LOWELL – With guidance from the City Council, the City Manager has directed the Division of Development Services (DDS) to launch the Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Team on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

The Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Team, comprised of DDS staff, will visit walkable areas within neighborhoods to address property compliance issues and determine remediation and resolution with property owners.

“The City Council rightly recognized the need from residents for this type of outreach,” said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “This program is a practice of accountability to the community, not punishment. We will do everything we can to coordinate with property owners and find ways to remedy issues. What’s important is that we are all working in service to the community.”

The Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Team will start on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Locations were identified by DDS using information on existing complaints, active ticketing, and consistent enforcement issues, as well as collaborative discussions with the Lowell Police Department (LPD). Locations will change weekly for four weeks. In their initial visit, DDS staff may issue warnings that serve as an opportunity for property owners to remediate any existing deficiencies. Warnings may be related to items such as excessive overgrowth, trash, or unsafe/blocked exterior egress issues, and will have a set deadline by which compliance should be achieved. Five weeks after the initial visit, the team will revisit locations to follow up with property owners on noted issues of non-compliance.

“This initiative gives us the opportunity to take a proactive approach to enhancing quality of life for residents,” said Lloyd DeJesus, Director of Development Services. “We’re looking forward to getting out into the community and ensuring it is clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone.”