Leominster City Council on an evening meeting approved several budget transfers and authorizations, including a $670,000 transfer to the Manusnock Brook project account, a $27,000 transfer for the North Nashua project, a $250,000 transfer to police overtime and establishment of a PEG Access and Cable Related Fund under state law. Most measures were adopted by unanimous 9-0 votes; one license renewal was recorded 8-0 after a recusal.

The actions provide local matching money tied to larger FEMA grants for riverbank and brook repairs, replenish an overtime account depleted by investigations and staffing needs, and set up a special revenue fund to hold cable franchise fees. The council also set further time or public hearings on an item to implement a local meals tax and several zoning and floodplain amendments.

The approvals front-load capital and emergency spending needs while preserving council oversight. The Manusnock Brook and North Nashua transfers fund required city matches for FEMA awards that together underwrite multimillion-dollar infrastructure repairs; the PEG fund will collect franchise and cable‑related receipts in a special revenue account for appropriation.

Key votes and immediate details:

- C‑34, Manusnock Brook: Council approved an order transferring $670,000 from the Park Grant Capital account to the Manusnock Brook project account. The mayor’s letter included a FEMA award of $5,992,200 and stated the total project cost is $6,658,000 with a city match of roughly 10% ($665,800). The order was adopted by a vote of 9 to 0.

- C‑35, North Nashua: Council approved a transfer of $27,000 from the Park Grant Capital account to the North Nashua project account. The mayor’s letter said the phase‑2 FEMA grant award is $1,587,600; total project cost $1,764,000 with a local 10% match. The order was adopted by a vote of 9 to 0.

- C‑37, Police overtime: Council approved an appropriation of $250,000 to the police department overtime account, to be transferred from the stabilization fund, citing depleted overtime from major investigations and staffing; adopted 9 to 0.

- C‑38, Cable receipts/PEG fund: Council voted to accept General Laws, ch. 44, §53F¾ to establish a special revenue fund titled the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund to reserve cable franchise fees and related revenues for PEG access services; adopted by roll call 9 to 0. Council members asked the comptroller for follow‑up on what specific expenditures from the fund would be allowable.

Other procedural actions and scheduling:

- C‑36 (local meals tax, General Laws ch. 64L, §2A): Given further time; the finance committee will hold a public hearing March 10 at 6:15 p.m.

- Zoning and planning items including 29‑25 (floodplain ordinance update) and 24‑25 (zoning map amendment) were continued and scheduled for public hearings on March 10 at 6:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., respectively.

- License renewals and petitions (multiple items on the agenda) were either referred to committee or approved as noted in the meeting record; one renewal (28‑25) was granted with an 8‑0 vote after a committee chair recused from that matter.

Councilors praised the city’s grants staff for securing large external funding. “This is a fantastic project, and I’m happy to support it,” said Councilor Pinellin while acknowledging the grant writer’s work on the Manusnock Brook award.

The chair indicated more discussion on the overall financial plan at future meetings; the comptroller and the mayor were invited back to detail proposed uses of remaining free cash. Several items adopted tonight direct staff to return with additional detail or to bring items back for formal appropriation votes where required.

Votes at a glance

- C‑34 Manusnock Brook — Transfer $670,000 from Park Grant Capital to Manusnock Brook project account; vote: 9‑0; referral/history: mayor’s letter dated Feb. 3, 2025; funding tied to FEMA award.
- C‑35 North Nashua — Transfer $27,000 from Park Grant Capital to North Nashua project account; vote: 9‑0; mayor’s letter dated Feb. 3, 2025; phase‑2 FEMA grant noted.
- C‑37 Police overtime — $250,000 from stabilization fund to police overtime; vote: 9‑0; Chief Malatus letter requested the increase.
- C‑38 PEG Access Fund — Accept GL ch. 44, §53F¾ to establish PEG fund; roll‑call vote: 9‑0.
- C‑36 Meals tax — Given further time; finance public hearing March 10 at 6:15 p.m.
- 29‑25 Floodplain ordinance — Continued for public hearing March 10 at 6:40 p.m.
- 24‑25 Zoning map amendment — Continued for public hearing March 10 at 6:45 p.m.
- 28‑25 (secondhand dealer license renewal) — Granted; vote: 8‑0 (chair recused).
- 30‑25 (license renewal) — Granted; vote: 9‑0.

What’s next

Councilors asked staff to provide additional budget breakdowns, legal clarifications about the PEG fund’s allowable uses and staffing explanations behind overtime requests. The mayor and comptroller were invited to the next meeting to present a fuller plan for remaining free cash and proposed appropriations.

(For specific motions, letters and full vote text, see the meeting minutes and the recorded agenda items.)