Weekly Update 5/24/21

Many different things going on at this week's meeting!

The Ordinance Committee advanced a proposed ordinance to create a Human Services Revolving Fund. This fund will allow the Department of Human Services to deposit fees that it collects at its events and activities to use to cover the expenses of future events and activities put on by the department.

In marijuana news, the City Council approved a new Host Community Agreement for HTC Trinity for cultivation, manufacturing, and delivery at 491 West Water Street. An extension was also granted for the Host Community Agreement for MassMedicum at 300 Revolutionary Drive.

The City Council unanimously approved a transfer of $1,500,000 from the City Hall Stabilization Account to the Public Safety Stabilization Account. This is the next step in moving forward with the plans for a new Public Safety Complex. This transfer of funds will help cover initial costs for an assessment, feasibility study, and architectural and engineering costs.

$4,000,000 was also transferred from retained earnings in the Water Enterprise Account to fund much needed water main improvements. This is consistent with the practice of making sure the infrastructure under a road is replaced and upgraded before paving the road. This transfer will fund water main improvements on First Street, Everett Street, Silver Street, West Weir Street, and Third Street.

Lastly, the revised marijuana ordinance that we have been working on for several weeks was passed from a first to second reading.