MassVoter.com← Lowell City CouncilLowell City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
December 2, 2025
14 recorded votes, 11 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. Taking part remotely (Zoom): Wayne Jenness.
Present: Sokhary Chau, John Descoteaux, Erik R. Gitschier, Wayne Jenness, Rita Mercier, Daniel P. Rourke, Kimberly Scott, Paul Ratha Yem, Corey Belanger
Absent: Vesna Nuon, Corey Robinson
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 Environmental and Flood Issues SC November 25th, City Council Meeting November 25th, for acceptance
Accept and place on file: Minutes of Environmental and Flood Issues SC November 25th, City Council Meeting November 25th, for acceptance
In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. 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. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Gitschier)
Vote - MRF FY2026
Adopt: Vote - MRF FY2026
Motion “To adopt MRF FY2026 at 0.90116” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion “To adopt MRF FY2026 at 0.90116” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Yem)
Loan Order - Amend High School Project
Adopt: Loan Order - Amend High School Project
Motion “To adopt” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. DEFEATED per Roll Call vote 7 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
Yes: Belanger, Chau, Jenness, Mercier, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: Descoteaux, GitschierThe minutes record this as failing with more yeas than nays (7 to 2); some council votes need a two-thirds majority (for example borrowing, appropriations or zoning). MassVoter shows the result as the minutes record it.
From the minutes
“Motion “To adopt” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. DEFEATED per Roll Call vote 7 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Scott)
Ordinance - Amend Chapter 266 - Electric Vehicles
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Chapter 266 - Electric Vehicles
Motion “To adopt” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion “To adopt” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Mercier)
Ordinance - Amend Chapter 28 - Lowell Cultural Council
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Chapter 28 - Lowell Cultural Council
Motion “To adopt” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion “To adopt” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (ZOOM), C. Mercier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Yem)
National Grid - Request relocation of (1) existing SO pole at 138 Cross Street
Refer to Wire Inspector: National Grid - Request relocation of (1) existing SO pole at 138 Cross Street
Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. 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 Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Mercier)
Ask the City Manager to provide a complete 2026 calendar year street sweeping schedule including dates and routes
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide a complete 2026 calendar year street sweeping schedule including dates and routes
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: Scott, second: Yem)
Ask the City Manager to provide a year-to-date budget update and updated forecast for FY27 budget
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to provide a year-to-date budget update and updated forecast for FY27 budget
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: Scott, second: Mercier)
Ask the City Manager to work with the appropriate department to have a crosswalk installed in the vicinity of the...
Refer to the City Manager: Ask the City Manager to work with the appropriate department to have a crosswalk installed in the vicinity of the bus...
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: Scott, second: Yem)
Environmental and Flood Issues SC November 25, 2025
Accept the report: Environmental and Flood Issues SC November 25, 2025
Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott. 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 accept the report as a report of progress by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott. So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Scott)
Claim - (1) Property Damage
Refer to Law Department: Claim - (1) Property Damage
In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Yem, seconded by C. Belanger. 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. Yem, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Belanger)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recess
Motion by C. Yem, seconded by C. Gitschier to recess until 7 PM to begin public hearings. 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. Yem, seconded by C. Gitschier to recess until 7 PM to begin public hearings. So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Gitschier)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier. 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. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted..” (Motion: Scott, 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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