Commending the Mayor..I’ll admit, I’m probably one of the few non School Department employees or School Committee members to watch the full budget hearing Wednesday night.

I want to commend Mayor Gitschier for his patience with his fellow elected officials and trying to get the three members seated on his left side to follow the process. The fact he never lost his temper or (at least when on camera) never made a face that showed he was frustrated deserves to be commended. I felt bad for Danielle McFadden having to try to repeatedly to explain a process that was trying to be followed so that this process wouldn’t drag on and on.  Mayor Gitschier did a good job! It was like trying to herd cats.

Speaking of making faces.. Sean McDonough was in the audience as a resident.

At one point (like I was doing at home), he was showing his disbelief and frustration with the gang of 3 (Bahou-Conway-DelRossi) doing something the Mayor had explained over and over he wanted to avoid.

Nothing Mr. McDonough did in my opinion was wrong, disrespectful or out of line, yet I still heard from people how bad and disrespectful to School Committee members it looked.

Really, shaking his head and putting it in his hand was wrong?

I get people don’t like him, but in this case, you’re reaching to beat him up. I was yelling at these schmucks through the TV! Good for Sean for just shaking his head and tossing is hands up before putting them in his hands.

No one wins.. Anytime you have to do layoffs, no one wins!

Last week I voiced my opinion that Lowell High Head of School Mike Fiato should have listened more to the School Site Council and also not  cut so much from student support, and many students spoke on behalf of the Fine Arts Chair at last week’s school committee meeting.

This week, after again meeting with the school site council, Mr. Fiato presented some revisions that saved the Fine Art Chair, a music teacher and a College and Career Counselor, plus the Freshman Academy Counselor.

I’ve since heard from a couple School Site Council members that they thought everything that was discussed Tuesday night would be the final submission, but it turned out differently. He didn’t 100% follow exactly what they wanted.

As I said, no one wins. Under Ed Reform, the Council plays an important role, but the Principal/Head of School has the last word and has to make recommendations that he feels meet the needs of the school.

Give him credit for reaching some compromise and putting some positions back while having to take others away.

Will Someone PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!! I’m a bit of a finance nerd (ok maybe all-around nerd), but show me any budget or budget hearing that has a “Suspense Account!”

It drove me crazy when I was on the School Committee that when a few members of the Committee didn’t have the understanding or courage to make a cut or vote on a bottom line, they would move it to a suspense account.

Have you ever seen a City Councilor ask the Manager to put an item into a suspense account?

NO because the CFO would tell them there is no such thing.

I know Dr. Pinto and the Superintendent are probably aware of this, but Dave Conway would tell you “We’ve always done it this way!”

Please Superintendent Skinner, Dr. Pinto or Danielle McFadden, bring in a motion in the next year to stop this ridiculous process.

Read the Packet or use Dr. Google…In this week’s Council packet are three motions that if Councilors did just a little bit of homework, their motions would NOT be needed:

1. Juran – Req. City Mgr. invite an appropriate personnel member from Boston Gas to come to make a presentation to the Technology & Utilities SC on how it decides whether to repair v. replace gas mains
2. Nuon – Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department require any gas company to provide, when requesting a permit from the City of Lowell to replace a pipe or pipes, documentation explaining how the company arrived at the decision to replace the pipes as opposed to repairing them or substituting non-gas alternatives.

These are two Gas related items on the agenda this week, and if you read the Review of the Request, there is a place where the gas company explains why they need to replace the line.

So why are both Councilors asking for something that is answered in a city required form that is in their packet?

A quick Google search brings this easy to read and understand summary: Can a MA City require a Gas Utility to say why they are replacing a gas line

Yes, a Massachusetts city can require a gas utility to provide a reason for replacing a gas line. The Massachusetts bill S.2160, which is part of the regulations and enforcement measures for gas utilities, mandates that gas companies disclose their reasons for infrastructure work, including pipeline replacements.

This includes providing details about the age, condition, material type, leak history, repair timelines, and potential risks associated with the project. The bill also allows municipalities to challenge a gas company’s non-compliance and review the proposed plans.

1. Scott – Req. City Mgr. report on the legalities of commercial vehicles parked on public streets overnight and parking on impervious surfaces.

If only there was a place to look at City Ordinances.

Wait, you mean there already is an ordinance that makes it illegal?  An Ordinance Amending the “Code of Ordinances for the City of Lowell, Massachusetts”, (the “Code”) With Respect to Chapter 266 Entitled, “Vehicles and Traffic” by adding a new Article XIV.

ARTICLE XIV It shall be unlawful to park a commercial vehicle upon any public way, or any private way to which the public has a right of access, for more than one hour after 6:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. in any residentially zoned area of the City. § 266-147 Definitions. As used in this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE Includes any vehicle that qualifies as a: A. “Commercial vehicle,” “taxicab,” “hearse,” “livery vehicle” or “bus” under the definitions set forth in 540 CM 2.05, as the same may be amended from time to time; and/or

1. “Semi-trailer,” “trailer,” “school bus,” “house trailer” or “auto home” as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, as the same may be amended from time to time.

RESIDENTIALLY ZONED AREA Includes any area within the Residential Districts, in accordance with the zoning regulations of the City.

• 266-149 Violations and penalties.

Every day on which a violation of this bylaw occurs shall be punishable as a separate violation. Each violation shall be punishable by a fine of $250. At the discretion of the Police Department, any vehicle parked in violation of this bylaw may be towed.

How about a Substitute Motion? C. Scott – Req. City Mgr have Police provide an update to the City Council on the number of fines that have been issued pursuant to Ordinance Chapter 266 Entitled, “Vehicles and Traffic”

 Greater Lowell Tech SC Race gains candidates! For a job that doesn’t pay, the Tech School Committee race is shaping up to be an interesting one.

Current members Fred Bahou and Ralph Hogan are up for re-election and have been very good members. One GLRTHS graduate has declared, and another has indicated his interest in running run for those two seats.

Brady McCarron a proud 2012 graduate and someone involved with SkillsUSA declared this week. Anthony Milisci is a 2019 graduate who ran for a seat in 2022.