Left In Lowell

Changes at City Hall

8 Responses to “Changes at City Hall”

1. I81U812 Says:
   September 29th, 2006 at 9:27 pm

   BRAVO Lynch. That’s the REAL reason you see all these lawyers on city boards. Maybe they’d serve for free or receive a small stipend, but it was the health bennies that could save them upwards of a grand a month.

2. K-R-S Says:
   September 29th, 2006 at 10:00 pm

   Agreed, Agreed!!!

3. waittilnextyr Says:
   September 29th, 2006 at 11:07 pm

   And, now for some appointments. He isn’t wasting much time reforming the administration.

   Appointments-Stephen Gendron & Gerard Frechette to Planning Board.

   Appointment-Heather Kerwin to Hunger Homeless Commission.

4. K-R-S Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 9:55 am

   So, if he’s appointing two to the planning brd…does this mean Mary Burns is out?? Her term has expired and might speak to the reason she is on CAP this morning.

5. waittilnextyr Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 11:12 am

   One person’s opinion on how our city government is performing on the list established for this council’s term in office: (quarterly update)

   Quarterly Update 9/30/06

   1. Control Property Taxes
   ( from 6/30: pessimistic, based on Budget proposed with added jobs and excess raises, and very little reduction in initial city council budget session
   Now: the pessimism of 6/30 is materializing, although there is recent action by the CM to reduce the impact. Let’s hope the CC supports him in these efforts)
   2. Expand Commercial Tax Base
   (some improvement with the energy plant back on the tax rolls, and possibly some effect from Lowe’s)
   3. Put 180 Units of Affordable Housing on-line at Julian Steele
   (optimistic, phase 1 nearing completion)
   4. Close an Acceptable Deal for Hamilton Canal Properties
   (optimistic, land-taking completed, development plan should follow)
   5. Put 900-car Parking Garage on-line on Middlesex St.
   (pessimistic, going forward way over budget with no good plan to reconcile – needs attention)
   6. Initiate Private Development in accordance with the JAM plan
   (delayed, but should be selecting prime developer soon)
   7. Initiate Private Development at the Hamilton Canal Properties
   (delayed, waiting for prime developer to be selected)
   8. Close Loopholes in Zoning Code to Avoid Neighborhood Exploitation
   (second small step with rejection of faulty in-law plan)
   9. Eliminate “Appearance” of Conflict of Interest on Local Boards
   (televised meetings help, and significant changeover in board make-up in process)
   10. Facilitate the Private Development of Next Phase of Mass Mills
   (no apparent action, needs attention)
   11. Create Significant Development Opportunity on Post Office Site
   (no good proposals, but at least city didn’t jump at a bad deal. Needs action)
   12. Get Courthouse project underway, without taking liability for another parking garage (looks like State will go forward with Davidson St. location, but that leaves questions relative to flooding and parking)
   13. Maintain Full Funding for School System
   (It looks like that has been accomplished with added State funds)
   14. Establish Enforceable Contracts for New School Construction Projects
   (Independent review of Stoklosa issues will be initiated soon)
   15. Create Plan for Mixed Rate Affordable Housing
   (pessimistic, no plan proposed)
   16. Support UTECs efforts to Find New Home
   (Will move to Hurd St. location shortly)
   17. Improve Traffic Flow and Eliminate Bottlenecks and Safety Hazards Citywide
   (still no progress, and a couple of bridges have now been put on restrictive weight notice)
   18. Bring jobs to the city
   (positive action with Motorola agreement at Cross Point. Also working with UMASS Lowell relative to nanotech center and possible spin-off companies.)
   19. Make connection between educational institutions and new jobs
   (pessimistic, no obvious effort to date. Where are you on this Councilor Ramirez?))
   20. Provide more opportunities for the city’s youth
   (pessimistic, no obvious effort to date)
   21. Reduce crime, particularly gang activity
   (crime still a major problem, although Lowell police have made some arrests and appear to be trying preventative measures)

6. KD Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

   I am glad that Manager Lynch has put an end to the illegal practice of providing health insurance to appointed board members. I spoke with him about this issue when I bumped into him on Merrimack Street on his second week on the job.

   Manager Lynch was aware of the issue and assured me that he was going to take action,he is a man of his word with great integrity.

   The City Council should back him up on this issue and provide complete disclosue as to who has taken advantage of this illegal activity and explain why they let it continue even after they were informed that it was illegal.

   The Human Resources Director should be fired for allowing this to occur under her watch. Does she know who is eligible and who isn’t?
   Even if she were forced to put the board members into the health insurance plan ,she should have known it was illegal and informed the solicitors office.

   I hope a complete investigation is completed that details who authorized this abuse and a determination is made as to the possibility of restitution and prosecutiion.

   The City Council continues to rehash the $290,000 Stoklosa issue,I hope they look at this issue just as carefully.

   If someone commits welfare fraud by collecting benefits they are not entitled to they face criminal prosecution.

   I hope the theft of insurance benefits is treated in the same manner!

   Does anyone know who should investigate this issue? Would it be the AG or the DA? Has the City Manager notified the authorities?

   This is a good first step,but someone needs to be held accountable for the fraud perpetrated against the taxpayers of Lowell.

   I want full disclosure from the City Council on this issue - I’m sure a few of them have taken part in this abuse.

7. Tiffany Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 4:22 pm

   KD, I completely agree with you on the health insurance issue. As I read the newspaper article, I was astonished that the focus seemed to be on committee members losing a perk rather than the fact that the perk is totally ILLEGAL! No doubt this action will ruffle feathers, but finally we have someone who wants to do the right thing. Mr. Manager, I am impressed.

8. I81U812 Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 6:09 pm

   Does anyone know if a certain local attorney (who was once on the council) received his appointment to the Board of Appeals? His name seems to have dropped off the radar in the last few weeks. Maybe it had something to do with the aforementioned.?.!

Leave a Reply