City of Leominster

The meeting included a public forum before the main session. Communications from the Mayor detailed several appropriation requests, including $10,000.00 to the Building Expense Account, $500.00 for a disabled high school student scholarship, $3,000,000.00 transferred to the stabilization account, and funds for the Parking Enforcement Expense Account, the Bulletproof Vest Fund, the City Solicitor Expense Account, and the Veterans Expense Account, all primarily sourced from excess and deficiency. Petitions on the agenda involved a request for the Purchasing Agent to begin the process for a five-year School Bussing Services contract starting July 1, 2026, and a request to establish a human rights commission for the City of Leominster. Matters before the council included approving appointments to the School Building Committee and the Planning Board, as well as requests to renew licenses to deal in secondhand articles for three separate businesses. The Legal Affairs section involved discussions on amending the Zoning Ordinance regarding Accessory Apartments and amending the Zoning Ordinance concerning Self Storage use in Multi-Use Districts. The Public Service Committee agenda addressed permission requests from National Grid and Verizon New England to locate poles and wires along Pleasant Street.

The document details a public hearing session, which included multiple agenda items. Key discussions involved a request from the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to amend the Zoning Ordinance regarding Accessory Apartments to comply with new state law. Another significant item was a request to amend Section 22-17 of the Zoning Ordinance to change the allowance for Self-Storage use in Multi-Use (MU1) Underlying Zoning Districts from 'not allowed' to requiring a Planning Board Special Permit, specifically related to a proposed self-storage facility at 21 Jungle Road. The agenda also included discussions on authorizing the Purchasing Agent to award a contract for School Bussing Services, adopting a policy to establish a human rights commission, and multiple requests from the Mayor for appropriations, including transfers to the stabilization account and funding for various expense accounts (Building, Scholarship, Parking Enforcement, City Solicitor, Veterans) and the Bulletproof Vest Fund. Furthermore, the council addressed license renewals for dealing secondhand articles and a request from National Grid and Verizon for permission to locate poles and fixtures on Pleasant Street.

The proceedings included several public hearings concerning amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The first hearing involved replacing Article XV regarding Accessory Apartments to comply with new state law. The second hearing concerned amending Section 22-17 to change the allowance for Self Storage use in Multi-Use (MU1) Underlying Zoning Districts from 'not allowed' to requiring a Planning Board Special Permit, specifically regarding a property at 21 Jungle Road planned for a self-storage facility. The agenda also contained a Public Forum, followed by the Regular Meeting of the City Council, which included communications from the Mayor requesting several appropriations, including funds for the Building Expense Account, a scholarship, the stabilization account, Parking Enforcement, the Bulletproof vest fund, the City Solicitor Expense Account, and the Veterans Expense Account. New business included a request to award a five-year contract for School Bussing Services and a request to adopt a policy establishing a human rights commission. Matters before the council also covered appointments to the School Building Committee and the Planning Board, as well as license renewals for dealing in secondhand articles. The Legal Affairs section revisited the Zoning Ordinance amendments. Finally, the Public Service Committee agenda addressed a request from National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to locate poles and wires along Pleasant Street.

The commission held public hearings for proposed improvements to Fall Brook under Decicco Drive, including culvert restoration and addressing scour holes. They also discussed realigning sanitary sewer portions on the property to eliminate sewer-stream crossings. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the reconstruction of a retaining wall on Lancaster St and its proximity to Fall Brook. The commission reviewed general maintenance and improvements along the A1/B2 line ROW, including structure maintenance and vegetative conversion. Enforcement actions were discussed for properties on Weathervane and Mechanic St, and a certificate of compliance was issued for a property on Day St.

The commission discussed the placement of a chicken coop, poison ivy control efforts, clearing vegetation, replacement of the Pierce Street entrance sign, updates on trail signage and mapping, and pre-construction meeting arrangements for the CVS Central Street Project. The commission agreed not to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 1771 Lock Drive until a permanent, durable barrier is installed to prevent vehicle encroachment into the protected area.