Lowell officials say three chairlifts for Bartlett school will be installed within weeks; partial paving slated as stopgap

Commissioner Saint Cyr updated the joint Lowell City Council and Lowell School Committee facilities subcommittee that work on three chairlifts at the Bartlett Community Partnership School is underway and that equipment is due in the coming weeks.

"I would say in these next few weeks, we should have that wrapped up at the Bartlett," Saint Cyr said, describing pit work that must be completed before the new equipment is set. He said two lifts were removed for the installation and the classroom lift is currently not in operation; students from the impacted classroom have been relocated.

Saint Cyr described the paving work at Bartlett as a larger, multi‑phase project that will require retaining walls, changes to drainage, underground utilities and parking‑lot lighting. Because the full project is expensive and complex, the city intends a limited, targeted repaving of the cafeteria end this year to improve conditions through winter and then return in spring to complete remaining work.

Committee members pressed for clarity on capacity and timing. Committee member Bahu asked whether the district was getting one or multiple chairlifts; Saint Cyr replied, "There are 3 chairlifts that will be going in in total," specifying two at stage areas and one in a music classroom, and repeated a four‑week target for completion: "All 3 of them will be completed in the next 4 weeks."

Chair Jackie Doherty and others raised broader concerns about elevator reliability across the district and asked for a longer‑range plan for elevator maintenance and repair capacity. Doherty also emphasized ADA access and safety, noting that staff and parents had reported missing or inadequate handicap drop‑off and a teacher injury tied to the condition of the back lot.

City facilities staff said some handicap parking spots exist (two at the front, three in the back) but acknowledged signage, repainting and restriping are needed to make them visible and usable. Officials said they will address a small, worst‑condition portion of Bartlett's lot this year that offers the most value for available funds and will aim to take on larger widening or retaining‑wall work in future capital cycles.

What happens next: the city will prioritize short‑term repaving and finish chairlift installations within weeks if supply and scheduling go as described; larger paving and drainage interventions are planned for spring and will be scheduled through the city's capital requests and bidding process.