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Lowell Publick

An independent guide to city government in Lowell, Massachusetts

Decisions

What the City Council, boards, and committees decided, from their minutes, newest meeting first.

Minutes come out after a board approves them, usually a few weeks after the meeting. Committee recommendations are listed separately. They become final only when the City Council votes.

Decisions are pulled from each meeting's minutes by AI. Check the minutes before relying on one. About AI summaries

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October 2026

September 2026

Earlier months

August 2026 16 meetings
July 2026 12 meetings

  • Cultural Council

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    • The council decided not to automatically give extra weight in scoring to the top category from the Folk Festival bead-survey; instead each member will weigh that data individually.

  • City Council

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    14 more decisions
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response providing an update on E Street.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response on Injury Coverage Policies.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response on Lowell being named 2026 Best Place to Live in MA.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response on the Invitation to Olympians.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response on Kerouac Park Restoration.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Motion Response on Fire Dept OT Spending.
    • Accepted and placed on file the Quarter Two Motion Update informational report.
    • Adopted the vote to accept the deed for 161 Totman Street, with 1 absent.
    • Adopted the vote authorizing the City Manager to enter a license agreement with The Chiropractic Healing Center, P.C..
    • Adopted the vote to authorize payment of bills incurred in excess of appropriations.
    • Adopted the vote to designate the LHS Wrestling Room as a polling location, with 1 absent.
    • Denied a motion to transfer $249,708 as a supplemental appropriation for the HHS Lease, despite 7 yeas to 4 nays.
    • Adopted the resolution recognizing Lowell's Bicentennial Celebration.
    • Accepted and adopted the Wire Inspector orders for National Grid pole work at multiple streets.
    26 procedural steps: minutes, continuances, referrals
    • Withdrew the zoning ordinance on curb cuts and referred it to the Planning Board, with a public hearing set for September 22, 2026.
    • Referred National Grid's request to install a utility pole at Westford Street and 15 Technology Drive to the Wire Inspector.
    • Referred National Grid's request to install utility poles at 1270 and 1299 Westford Street to the Wire Inspector.
    • Referred a request to evaluate and repair the dangerous condition on Gage Street and the overgrown UML parcel abutting it to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request for an update on zoning laws for data centers to the City Manager.
    • C. Rourke withdrew a motion to pilot holding council meetings every two weeks with subcommittees on alternating Tuesdays.
    • Referred a request for an update on swapping volleyball surface material at Gage and a seasonal restroom facility to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request for funding options to update the McPherson swimming pool facility to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request to establish standard operating procedures for maintaining, testing, opening, closing, and winterizing aquatic recreational facilities to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request to assess tenant displacement and a local Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request to create interpretive materials for immigrant and cultural monuments around City Hall Plaza to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request for an update on repaving and traffic calming on Andover Street and the western half of Douglas Road to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request for an update on pickleball court plans, including at Shedd Park, to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request to increase police traffic enforcement on Stevens Street to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request to evaluate a residential front-yard de-paving and re-greening pilot program with a homeowner rebate to the City Manager.
    • Referred a request for a schedule of crosswalk painting around schools and main roads to the City Manager.
    • Referred the ordinance amending Chapter 266-61 on Space Savers to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.
    • Referred a property damage claim to the Law Department.
    • Referred Nathalie Amador's request for a handicap parking sign at 47 Walnut Street to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred Jacquelin Tanguay's request for a handicap parking sign at 220 River Road to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred Benjamin Opikhara's request for an 'Autistic Child' sign at 45 Willard Street to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred Boston Gas's request to replace 180 feet of low-pressure gas main on Florence Avenue to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.
    • Referred Boston Gas's request to replace 270 feet of low-pressure gas main on Nottingham Street and Thompson Court to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.
    • Referred Boston Gas's request to replace 590 feet of low-pressure gas main on Marshall and McIntyre Streets to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.
    • Referred National Grid's request to install a JO Pole at 93 Mammoth Road to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.
    • Referred National Grid's request to install a JO Pole at 117-125 Perry Street to a public hearing on August 11, 2026.

  • Board of Assessors

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    1 more decision
    1 procedural step: minutes, continuances, referrals

  • License Commission

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    • Approved the special event permit for Joe Carreiro, El Potro Mexican Grill, for live music on July 25, 2026, from 6:15 to 9:15 PM at 128 Merrimack Street.
    • Approved the special event permit for Sambath Bo, Clemente Park Committee, for a Bicentennial Social Weekend July 31 to August 2 at Clemente Park.
    • Approved the special event permit for Ethan Yang, DIY Lowell, for 'Open Streets Lowell' on October 3, 2026.
    • Approved the special one day alcohol license and outdoor entertainment permit for Jonathan Northridge, Lowell Humane Society, for the Muddy Paws 5K & Block Party on September 26, 2026.
    • Approved the special one day license for Rachel Chandler, Hive Public Market, for 'Sip & Script with Sweet Pig Press' on August 8, 2026.
    12 more decisions
    • Approved three special one day licenses for Jay Ebua for the Aghem Family & Development conference, July 31 to August 2, at the Hellenic American Academy.
    • Approved four special one day wine licenses for Steve Syverson for art show receptions at Arts League of Lowell on August 1, September 12, September 19, and December 12, 2026.
    • Approved 10 special one day alcohol licenses for Corey Belanger, Lowell Festival Foundation, for the 2026 Lowell Folk Festival on July 24, 25, and 26.
    • Approved two special one day licenses for Elizabeth Gonzalez for the Lowell Puerto Rican Festival on August 8 & 9, 2026 at JFK Plaza.
    • Approved three special one day licenses for Kevin Moschen for expanded sidewalk seating at Fuse Bistro, 45 Palmer Street, during the Folk Festival.
    • Approved a sidewalk stand permit for Pina Amato, The Coffee Mill Emporium, at 23 Palmer Street for the Folk Festival.
    • Approved a sidewalk stand permit for Ankit Kumar, Total Wireless, at 104 Merrimack Street for the Folk Festival.
    • Approved a sidewalk stand permit for Jennifer Howell, Sutro Studio, at 51 Market Street for the Folk Festival.
    • Approved a sidewalk stand permit for Shannon Arenburg, Pizzelle Bakery, at 201 Market Street for the Folk Festival.
    • Approved a motion to hold a public hearing on the new Wine and Malt Beverages Restaurant license application for Mestiza Latin Kitchen Corp. at 491 Dutton Street, Unit 4, scheduled for the August 13, 2026 meeting.
    • Approved a motion to hold a public hearing on revising the City of Lowell alcoholic beverages regulations.
    • Approved a motion to place communications regarding incidents and events on file.

  • Conservation Commission

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    5 procedural steps: minutes, continuances, referrals

  • Board of Assessors

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

  • School Committee

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    8 more decisions

  • City Council

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    4 more decisions
    30 procedural steps: minutes, continuances, referrals
    • Referred C. Mercier's request to have the Law Department and License Commission revisit bar license law on minors to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to study a Passive Bicentennial Park at Middlesex and Jackson Streets to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for an update on ICC status to the City Manager.
    • C. Nuon withdrew the motion asking the City Manager to work with DPD to identify land for the Cambodian American Club.
    • Referred the request for a walk audit of Columbus Avenue and Samuel Street to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for a list of City advertisement vendors and spending to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to investigate dirt bike and ATV complaints from Swan Street to Boston Road to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to clear debris at 230 Mount Vernon and 498 Broadway and inspect the site for violations to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for St. Louis Park renovation contracts and an opening update to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to draft reclassification of alcohol-serving establishments and age-requirement rules to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for an update on Gage volleyball surface and a seasonal restroom to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for a report on the delayed opening of McPherson Pool to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request about yard waste disposal and invasive plants to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to install mobile surveillance cameras at the Lundberg Street Bridge to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request on using Community Preservation Act funds for O'Donnell and Oliveira Park improvements to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request for an update on Bourne Street flooding to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request explaining demolition and hydrant permits at 2 Tanner Street under the data center moratorium to the City Manager.
    • Referred and adopted, 10-1, the request to draft regulation prohibiting new diesel generators of 30+ megawatt hours.
    • Referred the request to create separate licensing requirements for bars/taverns/nightclubs and restaurants to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to allow resident parking on Richmond Ave. and Hudson St. around Rotary Park to the City Manager.
    • Referred the request to explore an e-bike share location at the Leo Roy garage to the City Manager.
    • Referred the Fire House Repairs matter to the Public Safety Subcommittee.
    • Referred the Zoning ordinance amendment on Curb Cuts to a public hearing on July 28, 2026.
    • Referred Tracy Smith's request for a handicap parking sign at 24 Pollard Street to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred Jaime-Lyn Norton's request for a handicap parking sign at 32 Griffin Street to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred Monica Swaida's request for a 15-minute parking sign at 219 Central Street to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred James Morgan's request for a no-parking sign on Orford St. and 2nd Ave. to the Transportation Engineer.
    • Referred the request to install an overhanging sign at 45 Palmer St. to the Law Department.
    • Referred National Grid's request to install conduit at 1365 Middlesex Street to a public hearing on July 28, 2026.
    • Approved entering and adjourning from executive session on real property matters by an roll call vote.

  • Zoning Board of Appeals

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    • Approved the variance for James Tessier to convert an existing garage into living space at 16 Gibson Road, 5-0.
    • Approved the variance for Patrick and Renee Welch to construct an addition at 25 Draper Street, 5-0.
    • Approved the variance for Salath Tek to construct a roof over an existing porch at 365 Princeton Boulevard, 5-0.
    • Approved the variance for Johnny Arteaga for a second curb cut and additional paving at 235 Ludlam Street, with a condition to screen the dumpster, 5-0.
    2 procedural steps: minutes, continuances, referrals

  • Historic Board

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    2 procedural steps: minutes, continuances, referrals

  • License Commission

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    • Approved Linda Chan Flynn's Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment for the Lowell Community Health Center BBQ on August 5, 2026, at 161 Jackson Street.
    • Approved Rothanak Sarath's Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment for a Cornhole Tournament on July 19, 2026 at Clemente Park.
    • Approved Laura Lamarre Anderson's seasonal Sidewalk Stand Permit for Lala Books at 189 Market Street through October 2026.
    • Approved Rachel Chandler's Sidewalk Stand Permit for Hive Public Market at 101 Paige Street and 45 Merrimack Street entrances for the 2026 Folk Festival and through October.
    • Approved Mark Coddaire's Sidewalk Stand Permit for Marx Running & Fitness Center at 118 Merrimack Street for the 2026 Folk Festival and through October.
    13 more decisions
    • Approved Vidong Pich's Sidewalk Stand Permit for Fork!n Mill City at 108 Merrimack Street for the 2026 Folk Festival and through October.
    • Approved Laura Fox Franke's Sidewalk Stand Permit for One Urban Tribe at 167 Market Street for the 2026 Folk Festival and through October.
    • Approved Claire Folsom's Common Victualler license for Mill Girls LLC d/b/a Café Eclipse at 12 Cardinal O'Connell Parkway.
    • Approved Claire Folsom's Sidewalk Stand Permit for Café Eclipse at 12 Cardinal O'Connell Parkway for the 2026 Folk Festival and through October.
    • Approved Mill Girls LLC d/b/a Over the Spoon's Secondhand Goods license for 101 Paige Street Unit 3, in Hive Public Market.
    • Approved Barbara Rodriguez's Sidewalk Stand Permit at 262 Merrimack Street for the 2026 Folk Festival.
    • Approved Ken Michienzi's Sidewalk Stand Permit for The Merrimack Textile Company at 53 Market Street for the 2026 Folk Festival.
    • Approved Nicole Comtois & Anthony Contarino's 3 Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines for expanded sidewalk seating at TreMonte Pizzeria, 44 Palmer Street, on July 24, 25, and 26, 2026.
    • Approved Amanda Etinge's six Special One-Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street.
    • Approved Robin Dupell's 3 Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment for Live Music at Cobblestones, 91 Dutton Street, during the 2026 Lowell Folk Festival.
    • Approved Penny Hamourgas's 2 Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines and 3 Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment permits at Worthen House, 141 and 152 Worthen Street, for July 24, 25, 26, 2026.
    • Approved The Mill Sports Lounge LLC's new All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for 110 Gorham Street.
    • Placed communications regarding incidents and events on file.

  • Board of Assessors

    · Minutes · Checked against the city's PDF

    1 procedural step: minutes, continuances, referrals

From minutes posted in the city's Agenda Center, for meetings since Thursday, January 1, 2026.