonderful.

Example of some of our early architecture.

Another ward five example is on Highland avenue, the Iver

Johnson house.

And joining buildings. All great.

Examples of the wonderful architecture Iver Johnson's house was built

in 1890.

Moving on to ward six.

Cogswell park, one of our great resources and, and areas

of recreational areas.

Areas in, in the city.

This is kind of representing the, the existing.

Bandstand building, which was built around eight or 1934.

Obviously the

the pavilion building in the background, which was.

Rebuilt after fire a few years ago.

And lastly, another example in ward six, this happens to

be off of mountain alarm road.

This is a wonderful example of the Dutch colonial style.

So it's not just old buildings, but even our newer

buildings, the great heritage.

And how we take care of our.

Our our, our buildings.

Buildings, maintaining the trim, keeping upkeep on our building.

Sometimes for prudence. We, we try to kind of erase

some of the stylist, characteristics of our building.

Maybe with new siding or vinyl siding and things.

Sometimes it's kind of removes a lot of the character

to our building. So.

When possible there's perhaps alternatives to things like that.

Just looking at our heritage again, of our downtown.

Pittsburgh has wonderful historic and reemerging urban center.

This is just kinda listing some of the institutional buildings.

Buildings that from the right of Warren square, going all

the way up main street.

Through the upper common listing, many of the great assets.

That we have, and that we have just in our

downtown area.

And the institutions that kind of make it great. Let

alone the commerce and the housing and great things that

are happening in the buildings we have also.

Just for our

information and I'll try to.

Drop off this information is something we can't all. Just

write down the information from.

With our many preservation resources.

Resources that all of us ha when we, when we

look at our buildings and, and what can we do,

how can we find ways of saving and, and maintaining

the heritage of our, our great.

Historical sites and our architecture.

Obviously there's a community development, planning and economic development.

Part of the city. We.

All know those. And I think Liz is here and

Mary Jo.

The historical commission. Our commission is, is our website on

the city.

You'll find a lot of these resources listed there. If

you click on.

If you do a search for the Fitchburg historical commission,

you'll find the same resources there.

The Pittsburgh, historic local historical society.

Actually are involved much of the history of our city.

It's a great nonprofit organization that we've all been involved

with.

In great praise to their work and their database of.

Of rich history of our city.

The state historic survey database. That's at Makris list that

I mentioned before.

The national park service.

Preservation briefs.

Briefs. This is a website that has how to just

about anything. We.

Might tackle on older buildings. Be it the slate roof

or the wood trim on it, or fixing the brick

work.

Finding new mortar for the joints or repointing it.

All older buildings have different kinds of wood and different

types of materials in them. And there's been a lot

of sheet research on the right ways to approach things

to.

Do good preservation bringing back to original condition. So there's

probably, I think there's over 50 of these short articles.

Articles open to the public for, and, and a great.

How to approach historic preservation.

And lastly, the Massachusetts preservation directly.

Directory. This is a list of local, Massachusetts.

Preservation resources from

our preservation, archivists designers.

All types of contractors.

From window repair.

Pastry work carpentry.

All types of things that they have kind of a

directory of people you can contact.

And just about lastly, last year, the, the city.

If Pittsburgh historical commission with a help, lot of agencies

in the city.

Published the

Pittsburgh downtown area's brochure.

I think we have some extra copies over here. Brian

has brought some along with him.

Will also get some copies through each of you so

that you can distribute it.

And again, there's a copy of this on the historical

commission's website for anyone to kind of see the fold

outs in this too. So.

This is a great resource. And again, looking at our

great heritage of our city.

Last last, the celebrating Fitchburg, historic preservation.

That's all helped to preserve our unique heritage. The city

has.

That's it. Thank you very much, very much for your

time.

Thank you.

Bless. Yeah. Can I ask you a question? You sure.

I shot a pictures of the salt street where I

won. Is that the first house of gone coming up

south street on your left, the big, big used to

be big weight. One.

They needed renovations.

Yes, I think it's been from those in its original

condition. There's been a large output off to the left

on it.

And it's all been done and good restoration work in

there and keeping the front entry and things. So it's.

It's not the first one on south street, but there's.

There's down near the bottom of the hill as you're

starting to go. Yeah. She's just going yes. On the

left hand side, I know where the second one is.

Yep. And I was glad you were in my ward.

That's a good, done question. yes, don't be

knocking ward one. .

I appreciate it. I wanna say thank you very much.

Seriously. I'm not in, I like some of this stuff.

I find it interesting.

As I get older.

And in fact memories, so, yep.

So I wanna say, thank you. Great. Thank you very

much.

Thank you. Oh.

Counselor, Kragan sure. I, I wanted to thank the historical

commission for coming, coming forward and putting together this presentation.

I think this is an essential piece of citizenship in

Fitchburg and for all of us.

To experience the, you know, the, the granularity of having

these historic homes in all the different wards. I'm really

glad that our viewers tonight will see that.

Fitchburg is a beautiful city. We did talk about historic

preservation earlier in economic development. So I, I really wanted

to thank you and to thank Mrs. Ellen de Geronimo,

who I see there. Thank you for coming out our.

Can't say enough about how much good Mrs. Geronimo has

done for Fitchburg speaking up on behalf of buildings and

sites.

We are mere stewards sitting here as city counselors.

And the historic preservation going on.

Every single day matters and it'll matter in a hundred

years and it'll matter tomorrow. So.

Thank you for really great resources. If you can send

us that PowerPoint, I would appreciate because I'd love to

have all the, the, the list of the websites to

consult.

And I'll also, I'd like to say that before this

meeting, Mr. Gallagher showed me a remarkable collection of cyanotypes

that he had at his house of houses on prospect

street that go back, you know, 130 years easily. And

I hope you can bring them to Fitchburg history, historicals

society on a Wednesday, cuz they're we're.

Open till six, anyone in Fitchburg watching, please. If you

wanna research your house.

We have all of the data at Fitchburg historical society.

The late hour is 10 to six on Wednesdays, 10

to four Monday, Tuesdays, but other times by appointment, this

is really important. And I'd like to say, we should

do this every year to have the historical commission come

in. Councilor green is the president of Fitchburg has historical

society.

I know many other members attend events.

Events. This is why we're here. We're here for the

kids and the people, but we're really the buildings. The

buildings are really important and the parks and the sites

and everything. So thank you guys. Well done.

Thank you. And I'll just say also I've been.

I've been to places that have.

Fancier.

Buildings than Fitchburg. I've been to places.

That have, you know,

more modern infrastructure than Fitchburg, but I've never been.

Or I've only very, very rarely. And usually only in

the very big, very old cities in America.

Been to anywhere that has.

Such a deep sense of roots as Fitchburg has.

And so thank you all.

On the historic commission for.

You know, helping us to.

Preserve that to stay in touch with that.

And to appreciate

what we have here because.

You know,

you only get one shot at hanging onto that stuff.

Once it's gone, it's gone.

You can replicate it, but you can't bring it back.

So

thank you. And

you know, I please do continue to let us know

what we can do.

As a council and as a community to.

Help in your efforts.

It's any further questions or comments?

Comments. All right.

Hmm. Great job.

Oh, thank you again.

And with that, I suppose we will move on to

the report of the city property committee, counsel, van Haga.

Thank you, Mr. President, this evening, the city property committee

met to hear two items. The first was 89, 25.

That was to exercise the final five year.

Renewal of a lease with Verizon wireless for a tower.

Off of Franklin road.

The vote was three to zero to approve the extension

release.

I did have to recuse myself from item 92, 25 to

avoid the conf appearance of a conflict of interest. So

I would ask that any discussion or action on the

report, just be limited to this item right now. Thank

you all motion. We accept.

You accept on 180 9, 25? No.

All right. Do I have a second, second, second.

Have a motion and second to accept the recommendation of

the committee as to 89, 25.

Do I, do I have anyone speaking on the motion?

All right. Madame clerk, would you please call the rule

resident? Zoff yes. Council of Bosman. Yes. Council Kucher. Yes.

Council Kragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes, council. Gina. Charlie. Yes. Council Fleming.

Council green. Yes. Council shields. Yes. Council being Hazinga. Yes,

it passes nine members.

All right. Thank you very much.

Oh, wait, just a moment.

And we'll now go to counselor. Kragan who chaired in

vice president. Manha his absence.

I did we discussed in unanimously, passed with president. Zarella

making up our quorum.

Quorum the 0 9 2 dash 25 resolution that counselor Andrew Kutcher

to rename the crocker splash pad at crocker park to

the Joel caddy Memorial splash pad in this past unanimously.

And it, it, I thank counselor Kutcher for bringing the,

this forward. I think it is well deserved.

Joel caddy was an enormous fan of kids having a

nice, safe place to play and was an advocate for

kids, riding bicycles.

Bicycles and was a excellent.

Excellent resident citizen. And I think this is well deserved.

So I make a motion. We accept.

Second, I have a motion and second.

And just to clarify, because this went through a few

changes, this is a resolution in support, the ultimate decision

of what to name the splash pad belongs to the

parks commission.

But a vote in favor.

Will be a vote in favor of.

Indicating to the parks commission that the city council is

in support of this effort.

Do I have any comment on the motion?

All right. Madame clerk, would you please call the roll

president? Zarella yes. Council. The Boman. Yes. Council Kucher. Yes.

Council Kragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes. Also D yes. Council Fleming. Yes.

Council green. Yes. Council Shilts. Yes. It passes nine members.

Thank you very much.

And vice president van Howser. You can rejoin us.

And we will go to the report of the economic

development committee council. Kragan absolutely UC R four items update

on housing, new businesses, cultural district.

I'd like to say that we had a, for the,

I, I don't believe we've done this before, but we

created a PowerPoint.

To show photographs of the recent openings in Fitchburg.

And Mary Jo Bohart our economic development director.

Has hard copies because we do have upcoming ribbon cutting

events.

Events. We also had a presentation by Liz Murphy.

Who is the executive director of the planning of planning

department.

And she really took us through the H dip process

and how important it has been for creating.

Housing in Fitchburg, especially in view of the historic preservation.

That is a key component of maintaining the beauty of

our, you know, our vintage buildings, our antique buildings on

main street. And I think that the public who is

watching will be, will one a appreciate understanding.

What HDip is and how essential it has been for

developers to.

See what we have here and want to work with

it.

We also have the upcoming cultural district marketing plan meeting

all are invited to that. That is on May 29th, from

eight to nine 30.

And the, again, discussing the, these.

EV everything. Every everything happens.

It either happens overnight or it happens over a long

period of time. And the, the cultural district marketing plan

has been in the works for, you know, over 20

years.

But this is the, you know, a really great opportunity.

For stakeholders and business owners and residents who have an

interest and wanna see this city succeed.

To come to a breakfast meeting and contribute their ideas.

Ideas so wonderful meeting. We will have another, probably closer

to the fall. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And as the committee didn't take

up any action items, correct? We don't need to vote

on this.

But thank you very much, counselor.

And next we have the.

Report of the finance committee, counselor Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President, the finance committee met on May 14th.

We took up six.

Orders order 0 8 3 dash five order the city of future

break here by approves the expenditure of grant funds, order

to the park department by coffee Corp and the approximate

of $9,000 for the purpose of beautifying traffic. So control

boxes with murals, that will be eight 18 traffic control

boxes. In case of anyone's curious.

And that will be done by a committee. We'll determine

what will be put on those.

Those control boxes, but they will be themed.

Dependent and, and they will be historic.

Historical to the city, 0 8 4 dash five or to the

city Fitchburg here by your producing expense of grant funds

in the approximate amount of $84,579.

Representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts share of the required match

for their participation in the us department of transportation, safe

streets for all grant program.

Director Murphy came before us for that one. This is

a, the state's mash of a, of a fate and

federal grant, a state and federal grant. The federal grant

was in the amount of $339,336. Already. Those are already

approved by the council. This project will, will provide our

roads safety action plan.

An ADA transition plan, ensuring that all the roads are

ADA roads, sidewalks are ADA accessible.

And safety improvement, demonstration projects with nun and Bemis, a

temporary activities, speed signs, things of that nature.

Eight five dash 25 ordered that city of Fitch, Brie

hereby approves expender of grant funds in the approximate of

$150,000 in the executive office of housing in Louisville communities,

community planning, grant program to develop a regional housing production

plan with the city of Leinster. This will be be,

as it says, regional production plan and conjunction.

And it will be predominantly for consultants to, to get

the plan going. It's still in the early phases. I'd

be happy to answer any questions on that.

0 8 6 dash 25 or to the city of Fishburg hereby

approves the expenditure of grant funds in the approximate amount

of $330,000 for an executive office of housing in Louisville

communities, housing works infrastructure program to support the green acres

road and sidewalk replacement project. This is predominantly for designs,

expenses, and redesign. There will be some minor improvements catch.

Basins and things of that nature, but it's predominantly for

the plan.

Eight seven dash five. What did that city of Fitchburg

hereby approves the expenditure of grant friends in the approximate

of 60,100 in the community compact cabinet.

Information and technology grant program to support the city's 40

U program with the purpose of handheld ticketing, machines and

software.

This will be to purchase the five ticketing machines. Two

of them will, one will go to the police department.

One to the fire department, three will remain with community

development and the four to you program. It's also.

To develop, not to help. Excuse me. It's also to

purchase the software.

Right now the community development is using.

Spreadsheets to keep track of, of the infraction. So they're

gonna have a software update, a software to use.

0 8 8 dash 25. Where did that city of Fishburg hereby

approve the extension of grant funds in the approximate amount

of $243,130 from department of energy resources, green communities, vision

for L E D lighting at long show middle school.

This sounds pretty simple. They currently are using fluorescent lighting.

Community development was able to get a grant to transition

to L E D.

Again, happy to answer any questions from committee members, but

I wanted to get the in case anybody missed the

meeting on FA T V this time around. I wanted

to make sure we give it detailed report. Happy to

answer any questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair, make a motion.

Will set. Second. I have a motion and second.

Anyone on the motion.

Madam clerk, would you please call the roll?

President's yes. Has council Bosman? Yes.

Council Kutcher. Yes. Council Cragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes, council Dean. Yes.

Council Flemmi yes. Council green. Yes. Council shield. Yes. And

council Vivian has email. Yes. 10 members pass.

Thank you very much.

Next up, we have the full slate of budget orders

for fiscal year 2026.

If there is no objection, I will waive reading them.

And I will ask for.

A motion for suspension of the rules.

To send this to council as a whole.

Shelby removed.

Second, I have a motion and second suspension.

Madam clerk. I'm sorry, counselor. Cruz.

So counsel as a whole, at a later date, correct?

Yes. Yes.

Thank you. The schedule I believe was sent out.

This week, this or just last week, last week. Yeah,

mm-hmm and it starts Wednesday, Thursday, next week.

Correct. I just, just wanted to double check and be

sure no, we're definitely not diving into it tonight.

I don't think any of us are that masochistic. .

Call the suspension roll call please. Yes, president Zarella. Yes.

Council of Bosman.

Yes. Council Kutcher. Yes. Council Cragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes. Council Dina Talley. Yes. Council Fleming. Yes. Council green.

Yes. Council shields. Yes. Council V enhancing. Yes. 10 members

pass.

Thank you very much.

Next up was you guys on the suspension now? We.

Well, that was a suspense to suspend so that instead

of being sent to finance, as it normally would be,

gets sent to council as a whole.

And that was just for the record items.

100 dash 25.

Through and including 1 0 8 25 and also.

1 14 20 eighth, which was added late.

I'm sorry, N 1 0 9 25. I.

Skipped a page.

Oh nine, right.

Next we have 90, 25 an ordinance in final reading.

Amending chapter 44, section 10 counsel on aging, hourly positions.

Positions again, this is in final reading.

Motion to approve. Second, second. I have a motion motion.

Second motion. Second on the motion.

Go ahead on the motion. I.

As a reading the information I received from the person

over there, Amanda.

I can't hold hardly support this positioning. I know it's

covered by a grant.

What looking at the budget and looking at in the

next two years.

And the building needed the water repairs.

And the volunteers used to do the exact same work

that she wants to hire a, a coordinator for, for,

and they did a good job for a number of

years.

And I was suddenly, we went to add another guard,

even though we're not paying for it.

Truly grant, but I look at it.

2025, $30,000 a year.

Four years is $120,000. They can go to something.

They fix that, the building up something.

It's nothing. I'm trying to give anybody a high time.

It's just that we're in financial di.

We are all arguing about the budget. Now we don't

like what we see in the budget.

And

and we can use the, the funds somewhere else I

believe. And I really believe that.

What I saw before.

When a previous administration was the head and they only

had volunteers doing that job.

It worked perfectly fine.

So I'm not gonna support this. I know I support

it the first time around, but I didn't have the

paperwork. I have to reading it and thinking about it

and asking questions.

Questions. I'm not going to, I can't and whole, how

do we do it to the tax payers of the

city of Fitchburg to hire another body?

Even though we are not paying for it. So understood.

I'm I'm saying no, I might vote.

Counsel Junet

so this, this.

Ordinance is to set the pay rate for the position.

Irrespective of the position is filled.

This is just to set an hourly wage.

By which then the director can advertise.

For interviewing for the position.

So this ordinance is calling for an amendment to the

hourly rate of that position. That's already codified.

But hasn't been amended in.

Over 10 years.

So while I

don't have any disagreements with most of what you said.

Just so it's clear.

Voting for this does not mean the position.

Is added. This is just amending the rate.

For that position, if, and when it gets filled.

So am might understand you don't have anybody in that

position right now.

So in order to

entice people to apply for it. The rates being adjusted.

For not being touched in over a decade.

No, one's gonna do that job for 12 bucks an

hour.

But

so, what I'm saying is you're arguing the position itself

being in the budget.

Whether it's through a grant or through the general fund.

This is setting the rate for that position.

Your, your argument.

Can be had in the budget process.

Of getting rid of the positions.

Position's funding so that it doesn't get filled.

Irrespective of this rate going through.

That's it, this is just setting the rate that that

position gets paid. It doesn't have anything to do with

the position being funded.

That's in the upcoming budget.

Meetings, because I agree with most of what you said.

I'm gonna support the ordinance.

To raise the pay.

But in terms of actually filling the position.

I'll have that discussion with the counsel.

And, and the public, when we have a budget meetings.

Meetings. Thank you.

Thank you. Did you have something to add counsel? Yes,

sir. In all finished.

Right. I read this correctly.

And the paperwork I got. If I'm not mistaken.

There was a HR report sent out looking for, for

somebody to take that position. They already advertiser.

So, but at time you get the budget and we

get the budget and we go through it.

Two weeks from now, the budget's gonna pass.

And they'll have an, an employee.

That's my that's the only reason why I said what

I said, I understand what we're saying.

The thing nobody's gonna win for 12 bucks an hour.

I understand wholeheartedly.

I don't want to say.

With pass it and then they hire somebody.

And I was trying to.

Can't do nothing about it.

Cuz it's not gonna come in front of the council.

Counselor. I would think that.

All involved would

be

wise enough to realize that.

Con that conducting a final hire.

When there is skepticism as to whether the position will

be funded in the budget.

Would probably be premature.

We can still have that discussion and I'm, I'm not

even going to, at this time, give an indication of

where I come down on that. I'm just going to

say that is a discussion we can have.

And I think that having heard that there are at

least two counselors who are skeptical of.

Funding the position.

It would

probably behoove.

You know, the administration and the council on aging.

To

not make a final offer to anyone.

Prior to having it confirmed in the budget.

But that doesn't preclude us from still updating this ordinance

so that if we do.

Decide to fund the position.

It can happen seamlessly rather than having to come back

to us.

At, at that point to pass an ordinance.

Councilor Fleming. Could we just ask Amanda?

If there is going to be a higher before we

go through the budget process to put.

Counselor Bo amenities, we would need the.

Motion to be withdrawn.

I don't recall who made it.

I, I

I will with withdraw the motion.

Alright, second, you may ask.

Amanda, can you guarantee

that there will not be a new hire before we

have gone through the budget process.

Yes, I will guarantee you.

Thank you, but I really .

I really need this position.

Although counselor Boschman. I do I, if I may. Okay,

go ahead. Go ahead. The position that you're referring to.

From years ago. It, it.

Have changed since then.

We have a much higher demand in our dining room.

For food service.

And it's, it's more than.

What a volunteer can be expected.

To handle.

So this coordinator

is going to help ensure that.

Everything in the kitchen that needs to be done is

getting done while the volunteers can continue to enjoy.

Coming to the senior center.

Volunteering and, and helping out. But I do.

Need an employee. And that's what the formula grant funding.

Is for, is to take care of the seniors in

the city.

And I'm the director.

And I know what the senior center needs and it

is this kitchen coordinator.

Thank you.

Thank you very much motion to approve 0 90, 25 second.

All right. I have a motion and second.

And on the motion councilor Gina. Yeah. About, about process.

So everyone's asking the director, if.

There's a guarantee that it won't be filled before the

budget. It's not up to her.

It's up to her boss.

Who put into this budget, the position part-time.

So that's the mayor's answer for you as to whether.

This will move forward or not.

Pending counsel deliberations on her proposal.

I would prefer to get a guarantee from the mayor's

office. This isn't gonna be filled.

Like any other position?

Not directed at Ms. KET because.

She's not the one who controls that budget.

But be that as it may, we can get to

that at a later time.

But counselor Boschman said something earlier, and I just want

to confirm this.

Is it true? We advertise the position before this ordinance

was passed. So.

We do have a motion back on the table.

Sorry.

I would hope I will ask.

The director of HR at a later time, but I

would hope.

Cuz this happened a few times in the past.

Not with the current HR director, but.

Where the advertisement for a position was in advance of

council action.

And I hope that's not the case here.

All right, that having been said,

anyone else?

All right. Madam clerk, would you please call the roll

president Iran? Yes.

Council Bolman. No.

Council Kutcher. Yes.

Council Kragen yes. Council Cruz.

Yes, council. Deanna. Charlie. Yes.

Councilor Fleming.

Yes. Council green. Yes.

Council Schultz. Yes.

Counsel being hazing. Yes.

That's nine one.

Thank you very much. Next we have another ordinance and

final reading. This is 0 91 25.

This is increasing the fire.

Arm system license that monitoring license fee.

To $300 and put putting the collections in the hands

of the fire department. Motion to accept.

Second second, I have a motion and second.

Anyone on the motion.

Madam clerk, would you please call the roll president Zaro?

Yes. Council Boschman. Yes. Council Kutcher. Yes. Council Cragan. Yes.

Council Cruz.

Yes. Council Dean Talley. Yes. Council Fleming. Yes. Council green.

Yes. Council Hiltz. Yes. Council be enhancing. Yes. That passes

by 10.

Thank you very much. Next we have.

1 10 25. This is the solar moratorium in ordinance form.

What we need here is a motion to set it

for public hearing for June 3rd.

So moved second, I have a motion and second set

it for public hearing. June 3rd.

Anyone on the motion.

Madam clerk, would you please call the roll president? Zarella

yes. Vote to the Bosman. Yes. Council Kutcher. Yes. Council

Cragan. Yes. Council Cruz.

Yes. Also Dean? Yes. Council Fleming. Yes. Council green. Yes.

Council Hiltz. Yes. Council Levine. Hazing. Yes. That passes 10

members.

Thank you very much. Next we have two items.

1 11 25, the fluoride question.

And 1 12 25 petitioned by counselor Boshman to enact a moratorium

on the naming of city property after individuals.

Individuals, both of those stand referred to legislative affairs.

And then we have 1 13 25.

This is a petition by Unitil to relocate poll number

14.

Sorry, Mr. Perez, you said 1 11 25 is legislative affairs. Yes.

It says counsel as a whole counsel as a whole.

That may have been a error. I was away on

vacation and didn't have a chance to review the agenda

as thoroughly as I usually do.

It does by our rules, it would go to legislative

affairs. It would need a suspension of the rules to

go to council as a whole, make a motion for

suspension of the rules.

Do I have a second on 1 11 25.

Second second, I have a motion and second for suspension

of the rules to send 1 11 25 to counsel as awhole.

Madam clerk, would you please call the roll?

President's Sirola no.

Council Bosman. No.

Council Kutcher. Yes.

Council Craig and no.

No council. Yes.

Counsel Fleming. Yes.

Council green. No.

Councilor Shilts. No.

Counsel being hazing. No.

Seven to three seven noses, three yeses motion fails. It

will stand referred to legislator of affairs.

1 13 25 unit till to petition to relocate poll number 14.

As painted on the ground for a new driveway, the

proposed.

Poll 14 would be 95 feet from Columbus street and

103 feet from St. Joseph's street.

As outlined in the enclosed petition. I need a motion

for a public hearing also on June, th excuse me,

June 3rd. So moved.

Moved second. I have a motion. And second Madam clerk

would, would you please call the roll president Zello? Yes.

Council the Bosman. Yes.

Counsel Kutcher. Yes. Counsel Craigen.

Yes, council Cruz.

Yes. Council Dean tally. Yes.

Council Fleming. Yes. Council green. Yes.

Council Schultz. Yes.

And council being hazing them. Yes. That passes 10 members.

Thank you very much.

Just before we conclude the meeting, I'd just like to

remind everyone of the schedule for next week.

Next Tuesday, May 27th. There will be.

A council as a whole meeting at 6:00 PM.

To receive information on the.

Five year budget plan.

Wednesday.

The following night, Wednesday at 6:00 PM. We will have the

first.

Half of our budget presentation.

And we'll then con will then conclude that budget presentation.

The following night, Thursday, May 29th also at 6:00 PM. Counselor Boshman

you had a question? No, you said you answered the

All right. That concludes our business for the evening. The

next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be Tuesday, June 3rd,

at 7:00 PM.

Motion to adjourn. Second, I have motion and second to

adjourned.

With no objection. We are adjourned.