City Council

Motion Responses Locating LHS in Hamilton Canal District. Jackie Doherty of Lowell School Committee speaks on this item. Emphasizes the importance of replacing the high school now, regardless of which site is chosen. Urges council not to delay the process. Councilor Leahy thanks his colleagues for indulging his interest in…

Meeting begins. (Councilor Rourke and City Manager Murphy absent from meeting). Council takes motion out of order: Leary – Req. City Mgr. instruct Skanska/Perkins Eastman create a schematic design for Lowell High School Options 3 and 4 prior to the June 6th City Council meeting. Resident of Douglas Rd speaks.…

FY2018 Operating Budget City Manager Murphy formally presents the FY2018 budget to the council and asks that it be scheduled for a public hearing on May 30, 2017. Challenges include increased contribution to the pension fund, a continuing deficit in snow and ice fund, and increased amounts for contractual raises,…

Resolution to support Southern Cameroon Community in New England in its desire to restore its national sovereignty through a democratically organized referendum. Fru Nkimbeng speaks in support of the resolution. Reminds councilors that Lowell has established a sister city in Cameroon, and has in the past greeted the country’s king…

Forty-eight hours late, but here is my report on Tuesday’s (relatively) short council meeting: There were a number of reports from the city manager in response to council motions in this week’s packet. There was limited discussion on the reports and several were referred to subcommittees for future meetings. Safe…

Motion Responses: Speed Limits. Report is referred to the Transportation Subcommittee. Franklin Park Development Westminster Village – There have been productive meetings with the management, which plans to initiate police details four nights per week, for four hours per night. This will be in addition to private security. Appoint Cliff…

Resolution: City of Lowell supports the National Park Service. Passes unanimously. City Auditor: Report on FY17 budget, year-to-date. Several questions about workers comp payments which are significantly reduced. Councilors congratulate Law Department for progress in this area. LTC Presentation: By Wendy Blom, Executive Director of Lowell Telecommunications. Says the council…

Police Department Update Earlier this month (on November 14, 2016), Lowell Police Superintendent Bill Taylor visited the Highlands Neighborhood Group meeting and shared his thoughts on crime and the opioid epidemic. Here is what he had to say: Taylor opened by saying that the police department today is “doing remarkably…

City Manager Communications to Council Report on Western Ave ($6mil for a pedestrian crossing) – Councilor Leahy says he is interested in opening Western Ave up to vehicular traffic from Thorndike Street to Western Ave with a grade crossing with crossing gates and lights. Manager Murphy says that Pan Am…