Fitchburg City Council Weighs $190M Budget and Tax Levy Cuts; Housing Authority Faces Emergency Repairs
Fitchburg’s City Council took up the proposed $190.9 million general fund operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027 during a series of meetings in late June, but minutes from those sessions were not yet available. The agenda included votes to redirect more than $6 million in surplus, stabilization, and ARPA funds to lower the tax levy. Meanwhile, upcoming meetings will tackle a $564,800 airport apron project, a $313,700 emergency housing repair, and a public hearing on a new gasoline station.
Budget and Tax Levy
The City Council scheduled multiple meetings between June 24 and June 25 to debate and vote on Mayor’s proposed FY2027 operating budget. The general fund appropriation was pegged at $190,961,167, with water ($9.9 million), wastewater ($18.3 million), and airport ($1.1 million) enterprise funds bringing the total to over $220 million. Several orders on the agenda aimed to reduce the tax rate: $700,000 from Overlay Surplus, $250,000 from the Stabilization Fund, $3,776,232 from Available Funds, and $410,000 from remaining ARPA allocations. The council also considered establishing revolving funds for Parks Activities & Events and Planning Board advertising, each with a $100,000 limit, and a Public Health Sustainability revolving fund capped at $750,000. An ordinance amending Chapter 44 to update grade step pay scales for FY2027 was also on the docket.
Other Recent Council Business
A June 30 Public Works Committee meeting reviewed two resident petitions: one for a berm at 77 Congress Street to address property protection, and another to convert Hassett Street to a one-way from Albee Street. The Planning Board on June 23 held continued hearings on a 32-unit multi-family building at 7 Beekman Street, a proposed gasoline station at 310 Summer Street, and modifications to marijuana retailer operating hours at 346 River Street and 20 Authority Drive. Minutes from all these sessions were not yet published.
Health, Licensing, and Conservation
The Board of Health met July 2 but minutes are pending. Its agenda included a public hearing on a dangerous dog petition for a Pomeranian named Mia at 106 Charlton Street, and discussion of kratom sales restrictions, private well regulation amendments, and an opioid settlement mini-grant update. The License Commission on June 25 agenda listed one-day alcohol permits for The Break Bike Shop on July 3 and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce on July 8. The Conservation Commission on June 22 considered a Certificate of Compliance for 794 Ashburnham Hill Road (DEP #155-0238).
Coming up
A busy week begins July 6. The License Commission will hold a continued public hearing on a new all-alcoholic beverages liquor license for Aurelove Multi Services LLC at 1-5 Lunenburg Street and a noise complaint against Life Church on Ashby State Road. On July 7, the City Council has a public hearing for a 40,000-gallon underground fuel storage license at 49 John Fitch Highway, and votes on a $564,800 airport Main Apron reconstruction and a $300,000 health grant for the Montachusett Public Health Network. A joint convention of the City Council and School Committee that same day will appoint a new School Committee member. Also on July 7, the Fitchburg Housing Authority board votes on $313,700 in emergency structural repairs at Canton Valley, change orders for Wallace Tower totaling $76,629.65, and pre-approval of bids for Overland Street renovation and creative placemaking. The Planning Board continues its public hearing July 7 on the Summer Street gas station and convenience store. On July 14, the Zoning Board of Appeals hears a special permit for a 13,000-square-foot Housing Authority facility at 1 Normandy Road. All meetings are open to the public.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.