Fitchburg council adopts amended FY2027 budget, approves enterprise appropriations and multiple fund transfers

The Fitchburg City Council as a Whole Committee adopted an amended Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget and a package of related appropriations during a meeting that began June 24 and ran into the early hours of June 25.

The council approved the Mayor's FY2027 operating budget as amended and enacted a series of orders to move funds intended to reduce the city's tax rate, including a $700,000 appropriation from overlay surplus (Order 065‑26) and a $250,000 appropriation from the Stabilization Fund (Order 066‑26). Council also adopted an available‑funds appropriation of $3,776,232 to credit the FY2027 tax levy (Order 070‑26).

Council approved enterprise fund appropriations for utilities: a Water Enterprise appropriation of $9,997,019 (Order 072‑26), a Wastewater Enterprise appropriation of $18,316,809 (Order 073‑26) and an Airport Fund appropriation of $1,137,919 (Order 074‑26). The water and wastewater orders itemized personal services, expenses, indirect costs, debt service and capital expenses as shown in the meeting record.

The session included sustained debate and multiple procedural motions over proposed line‑item cuts. A motion to hold a proposed $33,000 cut to the City Council personal services line passed 7–4. Proposed cuts to contractual leave shown in an enclosed spreadsheet were withdrawn by unanimous consent (11–0). Council also voted to withdraw proposed cuts to the Building Commissioner (recorded amounts cited in the minutes: $68,174 and $61,347); that withdrawal passed 8–3 (opposed: Beauchemin, Fleming and Green).

Several motions to restore or reduce cuts failed. An amendment to change the Human Resources HR assistant from a deletion to a part‑time $27,500 position failed, 2–8. A motion to cut funding for the Johnny Appleseed Center failed 1–10. A motion to cut electricity for library maintenance failed (1 in favor, 8 opposed). At 12:47 AM the council amended a Library data processing cut from $25,000 to $15,000, adjusting the recorded library total accordingly by unanimous consent (10–0).

The council also considered and acted on a set of revolving fund authorizations under MGL Chapter 44, Sec. 53E 1/2. Several revolving‑fund orders (planning board advertising and related items) were taken up and, where indicated in the record, given leave to withdraw or adopted with specified annual limits. The meeting record lists a table of revolving funds and authorized officials, including animal control, civic days, demolition, parks activities and public health sustainability (the latter shown with a proposed FY2027 limit of $750,000).

Votes at a glance - ORDER 111‑26 (FY2027 Operating Budget, amended): Adopted (recorded vote reported as 8 in favor, 2 opposed; 10 members present at time of vote). - ORDER 065‑26 (Overlay surplus to tax levy $700,000): Adopted 9–1. - ORDER 066‑26 (Stabilization to tax levy $250,000): Adopted by unanimous consent 10–0. - ORDER 070‑26 (Available funds to tax levy $3,776,232): Adopted 9–1. - ORDER 072‑26 (Water Enterprise $9,997,019): Adopted unanimous consent 10–0. - ORDER 073‑26 (Wastewater Enterprise $18,316,809): Adopted unanimous consent 10–0. - ORDER 074‑26 (Airport Fund $1,137,919): Adopted 9–1. - Revolving fund orders (various): Adopted or given leave to withdraw as recorded (see meeting minutes).

The meeting featured multiple recesses and attendance changes; Councilor Cragin and Councilor Van Hazinga temporarily stepped away at points, and Councilor Fleming left at 10:50 PM and did not return. The council adjourned at 1:29 AM; minutes were attested by City Clerk Joanna Bilotta.