Fitchburg, Massachusetts — week of 2026-07-06 · all Fitchburg meetings

Fitchburg Boards Tackle FY 2027 Budget, Zoning Reviews, and Permit Decisions

Fitchburg's City Council scheduled votes on a Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget exceeding $190 million for the General Fund, plus enterprise funds for water, wastewater, and airport services, across multiple meetings June 24–25. Minutes for all recent meetings listed below have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

City Council: FY 2027 Budget and Tax Levy Reductions

The City Council placed the Mayor's FY 2027 operating budget on its agenda for meetings on June 24 and 25. The General Fund budget was listed at $190,961,167, with Water Enterprise at $9,997,019, Wastewater Enterprise at $18,316,809, and Airport Fund at $1,137,919.

Multiple orders on the agenda would redirect reserve funds to reduce the FY 2027 tax levy, including $700,000 from Overlay Surplus, $250,000 from the Stabilization Fund, $3,776,232 from Available Funds, and $410,000 from ARPA Available Funds. The council also scheduled votes to establish revolving funds for Parks Activities & Events and Planning Board advertising, each with a $100,000 expenditure limit, and additional revolving funds for Animal Control, Civic Days, Demolition, and Public Health Sustainability with limits up to $750,000. An ordinance amending Chapter 44, Section 10 to update Grade Steps pay scales for FY 2027 was also on the agenda.

Planning Board: Site Plans and Marijuana Hours

The Planning Board's June 23 agenda included continued review of a proposed gasoline station and convenience store at 310 Summer Street, a 32-unit multi-family building with underground garage at 7 Beekman Street, and a childcare facility and building trade shop at 76 and 18 Lincoln Street. Two public hearings were scheduled on proposed marijuana retailer hour extensions at 346 River Street and 20 Authority Drive.

Retirement Board: CY25 Annual Statement

The Retirement Board's June 23 agenda included review and approval of the CY25 Annual Statement, payroll and cash disbursement warrants, and a discussion on pensionable earnings and Unit pay codes. The agenda also listed a report of member deaths, approval of retirements, and PRIT Fund performance updates.

Board of Health: Dangerous Dog Hearing and New Regulations

The Board of Health scheduled a July 2 public hearing on a petition to declare a dog named Mia, a Pomeranian at 106 Charlton Street, a nuisance or dangerous animal. The agenda also included discussion of potential new regulations on kratom sales, private well regulation amendments, and an opioid settlement fund mini-grant update.

Conservation Commission: 794 Ashburnham Hill Road

The Conservation Commission held a special meeting June 22 with a single agenda item: a Certificate of Compliance for 794 Ashburnham Hill Road (DEP #155-0238).

Cultural Council: Grants and Event Planning

The Cultural Council's June 23 and 25 agendas included votes on a grant report, treasurer's report, and minutes from April and June 3 meetings. The council also discussed planning for an Annual Public Meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, and Block Party volunteer outreach.

License Commission: One-Day Alcohol Permits

The License Commission's June 25 agenda included one-day wine and malt beverage permit applications for The Break Bike Shop at 872 Main Street on July 3 and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at 860 South Street on July 8.

Public Works Committee: Infrastructure Petitions

The Public Works Committee's June 30 agenda included Petition 062-26 to install a berm at 77 Congress Street toward Lunenburg Street, and Petition 058-26 to convert Hassett Street to a one-way street from Albee Street.

Redevelopment Authority: 166 Boulder Drive

The Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority scheduled a July 1 executive session to discuss the potential lease or sale of 166 Boulder Drive.

Coming Up

**July 6 — License Commission:** Continued public hearing on a new liquor license for Aurelove Multi Services LLC at 1-5 Lunenburg Street, plus entertainment permits for Monty Tech Summer Carnival (July 15–18) and a basketball tournament (August 8).
**July 7 — City Council:** Votes on $564,800 for airport Main Apron reconstruction and a $300,000 public health grant; public hearing on a 40,000-gallon underground fuel storage license at 49 John Fitch Highway; veto override on City Clerk salary.
**July 7 — City Council/School Committee (joint):** Appointment of a new School Committee member to fill a vacancy.
**July 7 — Housing Authority:** Vote on $313,700 in emergency structural repairs at Canton Valley and $76,629.65 in change orders for Wallace Tower.
**July 7 — Planning Board:** Continued public hearing on a gas station and 4,050-square-foot convenience store at 310 Summer Street, involving demolition of three buildings and redevelopment of six parcels.
**July 9 — Historical Commission:** Public hearing on a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior modifications at 533 Main Street in the Monument Park Local Historic District.
**July 14 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearing on a special permit for the Fitchburg Housing Authority to build a 13,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility at 1 Normandy Road.

Earlier weeks

week of 2026-06-29 — Fitchburg City Council Weighs $190M Budget and Tax Levy Cuts; Housing Authority Faces Emergency Repairs

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.