Last Call for Leaves

This is the last week for yard waste collection.  The last pick up will coincide with the regular neighborhood collection day for trash.  Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, last pick-up for Friday collection is on Saturday the 28th.

The Solid Waste & Recycling office reports that this has been an extraordinary year for leaves.  The record breaking volume is a 10 year high.  In a typical year the drivers make 4 – 6 trips per day to dump the trucks on a neighborhood run.  This year they’ve been pulling an average of 7 – 10 loads.  Complicating matters, the trees seemed to drop their leaves all in one weekend.  Consequently, for the past couple of weeks the drivers were running a day or two behind on pick-up.   In the good news category, we’re grateful not to have had snow yet which really complicates yard waste pick-up.

If you do find that you’ve been missed go to the “missed trash, recycling or yard waste” page on egovlink.com/lowell at http://www.egovlink.com/lowell/action.asp?actionid=5577 to report the miss.  You can also call Allied Waste’s Customer Service number at 978-649-7564.  Keep in mind that if you do see a truck leaving your neighborhood mid-day it could be that they are making a drop and plan to return.

Flu Part II

Last evening at the LTC Annual Meeting and Award Night, the Municipal Programming award went to the Lowell Health Department with recognition to Christine Connolly, RN, BSN, Public Health Nurse Manager and Maria Rugerrio, Public Health Educator for their work to provide up-to-date health information to the citizens of Lowell through the local cable network, particularly in the area of the H1N1 outbreak and opioid abuse.

The Health Department, in a very confusing and fluid information climate, has worked closely with the CDC, State, local hospitals and health providers to provide the best available information on the H1N1 flu as well as dealing with the limited and slow distribution of the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine.  With the limited public doses they have available, the Public Health department has worked with area health providers  to address the priority risk groups with clinics.   Two H1N1 public clinics were recently held for pregnant women.  Four more H1N1 public clinics have been scheduled in December for children 6 months to 18 years at LGH and SMC.  Click here for more information.

Frank Singleton, Health Director, recently authored the article below for the Lowell Sun which has been reproduced after the jump.  It contains information on prevention, symptoms, treatment and public outreach.  As for prevention,  here’s a great video on one of the best ways to decrease transmission of any airborne illness proper cough etiquette entitled  ”Why Don’t We Do it in Our Sleeves.“

Report From City of Lowell “Flu Summit” Group

The City of Lowell finds itself on the forefront of the H1N1 scene both by chance and intent.  By chance last spring, as the first community in Massachusetts where confirmed cases of H1N1 were documented and by intent, as a community committed to addressing H1N1 proactively by working  collaboratively across the community with health providers, emergency responders and schools, including UML and MCC,  to prepare for and address the possibility of a future outbreak. 

Since the identification that Lowell had circulating pandemic flu along with the associated outbreak that subsequently took place in the schools and community that spring, the City began to plan and prepare for the reoccurrence of this new strain of influenza in the fall along with the seasonal flu that normally begins to occur during the latter part of fall and the beginning of winter. The planning process was complicated by a continual series of changes in both information on and the projected availability of the best public health intervention against preventing a wide spread flu outbreak in Lowell; having a vaccine available.

The Manager organized and hosted a series at City Hall of Flu Summits to plan for this flu season beginning with the first summit on September 2^nd. There have been two additional Summits on October 7^th and October 28^th and a City response emergency continuity of operations tabletop exercise  today November 18^th at the City’s new Emergency Operations Center facilitated by Middlesex Community College. This exercise will be immediately be followed by the 4th Flu Summit meeting on Thursday the 19th at Saints Memorial Hospital. These planning summit participants consist of city response departments such as police and fire as well as both hospitals, the Community Health Center, Trinity and greater Lowell EMS, both collages, MCC and UML, as well as other agencies such as the Lowell school system. Topics during these summits include situational updates, response planning coordination, surveillance information and vaccine availability so that everyone is on the same page regarding what the City status is and where we stand with the state and federal government planning. An additional presentation was held before the Lowell School Committee and before all the school Principals on November 4^th at their Leadership meeting at the Roger’s Administration building.

During this planning period, before and after the City began receiving and both seasonal and H1N1 vaccine, the Lowell Health Department implemented a series of clinics in smaller venues to reflect the smaller number of doses of both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines received by the City of Lowell itself.  These targeted clinics reflect the priority level of the associated risk groups.  Most seasonal and H1N1 vaccine received in Lowell is directly ordered and received by various practitioners and not through the City Health Department. The first payment of Federal pandemic response funds was received last week to assist the City’s response capacity with the bulk of the remaining funds coming over the next few weeks to pay for supplies, overtime and other associated H1N1 clinic expenses.

Hamilton Canal District Breaks Ground

 ”Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not be realized.  Make big plans; aim high in hope and work”

- Daniel Hudson Burnham, Urban Planner, 1921

Balloon bouquets lining the roadway to the big tent in the empty gravel lot suggested a party.  A celebratory mood buzzed in the growing crowd.  Rows of chairs filled the clear plastic tent, but most attendees chose to stand outside and gaze at what was against the vision of what will be. Conversations followed a common theme,  amazement and wonder that the reality of the dream was clearly in sight as the cranes worked deliberately among the ruins.

As the heavy equipment lumbered behind the preserved brick facade of the Appleton Mills, over 200 people gathered under the tent to mark a historic moment in the progress of Lowell’s “big plan”, the Hamilton Canal District.  Governor Deval Patrick joined Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, City Manager Bernie Lynch, Mayor Caulfield, city councilors, Reps. Murphy, Nangle and Golden, Senator Panagiotakos, State officials, Trinity Financial and primary investor MetLife to mark the groundbreaking of the first phase of the $800 million dollar Hamilton Canal District revitalization project. 

The Governor began his remarks by exclaiming, “It’s a great day to be in Lowell” and the enthusiastic response that followed reflected the anticipation of ten years of visioning, planning and working towards this moment.   Along with praise for the city and its vision, the Governor also announced that the state would be appropriating a 16.5 million dollars in grants to the City.

 Phase I of the HCD project is the redevelopment of the Appleton Mills.  An affiliate of Trinity Financial, the master developer of the Hamilton Canal District, will lead the approximately $60 million redevelopment of Appleton Mills, with MetLife providing around $45 million in equity capital. 

“The restoration of the Appleton Mills into 130 units of affordable artist housing will be an exciting step forward for Lowell’s growing creative economy sector.  Even more importantly however, the restoration of this mill complex will dramatically improve the gateway into Downtown Lowell and unlock the full potential of the Hamilton Canal District to attract $600-800 million in private investment and create over 1000 new permanent jobs in a transit-oriented site in the heart of a gateway city,” said City Manager Bernard Lynch. “The City of Lowell is sincerely grateful for the state assistance with both funding and permitting without which this project would not be proceeding today.”

The project is described by ICON architecture as a new market loft style and live/work housing engages a contemporary mill yard interpretation, creating a community core on the central “island” of the 15-acre Hamilton Canal mixed use district. With a gallery at street level, live/sell units along the new “loading dock”, a 4-story atrium at the heart of the complex, and a green roof, the plan incorporates the extant masonry remains of the Appleton Mill complex into a contemporary design.

In his remarks, Senator Panagiotakos likened the impact of the revitalized mill development to the that of the original mills to the success of the city. The project is not merely a redevelopment, or revitalization but truly a transformation of the worst kind of urban blight to a bustling, vibrant urban village with over 350,000 square feet of commercial/office space, up to 50,000 square feet of retail space, a mix of up to 700-800 market-rate and affordable-housing units, 400 new permanent jobs and $4 million in annual tax revenue to the city. 

The moment of certainty that they were backing the right project came to Abby Goldenfarb of Trinity Financial on the night of first charette visioning session.  It was a cold wintry night and they had set their expectations low on attendance, guessing perhaps 10 or a dozen tops.  Much to their surprise over 100 people filled the room to hear the plans, ask questions and share their vision of what their neighborhood should be.  Attendance continued and Trinity knew with that kind of community buy-in, that level of support the project could only be a success.  That spirit was much in evidence today.

 

Gorky and the Creative Economy

The Whistler House of Art was recently presented with a unique opportunity to house a rarely seen collection of works by the Armenian artist Arshile Gorky (1904-1948), known to be the Father of American Abstract Expressionism.  The collection represents many of his earlier works and outlines his progression as an artist, showing influences of Paul Cezanne, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.  The special exhibition of his work, entitled Drawings and Paintings by Arshile Gorky – Mina Boehm Metzger Collection was premiered in September to run through November 7^th.  Surprised and pleased by the incredible response to the exhibit, the run has been extended. 

The exhibit has stirred great interest for not only the work itself but the legacy of the artist to the Armenian community.  Gorky immigrated to the United States in 1920, at the age of sixteen, having survived the genocide of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turks.  After his family was displaced and dispersed while escaping from Russian-controlled Armenia, his mother died in his arms during a forced march from Yerevan.  He joined his father in the United States and eventually settled for a time in Watertown and Providence, RI before moving on to New York.

His Armenian heritage and local roots have brought an enthusiastic following to the Whistler House.  Michael Lally, Executive Director of the Whistler recently commented on how thrilling it’s been to have so many people come to experience the exhibit from so many different places around the state and around the country.  Many have ties to the Armenian community or to Gorky himself and are moved by the exhibit, but the reach of these visitors extends beyond the art.  Lally remarked that at times during the exhibit he’s played the role of concierge, directing visitors downtown for lunch and then onto one of the other museums or galleries.  It’s a role he’s happy to take on because it provides him the opportunity to share the Lowell he loves with newcomers and the hope that the positive experience will translate into future visitors.

When the prosperity of Lowell is placed in the context of the creative economy, this leveraging of experience is a key part of that conversation.  High profile art exhibits, museums, festivals and the national park serve as portal to bring people into the city to then experience the other amenities, bringing dollars to our local businesses.  These positive experiences are brought home with visitors altering their perception of Lowell and ultimately reshaping the conversation about Lowell to reflect its vitality and attractiveness to visitors, investors and new residents.

A more direct interpretation of the creative economy at work kicks off on Thursday, November 12th with the launch of the “Buy Art/Buy Lowell” campaign.  Drop by the Loading Dock Gallery at the Western Ave Studios between 5:30 and 7:30 to meet fellow art lovers, learn about the value of buying local art from satisfied patrons and businesses.  Art from over 40 galleries will be on display and tours of over 200 Western Ave studios will be offered.  Who knows, you could end up with the next Gorky.

I 495 – Bridge Bundle Update

From Mass Department of Transporation (MassDOT):

Temporary traffic lane shifts and closure of the northbound exit ramp at the Woburn Street interchange in Lowell begin Saturday, November 7, 2009 as part of the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle project.  The changes should be fully implemented by Monday, November 9 assuming favorable weather conditions and will remain in place for approximately seven months.  The MassDOT Highway Division recommends drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for trips through the work zone. 

Temporary cross-over lanes beginning south of the Concord River Bridge and ending north of the I-495 Woburn Street interchange in Lowell will shift traffic from the northbound high speed lane across the median and continuing north along a former southbound lane before shifting back.  A concrete barrier will separate traffic traveling in opposing directions.  An overview of the cross-over lane shift is available on the project website:

http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/laneshift.html   

The I-495 northbound ramp at the Woburn Street interchange, exit #37 will be closed.  Drivers will be detoured to the Route 38 interchange, exit #38, cross under I-495 and return to the Woburn Street interchange using I-495 southbound.  Traffic signals at the Route 38 interchange have been adjusted and a temporary traffic signal added at Woburn Street to handle additional detoured traffic.   Temporary signs and Variable Message (VMS) Signs will alert drivers to the changes and detour route. 

 Large trucks will be prohibited from using the temporary traffic lanes except during specific, nighttime construction when all northbound traffic is directed into the temporary lanes.

 For an overview diagram of the detour, please visit: http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/detour1.html

A Clean Catch Basin is a Happy Catch Basin

After

Before

The Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility and the Department of Public Works requests that resident and business owners take a few minutes to clean any catch basins in front of or near their property that have leaves, pine needles or any other debris that may have accumulated. This will help to alleviate any future drainage problems and decrease the possibilityof localised street flooding. With over 5000 catch basins in Lowell, efforts by residents and business owners to keep them clear are greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

“Our Community’s Clear and Present Danger: The Lethal Consequences of Prescription Drug Abuse”

Did you know?

• Prescription painkillers are now the leading cause of drug overdoses.
• Prescription drugs cause most of the more than 26,000 fatal overdoses each year
• The number of overdose deaths from opioid painkillers more than tripled from 1999 to 2006
• Prescription drug abuse is viewed as the biggest and fastest growing part of America’s drug problem
• Prescription painkillers have now surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of fatal overdoses

Join members of the health and educational community, state and city government officials at this community forum to learn about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the ways that parents can understand the risks and cope with these issues.

When:  Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Time:      6:00 – 8:oo pm  – Doors Open at 5:30 p.m.

Where:  The Lowell High School Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium, 50 Father Morrisette Blvd.

Intended Audience: Parents, Students, Educators, Community Leaders and Community Members.

Presentations by:

Joanne Peterson, founder of Learn2Cope

Dr. Peter Connolly, MD, Medical Director, LHD

Gerry Leone, Middlesex County District Attorney

Please contact Jennifer Ball at the Lowell Police Department at jball@lowellma.gov with any questions.

I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle Update – Speed Reduction

From MassHighway:

Beginning on Thursday, October 22, 2009 a temporary reduction in the posted speed limits in the area of the work zone of the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle project will be implemented.  This temporary reduction will lower the legal speed limit on I-495 between the Lowell Connector (Exit 35C) and Route 38 (Exit 38) from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour and will remain in place until the conclusion of the project in June, 2011. 

The replacement of the six bridges in the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle is taking place under the Patrick Administration’s historic Accelerated Bridge Program, a $3 Billion recovery effort to repair bridges throughout the state. 

While drivers eventually adapt to reductions in posted speed limits, there can be some initial confusion when first implemented.  This initial confusion can result in delays.  MassHighway suggests that during the first several weeks the speed limit reductions are in place drivers plan ahead and allow extra time for their trips through the work zone. 

The speed limit reduction is being implemented to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow through the work zone. Drivers will be alerted to the reduced speed limit through the use of both signage and Variable Message Signs (VMS).  MassHighway will work with the Massachusetts State Police to monitor and enforce the new speed limit.    

The Accelerated Bridge Program represents a monumental and historic investment in Massachusetts bridges. Over the next 8 years, nearly $3 billion in funding will be made available to improve the condition of bridges in every corner of the state. This program will boost safety by reducing the number of structurally deficient bridges in Merrimac Valley, while creating hundreds of construction jobs on area bridge projects.

For more information and updates about the Lowell Bridge Bundle project, visit http://mass.gov/mhd/495lowellbridgebundle.

For transportation news and updates visit the EOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow EOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

Made in Lowell – Celebrating the Creative Economy – Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Lowell was born of the industrial revolution and these roots continue to run deep.  “Made in Lowell” features businesses that are a vital part of the local economy, provide meaningful and well-paying jobs and produce good that are recognized world-wide.

On Friday, October 16, 2009 the City of Lowell will hold its second annual “Made in Lowell” event.  This year’s event showcases the creative economy sector and represents industries that focus on creating unique property, content or design such as intellectual property products, business-to-business creative services, art and culture, and economic activities focused on designing, making and selling objects or works of art such as jewelry, haute couture, books of poetry and other creative writing, and fine art. 

The event will be attended by elected officials, the business community, media outlets and anyone who is interested in learning more about the companies who contribute to Lowell’s economic prosperity.  It’s also a great opportunity to network with other business leaders in the community.

“Made in Lowell”

Lowell Memorial Auditorium – Hall of Flags

50 E. Merrimack St.

October 16, 2009

10 am – 1 pm

rsvp to madeinlowell@lowellma.gov or 978-446-7200 ext. 1437

Light lunch provided through the generous sponsorship of The Lowell Plan