← Lowell City Council

Lowell Former City Councilor

John Drinkwater

At-large (2020-2023) · 2 terms in this record

John M. Drinkwater

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Council terms

2022–2023 Council2020–2021 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Council

81 of 81meetings attended (100%) · whole council 97%
515votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
21no votes (4% of votes cast) · whole council 5%
10 of 65split votes where Drinkwater was in the minority (15%) · whole council 26%
0abstained
2terms in this record

On split votes, Drinkwater voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Drinkwater as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

Attendance

At the start of 81 of 81 City Council meetings in 2022–2023 Council.

Missed none.

Every meeting (81)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2022–2023 Council

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 · Drinkwater: No

December 19, 2023: Motion: Ask the City Manager to Provide An Update On What Measures Have Been Implemented To Curb Parking At Intersections

ApproveFailed · 4–7

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.

Voted: No

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

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 · Drinkwater: No

December 19, 2023: Motion: Ask the City Manager to Have The Proper Department Explore Cost Of Bringing In Supplemental, Contracted Street Sweeping Services Twice...

ApproveFailed · 4–7

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.

Voted: No

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

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 · Drinkwater: No

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...

ApproveFailed · 4–7

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.

Voted: No

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Dec 12Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 12.26.23Motion: Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted…Passed 10–1 · Drinkwater: Yes

December 12, 2023: Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 12.26.23

ApprovePassed · 10–1

Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted.

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Dec 12Adopt: Vote - Transfer $608,691 - Administrative Employee Wage…Motion: Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted…Passed 8–0 · Drinkwater: Yes

December 12, 2023: Adopt: Vote - Transfer $608,691 - Administrative Employee Wage Adjustments

ApprovePassed · 8–0

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.

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Dec 5Approve: Communication - Reappointment Of Suzanne Frechette To Library…Motion: In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by…Passed 9–0 · Drinkwater: Yes

December 5, 2023: Approve: Communication - Reappointment Of Suzanne Frechette To Library Board Of Trustees

Confirm appointmentPassed · 9–0

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.

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Dec 5Approve: Communication - Appointment Of Lynda Clark To Election…Motion: In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by…Passed 9–0 · Drinkwater: Yes

December 5, 2023: Approve: Communication - Appointment Of Lynda Clark To Election Commission

Confirm appointmentPassed · 9–0

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.

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Dec 5Adopt: Communication - CityMotion: In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by…Passed 9–0 · Drinkwater: Yes

December 5, 2023: Adopt: Communication - City

ApprovePassed · 9–0

In City Council, Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Yem, C. Robinson). So voted. So Voted.

Voted: Yes

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. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Yem, C. Robinson). So voted. So Voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Gitschier)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

Nov 14Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 11.28.23Motion: Motion to adopt by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted…Passed 8–2 · Drinkwater: Yes

November 14, 2023: Adopt: Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 11.28.23

ApprovePassed · 8–2

Motion to adopt by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 2 nays (VC. Gitschier, C. Nuon), 1 absent (M. Chau). So voted.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: Gitschier, NuonThe roll call names the no votes and gives 8 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Motion to adopt by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 2 nays (VC. Gitschier, C. Nuon), 1 absent (M. Chau). So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Rourke)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Nov 14Adopt: Order - 60 Day TrialMotion: Motion to adopt by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted…Passed 9–0 · Drinkwater: Yes

November 14, 2023: Adopt: Order - 60 Day Trial

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Motion to adopt by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (M. Chau, C. Nuon). So voted.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Drinkwater, Gitschier, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemThe roll call lists Vesna Nuon as absent for this vote; left out of it.

From the minutes

“Motion to adopt by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (M. Chau, C. Nuon). So voted..” (Motion: Scott, second: Rourke)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (395)

    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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