Council confirms disability commission nominee, continues municipal aggregation and schedules interviews

The Leominster City Council on Feb. 9 confirmed Elizabeth Mazurvi to the Disability Commission (term to expire 04/15/2029) following an interview; Ways & Means recommended confirmation and the council recorded the roll-call vote as 8–0 in favor.

During public forum, Peter Haggis of 333 Elm Street urged the council to adopt municipal aggregation (Item 30-26), citing Department of Energy Resources data and saying municipal aggregation can be made opt-out for residents and could protect consumers from predatory third-party electricity vendors. Haggis told the council that more than 200 Massachusetts communities have adopted aggregation and that adopters can see savings in electricity bills, figures he attributed to the state’s Department of Energy Resources.

Councilors said one petitioner for the municipal-aggregation matter was absent; both Ways & Means and Legal Affairs recommended further time so the petitioner can appear and the committees could vet the proposal. The council continued C30-26 to the next meeting for additional review.

Members of the public also asked about the mayor’s pending appointment of John J. Souza to the Planning Board. The council explained the appointment is being presented for first-time consideration; confirmation would occur at a subsequent meeting after committee review and any interview. Several residents spoke in support of Mr. Souza’s reappointment to the planning board and urged the council to consider his tenure and experience.

Next steps: Elizabeth Mazurvi’s confirmation is effective; municipal aggregation (C30-26) and the mayor’s appointment of John J. Souza (C45) will go to committee for further consideration and/or scheduled interviews.