Tip of the Cap to City Councilor Marty Lorrey who has three very timely (with the budget coming up) and interesting motions on this weeks City Council Agenda.

30. C. Lorrey – Request the City Mgr. report on number of private contracts and amount spent on selected departments.

This should help answer some questions about how much “savings” has actually occurred by the layoffs we have heard about. It is known that the upkeep of the Cemetery has been “privatized” and we know we are contracting out the repair of the street lights, also some of the street sweeping has been “privatized”. So how much are we actually saving?

31. C. Lorrey – Request the City Mgr. report on unfilled positions in DPW, City Hall, Police and Fire Departments.

How many positions exist in the budget that are not filled and if not why not? Also if they are not filled and the depts. are running without these people in place are they really needed?

32. C. Lorrey – Request the City Mgr. have proper department report on feasibility of running sewer line to Lowell Youth Soccer Facility.

Good for him. This is something that should be done and everyone knew when this stand and bathroom opened that it needed to be done. We have seen throughout the city where private groups raise money for something (Shedd Park WaterPark) and the city “matches” the funds or contributes to complete the project.

Lowell Youth Soccer build these bathrooms themselves and the City was aware at that time that septic was only a temporary solution. Every year we see the City have excess or free cash when the books are closed, we also have a solid contingency fund. There is no reason that $23,000 or $27,000 can’t be found for this project.

Over 800 families use this park!