2026-09-02 - City Council
Summary
Built from the official minutes. No video is posted for our records, so there is no transcript or timing.
- Regular meeting, 7:04 to 8:03 PM, called to order by President Zarrella; 10 councilors present (Councilor Walsh absent). No one spoke in public forum.
- Two Unitil pole petitions granted after public hearings; three local-option tax and fee orders and a burial grounds fee schedule adopted.
- Order accepting the unclaimed funds law passed 8-2 (Councilor Fleming and Councilor Green opposed); everything else voted was unanimous, 10-0.
- Mayor's veto override on the FY2027 pay grade steps ordinance held by a 9-1 roll call vote.
Unitil Pole Petitions
- Hearings on 145-26 (Fairmount Street) and 146-26 (Alpine Road, four poles) with Kimball of Unitil; no speakers for or against; both granted 10-0.
Abandoned Funds Revenue Order
- Orders 141-26, 142-26 and 143-26 pulled from committee 10-0; 141-26 adopted 8-2.
Lien Certificate Fee Schedule
- Order 142-26 adopted 10-0.
Personal Property Tax Exemption
- Order 143-26 adopted 10-0.
Burial Grounds Fee Schedule
- Order 149-26 adopted 10-0.
FATV Franchise Fee Payment
- Order 148-26 ($90,401.40) adopted under suspension of rules, 10-0.
FY2027 Pay Grade Steps Veto
- Held by roll call 9-1 (Councilor Bowen opposed).
Legislative Affairs report
- In-Person Council Voting Proposal and City Employee Remote Work Proposal: given leave to withdraw. Traffic Code Section Amendments: sent to first and second reading and advertised, 10-0. Tobacco Sales Ordinance Repeal: report approved.
Parks grants
- Coggshall Park Playground and Coolidge Park Mini-Pitch: grant communications from Bunnell placed on file.
Referrals
- Greenhurst Avenue Private Way Repairs: petition 151-26 from Vice President Cruz referred to Public Works.
Other business
- Appointments Committee report accepted 10-0: Lenny R. Laaskso (Trustees of Public Burial Grounds), Mary H. Whitney (Board of Parks, to April 1, 2031) and Catherine Healey (Cultural Council, to July 1, 2029). The Mayor's letters appointing five Fitchburg State University officers as special police officers and Robert J. Talbot to the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds were referred to the Appointments Committee.
- Minutes of July 21, 2026 approved, 10-0. Retirement Board audited statements for 2024 filed. The City Clerk read a statement on the State Primary Election.
- Announcement: Joint Convention of the City Council and School Committee on September 14, 2026, 5:15 PM; next regular meeting September 15, 7:00 PM. Minutes signed by City Clerk Bilotta-Simeone.