The City of Lowell held inaugural exercises for its 2026–27 city council, where councilors-elect were sworn in, the council elected Eric Gitscheer as mayor and the body adopted its rules for the new term.

The meeting began with an invocation by Father Nicholas Sunella and the presentation of colors; Michael Lally performed the national anthem. The assistant clerk called the roll and a quorum was established before the clerk read the official notice of the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election results, which the Lowell Elections Commission certified on Nov. 17, 2025; the recounted District 3 result was certified Nov. 21, 2025. The council moved to accept that communication and placed it on file.

Judge Stephen Geary administered the oath of office to councilors-elect, who pledged to "faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all of the duties incumbent upon me as a city councilor for the City of Lowell," and to uphold the constitution, commonwealth laws and the ordinances of the City of Lowell.

The council then proceeded to elect a mayor by council ballot. After no candidate secured a majority on the first ballot, the council held a second ballot that produced Councilor Eric Gitscheer as the new mayor. Gitscheer was sworn in and, in his first remarks as mayor, thanked voters, colleagues, city employees and his family and pledged to pursue accountability and transparency in city government. He said, "I will be held accountable. I will hold people accountable, [and] be transparent, and will work hard to respect our city to the best of my abilities and maintain a high level [of] integrity."

Later in the program, the council moved to adopt the council rules for 2026–27; the motion, moved by Councilor Robinson and seconded by Councilor Liang, passed on a voice vote. The ceremony closed with a benediction from Father Sunella, another musical performance by Michael Lally and a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to accept certified election results and place on file: moved (Counsel Noon), seconded (Counsel Mercia); voice vote recorded as passed.
- Election of mayor by council: held in two ballots; Eric Gitscheer elected on the second ballot.
- Motion to adopt council rules for 2026–27: moved (Councilor Robinson), seconded (Councilor Liang); passed by voice vote.
- Motion to adjourn: moved (Councilor deCoteau), seconded (Councilor Chao); passed by voice vote.

The inaugural exercises concluded after closing remarks, music and adjournment.