Lowell council approves consent items, asks staff to draft rodenticide ordinance and report on school heating and other issues

The Lowell City Council on Jan. 7 adopted routine consent and expenditure items, and approved a set of motions directing staff to draft ordinances and provide follow-up reports on several neighborhood and school issues.

Votes at a glance

- Bundled consent (Items 7.1–7.5): The council approved a package of items that included acceptance of small expenditures, grant acceptances and an authorization for the city manager to execute a vehicle agreement. The motion to bundle and approve those items was moved and seconded and carried by roll call with recorded "yes" votes from a majority of councilors.

- National Grid (4.1): The council closed the public hearing and referred a request from National Grid to the wire inspector for a report and recommendation; motion passes.

- Subcommittee and appointments: The council approved various appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions (see minutes) by roll call.

Ordinances, motions and requests for reports

- Rodenticide ordinance (Motion 5.1): Councilor Getyou (recorded as the maker) asked the city solicitor to prepare an ordinance to remove or restrict certain rodenticides ("eschar/anticoagulant rodenticides") from city use. The city solicitor said the Board of Health would review the issue and that a draft ordinance could be prepared in one to two weeks after Board of Health recommendations; council approved referral and requested the solicitor draft proposed language.

- Speed bumps and traffic (Motion 5.2): Council approved a motion to have the city manager and public works assess speed‑control measures, specifically asking staff to look into adding speed bumps on West Meadow Road by Pawtucket Memorial School and to consult neighbors. Motion passed.

- Pawtucket Memorial School heating and controls (Motions 5.3, 5.9): Councilors requested a report on heating and cooling issues at Pawtucket Memorial School, including a list of outstanding service requests and dates. School facilities staff reported control repairs are underway: chillers are due to be completed in about two weeks and staff are "self-regulating" problem rooms until controls are corrected. Council asked for a follow-up and documentation of repairs made.

- Smith Baker Center (motion requesting update): Council requested an update on the Smith Baker Center property. Assistant City Manager Baez Rose said a final structural engineering report arrived on Jan. 7 and that staff would review it and provide an update to the council (the assistant manager said she expected to provide an update within one to two weeks).

- Vacant commercial properties (Motion 5.5): Councilor Jeunesse asked for an update on the vacant commercial property registration and maintenance ordinance adopted in December 2023; the motion to request a status report was approved.

Other directions

- Trash barrels, cameras and enforcement: Councilors discussed overflowing trash barrels, possible QR-code reporting tied to 311, and a multi-phase camera purchase and installation plan; seven cameras are installed and a second phase is scheduled.

- Festival safety, ARPA allocations, and other routine motions: The council asked the city manager to review festival safety protocols, provide an ARPA allocation update, and to report on other standard administrative matters; motions were passed.

Ending

The council concluded the meeting after a short public hearing, accepting routine items and directing staff to return with the requested reports and draft ordinances for future council consideration.