Left In Lowell

Another eventful year in the life of Lowell city politics; as we look back on 2006, I think these are the ten top events.

10. Lowell Telecommunication Corporation, LTC (Lowell’s public and access station) begins on 3/28/06 to provide streaming to our personal computer’s of all City Council Meetings; allowing the public to catch City Council meetings from the comfort of their computers as well as having quick and easy access to the archives. Also, selected sub-committee meetings take place in City Council chambers and are now televised live.

9. Zoning laws continued to be tweaked; unfortunately too late for the Burbeck project (which is yet to be built); the LeMay sign ordinance, giving neighbors advance notice and detail of scope of project, passes.

8. Early in the year, City Council decides on 9-0 vote to borrow $1,750,000 for the construction of new parking facility in the Hamilton Canal District. In April on a 6-3 vote, they decide to allocate an additional $4.75 M to the project. They cannot decide how to pay for it; responsibility falls on taxpayers.

7. First City Council Meeting January 3, 2006; newly elected City Councilor George Ramirez joins 8 incumbents; he replaces (in more ways than one) fomer City Councilor Dick Howe, Sr., who chose not to run after serving on that body for 40 years. Bill Martin begins his tenure as Mayor.

6. Planning Board meetings begin on 4/20/06 to be televised live on LTC; Zoning Board meeting follow a few days later. CC Ramirez’s pushes motions through at first meeting of new City Council on 1/3/06 asking the Administration to make this happen. Most city residents get first look at regulatory meetings.

5. City Councilor Kevin Broderick, Chairman of the Auditor Oversight Sub-Committee requests on January 10, 2006, the first of many, many, many informational reports from the Auditor. The City Council’s frustrations come to a head; and Wally’s World sees the handwriting on the wall. Announces his decision not to seek reappointment in 2007 and then resigns.

4. In early February, City Councilor Eileen Donoghue gives report on Stokolosa School sub-committee; requests law department to provide information on the $290,000 payment to Jackson Construction. Nothing is provided for months; new Administration comes in and decides to hire outside legal team. Report to be finally provided.in 2007.

3. At the 2nd meeting of the new year, January 10, 2006, CC Rodney Elliott, Chairman of Finance Sub-Committee calls for meeting to discuss Fiscal 2007 Budget Process and free cash. CC passes fy 2007 budget in July based on free cash information provided by Administration and Auditor. In November, new CFO tells them that information was inaccurate. Taxes go up.

2. Bernie Lynch era begins on August 1, 2006; first priority address the “structural deficit;” board and commission appointments get new faces and lose city-subsidized health insurance.

1. Friday, April 7, 2006, Mayor Bill Martin and Vice-Mayor Jim Millinazo visit the City Manager for an unannounced meeting.