AGENDA – MARCH 24, 2025
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Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association
Minutes of the Meeting February 24, 2025
President Laura Lamarre Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at LTC.
The minutes of January 27, 2024 were moved and approved unanimously.
Treasurer Stephen Greene reported our bank balance at $2,282.29 which reflects a deposit of $130.00 and no debits. Greene will take the minutes for this meeting.
LPD Captain Daniel Desmarais provided the Police Report for January. First, he introduced newly promoted Sergeant Brian McMannus who is on the early patrol. The Captain began by reporting on the recent Snow Parking Ban during which about 179 cars were towed and about 200 tickets were issued. He said that this was in addition to the regular work that the police perform. If you are not on the city notification for Snow Parking Bans, you can get on the Code Red system which is available through the City Website. Overall, crimes were down from December’s 23 to 19 in January. There were 3 aggravated assaults, 3 burglaries and 6 car breaks, where about 85% of the car breaks were unlocked vehicles. The Capt. reminded us to lock our vehicles and not leave any visible valuables. The perpetrator walks down the street flicking door handles. An open car only takes a minute to rummage through. Break ins in the garages are down. If you see someone who looks suspicious in the garage, let the attendant know or call it in. There were 3 shopliftings with one charge. The Dollar General store has seen its share of shoplifting. There were 4 vandalisms with one of them by an ex-girlfriend. The Central Street fire had one seriously injured person and significant damage. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Homeless people were not involved. The police do check that building entrances are secure but also need help from the public.
Q&A On resident had observed that the full set of wheels had been stolen from a car next to hers in a city garage. This was done by a criminal gang which the police are aware of. They can steal 4 wheels in less time than you could change a flat. High school kids leaving school in the afternoon have had some close calls crossing the intersection with the new stop signs at French and John streets. The police do outreach to the immigrant community. They recently had a well attended session at the Baptist church which was facilitated by translators. The police emphasize that immigrants should not be afraid of the Police. When asked about their role with ICE, the police cooperate as they would with other agencies such as the FBI or ATF when crime is involved, but ICE’s role is dealing with immigration, not the local police. There were no issues with Winterfest.
Katherine Moses, the Sustainability Director for the City of Lowell, provided new information about the city’s Community Choice Aggregation program including selecting a new electricity supplier. A card was sent out with the 3 choices: standard and Green 5 which are both less that N Grid’s rate; and Green 100 which is a little higher than N Grid. If you have been on the city’s Aggregation Program you were automatically switched to the new aggregate power supplier at the standard rate. You can change your rate. If you have a new electric service account, you are likely on the N Grid rate. Check the upper back portion of your electric bill – Supply Services. If you are in the city program the supplier will be First Point Power.
Katharine introduced Victor Vargas, Energy Advocate who can provide energy efficiency and rate information for both residential and small businesses. Victor can be reached at 978-674-1408 or vvargas@lowellma.gov .
During general discussions, Lowell joining the UN Frontrunner Program was mentioned. Joining was initiated by the City Manager. Lowell is the first city in the US to be in this international program. Toronto is also in the program. Details are few at present but are in process. Katherine will be in charge of Lowell’s program and she will report to us in the future
Councilor Jenness was not available for Council updates.
After a few general comments, the meeting was adjourned about 7:50 PM
Next meeting is Monday, March 24th, 7 PM at LTC.
Stephen Greene, secretary pro tem
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Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association
Minutes of the Meeting 10/28/2024
Treasurer Stephen Greene convened the meeting at 7:02 PM.
A motion from Steve Cerand to approve the minutes of the September 23 meeting was seconded and passed unanimously.
Treasurer Greene reported our bank balance unchanged at $2,342.29
LPD Captain Daniel Desmarais reported about an incident from earlier in the day at Market and Central Streets where LPD received a call of a suspicious package left on the ground. Out of an abundance of caution, the department called for assistance from the state police who determined nothing nefarious in the package. LPD then reopened the streets and sidewalks.
Crime stats for the district remained low overall. There were some sporadic fights involving a small group of high school students. The majority of the 11 car breaks were facilitated by owners failing to lock their vehicles. Complaints were issued on 4 suspects accused of assault; another arrest was made for a non life threatening stabbing whose victim left a trail of blood from South Street to Shattuck Street.
A question about “porch pirates” came up, and the Captain indicated that the department is actively monitoring these activities; he reminded residents the best deterrent is always to have secure arrangements in place for their deliveries.
Canal liaison Steve Cerand provided another update on the status of the long moribund Eastern Canal. He reported that a series of repairs are planned this month which will be followed by testing to determine if the years-long wait for a fix has been achieved.
Councilor Wayne Jenness, with Councilor Vesna Nuon, invited members to attend the council’s economic development subcommittee meeting on November 12 at 5:30 PM where a review of the current parking ordinance will be discussed. Among the topics are proposals to expand the parking zones and also to increase meter parking from 2 to 4 hours.
City Engineer Ting Chang presented an overview of an ambitious plan in 2 phases to reconfigure and calm traffic on the mile long stretch of French St/Father Morissette Bvd from Bridge St to Aiken St. The street width would be reduced in places from 68’ to 36’ with bike lanes, drop off lanes and a raised crosswalk at Lucy Larcom Park. The intersection at Arcand Drive (site of LHS) would become a roundabout.
Peter Aucella, representing the Lowell Summer Music Series,
posed a few questions and urged the city project management team to work with his organization to minimize disruption to the iconic summer program. Another member urged city capitalize on opportunities to connect this new project with existing access points to The Riverwalk.
Jack Moynihan was elected to represent LDNA on the Lowell Waterways Initiative committee on a motion from Wayne Jenness.
Following a few questions and announcements, Treasurer Greene called for a motion to adjourn which quickly passed on a motion by Bob Casey at 8:08pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Casey,
Secretary
AGENDA – November 25, 7pm at LTC
Upcoming Events:
City of Lights festival – Saturday, November 30, including the DIY Yuletide Market in JFK Plaza – will result in some street closures
See the LikeLowell or the Mosaic Lowell calendars for all events
NEXT MEETING is Monday, January 27 2025, 7pm at LTC
There will be NO MEETING in December – Happy Holidays
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President Laura Lamarre Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
The minutes of the March 25 meeting were approved with a correction changing Honda to Hyundai (on a motion and second from Wayne Jenness and Stephen Greene).
Treasurer Greene reported our bank balance unchanged from March, at $2,312.29.
LPD Lt . Dawn Beauchense reported crime activity at the typical low levels downtown. Most of the cases were cleared with suspects and arrests taken. Some of the illicit deeds involved 3 aggravated assaults and and burglaries along with 5 charges of disorderly conduct. There were 2 Tic Tok inspired car breaks, and the lieutenant again advised Kia and Hyundai owners to install steering wheel locks for added deterrence. The 6 vandalism cases varied from barbecue sauce smeared on a door to rocks hurled through windows.
A few comments followed, including a note of gratitude for LPD’s response to addressing piles of trash behind the Saab Building and continued monitoring of conditions at 103 Central Street.
Re: a question about LPD staffing levels, Lt Beauchense indicated a new class with 16 recruits is slated and that the Citizens Academy has started with a new group.
Francesca Cigliana from the city’s Planning Dept gave an overview of Lowell Forward, the city’s updated 10 year planning document. Her power point presentation covered the history of the project and a summary of the key tenets that will guide the next decade of planning and development in Lowell. With respect to growing our downtown neighborhood: mixed use development, mid rise buildings, and improved pedestrian and transit infrastructures are priorities.
Upon approval of the Planning Board and City Council, Lowell Forward will be implemented.
District Councilor Wayne Jenness spoke next with a brief history of Hamilton Canal Innovation District plans and an update of the currently stalled downtown project. The city sold 5 parcels to developer Sal Lupoli in 2020 with the understanding certain parcels would be developed in compliance with a form based plan. To date, only a 6 story garage has been built, leaving 4 lots untouched. The councilor explained that Lupoli is asking for substantial changes to the plans which have left the City Council contemplating whether to agree to the requests or consider terminating the agreement. Wayne asked for input, and the consensus of the meeting was that the city should not yield in its commitment to the original HCID master plan.
Member Steve Cerand, who is active with the Canal Cleaners and acts as liaison to the owners of the canal system spoke next. He mentioned that the Pawtucket Canal ( which runs behind Jackson and Prescott Streets) has been empty for most of the past year for maintenance and unexpected repairs. His latest info is that repairs should be completed by May 17 with the canal to be filled shortly after.
Prior to adjournment, former President Jack Moynihan noted 2 important events for downtown: The Town and City Festival (April 26-7); and The Points of Lights celebration at Ecumenical Plaza on May 11. Member Ken Michienzi invited members to check out ProjectMerrimack.org to learn more about water quality, sewer overflow and untreated waste water levels of our mighty river.
Laura stated there would be no May meeting (due to Memorial Day) and adjourned the meeting at 8:20 on a motion and second from Bob Casey and Steve Cerand.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Casey,
Recording Secretary
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Meeting to be held at LTC on Market Street, June 24, 2024, 7pm – all are welcome
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