Lowell Veterans Commission approves Dec. 11 minutes, sets action items for Memorial Day and outreach

The Lowell Veterans Commission approved minutes from its Dec. 11, 2024, meeting by voice vote and confirmed a quorum at the start of Wednesday’s meeting, the commission said.

The vote on the minutes was a voice vote after a motion and second; the commission recorded only that the motion passed. The commission then moved into business that included planning for Memorial Day 2025, outreach and a veterans survey, and several administrative follow-ups about postings, appointment documentation and technology for a veterans card program.

The commission’s chair, Jacqueline Coles, opened the session and noted the planned guest speaker from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) had not arrived. Commissioners in attendance included Walter O’Neil, Richard Cote, James Harmon and James Hall; Jay Gaffney was present by phone and Adam Mitchell attended as a DAV representative, the minutes state. The meeting took place at the Loewenthal Media Center and ran from about 5:01 p.m. to about 6:05 p.m.

Discussion items produced several action items: draft Memorial Day plans and a budget request to submit to the city manager; development of an online veterans survey for voluntary self-identification; follow up with city information-technology staff about restoring or replacing the Lowell veterans card software; and better processes for posting agendas, storing minutes and tracking appointment/term expiration dates.

The commission asked that members respond to emails promptly to help staff proceed with reappointment paperwork and website updates. The chair said she would follow up with the city clerk and the city manager to resolve posting access and to confirm which city web pages should be the single authoritative repository for commission agendas and minutes.

Votes at a glance

• Motion: Approve meeting minutes of Dec. 11, 2024. Outcome: Approved by voice vote; individual tallies not specified.