Leominster council approves multiple stabilization‑fund transfers for public safety and DPW

At its Nov. 10, 2025 meeting the Leominster City Council approved several appropriations transferring funds from the city’s stabilization fund to cover overtime and public‑safety needs.

C‑22: The council approved an order to transfer $250,000 from the stabilization fund to the police overtime account. The finance committee recommended the appropriation and the council adopted the order by a recorded voice vote (noted in the minutes as 8–0 in favor).

C‑23: The council granted an appropriation of $25,000 to the Department of Public Works overtime account, transferred from stabilization. The finance committee recommended the measure and the council voted to grant it (recorded as 8–0).

C‑24: An appropriation of $50,000 to the Fire Department ALS services overtime account was approved; council discussion included calls to hire an eighth paramedic rather than rely on repeated overtime. The measure was adopted on the finance committee recommendation (recorded as 8–0 in the minutes).

C‑25: The council approved a $250,000 transfer to the fire department public‑safety overtime account. The minutes record that Councilor David Cormier had to abstain (conflict/recusal noted earlier); the subsequent recorded vote is noted in the minutes as 7–2–0 (with recusals/abstentions recorded in the record). The finance committee had recommended the appropriation.

Each appropriation was presented with a letter from the relevant department head explaining current overtime pressures (public safety investigations, contractual obligations, staffing gaps) and the council framed the votes as short‑term fixes while urging permanent staffing solutions. The orders were entered on the council record and are to be implemented by the comptroller’s office as directed in the respective orders.