Left In Lowell

It has been months since I have complained about the City’s web site; I know that the new administration will eventually get around to making some necessary changes, but until then….

Last time I complained to a City official, I was reminded that City Manager Bernie Lynch has many other more serious issues (like the deficit) to tackle besides the web page. Fair enough! But it is encouraging that during a City Council meeting he made references to Cambridge’s web site, the best in the State in my opinion. So I am hoping that eventually Lowell government will have a web site that is comparable to theirs. The problem is not with the IT staff but with the various Department heads who provide the information or in our case, do not provide the information.

Yesterday my frustration with the web site was triggered again when I received the RSS news feed announcing “Notice of RFP Availability and Public Hearing.” So, I clicked on the feed and the press release popped up announcing that RFP for Federal Entitlement Funds (CDBG, HOME, and ESG). The link in the press release sends you to the City web site’s home page. This is not helpful to anyone who is not familiar with the City or its web site. The link should really be to the Department of Planning and Development page.

In Lowell, it is the DPD that administers is HUD’s Community Planning and Development programs. In other words, they distribute millions of Federal dollars, with matching State and Local funds, (over $27M last year) to local entities, including the City of Lowell, to fund “activities which benefit low-income and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods.” In other words, most of us who live in Lowell.

If you are not familiar with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), and you want to find out what this is all about, the web site pages may be a bit difficult to maneuver. The information is there; you just need to look for it.

The DPD automatically sends out to all previous recipients notices that it is time to apply again. It appears that last year every non-profit, charity, social and cultural organizations in this City received something. The list is endless. As for new applicants who may be interested, I strongly urge you to call DPD at 978-970-4252 to get more information.

More on the selection process at a later date!