Death is a sad thing and when it claims the life of a young man not even 30 yet, it leaves you stunned , sad and asking why?

Gus Cenik was a kid who was a naturally gifted athlete who had the heart, the smile and spirit of a champion. He played football for Lowell High and was the little QB that could. Gus had a lot of friends who are heartbroken today along with a family who loved him very much. I was just talking with his mom about our kids a few weeks ago.

When it’s a kid the passes away so young, the tears are easy and the words are hard. I can’t imagine the pain and sadness the family and his friends are dealing with.

God Bless and Rest in Peace #10

Condolence’s and prayers to his Mom Gail, his Dad, sister Julie and brother Steve.

CityCouncilPacket1122

In an election season it is easy to say we need to give residents tax breaks and stop raising taxes 2.5% every year which is what we have heard by many for the past few months.

The reality of it is once you have set your budget based on that 2.5% it isn’t so easy to give the residence a tax break if you are at all realistic and truly someone who is fiscal responsible.

The Manager has said from the very beginning that a One time State Reimbursement could be used for Tax Relief but if that where to happen in all likelihood it would mean a higher Tax Rate next Year and if that is what the Lowell City Council wants to do then that is what we will see Tuesday Night at the Council meeting.

In the City Council Packet (attached) under Manager’s response to motions, the Manager outlines on pages 8-9 that a tax reduction this year would reduce the expected increase by $32 so instead of an $86 average increase the increase instead would be $54. However that puts the City in a structural deficit for 2013.

That means that the City would start out with a budget shortfall of $1,040,402 in 2013, meaning that to fund the budget at the same level and offer the same service to residents in 2013 that they are offering in 2012 the city would be looking at raising taxes 3.5% instead of the 2.5%

In today’s Sun Kendall Wallace points out that while Lowellians are facing an increase of $86 Tyngsboro is going up about $320 for the average household. Chelmsford is looking at close to a $200 and Westford is similar.

It appears to me that if you are at all fiscally sound, you would not vote to give someone a $32 break this year when you know by doing so you are in all likelihood setting them up for a bigger increase in 2013.

With no indication that the economy id rebounding, no forecast for more local or federal aide in 2013 is it sound fiscal practice to give you $32 this year knowing next year you are going to be looking to get over $110 from these same people or cut service?

Can we close parks and pools? Cut the School Budget? I’d like to hear councilors tell us Tuesday night what they want the administration to look to cut in the 2013 budget before voting to put the city in a fiscal hole for 2013.

So “ You can pay the City now…or you will pay the city later”

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2011
CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
TIME 6:30 PM

PRESENTATION

CITY CLERK
1. Minutes of City Council Meeting November 15th, and Technology & Utilities S/C November 15th for acceptance.

GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS (Scheduled for 7PM)
2. Vote-Accept MGL c. 270 s. 16 re: prohibiting illegal dumping on public highways and also on property of another.

3. Ordinance-Amend certain sections of Chapter 270 entitled Waste and Recycling.

4. Ordinance-Amend Ch. 150 entitled Fees re: Waste and Recycling.

CITY MANAGER
5. Communication-From City Manager Responses to City Council Motions and Requests.
6. Communication-From City Manager, request approval Out of State Travel (1) LPD.
7. Communication-From City Manager (6) appointments Lowell Telecommunication Board of Directors.
8. Constable Bond, (1) Bond (Jared P. Riccardi), for approval for term 1/4/2011-1/7/2014.
9. Presentation by City Manager – “Key to the City” new series on LTC.
10. Communication-regarding establishing the tax rate and request for public hearing.

REPORTS (Sub/Committee, if any)
11. Ad/Hoc Clerk Oversight S/C Report from November 17th.
12. Neighborhood/Traffic S/C Report from November 22nd.

MOTIONS
13. C. Mercier – Req. Mgr. provide status of the jersey barriers on the bridge on Market St. @ Hanover St. and also to provide time line for completion etc.

14. C. Mercier – Req. Mgr. provide an explanation on the rules governing 108 Loans, home funds etc. as it relates to requirement and pay backs with these monies.

15. C. Elliott – Req. Mgr. provide council on construction schedule on all bridges being repaired by Enel Corp.

16. C. Elliott – Req. City Council discuss possibility of setting up a Task Force to address traffic problems city wide.

17. C. Elliott – Req. Mgr. have proper dept. replace Stop Sign at the corner of Laplume Ave. and Barbara St.

18. C. Elliott – Req. City Council vote to request the City Manager have a third party confirm the safety of uninspected LHA units at North Common Village.

19. C. Murphy – Req. Mgr. report on progress toward an updated capital improvement plan.

20. C. Murphy – Req. Mgr. report on estimated property assessment valuations and projected new growth figures.

21. C. Murphy – Req. Mgr. report on progress toward strategic goals and objectives and schedule, with Council, an annual performance review pursuant to the City Manager’s contract.