MassVoter.com← Lowell City CouncilLowell City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
May 26, 2026
22 recorded votes, 12 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: FY27 budget meeting, continued to June 2, 2026 (the June 2 session is listed separately; both are in the same minutes file). Mayor Erik R. Gitschier presiding.
Present: Sokhary Chau, John Descoteaux, Erik R. Gitschier, Belinda M. Juran, Sidney L. Liang, Sean McDonough, Rita Mercier, Vesna Nuon, Corey Robinson, Daniel P. Rourke, Kimberly Scott
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Erik R. Gitschier recused from the vote on: Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order.
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. Chau, 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
“In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted..” (Motion: Chau, second: Descoteaux)
Minutes of Rules & Election Law SC May 19th; City Council Regular Meeting May 19th, for acceptance
Accept and place on file: Minutes of Rules & Election Law SC May 19th; City Council Regular Meeting May 19th, for acceptance
In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Juran, 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 place on file” by C. Juran, seconded by C. Liang. So voted..” (Motion: Juran, second: Liang)
Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order
Adopt: Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order
Motion to adopt FY27 Budget of $577,861,191.00 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. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 nay (C. McDonough). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Juran, Liang, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottNo: McDonough
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt FY27 Budget of $577,861,191.00 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. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 nay (C. McDonough). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
Suspend rules to allow Anthony Leite (Union Rep.) to address body
Motion to suspend rules to allow Anthony Leite (Union Rep.) to address body by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Nuon. 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 suspend rules to allow Anthony Leite (Union Rep.) to address body by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted..” (second: Nuon)
Review the FY2027 Budget department by department
Motion to review the FY2027 Budget department by department by C. Robinson, seconded by C. McDonough. 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 review the FY2027 Budget department by department by C. Robinson, seconded by C. McDonough. 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: Robinson, second: McDonough)
Review Fire Department first: Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order
Motion by C. Rourke seconded by C. Mercier to review Fire Department first. 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 review Fire Department first. So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Mercier)
Adopt: Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Fire Department by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Fire Department by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Council by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Council by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Scott)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Mayor by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Mayor by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Chau)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Clerk by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 3 nays (C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Robinson), 1 recuse (M. Gitschier). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Juran, Mercier, Nuon, Rourke, ScottNo: Liang, McDonough, RobinsonErik R. Gitschier recused and is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Clerk by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 3 nays (C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Robinson), 1 recuse (M. Gitschier). So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Descoteaux)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Manager by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Manager by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Rourke)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Manager – Cultural Affairs & Special Events by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of City Manager – Cultural Affairs & Special Events by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Finance by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Finance by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Mercier)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Auditing by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Auditing by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Descoteaux, second: Nuon)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Purchasing by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Gitschier, Juran, Liang, McDonough, Mercier, Rourke, ScottThe roll call lists Vesna Nuon and Corey Robinson as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Purchasing by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 2 absent (C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Scott)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Assessing by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 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
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Assessing by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 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: Descoteaux)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Treasurer by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Treasurer by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Chau)
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses (reduced by $15,000.00 on ordinary expenses) of Human Relations by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses (reduced by $15,000.00 on ordinary expenses) of Human Relations by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Robinson)
Reduce ordinary expenses of this department by $15,000.00
Motion by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Liang to reduce ordinary expenses of this department by $15,000.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas (M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 5 nays (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon). So voted.
Yes: Gitschier, Liang, McDonough, Robinson, Rourke, ScottNo: Chau, Descoteaux, Juran, Mercier, Nuon
From the minutes
“Motion by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Liang to reduce ordinary expenses of this department by $15,000.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas (M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 5 nays (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Nuon). So voted..” (Motion: McDonough, second: Liang)
Adopt: Vote - FY2027 Budget Approved Appropriation Order
In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Management Information Systems by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 5 nays (M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Descoteaux, Juran, Mercier, Rourke, ScottNo: Gitschier, Liang, McDonough, Nuon, Robinson
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to adopt personal services and ordinary expenses of Management Information Systems by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 5 nays (M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Rourke)
Waive Rule 5 to continue discussion beyond 10:00 PM
In City Council, Motion to Waive Rule 5 to continue discussion beyond 10:00 PM by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Juran. Defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas (C. Chau, C. Juran, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 7 nays (C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Juran, Rourke, ScottNo: Descoteaux, Gitschier, Liang, McDonough, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to Waive Rule 5 to continue discussion beyond 10:00 PM by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Juran. Defeated per Roll Call vote 4 yeas (C. Chau, C. Juran, C. Rourke, C. Scott), 7 nays (C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Juran)
Continue meeting until June 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon to continue meeting until June 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon to continue meeting until June 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Nuon)
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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