City Council

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…

Communications from the City Manager Plain Street realignment: Manager says city has negotiated an agreement suitable to the VFW. With that agreement, the design of the intersection can move forward. Joanne & Drew Weber Way: Councilor Mercier was disappointed that UMass Lowell opted not to rename UMass Lowell’s right of…

I missed last Tuesday’s Lowell City Council meeting and only got a chance to watch a replay today. Here’s my report: Motion Response: Rourke Bridge traffic. Intersection with Pawtucket Blvd has an advanced traffic controller with cameras. They give Rourke bridge 65 seconds and the Blvd 55 seconds. The cameras…

Amy Pessia of Merrimack Valley Food Bank addresses council on “Food Day.” This Saturday, annual downtown Lowell stroll sponsored by Rep Tom Golden. Oct 25, UML will show “A Place at the Table” at 7 pm at O’Leary Library. Distributes apples to everyone to commemorate food day 2016. (Food Day…