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Meeting opens with Councilor Mercier requesting a moment of silence for the seven victims of the Branch Street fire. Mayor Elliott joins in with heartfelt remarks on effect of the tragedy and on the way the entire city pulled together in response to it. He presents commendations to the Lowell…
Read More »With no city council meeting this week due to the summer schedule, city political activity was a bit light. On Tuesday, the city officially posted the job of Assistant City Manager which I think is a good thing. Beginning with Jim Sullivan in 1971, almost every city manager had a…
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Whatever it was that seemed important in Lowell politics on Wednesday night faded to obscurity on Thursday as news of the tragic fire at 77 Branch Street rapidly spread. I suspect we all have some primal fear of waking in the middle of the night in a smoke filled room…
Read More »(Rules suspended to take several items early). Vote authorizing city manager to execute a lease with UMass Lowell for 125 parking spaces on Fr. Morissette Blvd. They will be used by UMass Lowell Monday thru Friday, used by staff people primarily from the University Crossing facility (former St Joseph’s Hospital).…
Read More »With the council not meeting last Tuesday because of the summer schedule and Independence Day falling on Friday, it was a relatively slow week. Gunfire in the Highlands Wednesday night’s gunfire at Wilder Street and Wilder Ave continues the infiltration of gun violence into the upper Highlands. If I recall…
Read More »This post is later than usual today because I just got back from a few days on a remote beach on the coast of Maine where the was plenty of reading, relaxing and some excellent blueberry pancakes for breakfast each day. Once home, a quick scroll through Facebook (which is…
Read More »What promises to be an important community conversation gathered steam last evening when more than 50 people gathered at Jack and Terry O’Connor’s big white house at the peak of Mansur Street in Belvidere to share views and ideas about how best to tell people in, around, and outside of Lowell that the city has…
Read More »Citation to Cobblestones on their 20th anniversary of opening in Lowell. Councilor Rourke motion that city join FEMA’s Community Rating System. This helps residents in flood plain get reduced rates on flood insurance. Several people speak in favor of it. Passes unanimously. Mayor Elliott motion re improving pedestrian crossing of…
Read More »The City Council held a special meeting to review City Manager Kevin Murphy’s proposed FY15 budget. After three hours of questions and discussion, the council adopted the $333,987,477 budget in its entirety. The council cannot add to the budget or shift money within it but can only make cuts. Only…
Read More »Summary: The City Council adopted the City Manager’s FY15 Budget as proposed without any changes. The budget amount is $333,987,477. Meeting begins at 6 pm. Councilor Mercier mentions letters from electrical provider to residents about switch in electricity supplier. Assures everyone this is nothing to be concerned about. Budget session…
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