LDNA 4/23/18
7 PM, LTC
Present:
Carolyn Alphen
Jack Moynihan
Stephen Greene
Sam Litvin
Meeting called to order at: 7:01.
Opening greeting
Approval of minutes
Approval of January and February minutes; Motion by Carolyn, 2nd by Sam.
Police Report
Capt Crowley – Sector ‘A’ Commander.
- Shooting on Merrimack St involved parties who knew each other.
- Big uptick in vandalism all over the city including downtown
- Lee St and Merrimack street numerous broken windows.
- Various damaged vehicles
- Aggravated assaults
- 2 Domestic incident
- Fight between women involving nail file
- Burglaries
- 1 domestic issue
- 1 incident at courthouse
- Disorderly incidents
- Mostly involving bar closings
- Shoplifting
- Cosmetic supplies at Rite-Aid
- Car break-ins
- Unlocked doors
- Rolled-down windows
- Purse left on seat in plain view – window smashed.
LPD received grant to boost staffing during problem times.
Treasurer’s Report
$755.29 balance. Everyone is invited to make a voluntary $10 membership contribution.
Special Guest: James Saunders of Lowell Makes
- Open house every Wednesday 6-9pm
- “Repair night” once a month for small 1-time projects.
- Wood shop, electronics, photography, 3d printers, machine shop, fabric crafts, many more things
- Volunteer organization – can arrange for training with tools.
- 18+ agree for membership
- Membership is $49/mo, $35/mo for students.
- $15 day pass available.
- Classes and workshops available
- May 19th Skill Share event (10:00am – 4:00pm)
- Series of 1hr workshops throughout the day on all sorts of topics
- 4yrs at current location on Merrimack Street.
Special Guest: Richard Howe of “Lowell Walks”
- 4th year of Lowell Walks series
- Most walks on Saturday morning at 10:00am
- Most walks last about 90min.
- Great to come and stay for lunch downtown after the walk.
- Additional walking events scheduled in collaboration with LNHP
Richard proceeded to describe the walks scheduled for this season.
Discussion
- Update on parking
- Meeting rescheduled
- Lawyers opposed parking increase.
- No LDNA meeting in May 2018
- Point of Light event kicking off Art Week in Lowell
- Doors Open Lowell coming up
- New England Pet Expo.
- New restaurant “The Keep” opening where Ricardo’s was.
- Tutu Benne closed.
- Thrift stores moved out of downtown
- Proposal: Fine vacant storefronts to encourage occupancy and discourage allowing them to become blighted.
- Mayor Samaras responds that the City is looking at options and various city councilors have motions on related matters pending.
- Fines should be re-invested in improving downtown storefronts
- LDNA will follow up in a future meeting.
- Restaurants with sidewalk seating take up too much of the sidewalk and prevent pedestrian access.
- City agents are now inspecting every week.
- Perhaps the sidewalks should be marked as to where the seating is allowed to be.
- LDNA/ HOA committee introduction
- Private alleyways need to be maintained and trash removed.
- Missing trash barrel by Pawtucket Canal at Prescott Street side walkway.
- Locate recycling bins in garages along with trash bins.
- Has Hamilton canal construction effected condo process/sales at canal place?
- Not too bad so far. We know of one sale hat fell through because of planned garage.
- Worried once garage goes up and blocks light.
Meeting Adjourns at 8:16.