Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association
Minutes of the Meeting of March 24, 2025
President Laura Lamarre Anderson convened the meeting at 7:02 PM.
The minutes of the February 24 meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Jim Pope and Greg Lamarre Anderson
Treasurer Greene indicated our bank balance was $2282.29
LPD Lieutenant Dawn Beauchense introduced Sgt Tim Whelan who supervises the downtown and Acre patrols. While the monthly report was fairly consistent with prior months, there was a shooting on March 16 on Jackson Street. The gang unit tracked down the armed suspect who was subsequently arrested and booked. Lt. Dawn indicated that the shooting was not a random event.
February was a frigid month with typically low numbers of aggravated assaults, car breaks, vandalism, and shoplifting. A burglary at 181 Central St. is under investigation while a second such incident on Church Street resulted in an arrest aided by surveillance cameras. Lieutenant Beauchense indicated that the LPD has increased patrols at the Bishop Markham and Fenwick Apartments.
Most of the questions from the members focused on the recent presence of ICE in the downtown area, including at Canal Place. The lieutenant indicated that LPD was not notified and did not participate in these activities.
Next, Laura introduced Sixto DeJesus who is a candidate for the city council on the citywide ballot.Sixto provided information about his professional and community experience and asked the members present for their input as he plans his campaign.
District 4 Councilor Wayne Jenness reported that the city was very close to announcing a new agreement for development at the Hamilton Canal district. He described the new 311 system and encouraged members and neighbors throughout downtown to download the app and to use it to report incidents to the city and also to get answers for their questions about services. Wayne answered a couple of questions regarding the condition of the Riverwalk and Pawtucket Canal.
For the reorganization, the members present nominated and elected Laura Lamarre Anderson as chairman with Steve Greene and Bob Casey, treasurer and secretary, respectively. Ken Michienzi volunteered to be the substitute secretary as needed.
Before the close of the meeting, a representative for the Pollard library was present to promote upcoming events under their sponsorship. Laura also reminded that the town and city music festival was coming up on April 26 followed by the Indie booksellers event on April 27.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:12 PM
Respectfully,
Robert Casey,
Secretary
AGENDA – April 28, 2025
- Approval of the minutes as written by Bob Casey, Secretary
- Budget update from Treasurer Stephen Greene
- Police Report
- Details about the Points of Light celebration and a call for volunteers – Laura Tavares
- Updates from Downtown City Councilor Wayne Jeness
- Upcoming events
- May 10 -Doors Open Lowell
- May 10 – Spring Busker Festival (Middle and Palmer streets will be closed to traffic, there will be no parking on Shattuck St)
- May 17 – Family Day at Kerouac Park
- May 30 – June 1 – Grecian Festival at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
- Open for discussion of what we want to see at upcoming meeting – we need input
NEXT MEETING is Monday, JUNE 23, 2025, 7pm at LTC
Upcoming meetings:
May – no meeting
June 23
July – no meeting
August 25
September 22
October 27
November 24
December – no meeting