On November 28 Manager Golden met with the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association to discuss his proposal to eliminate overnight parking in the downtown neighborhood. The Manager’s argument was twofold: (1) eliminating overnight parking would make it easier to clean streets and remove snow; and (2) freeing-up spots would make the downtown more hospitable businesses. The…

1. Fire Department Overtime Budget Most of last night’s calories were burned on a vote relative to the Fire Department overtime budget: That the amount of Nine Hundred Thousand and 00/100 ($900,000) Dollars be hereby further appropriated by raising from the FY2023 tax levy, additional local receipts, and offset receipts and appropriating to the Lowell…

1. Kalamata, Greece: Sister City Update Our new “sister city” relationship with the city that gifted us both Yanni and its olives is already bearing more fruit. In April of this year, Lowell formally entered into an agreement with Kalamata based on a “collective interest to broaden and strengthen ties between the two cities.” As,…

1. Guns N’ Lowell As an American, I’ve pretty much come to terms with the fact that I’m going to die in a hail of bullets someday. Nevertheless, it seems that many of my fellow citizens still had some hope that their communities’ laws could protect them. I imagine many were disappointed this past June…

1. O’Connor Honored Mayor Chau presented outgoing City Solicitor Christine O’Connor with a “Key to the City” award for her many years of service. Atty. O’Connor has been the City Solicitor since 2004 and is leaving for a position in North Andover (Assistant City Solicitor Kerry Jenness will also be leaving the Law Department). Jack…

Another efficient “nuts and bolts” type meeting last night. As such, I’ve really got nothing to add. The replay is already up on LTC for your viewing pleasure. In other news, this week’s School Committee agenda features an update on progress of the LHS renovation. This Fall’s project milestones for Phase 2 are laid out:…

Last night, we were treated to a brief meeting and light agenda. Nothing too earth-shattering to speak of, so I’m going to try to make lemonade out of fire trucks and parking. Yikes. 1. Well, That Was Weird Councilor Yem filed a motion to “Request City Manager And Lowell Fire Department Explore The Possibility Of…

The most substantive item on last night’s agenda was the roll-out of the administration’s plan for the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. The city received a windfall of nearly 76 million dollars in APRA funds and we must have this cash “obligated” by December 31, 2024 (funds must be spent by December…

1. Open Streets Coming Soon Not much discussion on a motion response relative to beginning an “Open Streets” program downtown. Nevertheless, this is good stuff. As per the response, Open Streets is a concept (and movement) designed to elevate place-making and neighborhood development. Lowell could model an Open Streets pilot program on the Open Streets…

It’s Not Working Last night was the first council meeting in three weeks. When the council last met on August 23, there were 19 motion responses, 20 new motions, 18 votes, 5 public utility hearings, 2 informational reports, an executive session and other miscellaneous items. Predictably, the council was unable to get through this list…