Meeting report · City Council
Creating this report cost real money.
Help fund coverage →
City Council — February 24, 2026
The meeting was marked by intense debate over a major property lease, significant public opposition, and multiple failed motions regarding the Senior Center.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Senior Center Lease and Rent Arrears
Use of $1.27 million in CDBG funds to cover rent arrears and a long-term 15-year financial commitment. Affected: Senior citizens and taxpayers of Lowell
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Accept and place on file communication regarding remote Zoom participation.
Motion by Councilor DeCotto, seconded by Councilor Chau.
Approved
Combine motions 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 regarding National Grid presentations and updates.
Motion by Councilor Noon, seconded by Councilor Robbins; items referred to the Utilities Subcommittee.
Approved
Request report on organizations receiving funding for -1 elections.
Motion by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Councilor Noon.
Approved
Request report on projects potentially benefiting from state CCTCI funding.
Motion by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Councilor Murcia.
Approved
Request updates on culvert replacements and Meadowcroft Street upgrading.
Motions 5.6 and 5.7 passed.
Approved
Request assessment of the Watson and Lawrence Street intersection.
Motion by Councilor McDonough, seconded by Councilor Murcia.
Approved
Request feasibility study for Kerouac Park maintenance partnership.
Motion by Councilor McDonough, seconded by Councilor Duran.
Approved
Request report on state money earmarked for Gage Field.
Motion by Councilor Murcia, seconded by Councilor Chau.
Approved
Bundle motions 5.11 and 5.12 regarding street/sidewalk repair history and prioritization criteria.
Motion by Councilor Duran, seconded by Councilor McDonough.
Approved
Request City Solicitor meet with Rules Election Subcommittee regarding Mayor election amendment.
Motion by Councilor Duran, seconded by Mayor Gitche.
Approved
Authorize lighting bridges in blue on April 11th, 2026, for Parkinson's awareness.
Motion by Mayor Gitche, seconded by Councilor Noon.
Approved
Refer National Grid utility public hearing items (4.1 to 4.6) to Wire Inspector.
Motion by Councilor Rourke, seconded by Councilor Noon.
Approved
Lay the Senior Center lease agreement on the table to gather more information.
Motion by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Councilor McDonough. Vote: 5 Aye, 6 Nay.
Failed
Motion for the City Council to hire an independent attorney to review the lease documents.
A motion by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Councilor Noon, failed to reach a two-thirds majority to 'move the question'.
Failed
Motion to adopt the Senior Center lease agreement.
A motion to adopt by Councilor Scott, seconded by Councilor Rourke, failed.
Failed
Motion to accept and place on file climate change competition response.
Motion by Councilor Duran, seconded by Councilor Chau.
Approved
Motion to accept and place on file rodenticide housing response.
Motion by Councilor McDonough, seconded by Councilor Liang.
Approved
Motion to accept and place on file dumpsters/trash bins communication.
Motion by Councilor Noon, seconded by Councilor Murcia.
Approved
Motion to accept and place on file Cambodia Town TDI report.
Motion by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Councilor Liang.
Approved
Motion to approve out-of-state travel for Assessor's Department.
Motion by Councilor Duran, seconded by Councilor Decoto.
Approved
Approval of out-of-state travel for the Assessor's Department.
Motion to adopt by Councilor Duran, seconded by Councilor Decoto. Unanimous roll call.
Passed
Authorization to accept and expand MCC grant funds ($138,600).
Motion to adopt by Councilor Robbins, seconded by Murcia. Unanimous roll call.
Passed
Approval of Bundled Items 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.7.
Includes net metering credits, 48 Kinsman Street hearing notice, school bus violation fund, and demolition transfers. Councilor McDonough recused himself for item 7.6.
Passed
Acceptance of National Grid pole installation orders.
Motion to accept and adopt by Councilor Noon, seconded by Councilor Decoto. No roll call required.
Passed
Entry into Executive Session regarding litigation.
Motion to enter session. Unanimous roll call.
Passed
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:16 Memorial Recognition
Councilor Murcia offered a moment of silence to honor John D. Parent, Jr., a US Air Force veteran and community member.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 04:32 Black History Month Citation
Councilor Robbins read a citation honoring Pastor Dwayne Wheeler for his community service and leadership in urban ministry.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 12:09 National Grid and Utility Matters
Discussion regarding National Grid's pole installations, gas modernization, and the removal of double poles for public safety.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 14:01 Election Funding Report
Request for a report on organizations receiving funding to assist in the -1 elections.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 16:09 Infrastructure and Street Maintenance
Councilors requested updates on culvert replacements, Meadowcroft Street upgrades, and the criteria used for street/sidewalk prioritization.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 18:50 Gage Field Funding
Inquiry into state funds earmarked for Gage Field improvements and the status of existing funds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 25:13 Direct Election of Mayor
Discussion regarding a motion to explore amending the City's consent decree to allow voters to directly elect the Mayor, following a 2021 referendum.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 38:09 Senior Center Lease Agreement
A contentious debate regarding a proposed 15-year lease for the Senior Center property at 276 Broadway Street, involving discussions on rent, ownership rights, legal risks, property ownership disputes, the legal validity of 'gifting' language in historical documents, and the use of CDBG funds to cover approximately $1.27 million in rent arrears.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:03:12 Communications from City Manager
Review of various communications including responses regarding climate change competition, rodenticide in housing, and trash bin placement on sidewalks.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:03:40 Cambodia Town TDI Information Report
An information report regarding the successful acquisition of a Targeted Development Initiative (TDI) for Cambodia Town through Mass Development.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:12:19 Cambodian Town Gateway Project
Discussion regarding the progress of Phase 1 of Roberto Clemente Park and the upcoming three-year project to create a gateway to Cambodian Town.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:14:09 Out-of-State Travel Approval
A request from the City Manager to approve out-of-state travel for the Assessor's Department.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:15:00 Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Grant
A request to accept and expand funds totaling $138,600 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via the MCC.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:17:53 Bundled Items (7.-5.7)
A collection of votes including a cultural district grant, net metering credit agreements, a notice of hearing for 48 Kinsman Street, a school bus violation stabilization fund, and demolition fund transfers.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:27:49 National Grid Pole Installations
Review of inspector reports regarding the installation of various utility poles (JO and SO) at multiple locations.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 2:28:26 Executive Session - Litigation
The council entered a private session to discuss litigation updates that could impact the City's position.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Senior Center Lease Agreement
The lease involves a significant financial commitment ($7.5M total value vs $3.5M assessment), concerns over property ownership rights, and the use of CDBG funds to cover $1.27 million in rent arrears. Residents expressed distrust in the administration and requested independent legal counsel.
Board position: The board was split; a majority failed to table the item for more info, but a subsequent motion to adopt the lease also failed, indicating deep internal disagreement on how to proceed.
Internal dissent
The council was split 5-6 on a motion to table the agreement for more information and failed to reach a two-thirds majority on a motion to hire independent counsel. A motion to adopt the lease also failed.
high concern
02
Direct Election of Mayor
Discussion regarding amending the city's consent decree to allow a direct election of the Mayor following a 2021 referendum. This touches on fundamental city governance and political power.
Board position: The council moved to have the City Solicitor meet with the Rules Election Subcommittee to explore the legality of this amendment.
medium concern
Split votes
Motion to lay the Senior Center lease agreement on the table to gather more information
5-6
Community vs. board tension
Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Provide detailed report on organizations/entities funded for -1 election assistance.
Assigned: City Manager
Provide report on projects benefiting from CCTCI funding.
Assigned: City Manager
Provide update on culvert replacements (Woburn, Gorham, Borica Streets) and Meadowcroft Street status.
Assigned: City Manager/Appropriate Dept
Assess safety of Watson and Lawrence Street intersection.
Assigned: City Manager/Appropriate Dept
Provide report on state money earmarked for Gage Field.
Assigned: City Manager
Meet with Rules Election Subcommittee regarding potential amendment to elect the Mayor.
Assigned: City Solicitor
Coordinate lighting of bridges in blue for 'Spark the Night for Parkinson' on April 11, 2026.
Assigned: City Manager · Due: 2026-04-11
Issue an RFP to hire fellows for the Cambodia Town TDI project.
Assigned: City Administration / Mass Development
Execute net metering credit seals agreement (Item 7.4).
Assigned: City Manager
Send notice of hearing for 48 Kinsman Street (Item 7.5).
Assigned: City Manager · Due: March 10th (Public Hearing date)
Notable statements
I'm looking for... anything that would qualify to potentially be assisted by this pool of money it'd be greatly appreciated and I know this pool is going to get dried up quickly so the sooner we can act on this the better off we'll be. — Councilor Robbins · Discussing the new state CCTCI funding pool. ▶ 15:28
I feel disheartened when we put a referendum question on the ballot... and nothing is done. I firmly believe that the majority rules. — Councilor Murcia · Expressing frustration over the lack of progress on the 2021 referendum to elect the Mayor. ▶ 29:09
I would like to ask all the councilors to vote no on this lease tonight... we should seek outside counsel from a firm that specializes in real estate contract law. — Ryan Farrier (Resident) · Public comment opposing the Senior Center lease agreement. ▶ 38:03
Why are we paying seven and a half million dollars on a property... that has only been assessed at three and a half million dollars? — Anthony Melissi (Resident) · Public comment questioning the valuation and cost of the Senior Center lease. ▶ 43:00
This is a special purpose building. It is not office space... It is a center and a beehive [of] activity. — Attorney George Theodoro · Defending the higher rent price for the Senior Center property. ▶ 44:08
I think definitely... the Council needs to secure independent legal council... to review this current situation and advise the Council on a path forward. — Councilor Robbins · Proposing a strategy for the Senior Center lease issue. ▶ 1:05:01
I'm not confident that we would prevail if we were to go forward into litigation [regarding property ownership]. — Unidentified speaker · Answering Councilor Scott regarding the legal strength of the city's claim to the property based on a footnote in the lease. ▶ 1:10:10
I rely on [the legal and financial teams] because I'm not an attorney. I'm not a CFO. — Unidentified speaker · Explaining his decision to support the lease based on professional analysis. ▶ 1:34:07
There is no such thing as free grants and free monies. It's taxpayers' money. — Unidentified speaker · Commenting on the use of CDBG funds for the lease agreement. ▶ 1:51:00
The net metering credit agreement is expected to save the city between $600,000 and $900,000 annually, with an average estimated at $750,000. — Ms. Moses · Explaining the financial benefits of the solar development contract during the discussion of Item 7.4. ▶ 2:18:00
The school bus violation stabilization fund is a special purpose fund; receipts go into the fund, but an appropriation from the City Council is required to use the money. — CFO Baldwin · Clarifying the procedural nature of the new fund during the discussion of Item 7.6. ▶ 2:26:23
Member positions
16 issues · 4 explicit · 0 inferred
Present
Senior Center Lease Agreement
YES
✓
Supported adopting the lease agreement.
Present
Remote Zoom Participation
YES
✓
Supported accepting communication regarding remote participation.
Gage Field Funding
YES
✓
Supported requesting a report on Gage Field funds.
Climate Change Competition
YES
✓
Supported accepting the climate change response.
Gitche
Present
Mayor
Direct Election of Mayor
YES
✓
Supported requesting the City Solicitor meet with the subcommittee.
Parkinson's Awareness
YES
✓
Supported lighting bridges in blue.
Present
Street/Sidewalk Maintenance
YES
✓
Supported bundling motions on street/sidewalk repair criteria.
Direct Election of Mayor
YES
✓
Supported exploring the Mayor election amendment.
Climate Change Competition
YES
✓
Supported accepting the climate change response.
Out-of-State Travel Approval
YES
✓
Supported approving out-of-state travel for the Assessor's Department.
Present
Rodenticide Housing Response
YES
✓
Supported accepting the rodenticide response.
Cambodia Town TDI Information Report
YES
✓
Supported accepting the Cambodia Town TDI report.
Present
Watson and Lawrence Street Intersection
YES
✓
Requested assessment of the intersection.
Kerouac Park Maintenance
YES
✓
Requested a feasibility study for Kerouac Park.
Street/Sidewalk Maintenance
YES
✓
Supported bundling motions on street/sidewalk repair criteria.
Senior Center Lease Agreement
NO
✓
Supported tabling the lease for more information.
Rodenticide Housing Response
YES
✓
Supported accepting the rodenticide response.
Bundled Items
ABSTAIN
✓
Recused himself from item 7.6.
Present
CCTCI Funding
YES
✓
Supported requesting a report on CCTCI funding.
Watson and Lawrence Street Intersection
YES
✓
Supported requesting assessment of the intersection.
Gage Field Funding
YES
✓
Supported requesting a report on Gage Field funds.
Dumpsters/Trash Bins Communication
YES
✓
Supported accepting the trash bin communication.
MCC Grant
YES
✓
Supported accepting and expanding MCC grant funds.
Present
National Grid Presentations
YES
✓
Supported combining National Grid motions.
-1 Elections Funding
YES
✓
Supported requesting a report on election funding.
Parkinson's Awareness
YES
✓
Supported lighting bridges in blue.
National Grid Utility Hearings
YES
✓
Supported referring utility hearings to Wire Inspector.
Senior Center Lease Agreement
NO
✓
Supported hiring independent legal counsel.
Dumpsters/Trash Bins Communication
YES
✓
Supported accepting the trash bin communication.
National Grid Pole Installations
YES
✓
Supported accepting National Grid pole installation orders.
Present
National Grid Presentations
YES
✓
Supported combining National Grid motions.
-1 Elections Funding
YES
✓
Requested report on organizations receiving election funding.
CCTCI Funding
YES
✓
Requested report on projects benefiting from CCTCI funding.
Senior Center Lease Agreement
NO
✓
Opposed proceeding without tabling or independent counsel.
Cambodia Town TDI Information Report
YES
✓
Supported accepting the Cambodia Town TDI report.
MCC Grant
YES
✓
Supported accepting and expanding MCC grant funds.
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
5
Total speakers
2
Addressed
2
Partial
1
Not addressed
Alec Birdsong
Addressed
Speaking on behalf of National Grid, he explains that the first four petitions are for installing reclosers on mid-span poles to improve reliability. The remaining two petitions are for new service at specific addresses.
Key concern
Support for National Grid's utility installation petitions.
Board responseThe board referred the items to the wire inspector for a report and recommendation.
The board followed the standard procedure for utility petitions by referring them to the appropriate inspector for review.
Ryan Farrier
Partial
He urges the Council to vote no on a lease agreement for the Senior Center property. He suggests seeking outside legal counsel to review the contract, requesting an audit of past payments, and seeking a right of first refusal for the city.
Key concern
Potential financial and legal risks regarding the Senior Center lease agreement.
Board responseThe board engaged in an extensive debate including the City Manager, Solicitor, and CFO, but ultimately voted to adopt the lease rather than table it.
The board addressed his technical questions regarding rent and legal standing during the debate, but they did not follow his primary request to vote 'no' or table the motion for more information.
Anthony Melissi
Partial
He questions why the lease is being voted on before executive session minutes are released and expresses concern over the discrepancy between the property's assessed value and the lease cost. He argues that this decision erodes public trust.
Key concern
Lack of transparency and the high cost of the property lease relative to its assessed value.
Board responseThe City Manager and CFO provided explanations regarding the funding sources (CDBG) and the valuation logic during the council discussion.
The administration explained the financial logic, but the speaker's core concern regarding transparency and the timing of the vote was not resolved to his satisfaction.
George Theodoro
Addressed
As an attorney representing the property trust, he defends the rent amount by noting the building is a 'special purpose' facility rather than standard office space. He also notes that the lease includes concessions such as a flat rent without escalation clauses.
Key concern
Justifying the lease rate and defending the legality of the agreement.
Board responseThe board (Councilors) questioned him extensively on the legal strength of the 'gift back' provision and the validity of the lease terms.
The council directly engaged with his arguments and sought clarification from the City Solicitor to weigh his claims against the city's interests.
Eliza Russell
Partial
She argues that the Council must fight for rightful ownership of the property rather than leasing it back to a landlord who has previously failed the seniors. She expresses distrust in the administration's ability to hold property owners accountable.
Key concern
The legitimacy of leasing the building instead of pursuing ownership through litigation.
Board responseThe Council discussed the legal risks of litigation versus leasing, with the Solicitor noting that the city's position for ownership is legally weak.
The legal reality of the 'weak' ownership claim was addressed, but the Council ultimately chose the path of leasing which the speaker explicitly opposed.
Support coverage
Creating this report cost real money.
MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Lowell.
Follow Lowell
One email when a new report is published from the City Council — or one weekly digest.
Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.