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Lowell City Council
How the Lowell City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 11 councilors: one from each of the city’s 8 districts and 3 elected at large; the council chooses one of its members as Mayor. Elected November 4, 2025; inaugurated January 5, 2026. The council chose Erik R. Gitschier (at-large) as Mayor on the second ballot, 6 to 5 over Daniel P. Rourke (two councilors then asked that their votes be recorded for Gitschier), and Vesna Nuon (at-large) as Vice Chair, 6 to 5 over John Descoteaux. Belinda M. Juran (District 3), Sean McDonough (District 4) and Sidney L. Liang (District 7) joined the council. The city has posted minutes through August 25, 2026. The end date (January 2028) is a placeholder for the next inauguration. Covers 28 meetings so far, January 5 to August 25, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The council hires the city manager, who runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Lowell City Council: 9 out of 10 · Open
How easy Lowell makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 10, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedWhen councilors split, the minutes list how each one voted.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMost minutes go up within about six weeks, but the most recent month-old meeting is still missing.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineCity Council minutes going back to 2013 are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe city’s website has a photo of each councilor.Full points: 1/1
How the city can raise its score
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 13PDF →
- Mon, Oct 19COA Board Agenda for 10/19/26 →
From the agendas Lowell posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Councilors
MayorErik R. GitschierMayor · At-large (from 2024); District 8 (2022-2023) · at 28 of 28 meetings
Vice-ChairVesna NuonVice Chair · At-large · at 27 of 28 meetings
Sokhary ChauCouncilor · District 6 (from 2022); at-large (2020-2021) · at 28 of 28 meetings
John DescoteauxCouncilor · District 8 · at 27 of 28 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Belinda M. JuranCouncilor · District 3 · at 28 of 28 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Sidney L. LiangCouncilor · District 7 · at 28 of 28 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Sean McDonoughCouncilor · District 4 · at 28 of 28 meetings
Rita MercierCouncilor · At-large · at 26 of 28 meetings
Corey RobinsonCouncilor · District 2 · at 27 of 28 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Daniel P. RourkeCouncilor · District 1 (from 2022); at-large (2020-2021) · at 28 of 28 meetings
Kimberly ScottCouncilor · District 5 · at 27 of 28 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
28 full-board meetings so far this year, through August 25. Ties share a rank.
1Sokhary Chau28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Erik R. Gitschier28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Belinda M. Juran28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Sidney L. Liang28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Sean McDonough28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Daniel P. Rourke28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%7John Descoteaux27 of 28 meetings96%7Vesna Nuon27 of 28 meetings96%7Corey Robinson27 of 28 meetings96%7Kimberly Scott27 of 28 meetings96%11Rita Mercier26 of 28 meetings93%40 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Erik R. Gitschier40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%2Corey Belanger39 of 40 meetings98%2Rita Mercier39 of 40 meetings98%2Corey Robinson39 of 40 meetings98%2Paul Ratha Yem39 of 40 meetings98%6Vesna Nuon38 of 40 meetings95%7Sokhary Chau37 of 40 meetings93%7Daniel P. Rourke37 of 40 meetings93%7Kimberly Scott37 of 40 meetings93%10John Descoteaux36 of 40 meetings90%11Wayne Jenness35 of 40 meetings88%44 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Erik R. Gitschier44 of 44 meetings Every meeting100%1Corey Belanger16 of 16 meetings · served from Aug Every meeting100%3John Descoteaux43 of 44 meetings98%3Rita Mercier43 of 44 meetings98%3Corey Robinson43 of 44 meetings98%3Kimberly Scott43 of 44 meetings98%7John J. Leahy27 of 28 meetings · served until Jul96%8Wayne Jenness41 of 44 meetings93%8Daniel P. Rourke41 of 44 meetings93%10Vesna Nuon40 of 44 meetings91%10Paul Ratha Yem40 of 44 meetings91%12Sokhary Chau39 of 44 meetings89%39 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1John Drinkwater39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%1Erik R. Gitschier39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%1Vesna Nuon39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%4John J. Leahy38 of 39 meetings97%4Corey Robinson38 of 39 meetings97%4Paul Ratha Yem38 of 39 meetings97%7Wayne Jenness37 of 39 meetings95%7Rita Mercier37 of 39 meetings95%7Daniel P. Rourke37 of 39 meetings95%10Kimberly Scott35 of 39 meetings90%11Sokhary Chau34 of 39 meetings87%42 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1John Drinkwater42 of 42 meetings Every meeting100%1Corey Robinson42 of 42 meetings Every meeting100%3Erik R. Gitschier41 of 42 meetings98%3Wayne Jenness41 of 42 meetings98%3Rita Mercier41 of 42 meetings98%3Vesna Nuon41 of 42 meetings98%3Daniel P. Rourke41 of 42 meetings98%3Paul Ratha Yem41 of 42 meetings98%9Sokhary Chau40 of 42 meetings95%9Kimberly Scott40 of 42 meetings95%11John J. Leahy39 of 42 meetings93%39 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1John Drinkwater39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%1Rita Mercier39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%1William Samaras39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%4Rodney M. Elliott38 of 39 meetings97%5Sokhary Chau37 of 39 meetings95%5Daniel P. Rourke37 of 39 meetings95%7John J. Leahy36 of 39 meetings92%7Vesna Nuon36 of 39 meetings92%9David Conway35 of 39 meetings90%31 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Sokhary Chau31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1David Conway31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1John Drinkwater31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1Rodney M. Elliott31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1Rita Mercier31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1Daniel P. Rourke31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1William Samaras31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%8John J. Leahy30 of 31 meetings97%9Vesna Nuon29 of 31 meetings94%45 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1John J. Leahy45 of 45 meetings Every meeting100%1James Milinazzo45 of 45 meetings Every meeting100%3Rita Mercier44 of 45 meetings98%3Vesna Nuon44 of 45 meetings98%5David Conway43 of 45 meetings96%5Rodney M. Elliott43 of 45 meetings96%5William Samaras43 of 45 meetings96%8Edward Kennedy41 of 45 meetings91%9Karen Cirillo30 of 45 meetings67%40 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Karen Cirillo40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%1Edward Kennedy40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%1Vesna Nuon40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%4Rodney M. Elliott39 of 40 meetings98%4John J. Leahy39 of 40 meetings98%4Rita Mercier39 of 40 meetings98%4James Milinazzo39 of 40 meetings98%4William Samaras39 of 40 meetings98%9David Conway38 of 40 meetings95%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every full City Council meeting with minutes in the city’s Agenda Center from January 2, 2018 through August 25, 2026 (348 meetings: 313 regular, 32 special, including the five inaugurations and the short open sessions held to go into executive session, and 3 joint meetings with the School Committee, where only councilors’ votes are shown) and 10,605 votes. Lowell has a Plan E charter: a City Manager runs the city, and the Mayor is a councilor chosen by the council at each inauguration; the Mayor chairs the council (and the School Committee) and votes. Through 2021 all nine councilors were elected at large. Since January 2022, after the settlement of the Huot v. City of Lowell voting-rights case, the council has eleven members: one from each of eight districts and three elected at large. Council subcommittee meetings and executive-session minutes are not loaded, and subcommittee votes reported in the council minutes are not shown as council votes. The city posted one set of minutes for each of three meetings that continued on a later night (April 25 and May 2, 2023; July 25 and August 8, 2023; and March 21 and 25, 2023), so each pair is listed as one meeting; the May 26 and June 2, 2026 budget sessions share one file but are written one after the other, so they are listed separately. Two sets of minutes (February 8, 2022 and June 4, 2024) were posted as scanned images; MassVoter read them with text recognition, so quoted words may keep small reading errors. Not here: open-session minutes for the executive-session meetings continued to October 22 and November 9, 2020 (agendas only), and meetings after August 25, 2026 (the September 8, September 22 and October 6, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Lowell’s minutes record nearly every action as “Motion … by C. X, seconded by C. Y. So voted.” That is a voice vote with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and never assumes it was unanimous (8,018 votes). Votes on money, appointments, ordinances and contested motions are taken by roll call. Since November 2024 the minutes name every councilor on each side (“Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Chau, …), 2 nays (C. Liang, C. McDonough)”); earlier minutes give the count and name the councilors voting no, abstaining or absent (“Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Nuon)”). MassVoter shows each councilor’s vote when the names and counts add up to the councilors present, and the count only, with a note, when they do not (11 votes). A councilor listed as absent for a roll call, or who recused, is left out of that vote. A few councilors who are missing from the attendance line but are named voting or making motions are counted present, with a note. Elections of the Mayor and Vice Chair, the choice of a councilor to fill the District 3 vacancy in 2024, and the council’s choices of a City Manager and City Auditor show the result only, with a note quoting who chose whom. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Aug 25Motion: Ask the City Manager to determine the feasibility…Motion: In City Council, seconded by C. Liang, Denied per roll call…Failed 2–9 · No: Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Juran, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott
August 25, 2026: Motion: Ask the City Manager to determine the feasibility of, and at his discretion take, legal action, including the right of to appeal under MGL...
In City Council, seconded by C. Liang, Denied per roll call vote, 2 yeas (C. Liang, C. McDonough) 9 nays (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
Yes: Liang, McDonoughNo: Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Juran, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott
From the minutes
“In City Council, seconded by C. Liang, Denied per roll call vote, 2 yeas (C. Liang, C. McDonough) 9 nays (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: McDonough, second: Liang)
Aug 25Have Auditor alter the pay period for this time…Motion: Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to have Auditor…Passed 9–0 · see note
August 25, 2026: Have Auditor alter the pay period for this time of year regarding school employees
Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to have Auditor alter the pay period for this time of year regarding school employees. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Chau, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 2 recuse (C. Descoteaux, C. McDonough). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Gitschier, Juran, Liang, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottJohn Descoteaux and Sean McDonough recused and are left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to have Auditor alter the pay period for this time of year regarding school employees. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Chau, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 2 recuse (C. Descoteaux, C. McDonough). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Aug 25Adopt: Vote - Transfer $251,268.75 - Supplemental Appropriation (HHS…Motion: Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted…Passed 10–1 · No: Gitschier
August 25, 2026: Adopt: Vote - Transfer $251,268.75 - Supplemental Appropriation (HHS Lease)
Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott) 1 nay (M. Gitschier). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Juran, Liang, McDonough, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottNo: Gitschier
From the minutes
“Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott) 1 nay (M. Gitschier). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Rourke)
Aug 25Motion: Finance SC August 11, 2026Motion: In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to…Passed · see note
August 25, 2026: Motion: Finance SC August 11, 2026
In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to continue matter to September 8. 2026. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to continue matter to September 8. 2026. So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux)
Aug 25Motion: Rules & Election Law SC August 18, 2026Motion: In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to…Passed · see note
August 25, 2026: Motion: Rules & Election Law SC August 18, 2026
In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to continue matter to September 8. 2026. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux to continue matter to September 8. 2026. So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux)
Aug 25Adopt: Wire Insp. ReportsMotion: In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C.…Passed · see note
August 25, 2026: Adopt: Wire Insp. Reports
In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Liang. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Liang. So voted..” (Motion: McDonough, second: Liang)
Aug 11Discuss Item #6.3 with this item: Minutes of Non-Profit…Motion: Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. McDonough to discuss Item…Passed · see note
August 11, 2026: Discuss Item #6.3 with this item: Minutes of Non-Profit Organization SC July 28th; City Council Regular Meeting July 28th, for acceptance
Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. McDonough to discuss Item #6.3 with this item. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. McDonough to discuss Item #6.3 with this item. So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: McDonough)
Aug 11Take Item #6.7 with this item: Request: Rules SC…Motion: Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item…Passed · see note
August 11, 2026: Take Item #6.7 with this item: Request: Rules SC review City Council rules and subcommittee structure to offer recommendations (if any) for...
Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #6.7 with this item. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #6.7 with this item. So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Mercier)
Aug 11Adopt: Wire Inspector ReportsMotion: In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C.…Passed · see note
August 11, 2026: Adopt: Wire Inspector Reports
In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C. Mercier, seconded by C. McDonough. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt orders by C. Mercier, seconded by C. McDonough. So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: McDonough)
Jul 28Adopt: Vote - Accept Deed - 161 Totman StreetMotion: Motion “To Adopt” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted…Passed 10–0 · see note
July 28, 2026: Adopt: Vote - Accept Deed - 161 Totman Street
Motion “To Adopt” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Robinson). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Juran, Liang, McDonough, Mercier, Nuon, Rourke, ScottThe roll call lists Corey Robinson as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“Motion “To Adopt” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
From the Lowell City Council’s official minutes, posted by the City Clerk in the city’s Agenda Center (City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: the City of Lowell’s official councilor headshots, from each councilor’s page in the city’s staff directory (linked from “Meet the City Council” on lowellma.gov).
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →