[0:09] I now call this meeting to order. Please be advised that FATV is conducting audio and video

[0:16] recording of this meeting for public broadcast. I ask that anyone else in the audience who is

[0:21] recording this meeting to please identify themselves for the record now by standing and stating

[0:26] their name and city of residence.

[0:31] Seeing none, at this time I would ask that all electronic

[0:34] devices be placed into silent mode.

[0:38] Vice President Van Hazinga, would you please

[0:40] lead us into a flag?

[0:43] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

[0:53] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:00] Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll?

[1:02] here.

[1:04] Councilor Van Hezinger.

[1:06] Here.

[1:06] Councilor Walsh.

[1:07] Here.

[1:08] President Zarella.

[1:09] Here.

[1:09] Councilor Bolshamun.

[1:11] Here.

[1:11] Councilor Kutcher.

[1:12] Here.

[1:13] Councilor Kerrigan.

[1:14] Here.

[1:15] Councilor Cruz.

[1:16] Here.

[1:17] Councilor Dean Attali.

[1:18] Here.

[1:19] Councilor Fleming.

[1:20] Here.

[1:20] Councilor Green.

[1:21] Here.

[1:21] Councilor Schultz.

[1:22] Here.

[1:23] We have 11 members present.

[1:25] Thank you very much.

[1:27] We have no one signed in remotely for public forum.

[1:30] If there is anyone in the audience wishing to speak, please approach the center podium,

[1:36] identify yourself by name and city of residence, and identify the agenda item on which you

[1:41] wish to speak, and you will be given two minutes.

[1:52] Good evening.

[1:53] I'm Charlene Laxall.

[1:54] I live in 31 Gloria Ave.

[1:56] And I'd like to speak to Petition 09825, the extension of the solar moratorium.

[2:02] moratorium. Despite the fact that the state is working on updated solar regulations, it

[2:08] seems advantageous for the city to issue its own stronger zoning ordinance to protect neighborhoods

[2:14] in the interim. Since the current moratorium expires on May 31st, more time is needed to

[2:20] strengthen our current ordinance. I believe the state allows a temporary moratorium of

[2:25] one year. The last reading of the current moratorium was on October 15th, 2024, which

[2:32] puts us well under the one year timeframe allowed. An extension would provide the city

[2:37] time to continue to develop and implement an updated zoning ordinance, which could

[2:42] be tweaked if eventually superseded by state regulations. Thank you.

[2:52] Anyone else for public comment? Seeing none, we will begin our announcements.

[3:01] The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed support group will take place on Thursday

[3:06] May 8th from 4 until 5.30 p.m. in Room 205 at the Fitchburg State University Recreation

[3:14] Center, 130 North Street. Kelly Lin and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting.

[3:21] Fitchburg City Councilor Bernie Schultz is hosting a City Council community meeting

[3:25] meeting on Monday, May 12th at 6.30 p.m. here in the legislative building 700 Main Street.

[3:33] Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squalia and FATV Executive Director Nate Glenny will make presentations

[3:39] and then answer questions following their presentations.

[3:43] This meeting on May 12th will be the last City Council community meeting hosted by

[3:48] Councillor Schultz until September.

[3:51] As with the last few years, Councillor Schultz will not be scheduling community

[3:55] meetings during the summer months.

[3:58] In recognition of May as Mental Health

[4:01] Awareness Month, the Health Department invites the public to join NAMI North

[4:06] Central Mass for a program on navigating mental health. This will be held on

[4:11] Thursday May 8th at the Legislative Building 700 Main Street. Local

[4:18] counseling agencies will have resource tables available at 5.30 p.m. and the

[4:24] program begins at 6 p.m. There will be a presentation on navigating mental illness

[4:30] from two perspectives. A family member will share the experience of accessing

[4:35] mental health care for a loved one and an individual living with mental illness

[4:40] will share their journey. A panel discussion will follow led by Heather

[4:44] Powell, North County site director for Massachusetts Department of Public

[4:49] Health. This free program is open to the public and refreshments will be

[4:53] available. You can call 978-829-1854 for more information.

[5:04] Saturday, May 31st at 2 p.m. The Thurston Concert will have,

[5:15] it looks like a piano concert

[5:18] at the Forest Hill Abbey, the mausoleum, with award-winning pianist Silvia Boto of Romania.

[5:26] Sylvia is a music teacher at Grotten Hill Music Center.

[5:33] RSVP seating is limited. You can email

[5:36] friends of Fitchburg Cemetery, one word, at gmail.com with thanks to the Fitchburg Cultural

[5:45] Council for support. And the program is free, but donations are welcome to aid in the restoration

[5:54] of the mausoleum.

[5:59] And this week, Stratton players celebrates their centennial

[6:02] season with two free programs. On Thursday May 8th at 7 p.m. there will be a play

[6:09] reading at Lemonster Library and you can also help select plays for their next

[6:17] season. You can come read apart or sit and listen. Teens and adults are

[6:21] welcome. And on Friday May 9th from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. Stratton players will

[6:30] debut a new program for youth adults and seniors. Fun Family Improv is an

[6:37] opportunity to explore theater skills, try on costumes, and use props to create

[6:42] crazy characters and situations. This is a free program but donations are

[6:47] welcome. RSVP is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. For more information and to RSVP you

[6:53] can visit the Stratton players on Facebook or email Stratton players at gmail.com.

[7:05] Thank you.

[7:10] Next we have the report of the Appointments Committee. Councillor Krucher.

[7:14] Thank you Mr. President. The Appointments Committee met earlier this evening. We took

[7:19] up two new appointments first to the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission termed to expire April

[7:23] April 1st, 2028. David DeJesus, which was approved unanimously. And another new appointment,

[7:31] associate member of the Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals, termed to expire May 6th, 2027.

[7:37] Christopher did loge, and that was approved unanimously as well.

[7:41] Motion to approve.

[7:42] Second.

[7:43] I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.

[7:49] moved. Report of the committee on records. Councilor Jean Tali reviewed the minutes of

[7:56] the last City Council meeting and they appear to be in order. We have a motion and second.

[8:03] If there is no objection, it is unanimously approved. We have communications from Her Honor

[8:10] the Mayor, a new appointment letter of four full-time student police officers for the

[8:16] City of Fitchburg, Sarah Coffey, Tyler Doucet, Angela Maga Chan, sorry, Angelina Maga Chan,

[8:23] and Arlene Tostes.

[8:29] One separate appointment letter for a full-time student police officer for the City of Fitchburg,

[8:36] Adam Borgo,

[8:38] new appointment of Michael T. Hurley as a member of the Fitchburg Board

[8:42] to registrar's term to expire April 1st, 2028.

[8:47] A new appointment of Emily Stark as a member of the Fitchburg Disability Commission, term

[8:52] to expire May 1st, 2028.

[8:55] Reappointment, James J. McGrath, member of the Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners,

[8:59] term to expire April 1st, 2030.

[9:03] And Krista Ford's Rhodes Reappointment as a member of the Fitchburg Human Rights

[9:07] Commission, term to expire May 1st, 2028.

[9:11] All of those will stand referred to the Appointments Committee.

[9:16] We have the annual report of the Fitchburg Fire Department.

[9:20] I see we have the Chief here.

[9:23] If you have any remarks you had plans to give, you're more than welcome.

[9:27] Otherwise, we will place the report on file with the clerk's office.

[9:31] All right.

[9:34] Any objection to leaving the reading and placing it on file?

[9:37] No problem.

[9:38] Well, it's quite a report.

[9:43] That it is that it is that again, that will be on file with

[9:49] the clerk's office report of the city property committee.

[9:53] Counselor Van Hasenga, thank you, Mr. President. This evening, the city property committee

[9:57] met to meet want to consider one item order 6625, which involved a conservation

[10:04] restriction that was being given to the Worcester County Land Trust. It's located on Ashby West

[10:10] Road in an area of other protected land on the northern part of the city. The committee

[10:16] voted 3 to nothing to a recommended approval of the conservation restriction.

[10:21] Make a motion we accept.

[10:22] Second.

[10:23] I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.

[10:29] approved.

[10:31] Reporter of the Finance Committee, Councillor Cruz.

[10:34] Thank you, Mr. President.

[10:35] We took up a handful of items, 11 in total.

[10:42] There was one, I'll call attention to just one, petition 06825-2.

[10:48] This is the only order that was not approved by the Finance Committee initially.

[10:53] It was held as amended.

[10:55] We amended the date to effect of July 1, 2026.

[10:58] That was held by a vote of four to one. Like I said, everything else was unanimously

[11:03] approved. I'd be happy to answer any questions. If anyone has a particular concern or comment

[11:07] or question about any of the agenda items from the Finance Committee, or I'd be happy

[11:12] to read them all in a row that were all unanimously approved.

[11:16] Councillor Green.

[11:17] I just have one question, 07-325.

[11:22] Yes.

[11:24] the support pedestrian projects on Summer Street, Electric Gav and Rollstone.

[11:29] Is there specifics about what that, what and how that's going to be supported?

[11:36] Sure. So most of it is the finishing of the paving as well as some crosswalks,

[11:42] RRFBs, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements on Rollstone to turn around.

[11:47] The specifics are made pretty clear in the meeting if you want to take a peek at the minutes.

[11:51] I don't have them on offhand. I don't think they've been submitted yet by finance committee, but the meeting that is available on FATV

[12:00] Right bite. Are they putting in a specific bike lane on did bike lanes? What's that painted bike lanes painted bike lane?

[12:08] Yes, no, no, no, they're not did not no, no, no bike

[12:12] The bike lanes are coming. So I apologize if this was the wrong the wrong pool of funds

[12:17] But this is for pedestrian safety the crosswalks the RFP's things of that nature

[12:22] But the bike lanes are coming. I think that's another pool of funds apparently.

[12:27] Okay. Thank you.

[12:31] Do I have any?

[12:32] Yes.

[12:33] Sorry?

[12:34] I make a motion that we accept.

[12:37] Second.

[12:37] May I request that 7425 be held out?

[12:41] Is that amenable to the moving party?

[12:45] Sure.

[12:46] I could, would it be like to read all of the petitions and the orders?

[12:49] I can, I'd be happy to do that for the council and the viewing public.

[12:52] Look, it doesn't seem to be necessary. So can I get a motion on all of the finance

[13:01] committee report excluding 074?

[13:05] I don't have a motion on the 4, sir.

[13:07] Yes, you have them. Oh, yes. It is up to you if you want to hold your motion or not.

[13:12] No, I would draw my motion. I don't want to be a wise guy.

[13:16] No, you are quite correct, though. It's your prerogative.

[13:18] No, that's okay. But can I speak on a 075 for a minute, sir?

[13:24] 075 or 074?

[13:26] I don't agree. We're talking about...

[13:27] The one he's holding out, 074, we'll get to it, yes.

[13:29] Okay, all right.

[13:31] So do I have a motion for the remainder of the Finance Committee report?

[13:34] So we'll move second.

[13:36] All right. Any objections? Anyone on the motion?

[13:41] All right. Then that is approved, and we now have 074-25 before us.

[13:47] This is order that the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of earmark funds

[13:53] from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in the approximate amount of $250,000

[14:00] to support the conversion of vacant upper store space, upper story space in downtown into housing.

[14:09] Councillor Dine-Tally, did you have any particular remarks you wanted to make on this?

[14:14] No. Okay. Councilor Rosemann, you indicated you had a question.

[14:18] Oh, no, I thought it was my mistake. I thought we wouldn't talk about Amy Green and the one

[14:22] she was asking about complete streets on the roads.

[14:26] We voted to ask about that.

[14:28] Oh, I see. 07-3. I suppose if you just have a question, we can try to address that.

[14:38] The motion has already been passed, but I was just trying to explain better about

[14:43] Oh, I see. Let's have that conversation offline then. I appreciate it, but we're past.

[14:51] I'll see you after.

[14:53] I'll see you after.

[14:54] Okay.

[14:54] Yeah, thank you.

[14:56] I move to approve 07-425.

[15:00] Second. All right. Anyone on the motion? All in favor?

[15:05] Aye.

[15:06] In opposition?

[15:09] Three in opposition?

[15:11] I missed the closure. Thank you.

[15:14] Motion carries by a vote of 8 to 3.

[15:21] Report of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Councillor Walsh.

[15:24] Thank you, Mr. President. The Legislative Affairs Committee met earlier this evening.

[15:28] We have one item on the agenda.

[15:32] It was 070-25. It was a resolution on behalf of FATV to adopt the resolution in support

[15:43] of bill S41 and H91 streaming bill as per the enclosed resolution, and the resolution

[15:50] was to basically allow for funding for community media programming, and that was 5 to 0.

[16:06] I have a motion on second.

[16:10] If there are no objections, we'll take this by unanimous consent.

[16:15] Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.

[16:21] Report of the Public Works Committee, Council Schultz.

[16:25] Thank you, Council President Zarela.

[16:27] We met last Tuesday, April 29th, and we had three petitions on the agenda.

[16:32] The first petition was 02825, and that was to assess the need for a stop sign,

[16:38] traffic control measure at High Street Mechanics Street.

[16:42] And that was granted, and it was pointed out that it was just to assess the need.

[16:48] It wasn't to actually put something at that particular intersection.

[16:54] And the other two petitions, 06925 and 16824 were both given leave to withdraw.

[17:02] one of the first one with 069 25 was the convert central have extension from a paper wrote to an actual road and

[17:10] We were told that the the cost would be about a half million dollars that to do that

[17:15] So they decided that the private developer the people living there should

[17:22] Do that rather than the city so that's why it was given bleak

[17:25] to withdraw.

[17:29] Councilor Kutcher, the city plows that.

[17:34] I think so.

[17:35] It also picks up the rubbish, but they also pay taxes there.

[17:38] So that's what they get for the taxes.

[17:39] But by law, we can't use Japanese.

[17:42] You can't do it.

[17:42] It's a paper speech.

[17:43] It's a paper speech.

[17:44] You can't pay the, you can't, you can't, you can't.

[17:48] Thank you, Chair.

[17:49] Thank you.

[17:49] It was stated that it is not as.

[17:51] Excuse me.

[17:51] I want to go to her.

[17:52] OK.

[17:52] Hang on, second.

[17:54] Hang on.

[17:54] one at a time. Are you all set, Councillor Kutcher?

[17:58] Yes, thank you.

[17:59] Councillor Fleming.

[18:00] Sorry about that. It was stated that it is a courtesy

[18:03] that the public works does that for the city

[18:06] if there's an emergency. So fire trucks and things, emergency vehicles

[18:10] get up there because we all have those paper roads and our wards

[18:14] and it would cost us millions and millions of dollars

[18:18] to change over all paper roads to public roads.

[18:24] All set?

[18:27] Thank you, Mr. President. And just to piggyback on what Councilor Fleming had mentioned, Commissioner

[18:32] Erickson explained it to us that it's at the commissioner's discretion, as we've done

[18:35] it in the past, to continue to sustain some of the roads and provide the plowing and

[18:41] those sort of maintenance that might need a public safety issue. So it's a commissioner's

[18:45] discretion. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

[18:48] Thank you. Vice President, Ben Hasinger.

[18:50] So I was in attendance at the meeting, I would like to add that the commissioner explained

[18:56] that there is a process in our by-laws for the acceptance of a paper road as a city street.

[19:01] It involves a lot of engineering work being done to show exactly the bounds of the road

[19:05] and where it is.

[19:06] The road also has to be constructed up to city standards to meet with quality of

[19:11] pavement, other issues.

[19:13] So as it currently sits, the road does not meet city standards to be a city road.

[19:18] So it would have to go through that process of engineering to show that it's layout, it's right of ways,

[19:26] it's condition that would have to be approved up to city standards, and then the city would take it.

[19:30] So if a normal process creates a subdivision or road is accepted by the city,

[19:35] it has to go through that process in order to be accepted.

[19:38] And that was sort of brought forward that if this is going to happen, it should go back and meet those requirements.

[19:45] Thank you. Anyone else?

[19:48] I'm not going to talk about that. I just want to give the reason why the other reason

[19:51] why we would draw. I just want to make it clear to everybody out there that the city

[19:55] is putting in burns and they're not made to drive over. And when I go back and put

[19:59] a burn man, and then they get damaged by the homeowner and they want to.

[20:04] That's not the petition we're talking about right now.

[20:06] Counselor, Counselor.

[20:07] I don't know about the other one why we withdrew.

[20:10] We didn't get to that one yet. We're still on the other one.

[20:13] All right.

[20:15] I did, I explained it.

[20:17] All right.

[20:18] So do we have anything further on either of the, on any of these three items?

[20:28] Oh, Counselor Jean Talley.

[20:29] On 16824, why was that given leave?

[20:34] The berm?

[20:35] Counselor Jean.

[20:35] Do you want to explain it and what?

[20:37] Go ahead, you started to it.

[20:39] They put a berm up there, and we didn't know what the guy actually wanted.

[20:48] So they put the berm from one area all the way down to the driveway left open,

[20:52] but the guy drove over the berm and damaged part of the berm.

[20:58] So out of the kindness of the DPW, they said that they would go back and repair that part of it,

[21:05] Because when I went up there Sunday, you showed me, well, you didn't come out and show me.

[21:09] You said the water's still going down.

[21:11] So they're going to put a little angle on the end of the driveway so the water won't go

[21:15] down there.

[21:16] But we also made it very clear, the DPW said, and that's why I said it, that we're not

[21:22] putting in berms so people can drive over, damage them, and they need to be replaced.

[21:29] We won't replace them unless we get paid because it costs money.

[21:33] Did the resident requesting this is the one who damaged it?

[21:36] Yeah.

[21:37] He didn't.

[21:38] No.

[21:38] They needed it because the water was going into his yard, right, Mr. Kutcher?

[21:41] Right.

[21:42] But who damaged the berm?

[21:44] He damaged the berm.

[21:46] The resident.

[21:48] The guy that requested the berm, Marcus.

[21:53] When did he damage it?

[21:55] When did he damage it a long time ago, or?

[21:58] No.

[21:59] This is a freshly berm.

[22:00] They just did it.

[22:01] They just did it last year.

[22:03] they did the berm last year and he did you already damage one of order we're

[22:06] having a lot of back and forth right now it's really not the way we operate

[22:10] yeah no it's a good point we should have one person at a time and if there's

[22:14] anyone who wants to respond please raise your hand and wait to be given the

[22:21] floor so alright so do you have any so was your question answered or do you

[22:28] have more that you'd like to go through the chair? Either way, it's fine.

[22:32] So it's a point of order because I'm asking questions to the chair?

[22:36] No, no, no. The point of order was to the back and forth without going through the chair.

[22:42] That's all. Nothing to do with the subject of your questioning.

[22:47] For clarification, Mr. President, if I may.

[22:50] On the point of order?

[22:51] Yes.

[22:52] Okay.

[22:52] It's not directed at any one counselor. It's just a lot of back and forth.

[22:56] and the chair typically has the floor and can answer questions.

[23:00] It's just the way we operate.

[23:02] It keeps things in orderly fashion.

[23:06] Yeah, no, and that's on me.

[23:08] That's my fault.

[23:10] I should have kept it a little tighter.

[23:14] But you're still free to ask any follow-up questions

[23:17] that you want, Councillor.

[23:22] Through you, Mr. Chair, how was it left?

[23:27] is the resident okay with this or is he feel like,

[23:32] oh, I made, it was an accident.

[23:34] And so now the city is going to penalize him

[23:36] by never fixing it.

[23:40] No, if you watch the video right at the end of the meeting,

[23:44] Nick Erickson, the commissioner said he would send

[23:47] somebody up to fix the berm.

[23:48] So the berm is gonna be repaid at Marcus.

[23:52] All right, thank you.

[23:54] Thank you.

[23:54] Any further questions, comments?

[23:56] Councilor Fleming.

[23:57] Okay. So I just, there's a little background story on this. The berm was placed

[24:01] there because there's erosion in the, in the constituent, in the resident's yard.

[24:06] So they put the berm up thinking that would solve the erosion problem. However,

[24:10] they've discovered that there is still erosion happening. And that may be something

[24:16] that has to do with the resident's home or whatever. So the berm was placed

[24:22] there. It was damaged. He's asking for it to be fixed because it was damaged. So it didn't

[24:30] take care of the initial problem, which was the erosion. So that itself is on the constituent,

[24:37] the resident, because it's something that's happening on his property. Nothing the city

[24:43] has done.

[24:48] Are you on the floor?

[24:49] Thank you.

[24:50] Councilor Schulz.

[24:51] Yes, just for clarification, Councilor Dean Atelier, the burn was put in not by that resident,

[24:58] not for that resident, but for his next door neighbor, and it just extended down to his

[25:02] property.

[25:03] So that's really what happened.

[25:08] All right.

[25:09] Do I have a motion on this report?

[25:13] So moved to approve.

[25:15] Second.

[25:16] I have a motion and seconds to approve the report of the Public Works Committee.

[25:20] city. Do I have any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved. We have a number

[25:30] of orders for finance. If no one objects, I will waive the reading of 083 through and

[25:37] including 08825, and those will stand referred to finance. Seeing no objections.

[25:46] For 0.9925, order that they're being hereby is appropriated the sum of $216,665.01 from

[25:57] reserve for appropriation peg access expenses to support FATV capital needs.

[26:04] We have a request for suspension of the rules on the site.

[26:07] So moved.

[26:08] Second.

[26:08] I have a motion and second for suspension.

[26:11] If there is no objection, we'll take this by unanimous consent.

[26:16] Seeing none, the matter is before the council.

[26:20] We'll have to adopt 9,925.

[26:22] Second.

[26:23] I have a motion and seconds.

[26:25] Do I have any objections?

[26:28] That said, it is unanimously approved.

[26:35] 089-25, order that the City of Fitchburg, the City Council of the City of Fitchburg,

[26:42] duly elected qualified in acting as such on behalf of the city, votes to authorize the

[26:45] mayor to execute an extension of the lease, buy in between the City of Fitchburg and Crown

[26:49] Atlantic Company LLC as the successor of Bel-Atlantic Mobile of Massachusetts Corporation

[26:54] Limited, doing business as Verizon Wireless, for the property located at 1078 Franklin

[27:01] and Road, Fitchburg, Massachusetts,

[27:02] for the final renewal term of five years,

[27:04] commencing on April 15th, 2025,

[27:06] and ending April 15th, 2030,

[27:09] and to take any other action necessary or convenient

[27:11] to carry out this vote.

[27:14] That will stand referred to city property.

[27:17] We have an ordinance in final reading,

[27:21] 0-20-25, to adopt the provisions of general laws,

[27:25] chapter 60, section 62A,

[27:28] as amended by section 89 through 91 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024.

[27:35] Again, this is in final reading.

[27:39] So I'll move.

[27:42] I have a motion on second to pass 02025

[27:46] through its third and final reading to be enrolled, ordained, and advertised.

[27:50] Do I have any objections?

[27:55] Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.

[27:57] moved. 027-25, this is also in final reading. This is the clerical amendment to the snow

[28:05] and ice ordinance. I'm not going to read out the details unless anyone wants me to.

[28:11] Move

[28:12] to its third and final reading. Second. I have a motion and second to pass 027-25 through

[28:17] its third and final reading to be enrolled, ordained and advertised. Do I have any objections?

[28:23] see none it is unanimous ordinance in first reading this is 09025 amending

[28:32] chapter 44 section 10 of the code of the city of fitchburg to update council on

[28:38] aging hourly position positions this we took up in petition form at the prior

[28:45] Council meeting.

[28:48] Councillor Green.

[28:52] Since we have Amanda Keck here,

[28:58] so does it spell out exactly how many positions that accounts for

[29:03] and what that means for hourly positions for the Council on Aging?

[29:09] You can come on up.

[29:15] Amanda Keck, Director of the Fitchburg Council on Aging.

[29:18] So, we've made that ordinance in so many steps like that, it's just one position, but it's

[29:25] just I want to be able to offer a broad range of wages depending on the amount of experience

[29:33] the person has to like when they apply for the job, so.

[29:38] Is this a clerical position or a kitchen coordinator?

[29:47] Okay, thank you.

[29:48] Yep.

[29:53] I'm looking at it right now. What line item does that get paid out of?

[30:01] And budget. And it would be paid out of my formula grant fund. I did submit a little bit of information.

[30:08] I don't know if anybody has it. It's grant funded? Yes.

[30:13] Okay. Thank you.

[30:16] Well, has it always been grant funded? No, it's apparently this is a new thing.

[30:23] So it will be grant funded. Plenty of other councils on ageing and other cities and towns use the formula grant

[30:30] to fund a position such as this. So I'm just trying to follow suit. And if you got the documents

[30:38] that I tried to include in your packet, you'll see that I actually have enough money to fund

[30:45] this position for the next five years, even if I don't get another formula grant.

[30:50] Thank you.

[30:53] Councillor Boeschman.

[30:55] When did that come into effect? I don't remember. Anybody ever get it paid in the

[30:59] kitchen?

[31:00] Well, there was...

[31:03] I thought it was all volunteers.

[31:05] There are all volunteers, and that's why there needs to be somebody in there that can supervise those volunteers.

[31:11] There used to be somebody when the lunches were provided by Monachusset Opportunity Council,

[31:18] which is now making opportunity count.

[31:20] Yeah.

[31:21] They used to do the meals, and they paid a meal site manager to take care of the food that was provided

[31:29] by mock. And now we have a great thing going on with the Moni Tech cafeteria

[31:37] workers and they prepare the food and it's delivered to us already cooked in

[31:41] the volunteers, deliver it to the tables and you know clean up afterwards. But they

[31:48] do need some supervision to make sure that all the Board of Health regulations

[31:54] are being followed and and when you know when the volunteers can't come sometimes

[32:01] sometimes I have free volunteers that they can't come on the same day and I'm

[32:05] scrambling I got to find somebody to work in my kitchen if I have one paid staff

[32:10] that I know I can hold accountable and and be there it'll be easier for us to

[32:15] serve the people at the senior center and more and more people are coming all

[32:21] all the time, so we really need all hands on deck when it's lunchtime.

[32:32] A year to four for now.

[32:34] All right, Councillor Green.

[32:38] The meals are still going to be provided by Monty Tech.

[32:41] Yep.

[32:42] And still only on, not only, but thank goodness, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

[32:48] Yes.

[32:48] So will this position reflect just Monday, Wednesday and Friday?

[32:52] Yes.

[32:53] So part-time position?

[32:55] Yes, and for the next five years, you've got funding for it as a part-time position. Yes, in your budget under the formula grant, right?

[33:06] Thank you

[33:10] council Schultz

[33:12] Yes, Amanda the

[33:15] Kitchen coordinator imagine what we will have a serve safe

[33:19] Certification do you always have somebody you must always have somebody in the kitchen a volunteer that has that certification

[33:24] I right now I'm the person with the serve safe certification. Yeah. Yeah, and this person

[33:30] It's possible. They won't have served safe, but I can also get get them that certification

[33:35] They probably should yeah, they will have it. They will have it if they don't now

[33:40] a yield of

[33:42] Counselor Dean Talley at my apologies. I know you sent information a while back. I just I don't even remember what I did yesterday

[33:49] Sometimes I'd so it's okay

[33:51] The formula one grant, is that a new grant?

[33:55] No.

[33:56] So what has that grant been historically used for?

[34:00] Up until this point where you're now using it

[34:03] for this kind of a position,

[34:04] what were you using that for previously?

[34:07] It's used for programs, supplies for programs

[34:11] like craft supplies.

[34:13] You can use it for like our volunteer appreciation,

[34:16] celebration. It is used to pay, let's see, like 25% of my salary, half of my principal

[34:25] clerk's salary.

[34:28] Is there anything you're giving up to now pay for this position over the next five years

[34:34] or did they increase it so that it's now covering that position as well? Like you

[34:40] foregoing anything that you have been funding now to that grant for?

[34:43] No.

[34:43] In deference to this?

[34:44] No.

[34:45] Now, so the formula grant is based on the amount of people over 60 that live in the city of

[34:53] Fitchburg.

[34:54] City of Fitchburg has about 8,000 people, and so our grant is around $120,000 a year.

[35:00] So no other programs you've been providing from this grant are going to be sacrificed

[35:06] to pay for this position?

[35:08] Right.

[35:09] Absolutely not.

[35:10] I'll still have money left over.

[35:12] Just want to make sure.

[35:12] Okay.

[35:13] Thank you.

[35:13] Yep.

[35:15] Councillor Cruz.

[35:16] I don't think you have any questions or answers.

[35:19] I just, I think it's great that we're getting that much money for 8,000 people, but 8,000

[35:24] people don't use the senior center, right?

[35:26] Right.

[35:26] So there was a lot of it.

[35:28] That's right.

[35:28] Okay.

[35:29] Thank you.

[35:30] I yield the floor.

[35:32] Anyone else?

[35:33] Councillor Green.

[35:34] Sorry, Amanda, I know how much you love being up in front of the podium and

[35:38] talking with us.

[35:39] Is there, is there ability for any of this formula grant to be used for the maintenance

[35:46] or the upkeep of the armory slash council on aging slash senior center?

[35:52] Yes, we could use the money for building maintenance.

[35:56] How about it?

[35:57] A portion of it?

[35:58] Some of it?

[36:00] I mean some of it.

[36:02] I have used some of it already for things that break at the, at the senior center.

[36:07] I'm a little nervous about using my formula grant funds on that building because it is

[36:15] a city building and at any time the city can decide that it's not a senior center anymore

[36:19] and then I've spent formula grant funds on this building and you know what if I don't

[36:27] have control over what happens with that building.

[36:29] building. So I get it. I don't understand the, I mean I do understand the dilemma but I don't

[36:42] want to see, I know you've got a couple of hefty projects, big projects to even get into

[36:50] the entrance of that building. I know that's expensive but I don't want to forgo letting

[36:57] it crumbled a crap and then say oh my god the city of Fitchburg did nothing when we are kind of

[37:05] financially in a pickle this year next year so if we could do a little bit with the grant money

[37:15] to continue to keep it open and safe before it falls to the other side of that because once

[37:22] we start sliding down that hill we're never going to recover from that so I don't want to lose

[37:27] the armory. I don't want to lose the senior center. I don't want to lose the

[37:30] council on aging in a historic building that we're obligated to maintain.

[37:34] So there is a little, so the other thing that's happened with the formula grant in

[37:38] the past few years is that they have opened up what you can spend formula

[37:43] grant money on. So me, I am being a new director. I need to definitely make

[37:48] sure that that's the case and that I can spend this formula grant money on

[37:53] building repair and it doesn't seem like there's a reason why I can't spend any money on building

[38:00] repair and I certainly will contribute to repair projects, but I can't let go of my whole

[38:08] entire formula grant. I need this kitchen person first.

[38:12] No, I get it. I'm right. I see it.

[38:14] Yeah.

[38:15] And I know that it's popular and that people appreciate it and you're finally getting

[38:19] the momentum of getting people there. More and more people are there.

[38:23] So it's a formula. I get it. I don't want you to rob from one to pay the other, but I don't want you to not do one in hesitation of a building that doesn't really belong to the Council on Aging.

[38:40] Right.

[38:41] Yeah, I get it.

[38:43] Madam Mayor, you had something to add?

[38:45] Yes, Councillor Green, thank you for suggesting that we have approximately $50,000 of capital

[38:52] funds for repairing of the front entrance, and also we have some structural issues with

[38:59] the buttresses at the senior center that we are actively repairing.

[39:03] The quote for repairing the front entrance triggered a requirement for a bid process

[39:11] us in further procurement. So we're working on developing specifications and putting that

[39:17] out to bid right now for that front, or at least putting out so that we can accept bids

[39:23] for that. So we do have some funds aside for that capital repair, and hopefully we do

[39:29] not have to tap into our Senior Center Formula Grant for that. But I appreciate Director

[39:33] Keck's willingness to do what it takes. Thank you.

[39:39] Anyone else? All right. So, again, this is an ordinance in first reading. Motion to approve?

[39:47] Second.

[39:48] I have a motion and seconds to pass this through its first reading. Do I have any objections?

[39:55] Seeing none, it is unanimous. Another ordinance in first reading, 091-25.

[40:06] A new section

[40:07] Section 23-36 to be inserted into Chapter 23, Fire Department Article 2, Chief Engineer,

[40:17] reading as follows.

[40:19] Section 23-36, Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee.

[40:24] The following rate is to be the fee charged for the City Fire Department to issue a licensed

[40:28] monitor fire alarm systems, $300.

[40:32] This section shall take effect January 1st, 2026.

[40:39] Second. I have a motion and seconds to pass this ordinance through its first reading.

[40:47] Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimous. We have a number of petitions here.

[40:58] One,

[40:59] we have 092-25, Councillor Andrew Coucher to rename the Crocker splash pad at Crocker

[41:05] Park to the Joel Caddy Memorial Splash Pad.

[41:11] I spoke with Councillor Krucher before the

[41:14] meeting. It turns out this is actually a matter within the purview of the parks board rather

[41:21] than the City Council. However, I would entertain a motion to amend this from a petition to

[41:29] a resolution in support. So moved. Second. I have a motion on second. Any objections

[41:36] to the amendment? Seeing none, this will then be referred, the resolution will be referred

[41:45] to city property and I believe Councillor Couture will contact the Parks and Rec Board

[41:52] forward to get that process rolling.

[41:58] 9325 from Joanna Balotta, our city clerk, to review

[42:03] the Mayor's salary and City Councilor's salary as required by Chapter 3-43 of the Code of

[42:10] the City of Fitchburg.

[42:13] This will, if there is no objection, I would like to send this

[42:18] as typical to counsel as a whole date to be determined?

[42:23] Can I have a motion for that?

[42:26] So moved.

[42:27] I have a motion and second to send this

[42:29] to counsel as a whole.

[42:31] Do I have any objections?

[42:33] Seeing none, it will stand referred.

[42:38] 9425 Community Development and Planning Department

[42:43] to adopt zoning changes to comply

[42:45] with the Massachusetts Model Flood Plane Bylaws

[42:48] and incorporate the new FEMA floodplain maps effective July 8th 2025.

[42:55] I would like to ask for a motion to set this for public hearing on June 3rd.

[43:02] So moved.

[43:03] Second.

[43:04] I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimous.

[43:10] Three more items. Councilor Schultz in conjunction with Fire Chief Dante Suarez and

[43:17] and Director of Public Health, Steve Curry,

[43:20] to address public safety issues at 240 Water Street,

[43:23] the former St. Bernard's Church,

[43:26] where the spire is presenting a falling danger

[43:29] and there are issues with homeless individuals

[43:33] breaking into the buildings.

[43:35] That will stand referred to public safety.

[43:40] 09625, Councillor Van Hasinga,

[43:42] to install a traffic sign on Davis Street

[43:44] at Highland Court, warning caution autistic child or similar, that will stand referred

[43:50] to public works. 9725, Councillor Bernie Schultz on behalf of Jason Badeo of 126 South Street

[44:00] to repair the sidewalk on Charles Street next to his residence. That will also stand

[44:05] referred to public works. And lastly, 09825, Councillor Kutcher on behalf of the Shays

[44:11] street neighborhood group to extend the solar moratorium to allow for additional

[44:15] time to implement the solar zoning change. I have a request for suspension of

[44:21] the rules on this item. So moved. Second. I have a motion and second for

[44:26] suspension of the rules. Do I have any objection? Seeing none, the matter is

[44:32] before the council. Motion to accept. Second. I have a motion and second to

[44:37] accept in petition form. I believe this will then need to go to ordinance at our

[44:44] next meeting and we'll take care of that as it goes. On the motion, go ahead.

[44:53] I'm in support of extending the moratorium. I think it's the right thing to do because we don't have the news

[44:58] language in place.

[45:00] However, it doesn't say how long to extend it, and I think that is a matter that has to be addressed in the moratorium, not just to definitely extend.

[45:08] That is a good point.

[45:11] I have Councillor Cruz, then Councillor Kutcher, and we will address that before we close this out.

[45:19] And Councillor Cruz, I'll yield to the petitioner. Councillor Kutcher.

[45:22] I moved we amend to the whatever the October date when we I believe it was

[45:30] October 15th perfect I move to amend the petition to move the date to October 15th

[45:43] of this year do I have a second on the amendment second I have a motion and

[45:47] second. Any objections to the amendment? Seeing none, it is amended.

[45:53] Councilor Cruz on the initial motion. Do you still have something?

[45:56] I was going to do my suggestion, but I figured I'd leave it to the petitioner. I yield the floor. Thank you.

[46:00] Appreciate it. All right. Do I have any further questions or comments on this matter?

[46:06] All right. Do I have any objection to the extension of the moratorium? Seeing none,

[46:14] it is unanimously approved. And that concludes our business for the evening.

[46:20] Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, you tell on the book to clean up to Saturday and May 17th,

[46:26] because people don't know anything yet.

[46:28] I don't have it in front of me, but if you have the details, then go ahead.

[46:32] On May 17th, Clegg on.

[46:34] May 17th, and where is it?

[46:36] It's going to be on Daniel Street, Famon Street.

[46:39] All right.

[46:39] to help me can get the yes we are adjourned yes I but I will if we're if

[46:52] we're still broadcasting feel free to announce it may 10th is the next one or

[46:58] the 17th is the one in in clay corn yeah yes and these are all on the cities

[47:05] Facebook page? Yes, yep, and the website. May 10th, that's the BAC, Simon's Park,

[47:11] May 17th, in lovely Ward 2, Claygore. That's right. All right. And we can use the

[47:16] volunteers. Oh yeah, we can. We've got to clean up this place. Okay, Paul.

City Council - 5.6.2025

Agenda

Transcript