The proposal to create a new standing committee on economic and community development sparked discussion among council members. Several councilors voiced support for the initiative, emphasizing the necessity for improved oversight and accountability. A councilor highlighted the city’s rapid growth and cited past departmental errors, such as those experienced during the Macki Park project, which led to delays and increased costs. The councilor advocated for a dedicated subcommittee to ensure that the city learns from these mistakes and fosters transparency and collaboration among departments involved in community development.

Another councilor echoed these sentiments, noting the success of the appointments committee in streamlining appointment processes for various commissions and boards. This councilor argued that similar benefits could be achieved by establishing a subcommittee for economic and community development. The councilor emphasized the importance of remaining engaged with city departments and not becoming complacent, particularly in light of new leadership.

However, not all council members were in agreement. Concerns were raised about the potential implications of adding another standing committee. One councilor expressed apprehension about the term “oversight,” cautioning that the council must avoid overstepping its responsibilities. They recounted experiences from their tenure as a department head, where being summoned before a council committee for questioning sometimes created a negative atmosphere among city employees. The councilor warned against creating a situation where department heads feel put on the spot.

In response, another councilor stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the council’s role in overseeing departments and allowing department heads to operate independently post-appointment. The councilor argued that the council has a year-round responsibility to monitor all aspects of city operations, not just during budget discussions. They emphasized the necessity of learning from past errors to protect the city and ensure effective development.

Despite these differing perspectives, the proposal to establish a new standing committee received unanimous support in a series of votes. The council plans to follow up on this proposal in future meetings, as the current rules require it to be presented for two consecutive meetings before a vote can be taken.

The council also addressed a communication from the mayor regarding the awarding of a contract for grant writing services to Keller Partners Company. The finance committee had unanimously selected Keller Partners based on their previous performance, which reportedly resulted in securing tens of millions of dollars in contracts and grants for the city. A councilor initially expressed skepticism about outsourcing these services, raising concerns about potential changes in federal grant opportunities. However, they acknowledged the value Keller Partners has provided thus far, particularly as their proposal was approximately $90,000—below the budgeted amount of $100,000. The motion to place this communication on file passed unanimously.

In addition, the council reviewed a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 170, covering various inspection roles. The agreement was unanimously approved after being examined by the finance committee. This agreement includes positions such as the assistant director of Public Health and various inspectors.

As the council looked ahead to the fiscal year 2026 budget, a councilor noted that department heads must submit their budget requests by January 31, 2025. This led to discussions about a salary study and an internal working group tasked with reviewing non-school department salaries. A councilor raised concerns about the potential implications for raises, expressing skepticism about the city’s financial capacity to accommodate significant salary increases at this time.

Other discussions included the receipt of prison mitigation funds amounting to $149,500 from the Commonwealth for fiscal year 2025 and the examination of the snow and ice expense account. The finance committee noted that the city had approximately $90,000 remaining in this account as of January 7, 2025, with the understanding that the city could operate in a deficit, a standard practice covered by free cash at the season’s end.

The council also unanimously supported the creation of a new human resource manager position, merging two existing roles into one at no additional cost to the city. Additionally, a measure to accept a donation of land from the Gardner School Committee for the Elm Street resurfacing project was adopted, although one councilor recused themselves from the discussion due to a conflict of interest.

In a somber moment, a councilor paid tribute to two influential community figures, Ed Lebkowski and Kathleen Lesneski, who recently passed away. The councilor highlighted their extensive contributions to the city and proposed that the city council send letters of condolence to their families, a motion supported and passed unanimously.