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

Hazardous Waste Day – Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009

FALL Household Hazardous Waste Day

 The Lowell Dept. of Public Works, Solid Waste & Recycling Office is announcing its semi-annual HHW Day, scheduled for Sat., Oct. 17.

 HHW Day has been scheduled for Sat. Oct. 17 at 9:00 am.

•  HHW Day will be at Cawley Stadium, enter only from Douglas Rd.
• Event opens to the public at 9:00 am and closes promptly at 1 pm.
• Lowell Residents only [ID will be required]. No commercial vehicles or loads.

 What to bring: 

From the Garage:      Fuels/Gasoline/Kerosene Antifreeze Motor Oil  Engine Degreaser Brake Fluid/Carburetor Cleaner Transmission Fluid Car Wax, Polishes Driveway Sealer Roofing Tar Swimming Pool Chemicals Oil Based Paints Paint Strippers/Thinners Stains & Varnishes Car Batteries

From the House:    Fluorescent Light Bulbs TV’s and Computer Monitors     Rubber Cement / Glue     Fiberglass Resins Photo Chemicals Chemistry Sets Furniture, Floor Polish Oven Cleaner Drain & Toilet Cleaner Spot Remover Rug & Upholstery Cleaner Hobby / Art Supplies Solvent Adhesives Wood Preservatives Lighter Fluid

REMINDER…!! FEE Items  Passenger Tires $5.00 eaPropane Tanks  $5.00 ea TVs/Monitors <26 inch diagonal    $10.00 TVs/Monitors >26 inch diagonal    $20.00  FREE Items* Medical Sharps (in proper containers) Un-used/expired Medication  *In conjunction with the Health Dept.

Bring your mercury fever thermometers to exchange for digital ones….FREE !!

What not to bring: 

Ø     Latex PaintØ     AsbestosØ     Smoke Detectors

Ø     Commercial or Industrial WasteØ     Radioactive Waste,Ø     Infectious & Biological Wastes

Ø     Ammunition, Fireworks, ExplosivesØ     Fire Extinguishers

 For questions or comments contact Gunther Wellenstein, the Lowell Public Works, Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator at 978-446-7277

or Email: recycle@lowellma.gov

H2702 “An Act to Promote Economic Development in Gateway Cities”

A 2007 MassINC-Brookings Institution report identified eleven Massachusetts cities as “Gateway Cities”.  The eleven include Brockton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester and Lowell.  Some of the characteristics shared by these cities include excellent location and infrastructure; a history and architecture which gives them a unique and desireable quality of place; and relative to other parts of the state, they are affordable.  Gateway Cities are also disproportionately home to young residents, human talent vital to the future Massachusetts workforce.  In 2008, the City of Lowell signed on to a compact with the chief executives of these eleven cities to work collaboratively to promote stronger state growth policies.  Since that time, economic development officials from each community have worked together with the Urban Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and MassINC to craft concrete policy reforms.

On September 30th, City Manager Lynch will join fellow Gateway city managers to testify before the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue in support of a bill filed on behalf of the eleven communities by Representative Antonio Cabral of New Bedford.  House Bill 2702, titled “An Act to Promote Economic Development in Gateway Cites,” includes several key economic development policies that reflect the agenda developed by the Gateway Cities Coalition and released during a statewide conference last October at the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River.  The provisions of the bill include:

• An uncapping of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit in the Gateway Cities while increasing the annual limit for these credits throughout the state from $50 million to $100 million,
• The establishment of a Job Creation Tax Credit for employers bringing new jobs into Gateway Cities in the amount of $2,500 per employee,
• The creation of a Gateway City Housing Tax Credit that devotes $25 million for promoting market rate housing,
• The launching of a Gateway City Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit for owner-occupied homes within designated neighborhoods.
• a coupling of the 3 percent Investment Tax Credit with the 5 percent Economic Opportunity Area tax credit for manufacturing and research and development firms that locate in Gateway Cities, and
• An expansion of the Economic Opportunity Area tax credit to property owners of buildings leased by companies bringing new jobs to Gateway Cities.

The significant opportunities that the provisions of this bill create to promote  smart growth are key to future development.  As it stands now, the historic tax credit was essential in putting previously abandoned mill buildings back into productive use. In the downtown alone, over $180 million in private investment has added over 1,600 housing units. Many of these projects could not have gone forward without the historic tax credit. The proposed legislations will allow Lowell and other Gateway cities to spur economic development and ultimately help Massachusetts become more competitive with other regions of the country.

Welcome to “Boom” Town

Boom at Tsongas

Middlesex St.

JDCU at Tremont

Hub Hosiery

Hub Hosiery

Target

Our thanks go to Charlie Cutler for sending this photo essay of the “boom” in development around the City.  As they say, pictures say a thousand words…

Planes, Trains and Automobiles…Lowell Style

Development Conference courtesy of MassDevelopment

Last week over one hundred developers, investors and real estate professionals were treated to a unique view of the many development opportunities in the downtown Lowell area through a comprehensive series of presentations and tours via foot, bus, trolley and canal boat.  In response to a motion made by Councilor Bill Martin, the Division of Planning and Development partnered with MassDevelopment, the Lowell National Historical Park and UMass Lowell to showcase economic development opportunities in Lowell.

The presentations and tour highlighted the architectural character, entertainment, sports, and cultural amenities, educational resources, parking system and site opportunities in the City.  The event itself also showcased the partnerships and collaborative spirit that underscores all of the City’s successful endeavors with the help of the numerous, public, private and institutional partners.  MassDevelopment President and CEO, Bob Culver described Lowell as well-planned and ready to do business.  The organization and comprehensiveness of the experience illustrated this clearly.  The City is prepared to welcome developers of quality projects with a professional team that recognizes the benefits of positive development activity, has the capacity and knowledge to be successful, and is prepared to work hand-in-hand with those willing to make a positive investment in the City.

What’s Your Vision for South Common?

The Division of Planning and Development, with support from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Gateway Plus Action Grant program, recently completed visioning sessions which focused on the neighborhoods surrounding the Hamilton Canal District.  A cross-section of residents, business people, community and institutional leaders, and others with a stake in the future of their neighborhood applied their local knowledge to the identification of opportunities that could, or should, be triggered by the development of the Hamilton Canal District.

Through these workshops, South Common has emerged as a park that is underutilized and needs attention. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has funded a master plan for the South Common through its Gateway City Parks Grant Program.  Landscape Architect Nina Brown from Brown, Richardson & Rowe, Inc. (BRR) is assisting the city with this process. There will be three public meetings held at the Pollard Memorial Library to inform residents of the program and to solicit ideas for future programming and design of South Common.  The first of these meetings will be held on September 23^rd at 7 pm to

1. Present site analysis plan
2. Discuss program,
3. Solicit ideas from community participants

If you have an interest in expressing your ideas to assist the development of this important gateway area please plan on attending.  For more information contact Diane Tradd, Chief Design Planner at 978-446-7200.

Lowell I-495 Bridge Bundle Public Information Briefing

Here’s an update on the accelerated bridge program.  In keeping with the ongoing effort towards public involvement, the project team conducting the Rte. 495 bridge work invites anyone interested to a public information session on September 21, 2009 at the Holy Family Parish Center at 122 Andrews St. in Lowell.  The meeting, which kicks off at 7:00 p.m. includes a presentation and question and answer session regarding the Route 495 bridge work currently underway.  The session will be hosted by the Riverside Community Council and the Sacred Heart Neighborhood Group.

The project team recently presented a very informative and well received brief to city and regional officials.  With the number of projects being conducted around the city both by Mass Highway (Hunts Falls Bridge) and the downtown improvement project (City of Lowell) access to this type of information is crucial.   

Infrastructure projects are long overdue and while it would certainly be preferable to have the “road work fairy” descend and conduct the work with no inconvenience or impact, as far as we can determine there is no such thing.  The next best thing is the ability to have up-to-date information so that both the public and municipal officials can prepare for the inevitable challenge road work presents and mitigate it as best possible.  To that end we commend Mass Highway and particularly this project team for embracing this philosophy and putting it to good effect.  Questions or concerns regarding the Bridge Bundle Project or the information session can be addressed to Nathaniel Cabral-Curtis at 617.482.7080 or via email to ncabral-curtis@hshassoc.com.  In addition, you can sign up to receive e-mail blasts of  project milestones at http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/getinvolved.html.