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Leominster council approves a package of appropriations and a Safe Streets grant match
Summary
The council approved several prior‑year payments and transfers, including appropriations to schools, council expenses, weights and measures, refuse disposal, a $500,000 transfer to stabilization, and approved a matching appropriation connected to the Safe Streets for All grant (transcript shows inconsistent amounts; council voted to approve as presented on the floor).
The Leominster City Council approved a slate of finance items June 22, clearing several prior‑year payments, equipment purchases and transfers intended to bolster reserves and support public‑safety and transportation work.
Finance committee chair reported year‑to‑date balances across funds including the opioid stabilization account, the capital stabilization fund, free cash, and the city stabilization account. The council then considered several appropriations and transfers recommended by the finance committee:
• C90: Approve appropriation of $21,042 to the Leominster Public Schools to pay a prior‑year invoice; approved by roll call. • C91: Approve appropriation of $4,938.80 for a prior‑year salary obligation to a school employee; approved by roll call. • C93: Approve $5,000 to the city council expense account, transferred from excess and deficiency; approved. • C94: Approve $10,000 to the weights and measures receipts reserved account and authorize $37,000 in expenditures from that account toward a replacement van; approved. • C95: Transfer $500,000 from excess and deficiency to the city stabilization (rainy‑day) account to bolster reserves and support bond rating; approved by roll call. • C97: Approve $100,000 to the refuse disposal account to support curbside bulk pickup and mattress disposal; approved by voice vote.
The council also considered funding tied to a federal Safe Streets for All grant (C96). The mayor noted the city received grant funding that will be used to hire a consultant for a citywide traffic study and to create a prioritized list of safety projects to pursue with additional construction funding. During discussion the mayor’s letter that accompanied the petition referenced a total funding plan; the meeting transcript records both an $832,000 figure and an $82,000 appropriation order at different points in the presentation. The council voted to approve the appropriation as presented on the floor and recorded the vote as unanimous. Because the transcript contains conflicting figures for the requested match/transfer, the exact dollar flow will be clarified in the official minutes and appropriation documents.
What happens next: Departments (finance, DPW, and public works) will implement approved transfers and move forward with vehicle replacement and refuse programs; the Safe Streets project will proceed to consultant selection and a citywide traffic study once matching funds and grant agreements are finalized.
