Lowell council votes to pursue formal consolidation of school and city facilities functions

The Lowell City Council on a unanimous vote accepted the provisions of Section 37M of General Laws Chapter 71, authorizing the city to pursue a formal consolidation of custodial and facilities functions between the city and the Lowell Public Schools.

City Manager Tom Golden said the city does not own all school buildings and that the process is a first step, adding, “we don’t own it,” when explaining the roles of UMass building authorities and other state entities during related discussions. Golden and other officials described the vote as the start of a negotiation and planning process, not an immediate operational merger.

The item came after several councilors and the city solicitor outlined next steps required by state statute, including a city…