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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 2, 2021; inaugurated January 3, 2022. The first council elected under the new system that settled the Huot v. City of Lowell voting-rights case: eleven councilors, eight elected by district and three at large (before 2022, nine at-large councilors). The council chose Sokhary Chau (District 6) as Mayor and Erik R. Gitschier (District 8) as Vice Chair, each 11 to 0. Erik R. Gitschier, Wayne Jenness, Corey Robinson, Kimberly Scott and Paul Ratha Yem joined the council. No seat changed hands during the term. Covers 81 meetings, January 3 to December 19, 2023.
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)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
MayorSokhary ChauMayor · District 6 (from 2022); at-large (2020-2021) · at 74 of 81 meetings
Vice-ChairErik R. GitschierVice Chair · At-large (from 2024); District 8 (2022-2023) · at 80 of 81 meetings
Rita MercierCouncilor · At-large · at 78 of 81 meetings
Vesna NuonCouncilor · At-large · at 80 of 81 meetings
Corey RobinsonCouncilor · District 2 · at 80 of 81 meetings
Daniel P. RourkeCouncilor · District 1 (from 2022); at-large (2020-2021) · at 78 of 81 meetings
Kimberly ScottCouncilor · District 5 · at 75 of 81 meetingsPaul Ratha YemCouncilor · District 7 (2022-2025) · at 79 of 81 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.
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.
Dec 19Motion: Ask the City Manager to Provide An Update…Motion: In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call…Failed 4–7 · No: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, Yem
December 19, 2023: Motion: Ask the City Manager to Provide An Update On What Measures Have Been Implemented To Curb Parking At Intersections
In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Gitschier, Mercier, Robinson, RourkeNo: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 4 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Dec 19Motion: Ask the City Manager to Have The Proper…Motion: In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call…Failed 4–7 · No: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, Yem
December 19, 2023: Motion: Ask the City Manager to Have The Proper Department Explore Cost Of Bringing In Supplemental, Contracted Street Sweeping Services Twice...
In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Gitschier, Mercier, Robinson, RourkeNo: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 4 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Dec 19Motion: Ask the City Manager to Work With Proper…Motion: In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call…Failed 4–7 · No: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, Yem
December 19, 2023: Motion: Ask the City Manager to Work With Proper Department To Explore If Utilizing Snow Blower Attachments And Loading Trucks To Remove Snow In...
In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Gitschier, Mercier, Robinson, RourkeNo: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Scott, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 4 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Jenness, C. Leahy C. Nuon, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Dec 12Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 12.26.23Motion: Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted…Passed 10–1 · No: Gitschier
December 12, 2023: Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 12.26.23
Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: GitschierThe roll call names the no votes and gives 10 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Rourke)
Dec 12Adopt: Vote - Transfer $608,691 - Administrative Employee Wage…Motion: Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted…Passed 8–0 · Abstained: Gitschier, Mercier, Yem
December 12, 2023: Adopt: Vote - Transfer $608,691 - Administrative Employee Wage Adjustments
Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 3 abstain (C. Gitschier, C. Mercier, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottAbstained: Gitschier, Mercier, YemThe roll call names the councilors not voting yes and gives 8 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes. Erik R. Gitschier, Rita Mercier and Paul Ratha Yem abstained or voted present (shown as present, not voting).
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 3 abstain (C. Gitschier, C. Mercier, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
Dec 12Adopt: Wire Insp. - Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid…Motion: In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order…Passed · see note
December 12, 2023: Adopt: Wire Insp. - Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Installation Of 280 Foot Four Inch Plastic Main On Canal Street From Jackson Street...
In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. 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 adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Yem)
Dec 12Adopt: Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation…Motion: In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order…Passed · see note
December 12, 2023: Adopt: Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Electric Conduit On Morse Street To Improve Service To Lowell Housing...
In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. 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 adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Yem)
Dec 12Adopt: Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation…Motion: In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order…Passed · see note
December 12, 2023: Adopt: Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Electric Conduit On Doanne Street To Improve Service To Lowell Housing...
In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. 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 adopt and accept the accompanying order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Yem)
Dec 5Take Item #6.4 with this item: Ask the City…Motion: Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item…Passed · see note
December 5, 2023: Take Item #6.4 with this item: Ask the City Manager to Update The City Council On The Wi- Fi At The Senior Center
Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #6.4 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. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #6.4 with this item. So voted..” (Motion: Scott, second: Nuon)
Dec 5Approve: Communication - Reappointment Of Suzanne Frechette To Library…Motion: In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by…Passed 9–0 · see note
December 5, 2023: Approve: Communication - Reappointment Of Suzanne Frechette To Library Board Of Trustees
In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Yem, C. Robinson). So voted. So Voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Gitschier, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Rourke, ScottThe roll call lists Corey Robinson as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Yem, C. Robinson). So voted. So Voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Mercier)
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).
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