MassVoter.com← Lowell City CouncilLowell City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
November 25, 2025
22 recorded votes, 19 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Mayor Daniel P. Rourke presiding.
Present: Sokhary Chau, John Descoteaux, Erik R. Gitschier, Wayne Jenness, Rita Mercier, Vesna Nuon, Corey Robinson, Daniel P. Rourke, Kimberly Scott, Paul Ratha Yem, Corey Belanger
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Communication Remote / Zoom Participation
Accept and place on file: Communication Remote / Zoom Participation
In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. 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 place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. So voted..” (Motion: Belanger, second: Chau)
Minutes of City Council Meeting November 18th, for acceptance
Accept and place on file: Minutes of City Council Meeting November 18th, for acceptance
In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. 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 place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Jenness)
Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with a complete audit of all sick time usage broken down by department
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with a complete audit of all sick time usage broken down by department
In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Robinson)
Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with a report on all work and testing from the Washington School...
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with a report on all work and testing from the Washington School over...
In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Jenness)
Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with an outline of the services rendered for the two payments of...
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide the City Council with an outline of the services rendered for the two payments of...
In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Scott)
Ask the City Manager to have the Law Department draft a shadow conduit ordinance for adoption by the City Council
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to have the Law Department draft a shadow conduit ordinance for adoption by the City Council
In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Yem)
Ask the City Manager to prepare letter to our State House delegation requesting expansion of the Municipal Fossil...
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to prepare letter to our State House delegation requesting expansion of the Municipal Fossil Fuel...
In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Nuon)
Refer to the Environmental: Ask the City Manager to prepare letter to our State House delegation requesting expansion of the Municipal Fossil Fuel...
Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Belanger to refer matter to Environmental and Flood Issues SC. 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. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Belanger to refer matter to Environmental and Flood Issues SC. So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Belanger)
Ask the City Manager to provide City Council with a report on options to limit future construction of new gasoline...
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide City Council with a report on options to limit future construction of new gasoline...
In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Mercier)
Ask the City Manager to provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to firehouses
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to firehouses
In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Belanger, second: Jenness)
Ask the City Manager to provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to upper field concession stand at Shedd Park
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to upper field concession stand at Shedd Park
In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. 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, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted..” (Motion: Belanger, second: Mercier)
Take Item #9.1 out of order
Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #9.1 out of order. 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. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #9.1 out of order. So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Mercier)
Motion Responses
Accept and place on file: Motion Responses
In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. 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 place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. So voted..” (Motion: Belanger, second: Chau)
Vote - Accept/Expend $193,581.76 FY25 State Aid to Public Libraries Program Award
Adopt: Vote - Accept/Expend $193,581.76 FY25 State Aid to Public Libraries Program Award
In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Scott, second: Jenness)
Vote - Amend Julian D. Steele Public Housing Development Plan
Adopt: Vote - Amend Julian D. Steele Public Housing Development Plan
In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Chau, second: Yem)
Order - 60 Day Trial
Adopt: Order - 60 Day Trial
In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (C. Nuon). So voted.
Yes: Belanger, Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Jenness, Mercier, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemThe roll call lists Vesna Nuon as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (C. Nuon). So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Scott)
Loan Order - 2025 MSBA Accelerated Repair Program
Send to a public hearing: Loan Order - 2025 MSBA Accelerated Repair Program
Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 9, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 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 to refer to Public Hearing on December 9, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Descoteaux)
Ordinance - Amend Chap 222.24 - Needle Exchange Program
Remove from agenda: Ordinance - Amend Chap 222.24 - Needle Exchange Program
Motion to remove from agenda by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Chau. 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 to remove from agenda by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Chau. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Chau)
Refer to Public Safety SC: Ordinance - Amend Chap 222.24 - Needle Exchange Program
Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to refer to Public Safety SC for meeting with Board of Health and state health officials to review and amend ordinance. 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. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to refer to Public Safety SC for meeting with Board of Health and state health officials to review and amend ordinance. So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Resolution – Support Paint Stewardship Legislation - H.886 and S.647
Adopt: Resolution – Support Paint Stewardship Legislation - H.886 and S.647
In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Descoteaux)
Claim - (1) Property. (Water)
Refer to Law Department: Claim - (1) Property. (Water)
In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Robinson. 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 refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Robinson)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Gitschier, seconded by Mayor of the Day Murphy. 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 Adjourn by C. Gitschier, seconded by Mayor of the Day Murphy. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier)
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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