Blog — Elect SAM

MassDOT FY20 Complete Streets Grants Rd 2- $399.6k to Fitchburg

Thank you to MassDOT for choosing Fitchburg to host your Complete Streets awards ceremony this Tuesday morning at the Fitchburg State University IdeaLAB!
Many many awards given---with Fitchburg receiving $399.6k grant for largely funding Main Street/Boulder Drive One way Each Direction main Street project, and $78k to improve Electric Ave for walking and biking including our mid-block crossing access to Coggshall park that council approved recently!
Mayor DiNatale and Senator Dean A. Tran accepted our award with MassDOT Highway Admin Jonathan Gulliver, Lt Gov Karyn Polito, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack and Councilors Beauchemin, Walsh and myself attending. --- MassDOT's Highway Admin Jonathan Gulliver took a nice pic with my favorite ward 2 Councilor and I to celebrate =)

As a member of the MassDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for the State I am aware of and have been learning so much about the need for safe multi-modal travel for not only our community equity and climate resilience but for our economic development into the future. Statistics are showing that people want to live, work and invest in a community that allows them to walk and bike safely for recreation, work and short trips-- Fitchburg with our diverse population is positioning our infrastructure to meet the needs now and into the future by embracing roads that are not only safe for cars...but for all people.

Here are the details of what this $399.6k Complete Streets grant and $125.9k of our CDBG/Chap90 monies is funding:

  1. Main Street Corridor Improvements (Blossom/Cushing to Boulder Dr/Central St)
    Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon(s); Upgrade and Install Regulatory and Wayfinding Signage for Continuity, Install plastic flex posts to delineate the yellow painted median on Main Street at Cushing/Blossom, Install Bumpout/Curb Extensions to Reduce Pedestrian Crossing Distance and transition to bicycle lanes, Revise Crosswalk Configuration to increase side street pedestrian visibility,
    Install Ladder Type Crosswalks, Install ADA/AAB compliant curb ramps with detectable warning panels, Sidewalk Repair
    (Eliminate Obstructions and Repair Vertical Separation> 0.25 inches)
    $86,449.53 CDBG, Ch. 90
    $274,832 Complete Streets

  2. Boulder at Putnam Parking Garage - Pedestrian Crossing Installation
    Install Ladder Type Crosswalks, Install ADA/AAB compliant curb ramps with detectable warning panels, Minor Sidewalk repair, Install RRFB and Pedestrian Crossing Signage
    $13,841.16 CDBG
    $46,138 Complete Streets

  3. Electric Avenue - Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvements
    Install Pedestrian Signage - Continuity throughout City; RRFB nstallation at midblock Bicycle & Pedestrian Crossing; Improve Mid-Block Crossing between Coggshall Park and
    Coggshell Crossing; Revise Wayfinding Signage to indicate transition from multi use path to shared road for bikes; Upgrade sidewalk between end of multi use path and park entrance; Provide Pedestrian Connectivity to Coggshall Park-ADA/AAB compliant curb ramps with detectable warning panels
    $25,668.28 Ch. 90 funds
    $78,894 Complete Streets funds

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Save the Pool at Fitchburg State University

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Information on the Proposed Closure of the Fitchburg State University Pool will be added here and updated as I get information:

FSU Pool

Board of Trustees Meeting discussing Pool Closure

January 28, 2020 at the Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:00 AM.  The location is at the Presidents' Hall - Mazzaferro Center, 291 Highland Avenue, Fitchburg, MA. 

Info Letter:

Swimming enthusiast, we need your support for Preserve the Pool (PtP) Committee from drowning. We have 48 hours of time left to save the pool at Fitchburg State University from being destroyed forever.

The community and students must stand united against closing the pool at Fitchburg State University. You all a have a voice - join us on January 28, 2020 at the Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:00 AM. The location is at the Presidents' Hall - Mazzaferro Center, 291 Highland Avenue, Fitchburg, MA.

Those that are unable to attend, please make your voices be heard by reaching out to the following individuals - Senator Tran, State Representatives Higgins and Hay, Mayor DiNatale, Mayor Mazzarella, President Lapidus, and Jay Bry, Vice-President of Finance and Administration at Fitchburg State University.

Speak out loud and clear that you do not agree with Fitchburg State University in closing their pool forever. The perception is that the decision has all ready been made without the facts and Aquatics Experts speaking to the Board of Trustees. Not having the facts from the experts in the field, shows the committee and community that the University is not willing to meet face-to-face to discuss these issues. Does this not sound familiar in losing your skating rink Fitchburg Community? How much more is the community going to lose before we all stand up and say this is enough Fitchburg State University?

This Committee has worked endless hours working on recommendations and solutions for Fitchburg State University to keep this valuable asset open. Once this pool is gone, it is gone forever. Our swim teams/clubs, athletic/workouts and rehabilitation, aerobic classes, lifeguard training, and lap swimmers will have no where to go.

Please do not let your hard earned tax money be mismanaged by Fitchburg State University. Destroying a million dollar pool just because they can, shows a lack of vision and future revenue stream from the potential outside sources.

Please be part of the solution, and stand up along side Preserve the Pool (PtP) Committee. Our voices in numbers can make a difference.

Thank you,

Nancy Foss-Yasko, MBA

Preserve the Pool (PtP) Committee, Chair

Sentinel & Enterprise Article

Local representatives chime in to save FSU pool

Fitchburg State University officials have closed the pool used by local and regional schools for swim meets SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/FILE

By Daniel Monahan | dmonahan@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise

PUBLISHED: January 22, 2020 at 6:01 pm | UPDATED: January 22, 2020 at 6:03 pm

FITCHBURG — For months, residents have been calling on Fitchburg State University officials to keep the Recreation Center Pool open. But to their dismay, mechanical issues have left the facility closed for weeks and local athletes have been forced to swim elsewhere.

Now, several state legislators are throwing their weight behind the issue, joining the chorus of voices advocating for the pool’s repair and reopening.

On Jan. 14, Sen. Dean Tran wrote a letter addressed to FSU President Richard Lapidus expressing his continued support for the reopening of the pool.

“This facility, which has been in operation for almost two decades, has provided many benefits to the local community,” Tran wrote. “Swim teams and recreational swimmers routinely made use of the pool for their weekly practices and activities. Closure of this pool has forced the relocation of these groups to other facilities, creating an overall negative impact on our community.”

Tran continued, saying that while there are significant hurdles to reopening the facility, he is committed to assisting the university in whatever way possible to get the job done.

“Providing a common gathering place for local swimming enthusiasts and teams is essential for both the university and community as a whole,” he added.

Lapidus said the pool’s closing in early December is only temporary and he hopes to find a permanent solution soon.

University officials have expressed concern about a lack of revenue and declining attendance at the facility. Their concerns extend to the price tag associated with fixing the pool that was built in 2000.

Supporters of the pool deny those assertions and instead argue the pool is a great asset to local students, clubs, and programs. They also would assert the pool has been mismanaged, under marketed, and has the potential to make additional revenue through offered programs or rentals.

Rep. Natalie Higgins also expressed her support for the pool and the residents fighting to keep it open.

“I am very proud of the advocacy efforts of the FSU community and larger Fitchburg and Leominster community coming together to save the pool,” said Higgins in a statement. “I remain hopeful that President Lapidus and the Board of Trustees will work with them to come up with a plan to repair and maintain the pool, as it is an important resource in the Twin Cities.”

Rep. Stephan Hay reportedly sent a letter to the university in support of the pool, but did not respond to a request for comment.

Nancy Foss-Yasko, chair of the Preserve the Pool Committee, said she’s happy to have the legislators’ support but her main goal is to get the pool up and running again.

However, she said, the university is making it increasingly difficult to achieve that goal.

The committee and several student athletes attended a Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 5, prior to the pool’s closing, to show their support for the facility.

At the meeting, university officials promised the issue would be formally placed on the agenda for its meeting on Jan. 28.

University Director of Public Relations Matthew Bruun said an oral report about the pool will be given by Lapidus during the board’s meeting.

Foss-Yasko said she hoped the committee would be giving the presentation and that the university was trying to silence their efforts.

“This is just not right,” she said. “We’ve been putting together our own presentation together and this is just so frustrating to be essentially shut out like this.”

“As always, there will be an opportunity for public comment at the opening of the meeting,” Bruun said. “The issue is not going to be on the agenda as an action item, as any operational decisions about the facility will be made by university administration.”

Fass-Yasko said the university has demonstrated gross incompetence in its handling of the pool issue.

“The pool has been mismanaged for years, resulting in this atrocity,” said Foss-Yasko. “I and the many taxpayers of the commonwealth are outraged at the negligence and poor administration exhibited by the university.”

In a recent Letter to the Editor, committee member Stephen Holt said the university hasn’t been cooperative during the process.

“Instead of allowing us to be part of the solution, FSU has pushed us aside,” said Holt. “We speculate that FSU has its own agenda of permanently closing the pool.”

Holt said the pump replacement costs are low when compared with the money spent on landscaping in front of the building.

According to Foss-Yasko, the committee was told by university officials that the pool needs $400,000 in additional funding for the repairs. However, she said no estimate was provided to confirm the price tag.

“We owe this to the community to uncover what the true issues are, before it is too late,” she wrote in a letter. “ Once this pool is destroyed, there is no turning back.”

Letter of Support from Senator Tran’s Office

January 14, 2020

Dr. Richard Lapidus
Fitchburg State University
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697

Dear Dr. Lapidus,

We are writing to express our continued support for reopening the Fitchburg State University pool. This facility, which has been in operation for almost two decades, has provided many benefits to the local community. Swim teams and recreational swimmers routinely made use of the pool for their weekly practices and activities. Closure of this pool has forced the relocation of these groups to other facilities, creating an overall negative impact on our community.

While significant hurdles remain in overcoming the reopening of this facility, we are committed to assisting in whatever capacity possible. Providing a common gathering place for local swimming enthusiasts and teams is essential for both the university and community as a whole.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this matter. Please do hesitate to reach out to us should we be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Senator Dean A. Tran
Assistant Minority Whip
Worcester and Middlesex District


Letter of support from Representative Natalie Higgins:


January 27, 2020

President Richard S. Lapidus
Fitchburg State University
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420

President Lapidus:

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to discuss the issue of the pool closure at Fitchburg State University last
week. Over the past four months, I have met with many Leominster residents, including students and seniors, that
have found the pool to be an invaluable resource in their sports training and competition as well as promoting their
health and wellbeing. However, they have experienced a lack of communication from FSU leadership and have
struggled to discern what FSU leadership requires in a show of support to save the pool.

I am thankful that Jay Bry met with the advocates to listen to their concerns regarding the potential closure. Howeverthat meeting produced no path forward, except for an ambiguous commitment to be open minded about the pool
closure from the FSU Administration. At the end of the meeting, I asked Mr. Bry to provide the advocates from the
Preserve the Pool Committee with clear metrics so that they can show the community interest in maintaining the
pool, and as quickly as possible, the total cost of repair, so that funding could be secured through the community, or
the state delegation. We have yet to see any clear documentation that details the proposed cost of the repairs.

I understand that Fitchburg State University has a long list of capital needs to be addressed and has an ambitious planto invest in downtown Fitchburg, but maintaining this 19-year-old pool deserves to be considered a priority. Not onlyhas this impacted access for the FSU community, but also the Adult Learners of the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) and area
high school students who were members of the Leominster High School Coop Swim Team.

I hope that you will reconsider closing the pool and work with the community to maintain and grow this asset for
Fitchburg State University and the larger community.

Sincerely,
Natalie Higgins

November 2019 letter from Save the Pool Committee to FSU President

Sentinel & Enterprise Article

Residents fighting to save Fitchburg State University pool

By Daniel Monahan | dmonahan@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise

PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 6:55 pm | UPDATED: November 5, 2019 at 12:12 pm

FITCHBURG — The Fitchburg State University Recreation Center Pool, used by local and regional schools for swim meets, is reportedly in danger of closing down; but a group of concerned residents and alumni are fighting to keep it open.

Though Fitchburg State University has not officially announced that the pool will be closing, groups who frequent the facility believe the facility is heading in that direction.

The school is reportedly concerned about the price tag associated with potential repair costs, a lack of revenue and declining attendance at the pool.

Nancy Foss-Yasko, a university alumni, said she was tipped off about the potential closing after discovering that the pool’s heating system wasn’t working correctly and might need important repairs.

As a regular user of the facility, Foss-Yasko was alarmed by the news and quickly formed the Concerned User Committee for Continuing Operation Committee, made up of other alumni and regular pool attendees. She is also the sitting chairperson.

The committee’s primary goal is to understand why the pool would be closing and to offer the university suggestions for preservation and improved operation.

“We’re trying to give them solutions to the problem, but we don’t know what the problem is exactly because no one will tell us,” said Foss-Yasko. “It’s just going to be a shame if we lose this pool.”

Beverly Cronin, a university alumni who frequents the facility, said she was told the university is not committed to keeping the pool open.

“It’s just a beautiful space and I really don’t want it to shut down,” said Cronin. “It’s a good resource for the community and promotes healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.”

In the interest of preserving the pool, the committee met with university Vice President of Finance and Administration Jay Bry on Friday. State Sen. Dean Tran (R-Fitchburg), Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) and Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale were also in attendance.

According to Stephen Holt, a committee member, the group offered several solutions that would provide additional revenue to the university and help maintain the pool. Options included youth swimming classes, membership programs, exercise programs and rentals.

The committee contends the pool, built in 2000, is a valuable asset to the community and the replacement cost would run Fitchburg State about $1 million.

According to Foss-Yasko, the committee was told by university officials that the pool needs $400,000 in additional funding for the repairs. However, she said no estimate was provided to confirm the price tag.

She said the water heater appears to be broken because the water temperature is currently sitting at about 70 degrees, when it should be nearly 8 degrees higher.

Foss-Yasko said the university offered the following explanations as to why the pool might be closing in the future: poor attendance, low student interest and it does not meet the competitive collegiate standard length of 25 meters.

However, she said there is plenty of interest from both the public and external swimming teams. She said the university would benefit financially from opening the pool up to public use.

Foss-Yasko said the university could do more to promote the pool and help it bring in more revenue.

“The only way things will work out is if the university opens the pool up the community,” she said.

Several committee members said Fitchburg State University officials have not been forthcoming with details about potential pool repairs or the looming closure.

Francis Freel has been the coach for a local combined swim team for about five years and regularly schedules meets at the facility.

Freel said he wants Fitchburg State University to be transparent about its intentions for the pool and the problems it’s facing.

“It’s an asset to the community but it’s just not being promoted or marketed well,” said Freel. “I would just hate to see financial issues rob these kids of the team they’ve helped build.”

Members of the committee said they understand the pool is university property but they believe losing the pool would negatively impact the city and surrounding towns.

“It’s their choice. It’s their pool, their property, and I respect that,” said Freel. “I don’t feel there’s any maliciousness behind their intentions, we’d just like to know so we can make other plans.”

Freel’s swim team includes students from Leominster High School, Fitchburg High School, Lunenburg High School, Monty Tech, North Middlesex and Parker Charter School.

“If we had to relocate, we’re going to lose people and I’d hate for that to happen,” he said.

Jay Bry and other university officials could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2019/11/04/residents-fighting-to-save-fitchburg-state-university-pool-reportedly-on-life-support/

Committee to Save the Fitchburg State University Pool

https://www.facebook.com/savefitchburgstatepool/

Fitchburg State University Recreation Services

Swimming Pool

Our pool is 25 yards long and 6 lanes wide. If you're a lap swimmer, we offer kickboards, pull buoys and fins. For aquatic fitness we also offer aquajoggers, aquatic dumbbells and noodles. Our pool hours fluctuate depending on the time of year, so be sure to check out our updated pool hours. For your safety we have lifeguards on staff whenever the pool is open.

Pool3-768x512.jpg


https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/offices-services-directory/recreation-services/

Fitchburg City Hall Construction

Councilors were presented an update to the construction renovation of Fitchburg City Hall —-or the “Taj Mahal” as the Mayor referred to it ;-)—- at our December 17th Council Meeting. Here are the slides:

Here is the FATV coverage of the meeting with presentation at the beginning of the meeting starting around 15 minutes.

December 20th Construction Tour

Councilors and Councilors-Elect were invited to a construction tour of the New old Fitchburg City Hall building and old Bank of America Building- New Legislative Council Chambers building on Friday December 20th, 2019.

City Council Chambers Building- Legislative Building (Old Bank of America)

2019 2-12 Plans presented to Planning Board

2018 12-18 City Hall Construction Renovation Plans presented to Council

December 18, 2018 Meeting of First Presentation of City Hall construction.

My questions 55:33

More discussions on the City Hall Project linked below

Sam Squailia Public Comments to City Council Against City Hall Expense without proper planning starts at 1:53:25

Sam Squailia Public Comments to City Council Against City Hall Expense without proper planning starts at 16:52

February 6, 2018 FATV coverage of City Council Vote

004-18 vote begins at 36:13 8-1 vote (Squailia against)

Sentinel Article February 5, 2018

Fitchburg City Council faces key vote on City Hall project

By Elizabeth Dobbins | edobbins@lowellsun.com | Lowell Sun

PUBLISHED: February 5, 2018 at 12:00 am | UPDATED: July 11, 2019 at 12:00 am

FITCHBURG — Over the course of a single term on City Council, each councilor weighs in on scores of issues, but few will match the impact of Tuesday night’s vote to give final approval on a $22.5 million renovation of “old” City Hall.

The $22.5-million loan order is the final piece needed to fund the project.

“This is pretty much a done deal once the vote is finalized,” said City Council President and Ward 4 Councilor Michael Kushmerek.

Supporters say the renovation would be a game-changing investment in the city’s downtown and key to economic revitalization.

Opponents point to the deteriorating condition of other city infrastructure, such as roads and schools, and say the project is a luxury the city can’t afford right now.

Chances look good for those who want to bring City Hall back to 718 Main St., which housed municipal government for 150 years until a beam cracked in 2012.

At a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting earlier this month, the body voted in favor of the loan order in at 8-1 vote, with At-Large Councilor Sam Squailia casting the only “nay.” At-Large Councilor Anthony Zarrella, whose father owns a business on Main Street, recused himself.

The vote total repeated itself at a City Council meeting the following week when the body approved a smaller $1 million loan order funding the project.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2018/02/05/fitchburg-city-council-faces-key-vote-on-city-hall-project/

Sentinel & Enterprise Article 1-12-2018

Voices raised for, against Fitchburg City Hall renovation
Council hears from residents on $23.5 million project

'It was standing room only in the Memorial Middle School library as residents, public officials and local leaders weighed in on the proposed $23.5 million City Hall renovation Thursday night.

Of the 50 people who spoke during the comment period, about 30 expressed support for renovation. Most of the remainder spoke against putting money toward the project, at least this year.

The City Council, in an 8-1 vote, turned down a petition signed by about 50 residents calling for an extended public comment period on the proposal. Only At-Large City Councilor Sam Squailia voted in favor of the proposal.

Following the comments from both the public and city councilors, the Council as a Whole recommended a $1 million appropriation and $22.5 million loan order to the City Council. To pass, the council must vote on the proposals twice: at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday and again on Feb. 6. Squailia was the only councilor to vote against the recommendations.'

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2018/01/11/voices-raised-for-against-fitchburg-city-hall-renovation/#ixzz53yhD7HH7

January 11, 2018 Special City Council Meeting Part 1

1-11-18.jpg

January 9, 2018 City Council Meeting

Fitchburg City Councilors weigh in on recent school building issues

By Elizabeth Dobbins PUBLISHED: January 9, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: July 11, 2019

City councilors want schools better prepared to combat cold weather

A challenging first week back continued into a tough second as a burst sprinkler head caused administrators to close Longsjo Middle School on Monday, making it the third school in the district to cancel classes due to damages since Jan. 2.

The school will also be closed Tuesday, as ceiling tiles affected by the leak undergo testing for asbestos, according to Fitchburg Schools Superintendent Andre Ravenelle.

Some city councilors blame days of historically cold weather for the closures, others point to the need for more dollars spent on school repairs. Several want more answers.

At-Large Councilor Sam Squailia who believes the problems might be caused by a combination of issues.

"The sheer amount of problems that we're having with a very large number of our school buildings show, to me, that we have a maintenance issue," she said. "Regular upgrades to schools and proper maintenance is going to be crucial going into the future."

The proposal -- which will appear on City Council agendas for discussion this Tuesday and Thursday -- is phrased by some opponents of the City Hall project as a choice between it or fixing the schools.

During a presentation to City Council (Nov 2017) City Auditor Calvin Brooks described a means of funding that could pay for the City Hall, fund $6 million of the proposed $31.3 million public library renovation project and pay the city's portion ($12M) of a $60 million renovation to Crocker Elementary School.

...Squailia argues the City Hall project will make a difference in funding, especially if the Crocker location becomes not just an elementary school, but a school for kindergarten through eighth graders, as school officials have recently suggested.

"If we need more money for Crocker, does that come out of the school budget? Does that come out of the six million for the library?" asked Squailia. "The $22 million borrowing for the City Hall affects the amount we can borrow for all other municipal projects. One could make the argument we are putting City Hall before the schools."

But Kushmerek, as well as some other councilors, aren't convinced and say these issues should be evaluated individually and in context.

"We can't be too reactive to what's happened in the past month,"

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2018/01/09/fitchburg-city-councilors-weigh-in-on-recent-school-building-issues/

Sentinel & Enterprise Article January 7, 2018

Petition pushes to delay Fitchburg City Hall vote

By Elizabeth Dobbins | edobbins@lowellsun.com | Lowell Sun

PUBLISHED: January 7, 2018 at 12:00 am | UPDATED: July 11, 2019 at 12:00 am

FITCHBURG — Over four dozen people signed a petition asking City Council to approve an extended public comment process regarding the proposed $23.5 million City Hall renovation.

“I don’t think City Council has been particularly responsive to citizens, so if the informal email and calling doesn’t work then you’re looking at the formal mechanism. (It’s) an attempt to raise issues, raise concerns,” said Stacey Fenton, a Fitchburg resident who collected signatures and submitted the petition with her partner Robert O’Brien.

The petition — which will come before the City Council on Tuesday — makes two requests.

First, the four newly elected City Councillors “be fully briefed” by the architectural firm Lamoureux Pagano & Associates, which completed the study outlining five options for City Hall and presented their findings to prior City Council in mid-November.

Second, the petition requests three public meetings held with a 14-day notice and “adequate advertising” through newspapers, the city’s website, electronic road signs and other venues. Both viewpoints should be given 30 to 45 minutes to present their case, the petition reads.

O’Brien said the petition is a response to the public process of weighing the City Hall project last year, which he called “sneaky,” noting he believes the advertising for the November meeting on the project met legal requirements, but did not adequately inform the public.

“I don’t think unsatisfied begins to cover it with an issue of this magnitude,” O’Brien said. “Saying that I was unsatisfied is like saying the sailors at Pearl Harbor were unsatisfied about the early warning on Dec. 7.”

City Council President Michael Kushmerek said, though meeting attendance was relatively low at about 50 people, the November presentation to councilors and the public was advertised on the city’s website, in the newspaper and on “numerous” Facebook sites. The City Council also moved from its usual venue in Memorial Middle School to an auditorium at Fitchburg State University to accommodate a larger crowd.

More notice, better advertising and improved awareness of the project’s price tag would bring hundreds of the people to meetings, said O’Brien. He also noted the city’s website where information was previously posted was difficult to use.

Kushmerek said City Council will likely elect to move voting on this petition to the Committee-of-the Whole meeting on Thursday.

“All petitions are always referred to committees,” he said.

The petition was moved on the agenda to be read before the reading of two City Hall-related agenda items, which propose funding for the City Hall. If the petition is approved, the discussion of these later two agenda items could be delayed, according to Kushmerek.

“If councilors vote to (approve the petition), while we might not necessarily be bound in that moment to do so, I think the council would generally adhere to (the request),” he said.

Even if the petition is not passed, Kushmerek said the public will still have three opportunities to comment on the project before City Council takes a votes: once at the Thursday Committee-of-the-Whole meeting and two more times at separate readings during City Council meetings.

Addressing the second part of the petition about briefing new councilors, Kushmerek said the four City Councilors who were sworn in this year were all present at the November presentation and have also been briefed by city officials on the project. These officials are also expected to make a similar presentation at the Thursday meeting, he said.

Fenton and O’Brien both oppose the City Hall project, which they say will use funding better spent toward tens of millions in repairs to the city’s schools. O’Brien said he has a middle school student in the district’s schools.

Their complaints come after several months of public concern regarding the school district’s infrastructure, spurred this fall by severe roof leaks at Longsjo Middle School, which caused the closure of the building’s top floor. The concerns continued this week with the temporary closure of two elementary schools and several classrooms in two other district schools following damage sustained during the freezing temperatures.

Though city officials have previously said Fitchburg has the debt capacity to pay for the City Hall, Crocker Elementary School and a portion of the Fitchburg Public Library renovation projects, the two petitioners point to needs at other schools and say a new City Hall is a luxury.

“We have something in 166 Boulder that is good enough,” Fenton said. “For a hard scrabble working-class city, ‘good enough’ for right now is fine. We need to get onto the schools.”

Fenton said even if City Hall is approved, she believes she will see a change the conversation in the city.

“I think there’s been an assumption as citizens that these things were being taken care of for us and I think a lot of people are waking up to the fact they do not share the same values as we do,” she said. “Even if the appropriation passes … I think there will be an ongoing conversation about what the future of Fitchburg should be. Where we put our money and what we hold dear.”

Regarding the City Hall Loan Order on the 11/21/2017 City Council agenda:
'As per legal requirements for advertising and the current city council schedule would undoubtedly continue this Order into the new 2018 City Council', It has been determined by Bond Counsel, that the current City Council cannot start deliberation on a Loan Order, and have the new 2018 City Council vote on the same loan order.
Therefore, they are likely to withdraw the loan order, and resubmit in the new year, on January 4th 2018.

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I start speaking at 16:53

November 15, 2017 Special City Council Meeting and Public Forum presenting City Hall feasibility study

I start speaking at Public Comment Starting 1:54:20