I now call this meeting to order. Please be advised that FATV is conducting audio and video
recording of this meeting for public broadcast. I ask that 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 would ask that all electronic
devices be placed into silent mode.
Vice President Van Hazinga, would you please
lead us into a flag?
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll?
here.
Councilor Van Hezinger.
Here.
Councilor Walsh.
Here.
President Zarella.
Here.
Councilor Bolshamun.
Here.
Councilor Kutcher.
Here.
Councilor Kerrigan.
Here.
Councilor Cruz.
Here.
Councilor Dean Attali.
Here.
Councilor Fleming.
Here.
Councilor Green.
Here.
Councilor Schultz.
Here.
We have 11 members present.
Thank you very much.
We have no one signed in remotely for public forum.
If there is anyone in the audience wishing to speak, please approach the center podium,
identify yourself by name and city of residence, and identify the agenda item on which you
wish to speak, and you will be given two minutes.
Good evening.
I'm Charlene Laxall.
I live in 31 Gloria Ave.
And I'd like to speak to Petition 09825, the extension of the solar moratorium.
moratorium. Despite the fact that the state is working on updated solar regulations, it
seems advantageous for the city to issue its own stronger zoning ordinance to protect neighborhoods
in the interim. Since the current moratorium expires on May 31st, more time is needed to
strengthen our current ordinance. I believe the state allows a temporary moratorium of
one year. The last reading of the current moratorium was on October 15th, 2024, which
puts us well under the one year timeframe allowed. An extension would provide the city
time to continue to develop and implement an updated zoning ordinance, which could
be tweaked if eventually superseded by state regulations. Thank you.
Anyone else for public comment? Seeing none, we will begin our announcements.
The next meeting of the Widowed Helping Widowed support group will take place on Thursday
May 8th from 4 until 5.30 p.m. in Room 205 at the Fitchburg State University Recreation
Center, 130 North Street. Kelly Lin and Bernie Schultz will co-facilitate the meeting.
Fitchburg City Councilor Bernie Schultz is hosting a City Council community meeting
meeting on Monday, May 12th at 6.30 p.m. here in the legislative building 700 Main Street.
Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squalia and FATV Executive Director Nate Glenny will make presentations
and then answer questions following their presentations.
This meeting on May 12th will be the last City Council community meeting hosted by
Councillor Schultz until September.
As with the last few years, Councillor Schultz will not be scheduling community
meetings during the summer months.
In recognition of May as Mental Health
Awareness Month, the Health Department invites the public to join NAMI North
Central Mass for a program on navigating mental health. This will be held on
Thursday May 8th at the Legislative Building 700 Main Street. Local
counseling agencies will have resource tables available at 5.30 p.m. and the
program begins at 6 p.m. There will be a presentation on navigating mental illness
from two perspectives. A family member will share the experience of accessing
mental health care for a loved one and an individual living with mental illness
will share their journey. A panel discussion will follow led by Heather
Powell, North County site director for Massachusetts Department of Public
Health. This free program is open to the public and refreshments will be
available. You can call 978-829-1854 for more information.
Saturday, May 31st at 2 p.m. The Thurston Concert will have,
it looks like a piano concert
at the Forest Hill Abbey, the mausoleum, with award-winning pianist Silvia Boto of Romania.
Sylvia is a music teacher at Grotten Hill Music Center.
RSVP seating is limited. You can email
friends of Fitchburg Cemetery, one word, at gmail.com with thanks to the Fitchburg Cultural
Council for support. And the program is free, but donations are welcome to aid in the restoration
of the mausoleum.
And this week, Stratton players celebrates their centennial
season with two free programs. On Thursday May 8th at 7 p.m. there will be a play
reading at Lemonster Library and you can also help select plays for their next
season. You can come read apart or sit and listen. Teens and adults are
welcome. And on Friday May 9th from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. Stratton players will
debut a new program for youth adults and seniors. Fun Family Improv is an
opportunity to explore theater skills, try on costumes, and use props to create
crazy characters and situations. This is a free program but donations are
welcome. RSVP is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. For more information and to RSVP you
can visit the Stratton players on Facebook or email Stratton players at gmail.com.
Thank you.
Next we have the report of the Appointments Committee. Councillor Krucher.
Thank you Mr. President. The Appointments Committee met earlier this evening. We took
up two new appointments first to the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission termed to expire April
April 1st, 2028. David DeJesus, which was approved unanimously. And another new appointment,
associate member of the Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals, termed to expire May 6th, 2027.
Christopher did loge, and that was approved unanimously as well.
Motion to approve.
Second.
I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.
moved. Report of the committee on records. Councilor Jean Tali reviewed the minutes of
the last City Council meeting and they appear to be in order. We have a motion and second.
If there is no objection, it is unanimously approved. We have communications from Her Honor
the Mayor, a new appointment letter of four full-time student police officers for the
City of Fitchburg, Sarah Coffey, Tyler Doucet, Angela Maga Chan, sorry, Angelina Maga Chan,
and Arlene Tostes.
One separate appointment letter for a full-time student police officer for the City of Fitchburg,
Adam Borgo,
new appointment of Michael T. Hurley as a member of the Fitchburg Board
to registrar's term to expire April 1st, 2028.
A new appointment of Emily Stark as a member of the Fitchburg Disability Commission, term
to expire May 1st, 2028.
Reappointment, James J. McGrath, member of the Fitchburg Board of Parks Commissioners,
term to expire April 1st, 2030.
And Krista Ford's Rhodes Reappointment as a member of the Fitchburg Human Rights
Commission, term to expire May 1st, 2028.
All of those will stand referred to the Appointments Committee.
We have the annual report of the Fitchburg Fire Department.
I see we have the Chief here.
If you have any remarks you had plans to give, you're more than welcome.
Otherwise, we will place the report on file with the clerk's office.
All right.
Any objection to leaving the reading and placing it on file?
No problem.
Well, it's quite a report.
That it is that it is that again, that will be on file with
the clerk's office report of the city property committee.
Counselor Van Hasenga, thank you, Mr. President. This evening, the city property committee
met to meet want to consider one item order 6625, which involved a conservation
restriction that was being given to the Worcester County Land Trust. It's located on Ashby West
Road in an area of other protected land on the northern part of the city. The committee
voted 3 to nothing to a recommended approval of the conservation restriction.
Make a motion we accept.
Second.
I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.
approved.
Reporter of the Finance Committee, Councillor Cruz.
Thank you, Mr. President.
We took up a handful of items, 11 in total.
There was one, I'll call attention to just one, petition 06825-2.
This is the only order that was not approved by the Finance Committee initially.
It was held as amended.
We amended the date to effect of July 1, 2026.
That was held by a vote of four to one. Like I said, everything else was unanimously
approved. I'd be happy to answer any questions. If anyone has a particular concern or comment
or question about any of the agenda items from the Finance Committee, or I'd be happy
to read them all in a row that were all unanimously approved.
Councillor Green.
I just have one question, 07-325.
Yes.
the support pedestrian projects on Summer Street, Electric Gav and Rollstone.
Is there specifics about what that, what and how that's going to be supported?
Sure. So most of it is the finishing of the paving as well as some crosswalks,
RRFBs, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements on Rollstone to turn around.
The specifics are made pretty clear in the meeting if you want to take a peek at the minutes.
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
Right bite. Are they putting in a specific bike lane on did bike lanes? What's that painted bike lanes painted bike lane?
Yes, no, no, no, they're not did not no, no, no bike
The bike lanes are coming. So I apologize if this was the wrong the wrong pool of funds
But this is for pedestrian safety the crosswalks the RFP's things of that nature
But the bike lanes are coming. I think that's another pool of funds apparently.
Okay. Thank you.
Do I have any?
Yes.
Sorry?
I make a motion that we accept.
Second.
May I request that 7425 be held out?
Is that amenable to the moving party?
Sure.
I could, would it be like to read all of the petitions and the orders?
I can, I'd be happy to do that for the council and the viewing public.
Look, it doesn't seem to be necessary. So can I get a motion on all of the finance
committee report excluding 074?
I don't have a motion on the 4, sir.
Yes, you have them. Oh, yes. It is up to you if you want to hold your motion or not.
No, I would draw my motion. I don't want to be a wise guy.
No, you are quite correct, though. It's your prerogative.
No, that's okay. But can I speak on a 075 for a minute, sir?
075 or 074?
I don't agree. We're talking about...
The one he's holding out, 074, we'll get to it, yes.
Okay, all right.
So do I have a motion for the remainder of the Finance Committee report?
So we'll move second.
All right. Any objections? Anyone on the motion?
All right. Then that is approved, and we now have 074-25 before us.
This is order that the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of earmark funds
from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in the approximate amount of $250,000
to support the conversion of vacant upper store space, upper story space in downtown into housing.
Councillor Dine-Tally, did you have any particular remarks you wanted to make on this?
No. Okay. Councilor Rosemann, you indicated you had a question.
Oh, no, I thought it was my mistake. I thought we wouldn't talk about Amy Green and the one
she was asking about complete streets on the roads.
We voted to ask about that.
Oh, I see. 07-3. I suppose if you just have a question, we can try to address that.
The motion has already been passed, but I was just trying to explain better about
Oh, I see. Let's have that conversation offline then. I appreciate it, but we're past.
I'll see you after.
Okay.
Yeah, thank you.
I move to approve 07-425.
Second. All right. Anyone on the motion? All in favor?
Aye.
In opposition?
Three in opposition?
I missed the closure. Thank you.
Motion carries by a vote of 8 to 3.
Report of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Councillor Walsh.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Legislative Affairs Committee met earlier this evening.
We have one item on the agenda.
It was 070-25. It was a resolution on behalf of FATV to adopt the resolution in support
of bill S41 and H91 streaming bill as per the enclosed resolution, and the resolution
was to basically allow for funding for community media programming, and that was 5 to 0.
I have a motion on second.
If there are no objections, we'll take this by unanimous consent.
Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.
Report of the Public Works Committee, Council Schultz.
Thank you, Council President Zarela.
We met last Tuesday, April 29th, and we had three petitions on the agenda.
The first petition was 02825, and that was to assess the need for a stop sign,
traffic control measure at High Street Mechanics Street.
And that was granted, and it was pointed out that it was just to assess the need.
It wasn't to actually put something at that particular intersection.
And the other two petitions, 06925 and 16824 were both given leave to withdraw.
one of the first one with 069 25 was the convert central have extension from a paper wrote to an actual road and
We were told that the the cost would be about a half million dollars that to do that
So they decided that the private developer the people living there should
Do that rather than the city so that's why it was given bleak
to withdraw.
Councilor Kutcher, the city plows that.
I think so.
It also picks up the rubbish, but they also pay taxes there.
So that's what they get for the taxes.
But by law, we can't use Japanese.
You can't do it.
It's a paper speech.
You can't pay the, you can't, you can't, you can't.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you.
It was stated that it is not as.
Excuse me.
I want to go to her.
OK.
Hang on, second.
Hang on.
one at a time. Are you all set, Councillor Kutcher?
Yes, thank you.
Councillor Fleming.
Sorry about that. It was stated that it is a courtesy
that the public works does that for the city
if there's an emergency. So fire trucks and things, emergency vehicles
get up there because we all have those paper roads and our wards
and it would cost us millions and millions of dollars
to change over all paper roads to public roads.
All set?
Thank you, Mr. President. And just to piggyback on what Councilor Fleming had mentioned, Commissioner
Erickson explained it to us that it's at the commissioner's discretion, as we've done
it in the past, to continue to sustain some of the roads and provide the plowing and
those sort of maintenance that might need a public safety issue. So it's a commissioner's
discretion. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
Thank you. Vice President, Ben Hasinger.
So I was in attendance at the meeting, I would like to add that the commissioner explained
that there is a process in our by-laws for the acceptance of a paper road as a city street.
It involves a lot of engineering work being done to show exactly the bounds of the road
and where it is.
The road also has to be constructed up to city standards to meet with quality of
pavement, other issues.
So as it currently sits, the road does not meet city standards to be a city road.
So it would have to go through that process of engineering to show that it's layout, it's right of ways,
it's condition that would have to be approved up to city standards, and then the city would take it.
So if a normal process creates a subdivision or road is accepted by the city,
it has to go through that process in order to be accepted.
And that was sort of brought forward that if this is going to happen, it should go back and meet those requirements.
Thank you. Anyone else?
I'm not going to talk about that. I just want to give the reason why the other reason
why we would draw. I just want to make it clear to everybody out there that the city
is putting in burns and they're not made to drive over. And when I go back and put
a burn man, and then they get damaged by the homeowner and they want to.
That's not the petition we're talking about right now.
Counselor, Counselor.
I don't know about the other one why we withdrew.
We didn't get to that one yet. We're still on the other one.
All right.
I did, I explained it.
All right.
So do we have anything further on either of the, on any of these three items?
Oh, Counselor Jean Talley.
On 16824, why was that given leave?
The berm?
Counselor Jean.
Do you want to explain it and what?
Go ahead, you started to it.
They put a berm up there, and we didn't know what the guy actually wanted.
So they put the berm from one area all the way down to the driveway left open,
but the guy drove over the berm and damaged part of the berm.
So out of the kindness of the DPW, they said that they would go back and repair that part of it,
Because when I went up there Sunday, you showed me, well, you didn't come out and show me.
You said the water's still going down.
So they're going to put a little angle on the end of the driveway so the water won't go
down there.
But we also made it very clear, the DPW said, and that's why I said it, that we're not
putting in berms so people can drive over, damage them, and they need to be replaced.
We won't replace them unless we get paid because it costs money.
Did the resident requesting this is the one who damaged it?
Yeah.
He didn't.
No.
They needed it because the water was going into his yard, right, Mr. Kutcher?
Right.
But who damaged the berm?
He damaged the berm.
The resident.
The guy that requested the berm, Marcus.
When did he damage it?
When did he damage it a long time ago, or?
No.
This is a freshly berm.
They just did it.
They just did it last year.
they did the berm last year and he did you already damage one of order we're
having a lot of back and forth right now it's really not the way we operate
yeah no it's a good point we should have one person at a time and if there's
anyone who wants to respond please raise your hand and wait to be given the
floor so alright so do you have any so was your question answered or do you
have more that you'd like to go through the chair? Either way, it's fine.
So it's a point of order because I'm asking questions to the chair?
No, no, no. The point of order was to the back and forth without going through the chair.
That's all. Nothing to do with the subject of your questioning.
For clarification, Mr. President, if I may.
On the point of order?
Yes.
Okay.
It's not directed at any one counselor. It's just a lot of back and forth.
and the chair typically has the floor and can answer questions.
It's just the way we operate.
It keeps things in orderly fashion.
Yeah, no, and that's on me.
That's my fault.
I should have kept it a little tighter.
But you're still free to ask any follow-up questions
that you want, Councillor.
Through you, Mr. Chair, how was it left?
is the resident okay with this or is he feel like,
oh, I made, it was an accident.
And so now the city is going to penalize him
by never fixing it.
No, if you watch the video right at the end of the meeting,
Nick Erickson, the commissioner said he would send
somebody up to fix the berm.
So the berm is gonna be repaid at Marcus.
All right, thank you.
Thank you.
Any further questions, comments?
Councilor Fleming.
Okay. So I just, there's a little background story on this. The berm was placed
there because there's erosion in the, in the constituent, in the resident's yard.
So they put the berm up thinking that would solve the erosion problem. However,
they've discovered that there is still erosion happening. And that may be something
that has to do with the resident's home or whatever. So the berm was placed
there. It was damaged. He's asking for it to be fixed because it was damaged. So it didn't
take care of the initial problem, which was the erosion. So that itself is on the constituent,
the resident, because it's something that's happening on his property. Nothing the city
has done.
Are you on the floor?
Thank you.
Councilor Schulz.
Yes, just for clarification, Councilor Dean Atelier, the burn was put in not by that resident,
not for that resident, but for his next door neighbor, and it just extended down to his
property.
So that's really what happened.
All right.
Do I have a motion on this report?
So moved to approve.
Second.
I have a motion and seconds to approve the report of the Public Works Committee.
city. Do I have any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimously approved. We have a number
of orders for finance. If no one objects, I will waive the reading of 083 through and
including 08825, and those will stand referred to finance. Seeing no objections.
For 0.9925, order that they're being hereby is appropriated the sum of $216,665.01 from
reserve for appropriation peg access expenses to support FATV capital needs.
We have a request for suspension of the rules on the site.
So moved.
Second.
I have a motion and second for suspension.
If there is no objection, we'll take this by unanimous consent.
Seeing none, the matter is before the council.
We'll have to adopt 9,925.
Second.
I have a motion and seconds.
Do I have any objections?
That said, it is unanimously approved.
089-25, order that the City of Fitchburg, the City Council of the City of Fitchburg,
duly elected qualified in acting as such on behalf of the city, votes to authorize the
mayor to execute an extension of the lease, buy in between the City of Fitchburg and Crown
Atlantic Company LLC as the successor of Bel-Atlantic Mobile of Massachusetts Corporation
Limited, doing business as Verizon Wireless, for the property located at 1078 Franklin
and Road, Fitchburg, Massachusetts,
for the final renewal term of five years,
commencing on April 15th, 2025,
and ending April 15th, 2030,
and to take any other action necessary or convenient
to carry out this vote.
That will stand referred to city property.
We have an ordinance in final reading,
0-20-25, to adopt the provisions of general laws,
chapter 60, section 62A,
as amended by section 89 through 91 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024.
Again, this is in final reading.
So I'll move.
I have a motion on second to pass 02025
through its third and final reading to be enrolled, ordained, and advertised.
Do I have any objections?
Seeing none, it is unanimously approved.
moved. 027-25, this is also in final reading. This is the clerical amendment to the snow
and ice ordinance. I'm not going to read out the details unless anyone wants me to.
Move
to its third and final reading. Second. I have a motion and second to pass 027-25 through
its third and final reading to be enrolled, ordained and advertised. Do I have any objections?
see none it is unanimous ordinance in first reading this is 09025 amending
chapter 44 section 10 of the code of the city of fitchburg to update council on
aging hourly position positions this we took up in petition form at the prior
Council meeting.
Councillor Green.
Since we have Amanda Keck here,
so does it spell out exactly how many positions that accounts for
and what that means for hourly positions for the Council on Aging?
You can come on up.
Amanda Keck, Director of the Fitchburg Council on Aging.
So, we've made that ordinance in so many steps like that, it's just one position, but it's
just I want to be able to offer a broad range of wages depending on the amount of experience
the person has to like when they apply for the job, so.
Is this a clerical position or a kitchen coordinator?
Okay, thank you.
Yep.
I'm looking at it right now. What line item does that get paid out of?
And budget. And it would be paid out of my formula grant fund. I did submit a little bit of information.
I don't know if anybody has it. It's grant funded? Yes.
Okay. Thank you.
Well, has it always been grant funded? No, it's apparently this is a new thing.
So it will be grant funded. Plenty of other councils on ageing and other cities and towns use the formula grant
to fund a position such as this. So I'm just trying to follow suit. And if you got the documents
that I tried to include in your packet, you'll see that I actually have enough money to fund
this position for the next five years, even if I don't get another formula grant.
Thank you.
Councillor Boeschman.
When did that come into effect? I don't remember. Anybody ever get it paid in the
kitchen?
Well, there was...
I thought it was all volunteers.
There are all volunteers, and that's why there needs to be somebody in there that can supervise those volunteers.
There used to be somebody when the lunches were provided by Monachusset Opportunity Council,
which is now making opportunity count.
Yeah.
They used to do the meals, and they paid a meal site manager to take care of the food that was provided
by mock. And now we have a great thing going on with the Moni Tech cafeteria
workers and they prepare the food and it's delivered to us already cooked in
the volunteers, deliver it to the tables and you know clean up afterwards. But they
do need some supervision to make sure that all the Board of Health regulations
are being followed and and when you know when the volunteers can't come sometimes
sometimes I have free volunteers that they can't come on the same day and I'm
scrambling I got to find somebody to work in my kitchen if I have one paid staff
that I know I can hold accountable and and be there it'll be easier for us to
serve the people at the senior center and more and more people are coming all
all the time, so we really need all hands on deck when it's lunchtime.
A year to four for now.
All right, Councillor Green.
The meals are still going to be provided by Monty Tech.
Yep.
And still only on, not only, but thank goodness, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Yes.
So will this position reflect just Monday, Wednesday and Friday?
Yes.
So part-time position?
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?
Thank you
council Schultz
Yes, Amanda the
Kitchen coordinator imagine what we will have a serve safe
Certification do you always have somebody you must always have somebody in the kitchen a volunteer that has that certification
I right now I'm the person with the serve safe certification. Yeah. Yeah, and this person
It's possible. They won't have served safe, but I can also get get them that certification
They probably should yeah, they will have it. They will have it if they don't now
a yield of
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
Sometimes I'd so it's okay
The formula one grant, is that a new grant?
No.
So what has that grant been historically used for?
Up until this point where you're now using it
for this kind of a position,
what were you using that for previously?
It's used for programs, supplies for programs
like craft supplies.
You can use it for like our volunteer appreciation,
celebration. It is used to pay, let's see, like 25% of my salary, half of my principal
clerk's salary.
Is there anything you're giving up to now pay for this position over the next five years
or did they increase it so that it's now covering that position as well? Like you
foregoing anything that you have been funding now to that grant for?
No.
In deference to this?
No.
Now, so the formula grant is based on the amount of people over 60 that live in the city of
Fitchburg.
City of Fitchburg has about 8,000 people, and so our grant is around $120,000 a year.
So no other programs you've been providing from this grant are going to be sacrificed
to pay for this position?
Right.
Absolutely not.
I'll still have money left over.
Just want to make sure.
Okay.
Thank you.
Yep.
Councillor Cruz.
I don't think you have any questions or answers.
I just, I think it's great that we're getting that much money for 8,000 people, but 8,000
people don't use the senior center, right?
Right.
So there was a lot of it.
That's right.
Okay.
Thank you.
I yield the floor.
Anyone else?
Councillor Green.
Sorry, Amanda, I know how much you love being up in front of the podium and
talking with us.
Is there, is there ability for any of this formula grant to be used for the maintenance
or the upkeep of the armory slash council on aging slash senior center?
Yes, we could use the money for building maintenance.
How about it?
A portion of it?
Some of it?
I mean some of it.
I have used some of it already for things that break at the, at the senior center.
I'm a little nervous about using my formula grant funds on that building because it is
a city building and at any time the city can decide that it's not a senior center anymore
and then I've spent formula grant funds on this building and you know what if I don't
have control over what happens with that building.
building. So I get it. I don't understand the, I mean I do understand the dilemma but I don't
want to see, I know you've got a couple of hefty projects, big projects to even get into
the entrance of that building. I know that's expensive but I don't want to forgo letting
it crumbled a crap and then say oh my god the city of Fitchburg did nothing when we are kind of
financially in a pickle this year next year so if we could do a little bit with the grant money
to continue to keep it open and safe before it falls to the other side of that because once
we start sliding down that hill we're never going to recover from that so I don't want to lose
the armory. I don't want to lose the senior center. I don't want to lose the
council on aging in a historic building that we're obligated to maintain.
So there is a little, so the other thing that's happened with the formula grant in
the past few years is that they have opened up what you can spend formula
grant money on. So me, I am being a new director. I need to definitely make
sure that that's the case and that I can spend this formula grant money on
building repair and it doesn't seem like there's a reason why I can't spend any money on building
repair and I certainly will contribute to repair projects, but I can't let go of my whole
entire formula grant. I need this kitchen person first.
No, I get it. I'm right. I see it.
Yeah.
And I know that it's popular and that people appreciate it and you're finally getting
the momentum of getting people there. More and more people are there.
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.
Right.
Yeah, I get it.
Madam Mayor, you had something to add?
Yes, Councillor Green, thank you for suggesting that we have approximately $50,000 of capital
funds for repairing of the front entrance, and also we have some structural issues with
the buttresses at the senior center that we are actively repairing.
The quote for repairing the front entrance triggered a requirement for a bid process
us in further procurement. So we're working on developing specifications and putting that
out to bid right now for that front, or at least putting out so that we can accept bids
for that. So we do have some funds aside for that capital repair, and hopefully we do
not have to tap into our Senior Center Formula Grant for that. But I appreciate Director
Keck's willingness to do what it takes. Thank you.
Anyone else? All right. So, again, this is an ordinance in first reading. Motion to approve?
Second.
I have a motion and seconds to pass this through its first reading. Do I have any objections?
Seeing none, it is unanimous. Another ordinance in first reading, 091-25.
A new section
Section 23-36 to be inserted into Chapter 23, Fire Department Article 2, Chief Engineer,
reading as follows.
Section 23-36, Fire Alarm System Monitoring License Fee.
The following rate is to be the fee charged for the City Fire Department to issue a licensed
monitor fire alarm systems, $300.
This section shall take effect January 1st, 2026.
Second. I have a motion and seconds to pass this ordinance through its first reading.
Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimous. We have a number of petitions here.
One,
we have 092-25, Councillor Andrew Coucher to rename the Crocker splash pad at Crocker
Park to the Joel Caddy Memorial Splash Pad.
I spoke with Councillor Krucher before the
meeting. It turns out this is actually a matter within the purview of the parks board rather
than the City Council. However, I would entertain a motion to amend this from a petition to
a resolution in support. So moved. Second. I have a motion on second. Any objections
to the amendment? Seeing none, this will then be referred, the resolution will be referred
to city property and I believe Councillor Couture will contact the Parks and Rec Board
forward to get that process rolling.
9325 from Joanna Balotta, our city clerk, to review
the Mayor's salary and City Councilor's salary as required by Chapter 3-43 of the Code of
the City of Fitchburg.
This will, if there is no objection, I would like to send this
as typical to counsel as a whole date to be determined?
Can I have a motion for that?
So moved.
I have a motion and second to send this
to counsel as a whole.
Do I have any objections?
Seeing none, it will stand referred.
9425 Community Development and Planning Department
to adopt zoning changes to comply
with the Massachusetts Model Flood Plane Bylaws
and incorporate the new FEMA floodplain maps effective July 8th 2025.
I would like to ask for a motion to set this for public hearing on June 3rd.
So moved.
Second.
I have a motion and second. Any objections? Seeing none, it is unanimous.
Three more items. Councilor Schultz in conjunction with Fire Chief Dante Suarez and
and Director of Public Health, Steve Curry,
to address public safety issues at 240 Water Street,
the former St. Bernard's Church,
where the spire is presenting a falling danger
and there are issues with homeless individuals
breaking into the buildings.
That will stand referred to public safety.
09625, Councillor Van Hasinga,
to install a traffic sign on Davis Street
at Highland Court, warning caution autistic child or similar, that will stand referred
to public works. 9725, Councillor Bernie Schultz on behalf of Jason Badeo of 126 South Street
to repair the sidewalk on Charles Street next to his residence. That will also stand
referred to public works. And lastly, 09825, Councillor Kutcher on behalf of the Shays
street neighborhood group to extend the solar moratorium to allow for additional
time to implement the solar zoning change. I have a request for suspension of
the rules on this item. So moved. Second. I have a motion and second for
suspension of the rules. Do I have any objection? Seeing none, the matter is
before the council. Motion to accept. Second. I have a motion and second to
accept in petition form. I believe this will then need to go to ordinance at our
next meeting and we'll take care of that as it goes. On the motion, go ahead.
I'm in support of extending the moratorium. I think it's the right thing to do because we don't have the news
language in place.
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.
That is a good point.
I have Councillor Cruz, then Councillor Kutcher, and we will address that before we close this out.
And Councillor Cruz, I'll yield to the petitioner. Councillor Kutcher.
I moved we amend to the whatever the October date when we I believe it was
October 15th perfect I move to amend the petition to move the date to October 15th
of this year do I have a second on the amendment second I have a motion and
second. Any objections to the amendment? Seeing none, it is amended.
Councilor Cruz on the initial motion. Do you still have something?
I was going to do my suggestion, but I figured I'd leave it to the petitioner. I yield the floor. Thank you.
Appreciate it. All right. Do I have any further questions or comments on this matter?
All right. Do I have any objection to the extension of the moratorium? Seeing none,
it is unanimously approved. And that concludes our business for the evening.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, you tell on the book to clean up to Saturday and May 17th,
because people don't know anything yet.
I don't have it in front of me, but if you have the details, then go ahead.
On May 17th, Clegg on.
May 17th, and where is it?
It's going to be on Daniel Street, Famon Street.
All right.
to help me can get the yes we are adjourned yes I but I will if we're if
we're still broadcasting feel free to announce it may 10th is the next one or
the 17th is the one in in clay corn yeah yes and these are all on the cities
Facebook page? Yes, yep, and the website. May 10th, that's the BAC, Simon's Park,
May 17th, in lovely Ward 2, Claygore. That's right. All right. And we can use the
volunteers. Oh yeah, we can. We've got to clean up this place. Okay, Paul.