Government Was Happening: February 25, 2025

Members Only

Government was, if fact, happening last night. However, not much of it caught my interest. Some weeks the best government happens behind closed doors. If you’re not on the list, don’t even think about coming in. Indeed, on many a Tuesday night the hottest club in the city is Executive Session.

Strobe lights, smoke machines, litigation updates, screaming babies in Mozart wigs, contract negotiations, puppets in disguises, and explanations as to why a developer needs to re-work the terms of a land disposition agreement unless taxpayers pay more for ~~profits~~ expenses.

Last night, the Executive Session agenda was stacked:

Executive Session – Regarding Litigation Update, Pursuant to the Provisions of City of Lowell Code of Ordinances §50-7, Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City’s Position; And Further, To Consider and Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To HCID Parcels 2,3,4,5 (Lupoli Companies, LLC), Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City’s Position; And Further, To Consider and Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To HCID Parcels 11,12 (WinnDevelopment Company, LP); And Further, To Consider And Discuss The Possible Acquisition Of Property, HCID Parcel 15, Public Discussions Of Which May Have Detrimental Effect On Negotiating Position Of The City.

As to the litigation update, the cited code mandates that the City Solicitor give a yearly update as to what’s happening in the law department:

As to the rest of the items, I’ve created a map to help follow along:

If recent history can be our guide, we may have to wait a bit before we have some semblance of a clue as to what was discussed last night. In November of 2024, the council reviewed the previous year’s executive session minutes and released the following:

If you’re curious, there have been five executive sessions since that November meeting. The council has been working on the following:

1/14/25 – Executive Session – To Consider And Discuss The Possible Acquisition Of Property At 40 Market Street, Public Discussions Of Which May Have Detrimental Effect On Negotiating Position Of The City; And Further, To Consider and Discuss An Open Meeting Law Complaint Filed Against the City Council on December 26, 2024.

2/04/25 – Executive Session – To Consider And Discuss The Possible Acquisition Of Property At 40 Market Street, Public Discussions Of Which May Have Detrimental Effect On Negotiating Position Of The City; And Further, To Consider And Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To Lowell’s Frontrunner City Designation.

12/17/24 – Executive Session – To Consider and Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To Lupoli Companies, LLC, Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City’s Position; And Further, To Consider and Discuss Three Open Meeting Law Complaints Filed Against the City Council on November 27, 2024.

11/26/24 – Executive Session – To Consider and Discuss Two Open Meeting Law Complaints Filed Against the City Council on November 13, 2024

As always, stay tuned.

Election Will Be Here Before We Know It

Last night also served as a reminder that 2025 is an election year! It seems the last election (that nobody cared about) just happened. Hopefully, things will be different in 2025. I suspect they will be as I’m already seeing more candidates out and about than I did at this same time in 2023. As a reminder to all candidates, if you’re looking to be seen by LTC cameras in the good real estate behind the podium, please arrive early.

If that seat is not available, I recommend staking out territory behind Councilor Gitschier as the camera is certain to spend considerable time over there as well.

Have a good week, folks.