Leominster public meetings in 2022

Contributory Retirement Board

The Leominster Contributory Retirement Board will vote on pension applications for six retirees and discuss a potential one-time 5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees. The board will also approve minutes, warrants, new membership applications, refunds, and transfers. The meeting is open to the public in person and by phone.

• Six pension applications for retirement, including a firefighter ($58,771.80/year) and two police officers ($53,108.52 and $47,147.64/year)
• Discussion of a possible one-time 5% COLA increase for retirees (FY 2023)
• Warrant #63 for $1,094,209.12 for December pension payroll
• Refund applications totaling $28,040.32 for three terminated employees
• Transfer of $3,221.65 in annuity from Leominster to Worcester Regional Retirement System

Planning Board

The Planning Board approved a site plan and special permit for a 12-megawatt battery energy storage system at 259 & 273 Lancaster Street. Approval is subject to several conditions, including fire safety requirements and the establishment of a decommissioning bond. The board also discussed a separate parking and building compliance issue on Tanzio Road, which was continued to the January meeting.

• Approved Site Plan Application for 259 & 273 Lancaster Street Battery Energy Storage System (6-0)
• Approved Special Permit-USE Application for 259 & 273 Lancaster Street Battery Energy Storage System (6-0)
• Required decommissioning and bonding plan for Lancaster Street project prior to building permit
• Required dry sprinkler system and hazard mitigation plan for Lancaster Street project
• Accepted October 17, 2022 meeting minutes (6-0)
• Tabled discussion on Tanzio Road property compliance to January meeting

Police Station Building Committee

The Leominster Police Station Building Committee is holding its 36th meeting remotely. The agenda includes a construction update, approval of meeting notes, and invoice approvals. No specific dollar amounts or project details are provided in the agenda text.

• Construction update on the police station project
• Approval of meeting notes from prior session
• Invoice approvals for the police station project

Conservation Commission

The Commission approved a resource area delineation for Orchard Hill Park Drive and renamed the Hill Street Conservation Area. Modifications to a transmission line site plan were also accepted. Discussion on a wetland ordinance and Lake Samoset vegetation treatment occurred, but no action was taken on the latter as it falls under an existing order.

• Approved Order for Resource Area Delineation at Orchard Hill Park Drive (4-0)
• Renamed Hill Street/Coulter Conservation Area to Boutelle Conservation Area (4-0)
• Approved modifications to A1/B2 transmission line site plan (4-0)
• Tabled 1771 Locke Drive restoration discussion until January 10
• Approved meeting minutes for September 27, September 13, August 23, and August 9 (4-0 each)

City Council

The City Council approved multiple appropriations from the Stabilization Fund and granted a request for new permitting software. The Council also voted to implement no-parking restrictions on a portion of State Street and adopted a resolution of support for New England Wire Products.

• Approved $656,863.50 appropriation to Special Revenue Funds from Stabilization Fund (9-0)
• Approved $75,000.00 appropriation to Election and Registration Account from Stabilization Fund (9-0)
• Approved contract for six-year permitting software (9-0)
• Approved no-parking ordinance for State Street from 20 to 302 feet from North Main Street (6-3)
• Adopted resolution of support for New England Wire Products (8-0-1)
• Approved $27,511.68 transfer from Highway Regular Labor to Cemetery PT Summer Account (9-0)
• Approved $9,500.00 appropriation to Cemetery Account for GIS mapping system (9-0)
• Scheduled public hearing for January 9, 2023, regarding ambulance service fee increases (9-0)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Leominster Zoning Board of Appeals will hear two cases: an appeal by Consuil T. Duarte of a building commissioner's determination regarding an apartment at 265 Central Street, and a special permit request by Khairallah El-Hajj to increase the number of cars for sale from 11 to 27 at 91 Main Street.

• Case 4-23: Consuil T. Duarte appeals building commissioner's determination on adding an apartment over existing store at 265 Central Street (Assessors Map 133, Lot 32).
• Case 5-23: Khairallah El Hayek seeks special permit to increase number of cars for sale from 11 to 27 at 91 Main Street (Assessors Map 24, Lot 1).

Contributory Retirement Board

The Leominster Contributory Retirement Board will vote on routine items including new member enrollments, refunds, and a pension application. The most notable action is approving the retirement of a police detective with a monthly pension of about $3,949.

• Pension application: Detective Richard D. Shea retiring Jan 13, 2023, with $3,948.90/month total benefit
• Death of custodian Karen A. Belliveau; board to check if her husband qualifies as beneficiary
• Three transfers of annuity and service credits to other retirement systems
• 14 new membership applications for school and city employees
• Warrants totaling over $1.2 million, including $1,143,185.48 for November pension payroll

City Council

The City Council denied a request to amend lot size requirements for lot divisions in the Residential A Zone. However, the Council approved zoning changes for the Rural Residential Zone and added handicap parking at Carter Park.

• Denied amendment to Residential A Zone lot size requirements (6-2)
• Approved Rural Residential Zone lot width amendment to 120 ft (8-0)
• Approved adding three handicap parking spaces at Carter Park (8-0)
• Approved $33,000 appropriation for Fire Equipment Expense Account (8-0)
• Approved $10,000 appropriation for Library Equipment Expense Account (8-0)
• Approved Special Act to establish age limit for police officer appointments (8-0)
• Confirmed 10 volunteer appointments to the Office of Emergency Management (7-1)
• Adopted second reading of ordinances for unregistered vehicle parking and Weights and Measures updates (8-0)

Planning Board

The Board approved a deviation for a residential lot in the Woodlands at Massapoag Subdivision and accepted a bid for road improvement estimates on Sawyer Way. Applications for a battery energy storage system on Lancaster Street were continued to December 2022.

• Approved deviation from approved subdivision for Woodlands at Massapoag, 58 Dobson Circle, Lot 15 (6-0)
• Approved $14,950 bid from Bill Scully for Sawyer Way road improvement estimates (6-0)
• Continued Site Plan Application for 259 & 273 Lancaster Street battery project to 12/19/22 (6-0)
• Continued Special Permit-USE Application for 259 & 273 Lancaster Street battery project to 12/19/22 (6-0)

Police Station Building Committee

The Leominster Police Station Building Committee is holding its 35th meeting remotely. The agenda includes a construction update, approval of meeting notes, and invoice approvals. No specific dollar amounts or project details are listed in the agenda.

• Construction update on police headquarters project
• Approval of meeting notes from prior session
• Invoice approvals for the building project

City Council

The City Council confirmed the appointment of Michelle Powell as Health Director for a three-year term. The Council also approved several fund transfers for the PARC Grant, School Department, and building maintenance, and granted a request to close streets for the 30th Annual Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival.

• Confirmed appointment of Michelle Powell as Health Director (8-0)
• Approved $588,275 transfer from Stabilization Fund to PARC Grant Fund (7-1)
• Approved $220,534 appropriation to School Department Expense Account via FY23 E-Rate Revenue (7-0-1)
• Approved $42,500 transfer from Stabilization Fund for elevator code compliance (8-0)
• Approved amended petition to close Monument Square and various streets/lots for Johnny Appleseed Festival on Sept 23, 2023 (8-0)
• Approved resolution for Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities Grant for Downtown Common upgrades (7-1)
• Adopted first reading of ordinance regarding parking of unregistered vehicles (8-0)
• Adopted first reading of ordinance updating Inspector of Weights and Measures content and fees (8-0)

Disability Commission

The Leominster Disability Commission will vote on October meeting minutes, review updated finance information, and discuss several updates including the Rail Trail, handicap parking at Carter Park, a meeting with the Mayor, emergency management, and a potential driver education presentation at the high school.

• Vote to accept minutes from October 11, 2022 meeting
• Updated finance information
• Rail Trail update
• Handicap parking at Carter Park update
• Input from meeting with the Mayor on October 27

Conservation Commission

The Commission issued a negative determination for culvert and headwall work on Colburn Street. A complete certificate of compliance was granted for a garage at 82 Lynnhaven Road, and an emergency certification for a retaining wall at 519 Pleasant Street was extended.

• Approved negative determination for culvert restoration at Colburn Street (4-0)
• Granted complete certificate of compliance for garage at 82 Lynnhaven Road (4-0)
• Extended emergency certification for 519 Pleasant Street until 12/8/2022 (4-0)

Planning Board

The Board approved a site plan and special permit for a trucking terminal with specific operational restrictions. Additionally, the Board recommended two zoning ordinance amendments to the City Council regarding lot sizes and widths.

• Approved Site Plan and Special Permit for 115 Willard Street trucking terminal (7-0)
• Mandated 115 Willard Street conditions: trucks must be emptied and deodorized off-site, and idling limited to 15 minutes
• Approved landscape tree count waiver for 115 Willard Street (7-0)
• Approved waiver for landscape plan professional requirement for 115 Willard Street (7-0)
• Recommended City Council Petition 9-23 to amend Residential A lot size requirements (7-0)
• Recommended City Council Petition 10-23 to amend Rural Residential lot width requirements with amended changes (7-0)
• Approved new application forms for Site Plans and Special Permits effective December 1st
• Approved minutes from September 19, October 3, and October 24 meetings (7-0)

Contributory Retirement Board

The Leominster Contributory Retirement Board will vote on warrants totaling over $1.3 million, including a $1.09 million October pension payroll. The board will also consider 16 new membership applications, mostly from school and fire department employees, and several refund and transfer requests. An open discussion on a potential cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is scheduled, with a presentation on the actuarial study and effects of a 5% COLA.

• Warrant #52: $1,085,688.71 for October pension payroll
• 16 new membership applications, including 4 Leominster Fire Department paramedics
• Refund applications: $34,101.18 for involuntarily terminated police officer Michael P. Booth
• Transfer of Assistant City Clerk Dianne M. Reardon's service across three retirement systems to Maynard
• Executive session to discuss accidental disability application for Firefighter Scott Laprade

Conservation Commission

The Commission approved a Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) for Lot 2, Pioneer Park Drive. A hearing regarding a headwall restoration on Colburn Street was continued to the next meeting due to the absence of a DPW representative.

• Approved ANRAD for Lot 2, Pioneer Park Drive (6-0)
• Approved June 14 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved July 12 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Continued Colburn Street headwall restoration hearing (6-0)

Planning Board

The Planning Board performed a site walk for a site plan and special permit application at 115 Willard Street. Members toured the property perimeter and discussed parking, odors, screening, noise, and hours of operation. No formal decisions were made during this walk.

City Council

The City Council approved an amended zoning ordinance regarding parking of unregistered vehicles, with a 9-0 vote. The council also confirmed appointments to the Council on Aging and Conservation Commission, and adopted a second reading of an ordinance updating salary and wage adjustments for multiple city departments.

• Approved amended zoning ordinance for unregistered vehicle parking (9-0)
• Confirmed Marlene Thibeault to Council on Aging (9-0 roll call)
• Confirmed Stephanie Quinlan to Conservation Commission (9-0 roll call)
• Adopted second reading of ordinance updating salaries for Fire, Police, Dispatch, and DPW (9-0 roll call)
• Granted $588,275 PARC Grant Fund appropriation from Stabilization Fund (regular course)
• Granted $220,534 School Department appropriation from E-Rate Revenue (regular course)
• Granted $42,500 Building Maintenance appropriation for elevator compliance (regular course)
• Established police donation account and transferred $203,914.30 for 911 Dispatch Center (both 9-0)

Police Station Building Committee

The Leominster Police Station Building Committee is holding its 34th meeting remotely. The agenda includes a construction update, approval of meeting notes, and invoice approvals. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom or telephone.

• Construction update on the Leominster Police Headquarters project
• Approval of meeting notes from previous session
• Invoice approvals for the police station project

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on two special permit applications for accessory apartments at 194 Ridgewood Dr. and 31 Florence St. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the agenda is limited to these new cases and adjournment.

• Special permit application by Albert & Darri Wenning for an accessory apartment at 194 Ridgewood Dr. (Map 330, Lot 31)
• Special permit application by Gwendolyn Phelps for an accessory apartment at 31 Florence St. (Map 497, Lot 12)

Disability Commission

The Leominster Disability Commission is holding a special meeting to walk the downtown area with the mayor to assess disability safety. The group will start and end in front of the library and will produce a report based on their notes.

• Walk the downtown area to check for disability safety
• Report to the mayor from notes taken during the walk
• Meeting starts and ends in front of the library

Disability Commission

The Disability Commission will meet to review financial information and discuss updates regarding the Rail Trail and handicap parking at Carter Park. The body will also coordinate a separate agenda for a mayoral walk scheduled for October 13.

• Rail Trail update
• Handicap parking update for Carter Park
• Coordination of Mayor walk on Oct. 13

Contributory Retirement Board

The Leominster Contributory Retirement Board will review membership, refund, and pension applications. The board will also discuss cost-of-living adjustments and a potential change in group classification for paramedics.

• Approval of Warrant #47 for September Pension Payroll in the amount of $1,084,484.36
• Refund of $61,426.75 to the estate of Daniela Tocci
• Pension application for Paula Ouellette for a total monthly amount of approximately $1,910.02
• Option D Benefit application for Deana M. Stephens for approximately $2,640.27 per month plus child allowances
• Hearing on Accidental Disability Retirement Application for Police Officer Brian Fitzgerald

Police Station Building Committee

The committee will receive a construction update regarding the new police headquarters. The agenda also includes the approval of meeting notes and invoices.

• Construction Update
• Meeting Notes Approval
• Invoice Approvals

Disability Commission

The Leominster Disabilities Commission will meet to review minutes and discuss several updates. The body is proposing a downtown walk with the Mayor on October 13.

• Driver Ed Presentation
• Rail Trail Update
• Handicap Issue update
• Proposed downtown walk with Mayor on Oct 13
• 2023 Meeting Calendar

Doyle Field Commission

The Doyle Field Commission will meet to discuss and vote on a change to the hourly rate of Department of Public Works workers at High School functions and private events. The meeting also includes old and new business.

• Vote to change hourly rate of DPW workers for High School functions and private events

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board will hear continued and new cases regarding property uses and modifications. These include requests for special permits and variances at various residential and commercial locations.

• Case #19-22: Special permit for used car sales at 127 Mechanic St
• Case #20-22: Variance to subdivide property at 66 Julian Dr
• Case #21-22: Special permit to operate a beauty salon at 41 Battles St
• Case #22-22: Variance to add a family room above garage at 85 Howard St
• Case #23-22: Special permit for two 200.8 sf signs at 20 Commercial Road

Disability Commission

The Disability Commission will meet to review minutes and discuss several updates. The agenda includes a presentation on Driver Ed and a potential donation of a Rail Trail Bench.

• Driver Ed presentation update
• Possible donation of Rail Trail Bench
• Johnny Appleseed discussion
• Handicap parking issue

Contributory Retirement Board

The Leominster Contributory Retirement Board is meeting to process membership, pension, and refund applications. The board will review funding warrants and discuss the status of disability retirees and new fire department paramedics.

• Approval of Warrant #41 for August Pension Payroll in the amount of $1,077,834.26
• Pension applications for Brett Thompson (Police Department) and Debbie Stolfi (School Department)
• Deduction refund applications including $21,008.69 for Cory Vazquez and $24,316.09 for Tracie Tresoloni
• Transfer of $22,925.13 in annuity for Angela C. Schofield to the State Board of Retirement
• Executive session for an Accidental Disability Retirement Application for Police Eric M Craig

Police Station Building Committee

The Police Station Building Committee will meet via remote access to receive a construction update. The body will also review and approve meeting notes and invoices.

• Construction update
• Invoice approvals