LDNA 09\/25\/17<\/p>\n
7 PM, LTC<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Present:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Jack Moynihan<\/p>\n Carolyn Alphen<\/p>\n Stephen Greene\u00a0 (Arrived 7:30)<\/p>\n Sam Litvin<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meeting called to order at: 7:02<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Opening greeting<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Approval of minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n Approval of minutes was put off until next month.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Treasurer\u2019s Report<\/strong><\/p>\n $588.29 balance.\u00a0 Everyone is invited to make a voluntary $10 membership contribution.\u00a0 Our donation to the Lowell Movie Night was well received.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Police Report<\/strong><\/p>\n Report by Capt. Crowley\u00a0 (TCrowley@lowellma.gov)<\/p>\n Overall crime count down from last month.\u00a0 Two of the assaults were random violence against homeless persons.<\/p>\n Q & A:<\/p>\n Issues with homeless persons on Prescott St. blocking doorway of building.\u00a0 Homeless people cannot be arrested for vagrancy because those laws have been repealed.<\/p>\n Bikes on sidewalk are a concern.<\/p>\n Pan-handlers are a problem, but there\u2019s not much the police can do.\u00a0 City has tried many approaches, but the pan-handlers have rights.<\/p>\n Important to discriminate between innocuous people and the real problem people.<\/p>\n Issue with vehicles using a shortcut between the LNHP visitor\u2019s center and the area by 110 Canal.\u00a0 —\u00a0 Should be posted with \u201cAuthorized Vehicles ONY\u201d signage.<\/p>\n Dedicated walk cycle at traffic light at Market & Central works well and should be replicated at other downtown traffic lights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Presentation by Nick Navin:\u00a0 Lowell Parking Dept. Director<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s a need to grow the parking infrastructure to accommodate new growth in downtown area and Hamilton canal.\u00a0\u00a0 Also lots of deferred maintenance (including recently completed projects.)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14 years since last rate increase.<\/p>\n Parking rates can be a tool to help control demand rather than endlessly increasing supply.<\/p>\n Q&A \/ Discussion:<\/p>\n Downtown residents begged for a gradual increase \u2013 the big jump is really unfair.<\/p>\n Downtown residents have no choice but to park here \u2013 the fee is like a mandatory tax.<\/p>\n Downtown residents pay for trash & recycling subsidy but don\u2019t get any services\u00a0 — lower parking rates are a bit of an offset to this situation.<\/p>\n Upcoming Lowell City Council subcommittee meeting should be informed about our concerns.<\/p>\n Condo associations need to be informed about the rate increases.\u00a0 Many associations pay for the parking on behalf of their owners.\u00a0 This is a major problem with any plan that offers a menu of options.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Discussion with Chief Taylor of LPD:<\/strong><\/p>\n Homeless people an ongoing issue.\u00a0 Moving them from one place to another isn\u2019t really working.<\/p>\n Councilor Samaras:\u00a0 We need to work on improving the Lowell Transitional Living Center so they provide better services.<\/p>\n Legally there just isn\u2019t that much that can be done.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meeting Adjourns at 8:49.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LDNA 09\/25\/17 7 PM, LTC Present: Jack Moynihan Carolyn Alphen Stephen Greene\u00a0 (Arrived 7:30) Sam Litvin Meeting called to order at: 7:02 Opening greeting Approval of minutes Approval of minutes was put off until next month. … Continue reading