Leominster City Council on Dec. 8 approved an order of taking to acquire permanent and temporary easements near Lancaster and Union streets to permit flood‑repair work, including retaining‑wall reconstruction and slope stabilization.

Frank Artinger, chair of the City Properties Committee, read the petition on behalf of Mayor Dean Jay Masarella and said copies of the plans prepared by GCG Associates Inc. are on file with the city clerk. The council voted 9–0 to adopt the order of taking after the planning and city property committees recommended approval.

John Roseberry, senior engineer at the city Department of Public Works, told the council the work is part of a MassDOT‑funded flood‑repair package that includes rebuilding a retaining wall at the Malvern Street/Lancaster Street corner and slope and channel stabilization where granite block walls fell into Winnesonck Brook during recent storms. Roseberry said MassDOT has designed and will construct the $1,800,000 project and that abutters have been notified; he said 12 easements are required — four temporary easements (five‑year term) and eight permanent easements to allow maintenance of the new wall and slope stabilization.

Roseberry said the Lancaster Street work is expected to begin in spring and last about three to four months; he added lane closures should be minimal and that “they might not even have to close a lane” on Lancaster Street. Councilors asked about abutter notification; Roseberry said the city sends certified letters with return receipt when DOT provides 75%‑design plans and that written offers have gone out as part of the appraisal process.

The order of taking authorizes the city to acquire the listed rights and easements and to award damages to affected owners, with specific amounts set forth in schedules attached to the order of taking. The council adopted the order by roll call and instructed city staff to file required documents with the clerk.