Lowell, Massachusetts
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Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County.
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Massachusetts city websites
[edit] The good
- Budget information is available via search on the city's website.[1] Information extends back to 2008.
- Minutes and agendas for city council meetings are available and searchable online. [2]
- Many names and direct emails for department heads are listed on the website, on one page. [3]
- Zoning codes are available online. [4]
- Building permits and forms are available online. Lowell, Massachusetts. Permitting/
- Real Estate Taxes and Motor Vehicle taxes[5], can be paid online. Residential and commercial tax rates [6] are all available online.
[edit] The bad
- Council members names are posted. However, emails are not. Councilors are contactable by a web form. [7]
- Information on audits were either unavailable or difficult to find.
- Invitations for bids and requests for proposals were posted on the website. However, individual contracts or bids over $10,000 were either unavailable or difficult to find [8]
- Information on taxpayer funded lobbying was either unavailable or difficult to find.
- Public records do not seem to be searchable online. Additionally, only information on vital records is available on the city's website. [9]
[edit] Elected Officials
Lowell has a "Plan E form" Council-manager government. There are nine city councilors and six school committee members, all elected at large in a non-partisan election by proportional representation. Elections are held every two years. The City Council chooses one of its members as mayor, and another as vice-mayor; the mayor serves as chair of the council, serves as the seventh member of the school committee, and performs ceremonial duties.
The current members of the city council as of September 2011 are:
- James L. Milinazzo (Mayor)
- Kevin P. Broderick (Vice Mayor)
- Edward C. Caulfield (Councilor)
- Franky D. Descoteaux (Councilor)
- Rodney M. Elliot (Councilor)
- William F. Martin (Councilor)
- Joseph M. Mendoça (Councilor)
- Rita M. Mercier (Councilor)
- Patric O. Murphy (Councilor)
[edit] Administrative Officials
Administrative Officials are hired at the discretion of elected officials. They help maintain the functions of a city and often carry out the legislation passed by government bodies. However, administrators often make policies that effect voters significantly, even though they are not elected.
[edit] City Manager
The administrative head of the city government is the City Manager, who maintains the city's day-to-day functions. He or she is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council as whole. Lowell's current City Manager is Bernard F. Lynch. His full contact information is available on the city's website [10]
Lynch has released 2011-2012 strategic plan for Lowell. It is available online. [11].
[edit] Spending
The City of Lowell's budget is available in PDF format on their website. [12]
| ' | FY10 Actual | FY11 Approved | FY12 Request | FY12 Manager | FY12 Approved |
| Personal Services | 46,237,528 | 49,447,761 | 49,927,378 | 50,007,735 | 50,007,735 |
| Ordinary Expenses | 7,895,505 | 8,881,324 | 14,157,322 | 13,787,047 | 13,787,047 |
| Debt Service | 20,323,433 | 19,580,311 | 17,951,592 | 17,951,592 | 17,951,592 |
| Health Insurance | 23,628,463 | 25,797,928 | 27,087,824 | 26,131,093 | 26,131,093 |
| Retirement | 15,025,159 | 14,710,890 | 15,791,900 | 15,791,950 | 15,791,950 |
| Medicare Tax | 2,019,450 | 2,000,000 | 2,100,000 | 2,100,000 | 2,100,000 |
| Unemployment | 837,607 | 745,000 | 745,000 | 745,000 | 570,000 |
| Workers Compensation | 873,905 | 592,000 | 592,000 | 592,000 | 692,000 |
| Legal Claims | 1,439,822 | 1,050,000 | 1,050,000 | 950,000 | 950,000 |
| Trash Removal | 5,661,313 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 16,986,404 | 15,897,892 | 13,715,357 | 15,701,160 | 15,701,160 |
[edit] Transparency and Public Records
The City of Lowell, Massachusetts does not have its public records request processing guidelines posted online. However, fees are available for records request. [13]
[edit] Taxes
| Residential | Commercial, Industrial & Personal Property |
| $14.27 | $29.73 |
More information about taxes, revenue, and rates are available in the city's budget.
[edit] Emergency Personnel
[edit] Police Department
Lowell, Massachusetts employs its own police department. The current Superintendent of Police is Kenneth Lavallee. [15]
[edit] Fire Department
Lowell employs 201 men and women in the city's fire department. The current fire chief is Edward J. Pitta. [16] The department is sometimes called to serve neighboring communities.
[edit] External links
- See sample transparency legislation at the Sunshine Standard
[edit] References
- ↑ Lowell, MA Search Results: "Budget"
- ↑ Search City Council meetings and minutes
- ↑ Contact City Departments
- ↑ City of Lowell, Massachusetts. Zoning book'.' Available online (pdf)
- ↑ Lowell, MA Online bill pay
- ↑ Lowell, MA Office of the Assessor
- ↑ Contact City Council
- ↑ Lowell, MA. IFBs and RFPs
- ↑ Lowell, MA FAQ - Vital Records
- ↑ Lowell, MA Office of the city manager
- ↑ Strategic Goals and obectives. Office of the city manager, Available online
- ↑ City of Lowell, Massachusetts. FY 2012 Adopted Budget. Available Online. Accessed 12 Sept 2011
- ↑ Lowell, MA Clerk's fees
- ↑ Lowell, MA Assessor's office
- ↑ City of Lowell, MA Police.
- ↑ Lowell fire Department
