Category Archives: Community Issues; Lowell Connector

post-storm operations

Following this weekend’s freak mid-fall snowstorm, City officials have put in place sheltering and debris removal plans.

Public Works crews along with contractors have been removing tree limbs that have fallen in the public way that are not near downed power lines.

“We urge residents to use caution until all wires have been repaired and debris removed,” said City Manager Bernie Lynch. “Our first priority is to make our roads and sidewalks safe and to provide shelter for our residents who have lost power. As we move forward we are also making arrangements to help residents dispose of fallen tree limbs.”

The following debris drop off locations will be opened to assist residents in disposing of fallen branches on Saturday, November 5 and Saturday, November 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Hovey Field, 31 Hovey Ave. off of Hildreth St. near the Dracut line (Centralville)
Leblanc Park/McNamara Park, 475 West Meadow Rd. (Pawtucketville)
Cawley Stadium, 512 Douglas Rd. (Belvidere)
DPW Yard, 1365 Middlesex St. (Highlands)
In addition, the Public Works yard will be open for storm related tree disposal Wednesday, November 2 to Friday, November 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Material will be accepted from Lowell residents only. Residents must present a Lowell tax bill or valid driver’s license issued in Lowell to confirm residency.

Material that is acceptable as yard waste (Branches must be less than 3′ in length and less than 3″ in diameter at the widest end.) can be put out for yard waste pickup on regularly scheduled days.

City officials have met with National Grid representatives and continue to press for expediting repairs.

“As of this afternoon we are told that Varnum Avenue areas have come back online,” said Lynch. “We are in constant contact with National Grid officials and will press for full restoration of power to all neighborhoods and all Lowell residents as soon as possible.”

The Lowell Senior Center will remain open as an emergency shelter for residents still without power. Call (978) 970-4131 to confirm that the Center is still open.

Drivers are urged to use caution when driving through areas without power at night and to approach each signaled intersection without operating traffic lights as a 4-way stop.

Residents are also reminded that Trick or Treating has been postponed to next Sunday, November 6 from 6-8 p.m.

POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF LIVING WATERS TO
SAINT ANNE’S

When: Thursday, October 20, 2011 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Where: DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE ARTHUR HAMMAR CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, 50 ARCAND DRIVE, JFK CIVIC CENTER.

I posted this on Rob’s facebook…but will share my thoughts about the License Commission meeting today.

Since I was at the meeting too I have to say a few things. 1. Respectfully to Mr. Bayliss; this is NOT about him or the License Commission. This is about everyone involved getting together and trying to determine what the future of the neighborhood is going to be; stop pointing fingers and come up with some solid ideas. In my opinion Chief Lavallee has identified a problem and he is reaching out to everyone involved looking for solutions 2. I’m sure the stats are up because more incidents are being reported. That does not mean there were less incidents. I could be wrong but I suspect this can be attributed to the current sector captain who was formerly in a neighborhood were REALLY bad things happen and the guy is probably wondering why on earth this nonsense is tolerated. 3. In my opinion the reason we can not attract better businesses downtown is because any serious business owner doing their due diligence is going to hang around the neighborhood at all hours for at least a few weeks…and probably thinking this is not the place for me. 4. People from Belvidere should not have to look at there watch and think “It’s almost 10; I better get out of Dodge”…reference point 3. 5. Possibly above all else and something newer people to the area do not understand; historically people did not LIVE downtown; they worked here. When industry started to leave and the city found itself with a ghost-town (I remember the 80’s) someone came up with the wacky idea of filling the place up with subsidized housing. That was good but still more space…let’s fill the rest of the place up with more people (really crazy idea). However no one ever sat down and thought about the logistics of how you mix all those pieces together. I think LDNA and the LPD and most of the bar owners have done an excellent job of getting together and finding a way to make it all work. The city council and the License Commission should get on board and throw out anyone who doesn’t have a long-term goal of being a responsible part of the community. 6. As someone who does not discriminate; I make an effort to try out everything downtown; I love my island! (yes we are surrounded by water on all sides-maybe we should just pull up the draw-bridge at 1AM…alternatively we might consider shutting off the alcohol at 1AM and staying open all night for breakfast) It’s a great place to live; it is and should be a great place for anyone to come out and have some fun and not have to deal with the both the petty nonsense and certainly not have to leave before 10 to avoid an unruly bunch of drunks or precariously step over the vomit going out the door in the morning…or worse. 7. Last but not least, the LPD should not have to “baby-sit” drunks when there is an entire city who needs them; my tax dollars could be much better spent. KMM

p.s. Commissioner Weicker did not make a new friend today when he made reference to my being “old”.

ONE MORE THING…

From MassDOT:

Please be advised SPS New England Inc., the main contractor on the Lowell Connector bridge over Plain St. has announced that on Monday, June 20, 2011 starting at 7:00 PM the in-bound lane on the Lowell Connector will be fully closed at Plain Street between exit 4 and exit 5 to allow the relocation of the temporary barrier from the current stage one configuration to stage two traffic management plan. On Tuesday June 21, 2011 also beginning at 7:00 PM the out-bound lane will be closed.

All the traffic will be detoured onto the off and on ramps on both Lowell Connector Northbound and Southbound. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes or if travel is necessary on this route to use caution in the approach of the detour area. If you should have any questions or require any further information contact:

1: Chris Leahy, MassDOT Area Engineer – 781-641-8307
2: Anthony Neve – MassDOT Resident Engineer – 781-853-8739