Today is the last day of the Supt. Chris Scott era and she can’t seem to leave without someone causing controversy on her behalf. What should have been a few days of pleasant Thank You’s turned into a few days of ripping open old wounds.

The Sun has a glowing tribute of their favorite Supt.titled Going out with high honors but can’t let it be just a kiss on the cheek send off, instead they bring up the whole contract issue and Fantacanti issue along with her accomplishments. I am not surprised thye didn’t interview any current school committee members but instead quote the former Mayor Bud Caulfield who was a vote to hire her but hasn’t worked with her in two years. Not exactly someone up on all the facts.

They also feature comments he made on WCAP yesterday . When the outgoing City Councilor /former Mayor called into WCAP to give the Supt his own kiss good-bye and took shots at the current School Committee which are repeated in today’s story.

She was a breath of fresh air who brought leadership and a sense of bringing the entire community together,” said City Councilor Edward “Bud” Caulfield, who served as mayor when Scott was hired. “The classiest thing about her is that she never was negative toward any one of the School Committee members, even though they were showing her the door.”

Caulfield added that in his estimation the reasons behind Scott’s departure were simply “politics, personality clashes and maybe some jealousy. And in the end, the people who are going to pay the price are the students.”

Teddy Panos or Jen Myers should have asked Mayor McBud what exactly was the “POLITICS” involved? He nor anyone else has made that clear. They make the accusation but never expand on it. Bud is not going out into retirement has an elder statesman but has a bitter man. It is to bad because he has done a lot of good over 24 years and should be basking in his accomplishments instead of spewing venom about his fellow Councilors and the Lowell School Committee.

Speaking of WCAP, Teddy Panos had a nice goodby segment with Dr. Scott yesterday and mentioned again this morning that current School Committeeman John Leahy said they were ready to present her with an offer. If you listen here you can tell John was frustrated at Bud and called out of anger, which isn’t the time to call.

John didn’t help himself with not knowing exact dates and times but the bottom line was that the School Committee DID NOT vote on any formal offer has he stated. There was talk about working on a 1 year deal and they might have agreed to present a 1 year offer the week of January 19th but that didn’t occur because the Supt. informed the Mayor and Solicitor she was leaving and then told the Sun.

The committee was upset by her not telling each member directly but then they NEVER sat down face to face with her about the contract so fair is fair.

The Dr. Scott era ends today and the Jean Franco era begins tomorrow. It’s to bad Dr. Scott could not have left on a high note without the controversies included.

She deserved a nice farewell and Thank You for what she was able to accomplish.

GN: School Committeeman Jim Leary will be on City Life tomorrow morning and I have the pleasure to be guest-hosting so I expect we will discuss this issue among many others Live on Ch. 8 beginning at 6:00 am.

A reminder that School Committee Candidate Kim Duggan Scott has her Campaign

Kick-Off SPAGHETTI DINNER (Including a plate of pasta, meatballs, and bread)
Tonight Thursday, June 30th, 2011, 6-9 PM at The Bunting Club
449 Boylston St, Lowell, MA, 01852

Suggested Donation: $10 per person/$20 per family

If you are unable to attend, but would like to donate send a contribution to:
Committee to Elect Kim Scott, 27 Commonwealth Ave, Lowell, MA 01852

According to Jenn Myers on the Breaking news section of the Sun’s On-Line Paper

Superintendent of Schools Chris Scott, who will work her final day in Lowell tomorrow, has accepted a new job.

She will be the Superintendent-in-Residence and Senior Associate for National School Reform at the Community Training and Assistance Center of Boston,

Click on the link and read Jenn’s story and the complete follow up in tomorrow’s Sun.

Thanks to Councilor Patrick Murphy for making a motion to refer to the Law Dept. and get a legal ruling and city Councilors Martin, Broderick, Descoteaux and Mayor Milinazzo for their support of the motion. Citizens will get a ruling to see if their privacy can be kept and the Plan E form of Gov’t followed.

Thanks to all the above, Councilor Elliotts’ motion didn’t go through.

*23. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. to provide copies of applications/resumes of applicants for Boards & Commissions

Once again Councilor Patrick Murphy took the lead and used common sense logic and was supported by Councilor Descoteaux who seconded the motion and Councilors Martin and Broderick who voiced that a Legal opinion was indeed in order. The Mayor agreed and now the Solicitor can review and make a ruling on if it violates Plan E and or Privacy Laws.

I have been in contact with the Sec. of States Office regarding the Sun’s appeal to the original rejection by the City and was told by the Lawyer assigned to the case that it was still under review but once a decision is made after the Sun and City have been notified, it becomes Public record and I can get a copy and will share that ruling if the Sun doesn’t.

I should THANK Rodney also because I thought he would be smart and pull the motion because the Manager had already, reluctantly caved and gave some names and resumes but Rodney was cocky, arrogant and smug and felt empowered and instead now faces an uncertain outcome. Thanks Rodney!

He was wrong in stating that a motion was already voted on, wrong in saying the Manager would be violating the Charter by not releasing the names and now hopefully will again be wrong and the ruling will be that names and resumes are NOT released.

First thing I thought of when I witnessd the exchange between Bud and the Manager! Bud would be the Tom Cruise character and Bernie = JACK!

Caulfield: DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED CLEAN UP?
Manager: You can't handle the truth it was your binky Bellgarde!

GN: Bob Gagnon, Chairman of Lowell Flood Owners Group had Deb Forgione pass this along to me. It is an official response from the Lowell Flood Owners Group (Bob is the Chairman) He will be filing this letter with FERC during the comment period.

FERC’S Assessment is Full of Holes

If the flashboards had this many holes in 2006, the flooding may have been much less severe.

FERC states that the inflatable dam would reduce upstream backwater and flooding affects because the inflatable COULD be lowered in anticipation of and during high flows and flooding events. Well it COULD be but FERC representatives were at a meeting at the Elks when Enel told us straight up, that they would not lower the inflatable in advance of flooding, Enel made the same statements at a recorded City Council meeting. Enel told us that lowering the inflatable a few days ahead of flooding wouldn’t make a difference because the basin takes at least a couple of weeks to drain. Many people think that lowering the inflatable will drain the river quickly, but it won’t. The river is a bottleneck at the Pawtucket Falls, but the impoundment area of the dam and the water it holds back 23 miles upriver is huge, not to mention the numerous streams and rivers that empty into the Merrimack, which also must be lowered to provide flood protection. This is why the flashboards provide good flood protection, they are down for weeks or months in the spring, draining the river; giving us historic flood protection. FERC has been unable to force Enel to install a flashboard system that is completely down during high flows, how can we expect FERC to force Enel to lower the proposed inflatable in advance of flooding. Enel has told us the inflatable would be lowered only as flows increase, by then, it’s too late, the ground is saturated and we will be put at a greater threat from flooding. Enel could operate the inflatable just like the flashboards, but if the electrical generation would be the same, why would Enel spend 6 million to do the same thing the existing flashboards do.

The proposed inflatable would sit 6” above the capstones when completely deflated, compared to a flashboard system that is completely down. This means the lowest the river can go, is half a foot higher with the inflatable, than the flashboards. This will also put us at a greater threat from flooding. Enel plans to spend 6 million on this project, the capstones should be removed and the proposed inflatable installed at the same height as the present system if it is approved.

FERC’s assessment of increased fish passage is simply not credible when their same assessment shows fish migrations to be rapidly declining in the last 10 to 20 years, even with inflatable dams installed in Lawrence and Amoskeag. In 1991- 379,225 river herring were counted at the Essex dam in Lawrence, but in 2010 a mere 517 herring were counted at the Lawrence Dam. Caleb Slater from Massachusetts Fisheries has sent in numerous letters to FERC supporting the proposed inflatable in Lowell, one has to wonder why? I believe the down river fish migration is the problem, more of the small fry fish are forced through the turbines, rather than having the option of going over the downed flashboards as they continue on the down river migration, but the fisheries refuses to comment on this. Other states net the fish where they are trapped up river by the dams and moved down river, Enel and the fisheries should apply this method if they really want to help the migration. Caleb Slater and the Mass. Division of Fisheries should spend more time on the fisheries and less time helping Enel getting the inflatable dam approved.

FERC states in their assessment that the flashboard maintenance has caused cracking and splitting of the capstones, the likely cause of the capstone damage is from the installation of flashboard pins that are too strong, not bending over easily like the weaker approved pins. Stronger pins will exert more pressure on the capstones. Enel should not be rewarded by this action by allowing them to install and inflatable dam.

Lastly, FERC also states in their assessment that the proposed inflatable would cost more to construct and operate, than the increased generation benefits, is Enel expecting a BIG Government subsidy to make this project profitable?

According to the SUN, what an expert told me in April 2010 seems to be coming true.

I posted:

I don’t live in Pawt. and don’t claim to know anything about the Dam. BUT given the rain and the flooding issues we have had I ask a NH resident who has worked on this issue for his input and here is what he had to say:

Actually would be better for the City (and upstream residents) to HAVE the bladder. Gives you more control to drop water levels in case of big rain and helps to prevent flooding. Also makes it so that after the big rain, water can be brought back up to “normal” level by just inflating the bags. Right now, when the pins on the dam bend, and the plywood breaks, need to drop the water level down 6 ft to replace, and keep it down there for about 5 days to repair the dam. Bladder method much better, and provides far more control than the old plywood\pin dam.

I think the one in Lawrence is already bladder. Should go by and check it out. Funny that the NPS is against since they are the ones who complain most about water level changes affecting their tour boats.

No one should be surprised that this is going to happen and I’ve made the suggestion in the past that the city and neighborhood try working with Enel to see if the bladder can have some sort of old time look (painted to look like rocks or a wall?). Better to try to work with them than continue to fight and lose.

People need to remember they are also one of the top taxpayers (if not THE top) in this city and we should try to work with them.

I also admit THEY need to work and communicate better and need a person to work with the City and neighborhood. A Gov’t Affairs liason so to speak would make great sense.
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If you didn’t notice Councilor Patrick Murphy has 10 motions on tonight’s Agenda:

15. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore potential of formal economic gardening initiative, GrowLowell, in partnership w/UMass Lowell Management Dept. & others.

16. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on job performance of TIF Agreements and potential policy of reinvestment of new growth due to TIFs into economic development efforts.

17. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on usage of Green Communities grant funding, including participation in stretch code energy efficiency grant/loan program.

18. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on potential ordinance change to require private waste haulers operating in city to provide recycling services at affordable/flat rate & to amend fee schedule for dumpsters to eliminate existing disincentives.

19. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on establishment of short-term revolving loan fund for business, condo & multifamily apt. buildings to more easily access recycling services & corresponding savings.

20. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. review/report on progress towards goals of city tree ordinance, & submit an application for MA DCR Urban & Community Challenge Grant to develop urban forestry plan in compliance w/the ordinance.

21. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. complete an update to Capital Improvement Plan over next year, & more fully intergrate the plan into a formal process preceding annual budge session.

22. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore grant application to MassWorks Infrastructure Program for partial support of Speck Plan recommendations & coordinated pilot project for green stormwater infrastructure downtown.

23. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. identify alternative grant funding source for Hale’s (River Meadow) Brook Greenway Plan to provide improved access & environmental enhancements to the adjacent neighborhoods.

24. C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on need for a Fair Housing Commission & on city’s progress in addressing fair housing concerns

Leading to speculation that this is either his way of announcing his re-election campaign or the fact he is not running. Neither scenario appears to be correct.

It appears there is a chance the Councilor will miss the July meeting(s) and he wanted to make sure some of his concerns were addressed so since he could not spread them over a few meetings he put them on tonight’s agenda.

The Councilor for his own reasons hasn’t made a final decision yet and will do so before the August deadline. Given what he has accomplished in his first two years, he deserves some slack about making his choice public until he weights all his options.