Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association

LDNA August 22, 2016

Present

Carolyn Alphen, Stephen Greene, Corey Sciuto

Accept Meeting Minutes

 Stephen moves; Kathleen Marcin seconds

Treasurer’s Report

 $367.00

Discussion of spending the money on a neighborhood block party in the Market Mills Courtyard. How do we discuss with the community at large? Suggestion of an Ice Cream Social.

Police Report

Sgt. Nobrega presenting. Fairly typical month.

A few residents discussing how moving people out of the TD BankNorth plaza has moved people into different areas along the canals, often owned by the National Park. LDNA to look into getting signs installed that would allow enforcement of no trespassing laws.

Mary Hart – First Thursdays

The final First Thursday of the 2016 season is September 1^st: http://www.cultureiscool.org/downtown-lowell-first-thursdays

Adjourn

8:15

LDNA 06/27/16, 7:06 PM

Present:

Carolyn Alphen, Jack Moynihan, Corey Sciuto

Approval of Minutes:

Carolyn moves; Corey seconds

Treasurer’s Report:

N/A

City Mgr. Kevin Murphy:

Discussed increased focus on trash during outdoor dining season.

Discussion on reverting many intersections to exclusive cycles, or delayed green after walk.

Discussion around increased parking rates. There has been no motion by the City Council; the Parking Dept misspoke. City is potentially working on an app to find out what parking lots have spaces.

Talk about increasing lighting downtown, including more canalside lighting.

Lt. Crawford, LPD:

Discussion about noise downtown, lack of police patrols by some of the alleys.

Richard Howe, Jr. Lowell Walks

Tours are 10 AM-11:30 AM on Saturday mornings: http://www.richardhowe.com/events/

Closing:

Carolyn moves; Corey seconds

REMINDER: No July Meeting.

8:18 PM

LDNA 5/23/16

Present:

Jack Moynihan

Carolyn Alphen

Stephen Greene

Corey Sciuto

Start: 7:02

Approval of March Minutes:

Moved by Carolyn; Second by Jack

Treasurer’s Report:

$287.29 + $40 deposits

Police Report:

Captain Richardson

Discussed recent incidents downtown. Largely typical bar stuff.

Report graffiti to Mike Demaras at Neighborhood Services mdemaras@lowellma.gov or via e-gov http://www.egovlink.com/lowell/action.asp

Councilor John Leahy, Public Safety Chair:

Increases to staff on Police Department and Fire Department. City Manager and the Police Chief are in Washington, D.C. today receiving a reward for Community Policing.

Paul A: How is the Hamilton Canal District work coming?

1. Leahy: Contractors are being picked; hopefully the courthouse and the planned buildings start soon.

Stephen G: Will we get sidewalk repairs done before Folk Festival?

1. Leahy: We would like to.

Jack M: Can we do anything about traffic light enforcement? Can we get cameras?

1. Leahy: We haven’t discussed that in particular. We’ve talked about cameras in general.

Sam L: The downtown lights have cameras in them. Can’t we just use those?

1. Leahy: We are continually looking into this sort of thing.

Sam L: What does the city offer for teens to do in the summer?

1. Leahy: They can help work with the Parks Department.

(Councilor Bill Samaras enters; discussion on the panhandling and loitering laws)

Reminder to contact Nick Navin, Parking and Garages Dept. with any questions: http://www.lowellma.gov/parking/Pages/default.aspx

DIY Lowell:

Visit www.diylowell.org to submit ideas. Summit looks like it will be July 14.

First Thursdays:

http://www.cultureiscool.org/downtown-lowell-first-thursdays now through September.

Sam L: Can we make it legal to get to Western Avenue Studios from Dutton Street?

1. Samaras: It would cost $2M to build a pedestrian bridge over that.

Adjournment: 8:32 PM

LDNA Meeting – 03/28/2016 7PM

Present:

Carolyn Alphen

Jack Moynihan

Stephen Greene

Corey Sciuto

Start: 7:01

Motion to Approve Minutes: Carolyn. Seconded by Jack

Treasurer’s Report: $287.29. Reminder that there is a suggested $5 donation.

Captain Webb, LPD, Sgt Prescott: Police report. Gun crime down citywide in 201; up downtown. A few specific clubs blamed with actions being taken: http://www.lowellma.gov/police/Pages/Firearm-Crime-Decreased-Significantly-in-2015.aspx. LPD and LFD awarded over $5M in grants in 2015: http://www.lowellma.gov/police/Documents/2015%20LPD%20Grant%20Funding%20Memo%203-2-2016.pdf

Fred Faust, Lowell Heritage Partnership. Lowell: The Next Initiative for Lowell: Making Our Canals and Rivers Come Alive: http://www.lowellheritagepartnership.org/next

Nick Navin, Parking and Garages Dept. Roy (Market) Garage repairs. Contact Nick with any questions: http://www.lowellma.gov/parking/Pages/default.aspx

Announcements about cleanup, act to add income tax deductions for condo fees: http://cqrcengage.com/advocacycenter/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=186213

LDNA Meeting 02/22/16

Start 7:05

Accept Previous Minutes

 Carolyn motions; Corey seconds

Treasurer’s Report

$277.29

Police Report, Sgt. Prescott

Nothing too remarkable this month. Question about cameras. Money being redirected to add new cameras to trouble spots, including mobile cameras.

Danny Rourke, Vice Mayor

Discussion about reaching out to Inspectional Services re: code violations, etc. Discussion about the Neighborhood City Council Subcomittee.

Derek Pelotte of 350MA of Greater Lowell 

Find them on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/350MAofGreaterLowell/?fref=ts

Rapid Response Signup Form

http://tinyurl.com/zckll36

Open Floor

Discussion on trying to get different businesses into the downtown; parking.

Cleanup! 

April 9, 9AM, Mack Plaza.

Next Meeting:

 Invite: Nick Naven and Madison Security

Adjournment:

Carolyn motions; Corey seconds

Adjourn at 7:49

Present: Jack Moynihan, Susan Purdy, Stephen Greene, Carolyn Alphen, Corey Sciuto

START: 7:07 PM

Last meeting’s minutes accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: $277.29

Annual Election: Susan to step down. Jack and Carolyn running as Co-Chairs. Stephen Greene as VP and Treasurer. Corey to remain as Secretary.

Motion to accept slate, seconded. Accepted.

L.t Siopes Police Report: Fairly quiet month. Discussions about bars and panhandling, etc.

Mayor Edward Kennedy: Discussion about Business Improvement District (BID), general downtown issues.

Update on Parking Garage Repairs: Lower Locks going along; Roy Garage next.

Adjourn – 8:37