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!
Are there any other restrooms for a field in the City of Lowell that are not tied into the City sewer system? Most Cities and Towns require 5 years before you can cut into a newly paved road. Once the road is paved it will not only be a challenge to add sewer but we will also have to cut a new road. What happens if the system fails and is required to be replaced? Do we shut down the bathrooms for good because the youth organization can not afford to run the sewer line? How much more will it cost once everything (sidewalks, curbing, and underground utilities) are in place and the road is paved? It’s not if the septic system is going to require replacement but when. The road is currently being replaced and any underground projects should be done before the new pavement and other utilities are in place. We all have at one time complained about a new road being cut. The $27,000 is a minimal cost to the City of Lowell for the enjoyment the fields bring to the youth of our City. As Gerry has stated, every year we see the City have excess or free cash when the books are closed. Why not use $27,000 if that is an accurate figure to tie the restrooms into the City sewer system? The kids and their families deserve a working restroom. I remember very well what the area looked like before the fields were built. The City of Lowell and the youth soccer organization have made that area a place I now enjoy looking at as I drive across the Rourke Bridge.
Erik has it right on the soccer field bathrooms. The DPW blew it entirely on that one by not making it part of the Walgreen’s project/ or planning on doing it during the project.
The motion on private contracts should also be interesting in light of recent revelations that we are not really “saving” on some other things
And then there is the story going around that Lynch is trying to get rid of the Parks Department by not filling positions / And that he is doing the same thing at the library to get rid of the Library assistants and replace them with professionals ( which cost more by the way)
This is an issue that should be addressed. It is a real shame that this was not addresses in the plans for the new development. It is the kids, parents, and the City that is let down when things like this happen. The City needs to step up and make this a reality. Edwards field is used by hundreds of families a year and we should be proud to have soccer fields or I should say a complex like this one in the City. Lets stop the nonsense and do this for the people of Lowell.
I’d bet if Alan Kazanjian was still on the City Council, that sewer hookup would already be there.