Lowell council approves three-year extension to city manager contract after heated debate

The Lowell City Council voted Feb. 18 to amend and approve a three‑year extension of City Manager Tom Golden’s employment contract, a measure that prompted extended debate over timing, process and fiscal implications.

Councilors debated whether to negotiate the manager’s terms in public or in executive session before taking a roll-call vote. Councilor Murphy moved that the mayor enter negotiations with the city manager and council in executive session to discuss extending the contract; Councilor Young seconded. Councilors then offered amendments and discussed whether negotiating years or other terms on the open floor would constitute public bargaining. City Solicitor staff advised that amending strictly by years on the floor was permitted and that executive session remained an option.

The discussion centered on whether it was appropriate to extend a contract with roughly two years…