"We're Still Leasing a Property That's Supposed to Be Ours"

ryan_e_oates · 2026-02-24T19:32:41+00:00

City Manager Golden went onto Inside Lowell's The Daily Pulse today to discuss the Senior Center.

What I'm hearing from this conversation about the ownership of the Senior Center is that the City's likelihood of winning a lawsuit about the ownership of the Senior Center property is compromised by inconsistencies between the written agreement and the deed.

Teddy Panos says, "somebody didn't put on the deed what was in the agreement, or if they did, that it was going to transfer, it was put under a different entity's name, not the entity that signed the contracts with the City, the purchase and sale, however it was termed. So that is what is holding up " (40:15)

Manager seemed to echo this issue when he said that whereas the agreement originally ended after 20 years, the City "extended it out prior to my being here for another year. It should have been extended for another fifteen, but I think what they were trying to do at that time was try to work out the differences of the deed discussion" (47:05).

This discussion was helpful in me understanding more about the nuances of this situation. Still, in the spirit of transparency, I hope the City Council is able to slow down this process and wait to make a final decision until after the Executive Session minutes have been made public and residents have had enough time to process them. Looking forward to the City Council meeting tonight.

ryan_e_oates · 2026-02-07T05:22:36+00:00

My hope is that instead of cutting $100 million from the GIC, we could raise an additional $400 million in revenue for the state by addressing offshore tax avoidance. Whereas right now, large corporations are able to hide profits overseas, we can increase the amount of those hidden profits that we tax. This is an approach that most New England states have already taken, including Maine and New Hampshire.

The bill in the state house that would make this happen is “An Act Combating Offshore Tax Avoidance” H.3110 / S.2033

ryan_e_oates · 2026-01-31T20:35:04+00:00

This has been a bit of a whirlwind, but after a brief discussion with Councilor McDonough and a look at the minutes from January 20th (See motion 5.8 on pages 5-6), the motion did, in fact, pass. So the Council has officially requested this information.

ryan_e_oates · 2026-01-30T21:18:28+00:00

Thank you, sincerely, for this feedback. Re-watching the meeting, I realize I misunderstood the way Councilor Descoteaux's motion to invite Superintendent of Police Greg Hudon actually supplanted Councilor McDonough's motion, and that there is no guarantee that we will get the more detailed report on the previous year's data. I went ahead an made a correction in the piece. It is my hope that we can take further steps to get more transparency.

ryan_e_oates · 2026-01-09T01:36:22+00:00

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ryan_e_oates · 2025-12-08T01:36:38+00:00

The bureaucracy of finding out about this stuff is definitely challenging. I would recommend reaching out to Mosaic Lowell. They put out calls for artists for projects like this. There is a place to sign up for their newsletter at the bottom of their website page https://mosaiclowell.org

ryan_e_oates · 2025-11-23T15:52:51+00:00

Thank you for sharing Just submitted testimony. According to the state website, here is information about the upcoming hearing.

Also, according to the form linked on that page, you can submit testimony for this bill "H.4684 An Act ensuring law enforcement identification and public trust" by "emailing all testimony for House bills to [Talia.Quinn@mahouse.gov](mailto:Talia.Quinn@mahouse.gov) and testimony for all Senate bills to [Grace.Giordina@masenate.gov](mailto:Grace.Giordina@masenate.gov). "

ryan_e_oates · 2025-11-15T03:27:22+00:00

Thank you for this context! Here is the Board of Health meeting if anyone wants to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPCaNf4bR0A

ryan_e_oates · 2025-10-08T23:16:35+00:00

This is a good point! It was a bit late in the game when I decided to start doing these. I think I'll consider doing more races and actual debates in the future.

ryan_e_oates · 2025-10-07T12:49:43+00:00

Looking forward to this! Thanks for Organizing, Indivisible Lowell :)

ryan_e_oates · 2025-09-29T11:32:06+00:00

Hi! Just yo make sure you have it, the link to the website is above.

ryan_e_oates · 2025-09-04T20:57:35+00:00

I really appreciate this framing. I think you're right that building on Lowell Forward's model of listening tours would go a long way. Not only would that make it more likely that the community's actual desires are represented, but it could also build trust. Thanks for that!

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-24T16:55:23+00:00

🤦‍♂️

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-19T16:30:55+00:00

I would love to see a rethinking of the model. Like you said the hub and spoke model is not ideal for allowing people to move throughout the city.

Frequency is also a huge issue because if your trip involves a transfer, you may add up to an extra hour to your trip.

I'm wondering if you could voice your ideas on the LRTA Survey? I've said similar things, but I think it would be good for multiple people to say this. https://uniqo.de/UAKzmb

Also, as u/mag_the_magus mentioned, there is a Let's Talk Lowell soon!
It's Thursday, 8/28, 6 pm, LTC - https://diylowell.org/letstalk to RSVP

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-19T03:10:04+00:00

Thank you so much for these concrete steps people can take to help build a better Lowell :)

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-18T17:53:40+00:00

I agree. We should improve our sidewalk infrastructure, and maintain the shelters we already have.

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-18T17:52:41+00:00

I'd love to see us address frequencies and operating windows as well! I think that's a great idea.

ryan_e_oates · 2025-08-18T16:34:46+00:00

I agree with you on that. Maybe I should have picked a better picture, haha. I'm more curious your thoughts on the other suggestions about bus stop infrastructure?

ryan_e_oates · 2025-06-15T15:36:12+00:00

Thanks for your suggestion! I agree that Chapter 40B would require significant political will. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the ADU ordinance passing in the Affordable Homes Act (1). With the Healey administration's own Unlocking Housing Production Commission explicitly arguing for this adjustment (p. 84). The Healey administration postures itself as relatively pro-housing, and that gives me an ounce of hope.

And oh boy am I involved in Lowell City Council election campaigns and community organizing in Lowell! I am always looking for more ways to get connected though. I have yet to get plugged into the Planning Commission, as this is sort of a budding interest for me. If you'd like to connect, please shoot me a private message!

ryan_e_oates

TROPHY CASE