Left In Lowell

City Council Meeting 10/31

by Mimi at 8:36 am.

In case you did not know, our property taxes in Lowell are going up. How much? We will know in a month or so. Last night City Council meeting had a light agenda but it turned out to be another revealing meeting.

During the Manager’s Communication portion of the agenda, City Manager, Bernie Lynch, informed everyone that they found another glitch in the budget. This time the projected revenue of $1.5 million in “available funds” is really more like $157,000. Apparently, the previous year there was a one-time large revenue from a successful attempt to collect old parking debts.

The same kind of revenue was then projected to be available for the following year. It appeared that the CM was not only upset that the budget was prepared in this fashion but he seemed perturbed that he was not informed earlier. The new CFO is the one who brought it to his attention.

Meanwhile in Wally’s World (Walter Fernandez, our Auditor): Again, no clear answers to the City Councilors’ questions. They have 4 more months of having the Auditor tell them nothing and then cop an attitude when they ask him a question.

CM Lynch also announced that he is meeting this week with the IT Director to determine how he will post on the City’s web site his responses to the City Councilors’ motions. So now, not only will the City Councilors get a reply to their motion, but the rest of us will be part of the system. CM Lynch mentioned the Cambridge City web site as a model. I like that web site and I wish ours was more like theirs.

Another thing that CM Lynch mentioned, next year’s budget will have the background information to the line items both revenue and expenditures; So that the information will not be “voodoo accounting” as CC Jim Millinazo referred to this latest revelation.

I know that I keep saying this but CM Lynch really knows municipal government.

Next Tuesday prior to the CC meeting, the Finance Sub-Committee is meeting. I really wish this meeting was broadcast. I think I will send CC Rodney Elliott (Chairman of the sub-committee) an e-mail. Even if we do not get a chance to see the sub-committee live on television, at least we will have an opportunity to see the rebroadcast or live streaming.

In other business, the ordinance regarding a sign to be posted on the site of any new construction prior to requesting the proper permits; this is the Curtis Lemay (father and son) ordinance. It passed with a small change to the size of the sign.

The problem with business dumpsters was raised again. But CM Lynch did say that since he came on board, over 400 of the City’s 1,400 dumpsters have been inspected and there is a plan to inspect the rest.

CC Kevin Broderick motion regarding the re-instatement of the “paving list” was gladly received by the Administration and the CC. CM Lynch explained his “Pavement Management System” and this list will be updated as part of this infrastructure maintenance.

Guess, what the list is going to be posted on the web site; hopefully preventing the leap-froging that occurred in the past because someone knew someone.

That’s it.

[Filed under City Council] [link]

8 Responses to “City Council Meeting 10/31”

waittilnextyr Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 9:35 am
I sensed that CM Lynch was also perturbed with himself for not previously asking the hard questions that would have uncovered the “available funds” issue sooner. However, based on the Auditor’s performance, such questions might get the same response as you would poking a finger into the Pillsbury doughboy. The CC should expedite the search for an auditor and give the current one some extra vacation time as soon as a new person is on-board.

Meanwhile, we are back to a $6M problem. I believe there is an approximate $2M deficit already built into the original budget, so the shortfall is at least $6M and maybe $8M, about 10% of the property tax base. I guess we can expect a 10% increase in our taxes, which will hit as as 20% increases in the last 2 quarters’ bills.
K-R-S Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 11:47 am
Once again, the issue with auditor, old news…he needs to go well before February. And the fact the CC has taken (perceivably) little action to correct, reprimand and or terminate this employees’ lack of investment in his job as the Auditor. If this were the private sector he would have been gone a LONG time ago! Instead, because it is the taxpayers dime, he is allowed to continue.
JANE Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 5:07 pm
10%!!! looks like the hubby & I worked last week to fix the budget. Sorry kids, blame the Auditor for a weak X-Mas. Anyone want to buy two pillow cases of Halloween candy? Seriously, that’s going to wack my household with a $500 increase.

And I don’t agree with the crazy sign rule that A.L. has been working on for a year or so… Great in concept, but all any disgruntled neighbor has to do is steal the sign, and technically no building permit can be issued. And they left the content and size up to the discretion of the Building Dept… that’s going to be fun.
K-R-S Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 5:34 pm
My issue with the sign was not in its’ display, though great point. My issue has always been, by the time this sign gets put up, it’s too late.
On the other side of it, there is little to no enforcement to ensure that a structure is built specifically to what was represented for original approvals to regulatory boards.
Mike Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 10:00 pm
Open thread on the last debate?

Here’s my thought. Don’t do these things in front of big crowds of supporters. It was rude to have cheers and boos while the candidates were trying to speak. And it came from ALL sides.

Bad choice of venue. This shouldn’t be decided by whose supporters can scream louder and heckle.
Eleanor Rigby Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Something my hubby pointed out after the CC meeting. He said that after some badgering by the CC, Wally admitted that he was shut out of the budget process completely and that it was the work of Cox and Kennedy!

Why didn’t he go screaming to the CC???? He’s gotta go now! Pay him what is owed and let the door hit him on the *&( on the way out!!!
K-R-S Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 11:39 pm
B*ll! “Clearly” he has had the opportunity to do his job all along with a direct line to the CC, since THEY EMPLOY him. Piss poor showing for the Auditor and for the CC, since they have NEGLECTED to take any action on this issue. VERY disappointing.
Mimi Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 1:33 pm
The Lowell Sun is reporting on its on line edition that the Auditor has given his resignation.

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November 1, 2006

City Council Meeting 10/31

8 Responses to “City Council Meeting 10/31”

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