It has been confirmed that the $15 million dollars “announced” by Manager Murphy yesterday on WCAP’s Merrimack radio in the Morning show (available for replay here) is in fact the same $15M that Sen. Donoghue secured back in January for the Lord Overpass project. This includes the extension of Jackson Street to meet a new intersection with Dutton, Thorndike and Fletcher Streets at the gateway to downtown and provide access to the proposed Lowell Trial Court site.

The formal groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Monday October 14th with Governor Patrick in attendance. (Wonder if Councilor Belanger will also be on hand?)

I for one think it is good news for the City that the WINN Company is bringing 70 “new” jobs to the City of Lowell and that they will be in the downtown area. The Winn company has done an outstanding job renovating these buildings and having new business in Lowell is a good thing.

WinnCompanies taking 70 jobs to rehabbed Boott Mills West in Lowell

Just keep in mind that 3 other companies have already announced moves that will take 239 jobs OUT of Lowell. So while the City Administration and Mayor proudly strut around praising this development, keep in mind others are packing up as Winn is settling in.

Again the focus seems to be just on the Downtown and not the Varnum Ave / Pawtucket Blvd. or Chelmsford St areas or other business districts. Just look here in the downtown and forget those jobs on the outskirts that are leaving or have left during this Councils time in office, we as a City don’t seem to care. Those people didn’t drive into the downtown Lowell or have lunch here in the downtown so who cares if they leave.

Sure they may go to businesses on Middlesex St. or to Plain / Chelmsford St. areas but they are not in the Downtown Business District that this Council / Administration is focused on.

This Administration / Council is so focused on this one area of the city and getting no negative press from the newspaper or radio that people may not realize that these 70 “new” jobs still leaves Lowell at a -169 due to these three companies exiting:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. Auto safety R&D and manufacturing Lowell 8/1/14 – 12/9/14 93 Jobs to be eliminated Pawtucket Blvd

Genesis HealthCare – Glenwood Center facility Health care Lowell 2/20/14 – 3/20/14 86 Jobs eliminated, business boarded up on Varnum Ave.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Financial Services Lowell
3/31/14 – 12/31/14 60 Jobs being eliminated at the former Wang Towers

So while congratulations are in order, don’t let the smoke screen of new business take your mind off the fact that 169 other jobs have been lost this year in the city. That doesn’t count any cuts Lowell General will still have to make or cuts the SUN has quietly made themselves.

According to two published stories, Holoyoke City Treasurer Jon Lumbra will become the new Lowell City Treasurer effective Monday Oct. 6th.

It appears from reports he will for a period of time be doing both jobs before taking over full time in Lowell.

Holoyoke City Treasurer Jon Lumbra is set to become the Lowell City Treasurer and will begin the position on Monday October 6th 2014.

I’m sure you heard the Manager announce this on WCAP or read his press release in the Sun. What’s that you say, you must have missed that? No you didn’t, as usual you wouldn’t know that from the Murphy Administration. They don’t seem to believe the public has the right to know unless the Manager feels like telling us about how wonderful his appointed friend or friend of a State Rep. or City Councilor is that he has hired.

According to a publish report: HOLYOKE — City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra confirmed Friday (Oct. 3) he is leaving to take a similar job with the city of Lowell but plans to stay on here and do both jobs for an undetermined period to finish projects.

“After much thought and consideration, my family and I have decided to accept the job offer made by the city of Lowell to become their next city treasurer/collector. This decision was not one easily made, but it is in the best interest of my family, something everyone should appreciate and understand,” Lumbra said.

Anyone else surprised that the newspaper wasn’t able to get information about the interview process or starting Salary? Manager Murphy has shown an arrogance and refuses to state those to the public when he hires someone. That newspaper from Holyoke found that out as I and others have.

Our own local paper Sun doesn’t care anymore about what goes on at City Hall since the former Manager left. One guy is trying to sell, another is wine fixated and the former blogger is busy drawing maps to show the new reporters how to find Dracut and Chelmsford when he’s not sounding like crazy Eddie on his Tout video’s.

GREAT TRANSPARENCY AS USUAL FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION!!!

If you recall the Mayor back when he was attacked dog Elliot beat up the City Manager for having the nerve to teach at ULowell. Think he or any Councilor will care that this guy has another Municipal position, plus his own business? McGovern following the standing orders by Manager Murphy to Say Nothing to the press or public followed orders. According to the newspaper story:

McGovern referred questions about Lowell officials’ thoughts on Lumbra continuing to work as Holyoke treasurer in a transition, how many candidates were considered for the job that Lumbra won and what his yearly salary will be to City Manager Kevin J. Murphy, whom he said will be available Monday.

I found that the Holyoke treasurer’s yearly salary is $70,016. The Lowell Treasurer’s position was posted for between $87,310.08 -$102,552.84 per City Ordinance.

Mr. Lumbra will be a busy man, in addition too the two treasurer positions according to his LinkedIN Profile he is also owner of Lumbra & Lumbra (February 2013 – Present (1 year 9 months)Holyoke, Massachuetts We offer Bookkeeping Services for Small Business.

Remember the fake OUTRAGE by people like Anthes and Elliot aimed at Bernie Lynch for NOT hiring Lowellians? Kevin Coughlin isn’t from Lowell (crickets from those clowns) and neither is Mr. Lumbra who according to his Facebook page post doesn’t plan to move here either. That’s an hour and a half commute daily (barring construction and traffic accidents) each way.

“In closing I love my hometown and have no plans on moving away anytime soon. Once my service as the elected Treasurer is over, I will seek other ways to continue serving Holyoke.

However, it appears he is well qualified and well-respected. The MA’s Inspector General’s Office wrote a letter to the Mayor of Holyoke in 2011, 1 year after Mr. Lumbra was first elected and praised him for what he was able to accomplish in his first year. Part of which states:

The problems within the Treasurer’s Office began to be addressed in 2010,shortly after the election of Jon Lumbra as the new City Treasurer. Based on numerous conversations with Treasurer Lumbra, the OIG believes that he has made a concerted effort to “reform” the Treasurer’s Office and to address the problems long-ignored or caused by his predecessor. OIG staff met this spring with both you and Treasurer Lumbra to obtain the status of this reform effort after Treasurer Lumbra’s first year in office. OIG staff reported to you in that meeting that Treasurer Lumbra had made significant progress in implementing the recommendations made by MH&Co, DOR, and
the OIG and that the meeting reflected a strong spirit of cooperation between the offices
of the Mayor and Treasurer.
This letter outlines the status of Treasurer Lumbra’s efforts to address the issues previously identified by MH&Co, DOR and the OIG. The OIG believes that Treasurer Lumbra, with limited resources, has diligently worked towards correcting a number of problems that could have impacted the financial health of the City and that made the
Treasurer’s Office highly vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse. Treasurer Lumbra inherited a “set of books” indicative of sloppy and haphazard accounting that rendered the City’s financial records unauditable for long periods of time. These books were in such a deplorable condition that they failed to provide adequate assurance that perhaps millions of dollars had not been misapplied, miscounted, or misappropriated. This letter
acts to memorialize the progress made by Treasurer Lumbra in a number of areas and calls the City’s attention to those issues that he is already aware of but may not have been able to address because of resource problems and other constraints.

Wonder why this is on the Council Agenda this week??

C. Milinazzo – Req. City Mgr. report on the amount of state funding received by the City of Lowell during the Patrick Administration, especially those funds that relate directly to economic development initiatives.

Probably just a gentle slap at Councilor Corey Belanger, who as the Sun said in today’s paper “Belanger shoots first, then apologizes” something the inexperienced and ill prepared Councilor has done often in his term.

I also wonder if Councilor Leahy hears some better stories than I’ve heard? Maybe a few I haven’t? This is interesting:

C. Leahy – Req. City Mgr. have Inspectional Services Dept. report on how many properties have been closed in the last six months due to illegal activities.

In the City Council Packet there is some good news regarding the Electric Rates. Thanks to the Lynch Administration putting this out for bid and the continued work by the Dept. of Planning and Dev. in the green energy program, City residents will be saving while National Grid is increasing their cost.

With all the talk about the downtown and supposed lack of business and the concerns about parking being a negative along with the concern of parking spots being eliminated due to 2 way traffic and with this item listed on the Council Agenda C. Rourke/C. Belanger – Req. City Mgr. report to Council regarding parking in the City.

It is interesting to note how much revenue’s are up in the Central downtown area. Guess Jeff Speck may be correct when he says people will pay for premium parking.

Moving Right Along..

While driving through the Downtown I noticed the former bookstore was still empty and started wondering what the status of the Lowell School Depts. move was. Remember according to some Councilors, moving the School Admin. dept was going to help save the downtown.

Hopefully I’m not spoiling the opportunity for the City Manager to go on WCAP and “announce” in January that the Parent Information Center and Special Ed Office will be moving into the downtown. (I think we heard that earlier but he seems to like repeating previous announcements).

Here’s the Update from the School Dept. on what has moved and what will be moving, courtesy of Deputy Supt. Lang:

Hi Gerry,
In early August the first phase of the move occurred for offices located on the 2nd floor of the Rogers to free-up classroom space for the incoming 2nd graders. The Business, Personnel, Technology and Student Support Services Offices have relocated to the 4th floor of the Bon Marche Building. The Superintendent’s Office joined us on the 4th floor in mid-September.

The second phase of the move will occur at the end of October when the Curriculum Office will move to the 2nd floor of 144 Merrimack Street (above Giovanni’s). This space is being built-out at the present time. The third and final phase of the move will occur sometime after the New Year when the Special Education and Early Childhood Offices will relocate to the 5th floor of the Bon March Building and the Parent Resource Center will relocate to the 1st floor (former Barnes & Noble Bookstore space).

We could not immediately occupy the 5th floor because the International Institute has to relocate and we cannot move the Family ResourceCenter to the bookstore space (even thought it’s available) without moving the Special Education Offices to the same building. Our lease calls for the 5th floor and bookstore spaces to be available for occupancy by February 1, 2015.

Hope this information is helpful. I’m sure we will have an “open house” at some point this winter once we have all relocated downtown.

Thanks,
Jay

Imagine how many upset parents the workers at the Parent Information Center will have to face when mothers and dads have to park at the John St. garage or Market St. garage and push strollers or carry their kids through the snow and rain. Why didn’t the City lease a spot on Canal St. where there was parking available? To me it again shows the focus on the needs of the businesses (and financial backers of those seeking office) over the general public.

DOWNTOWN should become the Official theme Song of this City Council and Administration.

Speaking of the Lowell School System, people will be in for a surprise if they do a Yahoo or Google search for the Lowell mass school dept because this listing appears:

Lowell School Department
https://plus.google.com/108952736144591945843/about?gl=us&hl=en
Google+ page · Be the first to review
61 Mansion Dr, Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 458-7821

When I call the number, I got an announcement about calling in an absence.

Deputy Supt. Lang explains that they have tried to correct that: We have tried to have that changed several times. The individual who does the day-to-day substitute teacher calling has a phone line in their house at that address and that number was added last and appears first when doing a google search. We’ll try again.
Jay

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2014
CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER TIME 6:29 PM
MAYOR’S BUSINESS
1. MAYOR’S BUSINESS
2. Special Meeting 10/7/14
Lowell City Council together with Lowell School Committee for the purpose of interviewing and the selection of a candidate to a position on the Greater Lowell Technical High School, School Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
3. Time for meeting to stand adjourned.

What (if anything) will be covered under Mayor’s Business?? If the purpose of the meeting is the “Special Meeting listed as Item 2, why is there an item 1? MAYOR’S BUSINESS could mean anything, how about some TRANSPARENCY? This shows how alike the Mayor and Manager are. They don’t need to be transparent.

According to the Mass Open Meeting Law: The list of topics must be sufficiently specific to reasonably inform the public of the issues to be discussed at the meeting.

I’m hoping the Mayor will not pull this unsigned letter that has circulated about Lee Gitschier out of his pocket and attack Lee Gitschier’s character. The gutless pukes who sent out the Gitschier letter didn’t even have enough of a backbone to sign any name and used a lame ass excuse to try to justify being COWARDS! This supposed co-worker should be ashamed and if they are a parent as they claim, nice message to send to their kids. Attack someone from behind, no need to be man or women enough to stand behind your words and hope people believe you even if your a coward and afraid to stand up for what you supposedly believe in.

Here’s hoping MAYOR’s Business is just another citation to a new Nail Salon!

According to a new Sun Story:Lumbra wouldn’t be taking the Lowell job at all.

LOWELL — The city’s new treasurer was supposed to start his first day on the job Monday, but alerted the city by email late Sunday night that he wouldn’t be taking the job after all.

Jon Lumbra, the treasurer in Holyoke, “was clearly the top choice for the job,” Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy said Monday morning. But Lumbra told The Republican, the Springfield newspaper, that he planned to work both jobs for some amount of time to finish his work in Holyoke.

Lowell officials were surprised to hear of that plan but were open to letting Lumbra finish his Holyoke duties on nights and weekends during a transition period, Murphy said.

They were more surprised to find out Lumbra wouldn’t be taking the Lowell job at all. Murphy didn’t find out the new hire changed his mind until after getting into City Hall Monday morning.

“It was a little disheartening he behaved this way,” Murphy said of Lumbra’s decision, delivered by email.

Manager Murphy while on City Life this morning, indicated Lumbra would be focusing on the Lowell job and in fact at some point would move to Lowell.

That was after Lumbra posted on his Facebook page: “In closing I love my hometown and have no plans on moving away anytime soon. Once my service as the elected Treasurer is over, I will seek other ways to continue serving Holyoke.

I hadn’t even once mentioned this knowing how strongly the Mayor and Councilor Belanger feel about defending woman, I didn’t want to cloud the issue of him holding two full time jobs.

The city in February had to pay former city employee Donna J. Dowdall $60,000 to settle a lawsuit. That came after Dowdall said she was discriminated against and wrongfully terminated by Mayor Alex B. Morse in January 2012. Lumbra was a defendant in that case.

Lumbra also is accused of discriminating against city employee Patricia Tenney in a June 2011 complaint that remains active before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), MCAD spokesman Keith Haley said Thursday.

Lumbra also is among five defendants, including Mayor Alex B. Morse, in a civil case in Hampden Superior Court in which Fire Department employee Jeanette Berrios and former city staff attorney Charles Lavelle say they were wrongfully terminated by Morse in January 2012.

Jon Lumbra, the treasurer in Holyoke, “was clearly the top choice for the job,” Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy said in Today’s Sun breaking news.

I have a question for the City Manager, Why have a Job Description listing qualifications if you are going to ignore it? Why was this man “clearly the top choice” when per the listed qualifications, he doesn’t seem to meet them?

Really Mr. Manager, I’ll take your word that you think he is the most qualified but in the Posting for this position it clearly states the following:(BOLD MINE)

EDUCATION
The City Treasurer must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance or the equivalent. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or Finance is preferred.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Any equivalent combination of such experience and substitutions as follows:
1) A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance may be substituted for a maximum of two
(2) years of the required (a) professional experience OR one (1) year of the (b) required supervisory experience.

2). At least five (5) years of full time or equivalent part-time professional experience as a municipal Treasurer/Collector may be substituted for two (2) years of the (b) required supervisory experience.

3). At least five (5) years of full time or equivalent part-time professional experience as a municipal Treasurer/Collector AND a graduate degree for an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance may be substituted for three (3) years of the (b) required supervisory experience.

According to both his Profile on LinkedIn and his candidate profile when he ran for the Treasurer he lacks any degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or Finance unless you are accepting Criminal Justice as an equivalent.

On LinkedIn he list:

Education
Southern Vermont College
Criminal Justice/Police Science
1994 – 1998

Vermont Police Academy
Certifed Law Enforcment
1996 – 1996

City Treasurer
City of Holyoke
January 2010 – Present (4 years 10 months) which means he even falls short of Item 3.

In his Newspaper Interview about his qualifications when he first ran, he stated when responding to:

What are your qualifications for the post?

I attended the Holyoke Public Schools, continued on to Southern Vermont College, where I studied criminal justice. Upon returning to Holyoke I began working in the private sector. For the past nine years I have held a senior management position, most recently as the senior logistics manager for Spectrum Analytical in Agawam. In that role I manage a staff of 18 employees, and review and process all vendor contracts and bids. I perform cost projections and forecast spending patterns while ensuring that the company is prepared for any and all potential issues that may arise. I believe I bring a strong business mind to the position along with a fresh set of eyes.

Education: Holyoke Public Schools, Southern Vermont College

So the fourth largest City in MA. doesn’t need a person running the Treasurer’s office with some type of degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or Finance?

I have no degree’s and think it is commendable to hire people to high ranking, critical positions who didn’t get a degree but in tho case, where Lowell has a very inexperienced CFO and City Auditor, wouldn’t you want a Treasurer with at least some finance or accounting degree and 10 years of experience to help these two inexperienced members?

Why post qualifications for a job if you are not going to hire people with the qualifications you ask them to have?

It seems that Holyoke Treasurer Jon Lumbra is a bit of a wild man in search of more dough instead of a new or different opportunity .

You would think before accepting a job 90 minutes away you would have talked things over with your family.

In a post on MASS LIVE it says: Lumbra was scheduled to begin as Lowell treasurer-collector Monday (Oct. 6) but after visiting the city Sunday with his wife and three children, he said Monday he decided against taking a job that would have required he commute 90 minutes each way….”Reality just set in….It was clear it was going to be an uphill battle on my part to convince my family to make the move,” Lumbra said.

Wait on his FACEBOOK page the other day he said :“In closing I love my hometown and have no plans on moving away anytime soon. Once my service as the elected Treasurer is over, I will seek other ways to continue serving Holyoke. (That is NOW Deleted from his Page)

So was he really ever moving? He sounds like a Politician in search of more money ANYWHERE he can find it.

Today’s story has the following: Nothing is imminent in terms of him hooking another job, but he is considering options.

“There’s always things out there. I think the short-term answer to that is, yes. I think everybody is looking because if you’re not, you’re complacent,” Lumbra said.

Lumbra said the city needs to modernize its financial operations such as by combining the treasurer and tax collection positions and increasing salaries to attract quality candidates.

The Holyoke treasurer’s yearly salary is $70,016.

Murphy told viewers on City Life there was a “misunderstanding” about him working both jobs but this story seems to be more accurate:

Another surprise for Lowell City Manager Kevin J. Murphy and other Lowell officials was that Lumbra planned to work both jobs for some amount of time to finish his work in Holyoke, which they learned upon reading The Republican & MassLive.com, according to the Lowell Sun.

Gee I wonder what made them click and read those stories???

“The people of the city pay his salary and they are entitled to know what is going on at City Hall. Anything less is a disservice to the people of the city.” Rodney Elliott 2011

Attention City of Lowell residents,

Yesterday ON WCAP, City Manager Murphy called in to try to save face after his chosen Treasurer bailed on him. This was after he appeared on City Life and praised the guy.

He told Teddy in response to my comments over the weekend and really several times since he was appointed City Manager, that the Manager doesn’t issue press release that “He reports to his bosses” and emails them meaning the 9 City Councilors. Teddy asked if he informed his bosses and kept them informed and pretty much agreed with the Manager that he did NOT have to answer to the taxpayers that pay the Manager’s salary.

So the message Manager Murphy seems to be sending out is, I don’t work for the people of Lowell, I don’t have to tell them what I do with their Tax dollars,I work for the 9 City Councilors.

The Manager doesn’t seem to feel that he owes an explanation of who he hires, what he pays them using TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, what their qualifications are and he is accountable only to the 9 city councilors. (and he will when he feels like it, run to Teddy on WCAP to get his message out and do damage control.)

Remember what Mayor Rodney Elliot said when running for re-election in 2011 about the City Manager position:

“The people of the city pay his salary and they are entitled to know what is going on at City Hall. Anything less is a disservice to the people of the city.”

So I ask these 8 Councilors and the Mayor, this question for my BLOG and I emailed it to each of them using the City’s email for Councilors so they can’t say they didn’t receive it:

Do you agree with Mayor Elliot’s statement that “The people of the city pay the Manager’s salary and they are entitled to know what is going on at City Hall? Is Anything less a disservice to the people of the city.”?

The Plan E Charter says in part in section 103:

Section 103. The city council shall appoint a city manager who shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties and who shall be the chief administrative officer of the city and shall be responsible for the administration of all departments, commissions, boards and officers of the city, whether established before its adoption of this plan or thereafter, except that of the city clerk, city auditor, any official appointed by the governor or any body elected by the voters of the city.

So why isn’t he responsible to inform the Taxpayers? It clearly states, to the faithful performance of his duties and who shall be the chief administrative officer of the city. It doesn’t say he reports ONLY to those 9 appointed him.

Is this arrogance going to be supported by this Council? I will publish the response (or lack of) from the City Council and already have received one.

I think the next city council election should focus on TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOV’T and focus on the arrogance that this administration has shown and the complete lack of transparency in the Murphy Administration.

I ask each of you readers, Do you believe that “The people of the city pay the Manager’s salary and they are entitled to know what is going on City Hall? and Is Anything less is a disservice to the people of the city.”?

Reed & Third Street
Community Neighborhood Meeting

Come and help us help you combat crime in your neighborhood

The Lowell Police Department is requesting your attendance at this important meeting if you are interested in protecting your property, making your home and street safer, or learning ways to take positive steps to protect yourself and your neighbors against crime & Take Back Your City!

Residents’ participation is strongly encouraged!

When: Thursday, October 16, 2014 4:30PM
Where: Corner of Reed and Third Street
For more information please contact:
The Lowell Police Department Community Liaison Sara Khun at 978-674-4502 or 978-937-3200
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected with the LPD!
Become a fan of the LPD on Facebook! (Search fan pages for Lowell Police Department)
Follow the LPD on Twitter! (www.twitter.com/lowellpd)
Read the LPD’s Blog at http://www.lowellpolice.com/blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: James Troup, Parking Director
Date: October 8, 2014
Phone: (978) 674-4017

LOWELL – Starting on Friday, October 10, a discount parking option will be available for events at the Tsongas Center. Metered on-street spaces in the event Zone of Father Morissette Boulevard, Suffolk Street, Hall Street, and Cabot Street will be available on a first come, first served basis for $5.00 per event. Prices at the City’s George Ayotte Garage will remain at $10 and parking at the premium Jeanne D’ Arc Lot A will remain at $15.

Parking Department staff will be available throughout the event Zone to assist with anyone wishing to take advantage of this option. The staff will help direct people into the numbered spaces and point them toward any of the kiosks. At the kiosk, your space number will be entered and then payment can be processed via cash or any credit/debit card. Once the transaction is complete, a receipt will be printed. You do not have to return to your car to display the receipt. Anyone displaying a valid handicap placard is exempt from the cost of on-street metered parking.

The Parking Department successfully rolled out event zone parking during this past Lowell Spinners’ season. According to Parking Director James Troup, “the spaces are advantageous to LeLacheur Park and the Tsongas Center. The discount pricing offers anyone who attends the events an opportunity to save money on parking and to keep the event affordable.”

There is no event parking available on Perkins Street. Between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. from Monday through Friday and on weekends and holidays, Perkins Street is residential sticker permit parking only and will be enforced accordingly.

The founding fathers of our nation strove to develop an open government formed on the principles of democracy and public participation. An informed citizen is better equipped to participate in that process.

Laws mandating the disclosure of public records have existed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1851. The federal Freedom of Information Act was signed into law in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1974, Congress amended the federal Freedom of Information Act in order to make government records more accessible to the public. (Bill Galvin, MA Sec of State)

The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides the public one tool to use to try and insure transparency in Gov’t.

Below are some of the highlights of the Sec of States Guide to public records

What records are public?
Every record that is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a public record unless a specific statutory exemption permits or requires it to be withheld in whole or in part.
Specific statutory exemptions have been created by the legislature. These exemptions, which are discretionary to the records custodian, allow the records custodian to withhold a record from the general public.
The exemptions to the Public Records Law are described in this guide. If a records custodian claims an exemption and withholds a record, the records custodian has the burden of showing how the exemption applies to the record and why it should be withheld.

How do I obtain copies of public records?
To obtain a copy of a record, you must make a request to the state or local records custodian of the record. For example, if you wish to obtain a copy of the minutes of an open meeting, you should direct your request to the records custodian of that board. Similarly, a request for a copy of a police daily log should be made to the police department that created the log.

How must a records custodian respond to my request for records?
A records custodian’s response must be in writing. The response must include a good faith estimate of any cost of providing the record. The response must also include a specific exemption to the Public Records Law to justify the denial of access to any record.

Does the Public Records Law apply to email and other computer records?
The Public Records Law applies to all government records generated, received or maintained electronically, including computer records, electronic mail, video and audiotapes.

Is a requester required to disclose the intended use of the public record requested?
With the possible exception of situations where the records custodian is anticipating the withholding of records pursuant to Exemption (n) of the Public Records Law, a records custodian may not ask a requester the reason for the request or the intended use of the requested records.3

Are records custodians required to forward a request for records not in their possession?
Records custodians must use their superior knowledge to ensure that a request for records is delivered to the appropriate party. A large public records request may include items for which the custodian is not responsible. It is in the public interest for the custodian to forward such requests to the appropriate parties in responding to a public records request.

The City of Lowell Economic and Development Office wants to remind everyone that you still have all month to get 20% off at downtown restaurants and retail stores participating in the Fall in LOVE with Downtown Lowell discount promo! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to try new places. If you are interested in one of the coupons please email efindlen@lowellma.gov

The upcoming electric rate for Lowell customers starting in November is 10.8 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to 16.27 for National Grid, The current rates are 7.8 for the city and 8.2 for National Grid. You should give thanks to your former and current City Administrations that began and continued this program that combines all buildings and homes across the city for greater purchasing power.

Lowell Telecommunications Executive Director Jessica Wilson has left LTC and is now the Chief Operating Officer at UTEC. LTC Has the Job Posted if anyone is interested 2014 LTC Executive Director Job Description

Interesting to note that the highest court in Massachusetts has expanded the rights of candidates for public office to conduct political activity on private commercial property. That means if you are a candidate and want to stand in front of Market Basket,Hannafords or CVS to collect signatures the court has ruled you can and they cannot force you to leave. The case involved Roche Brothers Supermarket.

Dracut School committee woman Betsy Murphy and Warren Shaw will be hosting a meet and greet on Monday night at 7pm at the Blue Angus Café in Dracut for Senate Candidate Barbara L’italien

Dracut Selectwomen Alison Hughes and DHA Representative Jesse Forcier invites you to Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, Massachusetts Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm for a Meet & Greet with Senate Candidate Alex Vispoli

A Swing and a Pop UP
From everything I hear from people, Drew Webber is not only a kind and generous man, but also a smart businessman. Webber has been around Lowell for a while now and like many, has seen the change in the political winds and has smartly decided that this may be his chance to renegotiate the Spinners contract that he lobbied for. This Manager and Council may be willing to bend more in the name of Economic Development and working with an existing business.

Don’t forget it was Drew Webber who wanted the 10 year lease for LeLacheur Park and it was a majority of the Lowell City Council including current members Rodney Elliot and Rita Mercier who wanted then City Manager Lynch to get “a better deal” and Mayor Edward “Bud” Caulfield at that time said: “Mr. Weber is very successful. All the City Council wants is for its constituents to be treated fairly for the investment they’ve made in LeLacheur Park.”

Even Mr. Webber’s lawyer at that time thought the 10 year offer was among the best in the League.

This story outlines what was going on at that time for all 3 Lowell venues.

Here is another story that shows both the Spinners and DSF Sports, LLC proposals (DSF ultimately withdrew)

Maybe the Council isn’t Solely Downtown Focused
I’ve said on several occasions that I think this City Council is way to focused on the Downtown.

However, it was suggested to me by a long time political observer, that maybe the focus of what the SUN/WCAP cover in regards to the City Council is the downtown issues and that the Council is actually paying attention to everything in the city. He seemed to think that the downtown is the hot topic but that the Council as a whole is watching over all of Lowell and I and other are buying into the hype and headlines of the media. I found that interesting because the main discussions have seemed to center around the downtown by many Councilors and the Manager. It has been the primary issue for many or has seemed that way to me.

I wanted to see if this was true. So based solely on the City Council motions that were filed, I looked to see if the focus has indeed been primarily on the downtown or was this person correct and that while the downtown issue has been the central media issue, this council has been pretty evenly focused.

Over the past few weeks I went through EVERY regular City Council Agenda since January, copied every motion and broke it down by Councilors. In the 9 months this Council has been in Office ,191 Motions have been filed (Each Councilor was given credit for a motion even if it was a joint motion)

ONLY 36 or Approx. 18.5% Dealt Specifically with the Downtown

(For my purpose if the subject was the Parking Ord, Meal Tax, High School, FR. Morrisette, Upper Merrimack St. and did not specify the Downtown or Central Business District, I did not count it)

Councilor Belanger brought in a total of 22 Motions, 9 dealing specifically with the downtown.
Councilor Leahy had 28 motions, 8 dealing specifically with the downtown.
Councilor Mercier had 34 motions,7 dealing specifically with the downtown.

(Councilor Belanger just added one , on this week’s agenda he has Req. City Mgr. work w/Traffic Engineer to explore possibility of adding parking spaces on east side of Shattuck Street)

So it seems what we think is reality is perception based on the coverage. If you read the SUN or listen to WCAP (especially in the mornings) you generally hear more about the downtown than we do a BERM on Butman Rd. or a Summer job motion for students. I am as guilty has the others.

I will attempt to focus on all motions rather than just the ones about the downtown and see if we can provide a bigger picture of what the Council is doing than the just downtown issue that has been presented.In case you were curious here’s the total number of motions (downtown ones included) for all of the other City Councilors in the first 9 months of this Council:

Mayor Elliott – 37 motions
Ed Kennedy – 22 motions
Dan Rourke – 21 motions
Jim Milinazzo – 11 motions
Bill Martin – 8 motions
Bill Samaras – 8 motions

Here are This Week’s Council Motions:

C. Mercier – Req. City Mgr. have the City Solicitor prepare the proper vote to change the location and name from Robinson Corner on building to “Robinson Memorial Island” across the street from their coffee shop on the island on Central Street.

C. Mercier – Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department repair and shore-up the caved in sewer on
Charles Street next to Portuguese monuments.

C. Belanger – Req. City Mgr. work w/Traffic Engineer to explore possibility of adding parking spaces on east side of Shattuck Street.

C. Kennedy – Req. City Mgr. instruct DPD to provide a report to the Economic Development SC that re-evaluates the goals and direction of the JAM Plan exclusive of the Hamilton Canal District with focus on developing an industrial/R&D park in the JAM area with an emphasis in the life-science industry.

M. Elliott/C. Leahy – Req. City Mgr. identify funding to hire additional police officers out of current year
funds without raising the levy, and prepare a report to expand number of sworn officers to 260 officers

M. Elliott – Req. the City Manager have the City Solicitor provide report on process to change selection in order to fill vacancies of unexpired terms of elected officials at Greater Lowell Vocational Technical High School.

CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Paper Lantern Project
Finally , Tony Archinski asked me to share this with you,

I am so very happy and proud to announce that we are well on our way to producing a documentary about my wife’s uncle Normand Brissette, who was killed during World War II. This true story is about a 19 year old boy from Lowell, who was shot down on July 28th, 1945 and brought to Japanese prison camp in Hiroshima, where he was less than a 1000 feet from where we dropped the atom bomb. Normand died approximately two weeks later from radiation poisoning. This documentary is based on a research project that I completed in order to create a memorial book for Brissette family members.

I have told this story to everyone I know in order to keep Normand’s memory alive. It is now time to take it to another level. Barry Frechette is a close friend of the family, who has taken this project to a level that we could not have imagined.

Please donate what you can to this project, as it will surely become an important piece of American history. The Paper Lantern Project

Tony Archinski

I understand that reporters usually don’t write the headlines and that the SUN is training new people but someone over there must by now understand the Plan E form of Government here in Lowell.(Unless Lyle Moran has returned, then it’s understandable)

This Headline for a story about the City Council meeting tomorrow night, states:

Lowell mayor plans to increase police force

However, anyone with even a basic understanding of Plan E, knows the Mayor or any other City Councilor CANNOT ADD ANYTHING to the CITY BUDGET!

Section 104 Powers, rights and duties of city manager Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, it shall be the duty of the city manager to act as chief conservator of the peace within the city; to supervise the administration of the affairs of the city; to see that within the city the laws of the commonwealth and the ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the city council are faithfully executed; and to make such recommendations to the city council concerning the affairs of the city as may to him seem desirable; to make reports to the city council from time to time upon the affairs of the city; and to keep the city council fully advised of the city’s financial condition and its future needs. He shall prepare and submit to the city council budgets as required of the mayor by section thirty-two of chapter forty-four and, in connection therewith, may, to the extent provided by said section thirty-two in the case of a mayor, require the submission to him, by all departments, commissions, boards and offices of the city, of estimates of the amounts necessary for their expenses and

Section 107. Neither the city council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city manager or any of his subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in that portion of the service of said city for whose administration the city manager is responsible..

While Mayor Elliot acts like he’s the “Strong Mayor” of Lowell and his “Big Brother” is the current City Manager, he cannot increase anything but his already large ego and 3 months after approving the largest Tax Increase in the past six years, now ask this Manager and his staff to find cuts of approx. $500,000 for 10 new Lowell Police Officers.

If he insist on submitting this motion, which is nothing but the worse kind of Political Grandstanding and his fellow Councilors go along with it than the first cut made should be the newly created 3rd ASST. CITY MANAGER position that wasn’t in the budget that this City Council passed. You can’t allow the Manager to create a new position then turn around and cut Parks and Recreation, Close Fire Stations or cut DPW employees.

In addition, with the announcement last month by the Manager and Police Supt. about creating a new unit of 10 officers on the late-night shift and expanding the police gang and narcotics unit plus adding a state police crew to cover the city on afternoons and evenings this should be given the chance to succeed and wait 3 months or so to see if it worked.

If the Mayor wanted 10 – 20 extra Police, he should have brought the request forward in June, not 3 months into the budget. While increasing the Police force is a notable idea, there is a proper way to do this and that would be by motion in April or May while the Manager is PRE-pairing a budget NOT 3 months after one has been approved.

The Sun, it’s reporter and which ever Editor allowed this False , Misleading and Inaccurate Headline is either ill-informed on the Plan E Charter or is auditioning to replace Lyle Moran has the Mayor’s Press Agent!

Lowell City Council

One of the knocks against former Manager Lynch, was that he didn’t keep the Council aware of sensitive informations (like the status of lawsuits) but during the review of this Council’s Agenda’s so far this year, it appears Manager Murphy and the Council have an Executive Session at least once a month (twice in April, none in May)

My observation are based on the review I did of this year’s Agendas. The only negative comment I have is that since April, no minutes of Executive Sessions have been released. (Seems odd the SUN wants SC minutes but are deaf, dumb and blind when it comes to the Council).

In Jan and Feb. when the Council met in Executive Session regarding City Manager Lynch and the Methadone Clinic, after a few delays (meeting cancelled, meeting ended at 10:00 pm) the Council Voted in March to release those minutes and any other prior minutes that should be designated to be made public from executive sessions

March 11 2014 CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION
10. – CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION
10.1. 2014 / 125 – Executive Session to discuss and release minutes of Executive Session meeting on January 21, 2014 and any other minutes that should be designated to be made public from executive sessions.

Here are the list of Executive Sessions since April but you will notice none involve “to discuss and release minutes of Executive Session meetings”

APRIL 1st 12.1. 2014 / 237 – Executive Session regarding pending litigation, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.
In City Council, Mayor noted in public session the reason for the Executive Session which had been posted. Mayor informed public that the body would be adjourning from the Executive Session. Roll Call at 8:38 PM.

April 8th 2014 Executive Session – Review negotiations with City Manager-Elect; Discuss matters of litigation, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.

JUN 24th 2014 CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION
11.1. 2014 / 471 – Executive session, pursuant to “Exemption 3”, to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation regarding the Greater Lowell Technic al High School, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.

July 8th 2014 CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session, pursuant to “Exemption 4”, relative to the deployment of security personnel and strategies relating to their deployment as the result of recent criminal activity; as well as “Exemption 3”, to discuss strategy with respect to matters of ongoing litigation, (Cloutier, Deuso and others), public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.

Aug 26th 2014 3.1. 2014 / 588 – Executive Session regarding matters of pending litigation relative to the GLRVS, worker compensation cases, other injured on-duty cases, and claims brought by Diane Cloutier, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.

Sept 9th 2014 CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION
10. CITY COUNCIL – EXECUTIVE SESSION 10.1. Executive Session – Pursuant to “Exemption 4″, relative to the deployment of security personnel and strategies to their deployment as the result of recent criminal activity, and other policy-related matters.

According to the Open Meeting Law:

(a) A public body shall create and maintain accurate minutes of all meetings, including executive sessions, setting forth the date, time and place, the members present or absent, a summary of the discussions on each subject, a list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting, the decisions made and the actions taken at each meeting, including the record of all votes.

(f) The minutes of any executive session, the notes, recordings or other materials used in the preparation of such minutes and all documents and exhibits used at the session, may be withheld from disclosure to the public in their entirety under subclause (a) of clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4, as long as publication may defeat the lawful purposes of the executive session, but no longer; provided, however, that the executive session was held in compliance with section 21.

When the purpose for which a valid executive session was held has been served, the minutes, preparatory materials and documents and exhibits of the session shall be disclosed unless the attorney-client privilege or 1 or more of the exemptions under said clause Twenty-sixth of said section 7 of said chapter 4 apply to withhold these records, or any portion thereof, from disclosure.

For purposes of this subsection, if an executive session is held pursuant to clause (2) or (3) of subsections (a) of section 21, then the minutes, preparatory materials and documents and exhibits used at the session may be withheld from disclosure to the public in their entirety, unless and until such time as a litigating, negotiating or bargaining position is no longer jeopardized by such disclosure, at which time they shall be disclosed unless the attorney-client privilege or 1 or more of the exemptions under said clause Twenty-sixth of said section 7 of said chapter 4 apply to withhold these records, or any portion thereof, from disclosure.

As many of you are aware, I’m a regular fixture on WCAP’s Saturday Morning Live. Warren Shaw host and he and I often have different views on the issue of the day, week and we have some good discussion and dialogue.

As you may also know from reading this blog WCAP’s Ted Panos, John MacDonald, Tom Duggan and I don’t agree on to many of the same issues or political candidates. That is one of the benefits of local radio, you get to hear various views and viewpoints by the host, guest and callers.

One thing the 4 of us do agree on is the importance of local radio. WCAP offers the people of Greater Lowell a chance to have their local, state and sometimes National leaders and candidates heard and the opportunity for listeners to call in and ask the candidates questions.

You also know from this and my original blog, that Fred Bahou and I have had our share of differences. The one thing I will give Fred credit for is even though I have “attacked” him, he never ignores an email or phone call and has always answered any questions or invitation I have sent him in a respectful, professional way.

Isn’t that what is missing in politics today? Someone willing to stand up and be respectful and willing to answer?

So I’m in total shock that 18th Middlesex State Rep. candidate Rady Mom and the people who advise him would not want him to avail himself of the time offered on many shows. On top of that, to not have the decency, courtesy or plain out manners to respond to email and voice messages is just downright rude!

Each show may have their own personal view but I have yet to hear any host who has a guest on, be rude or purposely try to embarrass or make the guest look bad. We all get the fact that this person is willing to give up their time to do “our” show so while we all ask questions, none of us that I can recall set out to embarrass any candidate, elected official or guest.

If you want to represent the city or a portion of it, don’t count on the fact that just because you are a Democrat, or a minority or have the Democratic machine endorsing you, that you can just walk into a position while not giving the people of the district you want to represent along with the entire city and Greater Lowell area, the chance to hear your views on a variety of issues.

The fact you may be “walking” the district is a wonderful thing, but ducking the media and the hometown radio station is a foolish strategy and Rady Mom and his “handlers” should at the very least respond to invitations to appear.

What is the harm in acting in a grown up responsible, respectful manner and say No thanks to people who have tried to be fair and give you the opportunity to present yourself to the people of the 18th Middlesex District?

So here is my 1 question for 18th Middlesex State Rep. Candidate Rady Mom…WHY THE RADIO SILENCE??

PS: To be 100% Clear, my views do not represent Warren Shaw, Sam Poulten, WCAP, its staff or advertisers.

NO ONE ELSE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT I POST! CALL / TEXT ME DIRECTLY WITH ANY COMMENTS/CONCERNS.

GN: Sharing Good News from the Lowell Housing Authority

Dear Stakeholders:

I am pleased to announce that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has declared that the Lowell Housing Authority (LHA) has achieved the designation of High Performing Public Housing Agency. HUD recently informed me that the LHA received a Public Housing Assessment Score (PHAS) score of 90 points for the most recent fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.

The PHAS system is used by HUD to annually evaluate and measure the performance of the LHA on the major programs it administers. The public housing program is evaluated on the basis of four (4) areas including; Physical, Financial, Management and Capital funds.

This score is an exceptional achievement given the age of our developments and the declining financial resources. I credit the team approach for the achievement. Our concept of team consists of everyone from residents, maintenance, management and finance staff and our Board of Commissioners.

There is much strategic thinking and planning that goes into running the agency and it is through this process with our team that we were able attain this kind of success.

I would like to thank our HUD field representatives in Boston for their guidance and assistance.

Additionally, I need to recognize our partnerships with the Lowell Police Department and non-profit groups that help improve the quality of life for our residents.

The recognition as “High Performer” will give the LHA flexibility and creativity in administering the agency as well as future grant opportunities and financial rewards for additional modernization funds.

I am extremely proud of our agency and this designation is testimony to our good work.

Gary Wallace
Executive Director.

Here’s the Link to this week’s Council Agenda.

A couple of Items that caught my attention:

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Vote-Cancel Council Meetings 11/11 and 11/25/14

I understand Canceling the Veterans Day meeting but why the Tuesday before Thanksgiving? Most of us in the private sector work.

Councilor motions:

This one should get John McDonough fired up!

C. Leahy/C. Kennedy – Req. City Mgr. update City Council on report on police vehicles dated July 10, 2013; as well as requesting Supt. of LPD explore possibility of allowing Lowell officers living in the City be able to take cruisers home after shifts.

A Good Idea from Councilor Belanger to help the downtown businesses during the Holidays:C. Belanger – Req. City Council approve a program which would allow two free weekends of parking (November 28 and 29; December 19 and 20) in downtown garages.

Here is the complete list of Councilor Motions:

9.1. C. Leahy/C. Kennedy – Req. City Mgr. update City Council on report on police vehicles dated July 10, 2013; as well as requesting Supt. of LPD explore possibility of allowing Lowell officers living in the City be able to take cruisers home after shifts.

9.2. C. Leahy – Req. City Mgr. prepare a report outlining the use of private contracts as well as the use of city and private equipment for 2014/2015 snow removal; in addition explore new strategy regarding snow removal in the downtown and the neighborhoods.

9.3. C. Leahy – Req. City Mgr. explore possibility of using outside contract or service to fill the vacant position of Traffic Engineer.

9.4. C. Belanger – Req. City Council approve a program which would allow two free weekends of parking (November 28 and 29; December 19 and 20) in downtown garages.

9.5. C. Belanger – Req. City Mgr. establish Neighborhood Crime Watch throughout the City including installation of proper signage along gateways.

9.6. C. Belanger – Req. City Council discuss potential parking ordinance changes and refer to Economic Development SC for further discussion.

“The people of the city pay his salary and they are entitled to know what is going on at City Hall. Anything less is a disservice to the people of the city.” Rodney Elliott 2011 talking about the City Manager

I for one believe the public has every right to know what is going on at City Hall and that “Open Govt” means the public has to be informed just as the Council does,

We find out in this week’s City Council Agenda through a motion by Councilor Leary that the City doesn’t have a Traffic (Transportation) Engineer

9.3. C. Leahy – Req. City Mgr. explore possibility of using outside contract or service to fill the vacant position of Traffic Engineer.

Eric Eby left the City in Sept. for the private sector and the position is now posted. (for 10 days)

I had emailed and asked all 9 City Councilors – Do you agree with Mayor Elliot’s statement that “The people of the city pay the Manager’s salary and they are entitled to know what is going on at City Hall? Is Anything less a disservice to the people of the city.”?

Only 2 Councilors responded. Jim Milinazzo

Hi Gerry,

How are you doing?
Yes-I agree with Mayor Elliot’s statement. Let me ask you-did he make this statement as Mayor?

Jim

Dan Rourke:

Hey Gerry,
I would both agree w the mayor’s statement and also stress that I believe that City Hall has been transparent. Since asst city manager Mike McGovern has been in place, the administration has released numerous press releases relating to upcoming events, personnel decisions, as well as public safety and economic updates. With regards to the treasurer situation, I believe Manager Murphy was ready to announce Mr Lumbra’s hiring but as we now know, he chose not to accept the position at the last-minute.

Take care,
Danny

If Councilor Rourke is correct, then why hasn’t the City Manager’s Office replied to a Public Records request I submitted on October 8th asking for any/all press releases sent out by the City Manager’s Office, Mayor’s Office, City Council and any City Department (with the exception of the Lowell School Committee) since April 11th of this year?

In the private sector, many of us work Columbus Day to get the day after Thanksgiving off. So why is the City Manager asking the Council to cancel the Council meeting on Tuesday November 25th? Is the Manager going to give the entire city staff Wednesday or Friday off? Or just himself and the 9 Councilors an extra vacation day?

Chris Scott returned to post his Column Blog this past Thursday (but didn’t include it in today’s Political Column.) He reported that the Water Dept. phone that sent text messages to Erik Gitschier’s mom is missing and can’t be found but since everyone seems to now be playing nice, the Manager’s Office is dropping the search but now has a record of every city owned phone.

Scary that since becoming Mayor the self proclaimed Fiscal Watchdog is having trouble with numbers. I posted on Tuesday that Manager Murphy seemed to be doing a good job keeping the Council informed on legal cases involving the City, meeting approx. once (1) a month with the entire Council in Executive session.

One of the knocks against former Manager Lynch, was that he didn’t keep the Council aware of sensitive information (like the status of lawsuits) but during the review of this Council’s Agenda’s so far this year, it appears Manager Murphy and the Council have an Executive Session at least once a month (twice in April, none in May)

On WCAP with Teddy on Wednesday, the Mayor was being very defensive because it was me stating they had meetings and said that these meetings weren’t once a month. (Teddy didn’t seem to be able to comprehend that I wasn’t attacking these sessions, just noting them and asking about releasing minutes, but he plays to the anti-Gerry -anti-blogger crowd anyway)

Now I know his ego the Mayor hates anything I say, but even HE and Teddy should be able to COUNT to 7, especially when the numbers come from the City Council Agenda. Manager Murphy started in April it is now October – that equals 7 Month. My Friend the COUNT will help the Mayor and Teddy by counting the number of Executive Sessions posted since April…

Rodney, Follow along with me…starting with 1

WERE YOU ABLE TO COUNT TO 7 MR. MAYOR? If Manager Murphy has been here 7 months and the Council has had 7 Executive Sessions in that time period, than the AVERAGE = ONCE A MONTH! even a fiscal watchdog and talk radio host ,should be able to count to 7.

It must really upset the Mayor , Jim Campy and the SUN that the LHA gets such a positive rating by HUD after the relentless attacks on the LHA over the past year.The Good news out of LHA this week may be only the beginning and another announcement with more good news may be coming in the next few weeks.

Yesterday in the Saturday chat and today in the Column Blog is a rumor that has been floating around since June concerning Bill Martin and Jim Milinazzo. Martin is said to be considering ending his political career.While I think Mr. Martin is a nice guy, he hasn’t been a leader that I had hoped he would be and it may be time to step aside.

The other vacancy might be created by Councilor James Milinazzo. Anxious to erase a bitter loss in 2011, Milinazzo wanted to leave the council on his own terms. Jim Milinazzo. on City Life in the past few weeks addressed the rumor saying he intends at this point to run again. So far he has been one of the only Councilors to put in motions that challenge other councilors. Hopefully he starts asking the Manager for more accountability and stays on. He has a wealth of knowledge from his DPD days and his time as Ex. Director at the LHA along with his banking background. The Council needs his knowledge and expertise.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery (again) to Lowell Good Guy Jack Baldwin, your voice and laughter will be missed from the WCAP airwaves. Looking forward to your return.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Vote-Cancel Council Meetings 11/11 and 11/25/14

I can understand canceling the Veterans Day City Council Meeting but I can’t understand the reason (and there has been none given publicly) to cancel the November 25th meeting aside from the fact it is the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.

Maybe City Manager Murphy is more of a control guy than people accused Manager Lynch of being? Rumors around Lynch said that the Manager didn’t want Dept. heads responding to Councilors and had to inform him before talking to a Councilor or media person.

Rumors about Manager Murphy say Asst. Manager Mike McGovern must clear everything first. Maybe Murphy doesn’t want the Council to meet without him being there less someone says something he doesn’t want said?

Maybe he plans to be away that week and due to the inexperience of his staff in Municipal Gov’t, he wants to protect them and just cancel the meeting. New Asst. City Manager Tradd who has worked for the City for years but is not part of the usual Tuesday meeting and hasn’t had to respond to the Council. Mike McGovern who until July was employed as Greater Lowell Technical High School’s coordinator of school information/school foundation is new to the Tuesday meetings. Conner Baldwin the CFO has only been in place for a few months but based on his performance during the budget hearings, could probably handle any questions from the Council.

Ralph Snow the DPW Director / Asst City Manager has held that position longer than Tradd or McGovern but isn’t really a Murphy insider and even under Lynch never served as Acting Manager.

Control Issues or Inexperience, why else should the meeting be cancelled?

Explanation Please!

Here’s a look at what the 2014 Budget for the Manager’s Office was:

CITY MANAGER $ 183,864 Asst. to City Manager $ 79,760 Executive Assistant $ 51,524
Data Analyst $ 62,541 Jr. Data Analyst $ 48,858 Neighborhood Coordinator $ 66,679
Administrative Assistant $ 42,593

Now here’s a look at the 2015 Budget submitted for the Manager’s Office:

CITY MANAGER $ 175,000 Asst. to City Manager $ 83,988 Executive Assistant $55,710
Data Analyst $ 65,853 Jr. Data Analyst $ 50,093 Neighborhood Coordinator $ 68,346

Notice there is no Line Item in the submitted budget for the Administrative Assistant Position and yet we know that the job was at least advertised. Is someone doing the job? If so where are the funds coming from?

There’s also the question of where the extra $3,100 that was not in the budget for the New Asst. City Manager position is coming from. The budget line for the Asst. to the Manager was $83,988 not the $87,000 the SUN reported that the new position pays.

Job Elimination?

Is the City eliminating the junior data analyst position? Since promoting Rodney Conley to become the data-management analyst August 1st have they advertised or hired for this position? There is no person listed in the City directory with this title.

That job was budgeted for $50,093 which would cover the Administrative Assistant Position along with the Extra $3,100 that was not in the budget for the New Asst. City Manager and still leave a surplus in the payroll budget for the Manager’s Office.