City Council - Regular Meeting

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March 10, 2026, city council come to order. Lord's prayer. Dear God, today as this session opens, we pray that your presence will be before us and everyone who serves in the decision-making process of our city. We pray for direction which will lead our city to be strong and unified. May we continue the legacy of our founders. May we be granted this day the wisdom to make decisions which will be for the good of our city. We also pray for your special blessing on all those who are working to transform our city and make it a better place to live and work. Amen. Pledge allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. Council Scott. Here. Council Chiao here. Council Dakota here. Mayor Gishia here. Council Jirean here. Council Leang here. Council Mcdana here. Council Mercier here. Council N here. Council Robinson here. Council Rock here. 11 present. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Any moment of silences?

Seeing none, we'll move on to mayor's business. 2.1 communication remote zoom participation. Motion to accept and place on file by council rook. Seconded by council Robinson. Mr. Mayor. Council Garcia. Before we go into the uh city council motions, could I suspend the rules and bring 6.2 and 6.4 for Maran? Motion by councelor Marissia to suspend the rules to bring in 6.2 and 6.4. Seconded by councelor nood.

Mr. Mayor, while we on the suspension of rule, if you could also uh take a motion response C out of order. Motion by councelor Noon to take 6.1 C out of order. Seconded by councelor Robinson. Council as well as while uh councelor Non is saying that a uh A as well. He said C and I say as we could put A as well. A and C while we're under suspension. Thank you. Thank you.

6.2 information report. Information report Tyler Excellence Award. Council Mercier. I mean, Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, and through you to the council. Uh, council, thank you very much for bringing this out of order. I first and foremost want to say thank you and congratulations to our MIS department. Uh, Mr. Fernandez is here tonight. But briefly, over the past four years, what we've been striving to do is uh to increase additional transparency. What's been happening, I know that there are a number of counselors that have been pushing for things like 311, which is one of uh our major accomplishments over the past, I'm going to say two years maybe, uh Mr. Fernandez. And uh that really positive change is how our business is getting done throughout the city of LOL. What it's also going to uh bring forward on is what we're looking to do probably midappril and I think there's something this evening uh we're going to be talking about this a little bit later about how all of the motions uh that are brought forth before the council how they're answered when they're answered and in what matter what manner and and when that happens. So we're pretty excited about that. We also have the enterprise asset management. Some of you will know this a little bit um as the workflow system that we're currently using at school dude. You've heard that terminology before, but this really is powering uh our whole 311 system which is from Tyler and it really is a is no uh small effort made by our MI MIS led by uh Mr. Fernandez. So, I just want to publicly say thank you very much to Mr. Fernandez and I'm sure if there's any questions that anybody has about this, he'd be glad to answer them. But it's a this is a real kudos an opportunity and once again um trying to bring a lot more transparency um striving to make sure that everybody knows where we are and what is happening. There's more to come with uh this t the Tyler suite of products that we have. Pretty excited about this. So just want to say thank you very much for the council and I once again as I look around here there's been many councilors have been pushing for this over the over the years. We're we're here. we're getting here and I think that the excitement that you're going to see in the future or the actual

changes uh that are going to be up online are going to be very impressive. So, thank you again all. Thank you, Manager Golden. Council Robinson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I'd like to say congratulations to MIS. Um I've been one of the people that initially started pushing, I believe, under the last administration for the 311. Uh it took us a while to stand it up and and I'm glad you know we had the exercise patience although it was aggravating us at times but it's well worth it. Um, one of the things that stands out to me about this Tyler award, I'd like to congratulate again. The civic interaction and public trust category specifically recognizes organizations that have designed a better civic experience with government through technology solutions that foster trust and simplify interactions with enhanced engagement with residents and the business community. and and above and beyond making it easy for um a way for our residents to communicate any any problems they see. I'm glad to see that we provided the administration the tools for back of the house to see and monitor real-time responses and all the data that that helps to kind of improve on all the areas we need to. So, congratulations again to the team for this award and I'm I'm glad to see that this 311 is uh helping propel us into the new century. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Council Leang.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I was going to say this last, but since it's uh brought up, um I'm also a uh recipient and I use a lot of 311 system and uh I was going to say um congratulation and thank you. Uh I was surfing the internet this uh this week and uh I I saw something different. Um the city of Lowe's uh no longer about uh bridges, not about buildings and I see a lot of people cultural activities and and things like that happening on the website and uh I thank you and uh it's all about the people and the community. So I I really love what I saw on the internet and thank you so much.

Thank you Council Yang. Motion to accept and place on file councelor Mercier seconded by councelor noun 6.4 communication city manager requests permission for one out ofstate travel for MIS motion to adopt by councelor Mercia seconded by councelor noon roll call. Councelor Scott. Yes. Councelor Chow. Yes. Councelor Dakota. Yes. Mayor Gia. Yes. Council Jiren. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Meria. Yes. Council Non. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Rock. Yes. 11. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. 6.1 Motion response. 6.1A. Motion response. Hometown Hero Banner Program. Council Chiao.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I made this motion back in January. I want to thank the city manager and director Lamar for bringing this report uh today. Uh this program has been a success since its inception having honor 58 veterans and first responders. Um I don't know if director Lamar is here. Oh there you are. Uh thank you for being here director. Um I just have a few comments and uh questions. Um again thank you for being here. This is very very timely where the ceremony will will be hosted in May. Um the program um it was started back in May 2022 uh with former counselor uh Ratayam and since then we had like I said we had 58 uh submissions and honories. Do you anticipate hitting the 18 banners cap this year?

Um at the moment we have uh 12 submissions. Um and there were a few phone calls people uh stating that they would be bringing some more in. Um, it's open for another uh the deadline will be uh Friday the 16th. Okay. Um, so they'll be we'll probably have some stragglers before I actually get to order them. So, we're doing pretty well. Right now there's 12. Okay. Yeah. When I saw that deadline is next week, I was concerned about that. I I was wondering would it be possible? How would that affect your ordering of the banner? could be extended for like one more week and and if you could to that if you could comment also on how what is the outreach has been like to other commissions to gold star families to

uh the outreach

out we've we've had it in the newspaper um three separate times I believe uh the city put it on I think the case department case office put it on uh their their pages uh them social media um and and it's also on the city website. Um, I do believe we could go one more week. I wouldn't go much more than that. Um, it depends. Like in the past, we've only had an issue once where the uh the picture was not correct. We had to have it remade. Um, and uh, so if this just leaves us enough time to to repair or to fix any anything that the pictures aren't right or there's a spelling issue or um, so about a month they recommend at least a month.

Okay. So that that would be your call if you think it's okay to extend one more week. I think so. Please say so. So I couldn't help um maybe all of us could do something social media to push for for more banners and things like that. Um, and also just I know the cost is $100 uh for sponsor. Um, for families that might have issues with that that amount, are there grants or any subsidies that you could have the families with that $100 some kind of waiver or is that $100? I think that would be on a case-bycase basis. Okay, Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor through the council. councelor, if there's any family that's having an issue with that, please contact our office. We'll make sure we take care of it. Okay. Wonderful. Well, thank you very much. Great report. Very, very timely. And I don't know if anything else you want to add to explain the program. I brought a sample for anybody that hasn't seen them yet. Um,

the banners are double-sided. Um, they are 30 in x 60 in. Um they're they they're placed just before Memorial Day. Uh and then we we will uh swap them out um just before Memorial Day. Uh we have uh with your permission um when we on May 22nd, I believe it May 19th, we have a we reserved some time in the mayor's reception room to uh invite the the new uh group of families to come. Uh they'll be the first ones to be able to take a look at the banners. Um, and in the past, uh, the council has recognized them just before the meeting. Uh, so, uh, it's right now it's scheduled for 5:30 on May 19th in the mayor's reception room.

Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Lamash. Uh, Councelor Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Mr. Lamsh, if you don't mind, could you just please uh let the viewers at home know who should they contact if they're interested in this program since, uh, we're running out of the deadline time? Sure. Um, you can contact my office uh my email by email elamarsh lolmma.gov or you can call uh my office directly at 9786741595. Thank you very much.

Thank you Mr. Lamash. Motion to accept and place on file by council mercia seconded by councelor Chow. 6.1 motion response is C. Motion response. Coburn Hall. Council Dakota. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I could have the OPM to the lectern, please. Kevin, if you can just state your name and address just for the record. Yeah, Kevin Kane, Scansa, USA building, um, Naragans, Rhode Island. Council Dakota,

it's been uh, six weeks since I asked for an update, which I was supposed to get back in a week. So I will ask you a few questions here. FBR has conducted repeated site visits throughout January and February to assess beam conditions, identify necessary repairs, and prepare corrective direction. Has this corrective direction began? Yes.

Okay. Where how far are we into that process? the process, the field bulletin, which is one of the other items, has been issued with the information of what needs to be performed for the remediation of the existing structure. Okay. I guess the $64,000 question is, what is this council looking at for possibly increase in this building? Increase cost cost.

Um, we're putting the numbers together. I will say that with the reviews that were done by the structural engineer, there was a lot less work that was that's required to be done from the 1990 renovation work that was not performed. So there is findings that there is less work to be done on the remediation and now that we have the information. Last week the field bulletin was issued with the structural engineers details of what needs to be done and now we're working on pricing and that should we're we're working on that now the suffic is working with structural um uh structural contractors to update and and get some cost associated with what it's going to take to get it done.

Do you have a ballpark time frame on when this will be completed when the cost analysis will be completed? I I would say we need a few weeks. Few weeks. A few weeks. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, councelor Dakota. Councel Noon. Yeah. So, follow up with the councelor Dakota. You said that the report from the structural engineer regarding costs. You will have that in in in a few week. The the report from the structural engineer identifies the work that needs to be done. Okay. Okay. So the work need to be done is come back in a in about a couple week a few weeks. Okay. Can you report back to the council? I will put report back to the council. Thank you.

Mr. Manager, did you hear that they want to report back from the council? Yes. April. Does that sound good? Council no April. Okay. Thank you, Council Chow.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. And again uh you know we're concerning both about uh cost but also the structural integrity um as the previous council spoke of. Uh when I hear about the discrepancies between the 1990s drawings and a lot of the beams and the steel have been just discovered recently. Um could you comment on like how many have been flagged and are there more floors that to be discovered that's still in the works? Um I'm I'm concerned, you know, when I hear about this the the structural integrities um just being met and then you know we have like a rising increasing student population of the high school. You know I think every families or you know when you hear stories out there that floors could collapse or worse buildings could collapse and so forth. Um, I know you're smiling and and um shaking your head, but these are real concerns that, you know, like real people, individuals and families have because we don't have your expertise and and so forth. But we do need that type of reassurance, right? Because, you know, this project started long time ago with literally hundreds of millions of dollars in. But this type of discovery, new discovery is happening so recently when it should have been done way before. So, you know, how many more um of these like, you know, steel beams or pillars or what have that need to be discovered? You think to be more, you know, what what's your take on it? The Coburn Hall has been exposed for the structural review by the engineer and the engineer for this project is designing and engineering what needs to be done to meet the the load requirements for the school.

So the engineer is looking at what was what is there and what what needs to be done to meet the loads of the school. That's what they're that's what they're assigned to do hired to do. I I can understand that. I understand the language of the engineer and so forth and I appreciate you being up here. Um like I said just you know these are one of many small things and you add up aggregately it it's a big issue for all of us right for the school for the families for the students for the city lead uh city leaders to to take with so many small problems that adding up and um you know and talk about this discrepancy I'm looking concerned about it but I do thank you for being here

thank you councelor Chow motion to accept and place on file by councel Robinson seconded by councelor Jirean we go back to the regular portion of the meeting at this time. Three, city clerk 3.1 minutes of municipal facilities subcommittee joint with school facilities subcommittee February 25th city council regular meeting March 3rd for acceptance motion to accept and place on file by councel Yang, seconded by councel jur.

It's not 7:00 yet, so we'll skip four. We'll get into the city council motions. Five 5.1 Council Yang requests the city manager have the appropriate department provide safety and feasibility assessments of the four-way stop sign at Bowers and Fletcher Streets. Seconded by councelor Non Council Yang.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this motion came about I think I uh talked to u Mr. Manager a while back and and to see if there's there's a way that to do that. um basically asking the drivers to to at least do a 3second stop or something like that because um residents are concerned people are doing a rolling stop and uh we don't want to have any uh more accidents happening and um so normally when I put a motion I have some sort of idea I I drive to work also in Medford and if there's a way to have a stop sign that have a blinking solar on it. I I I don't know. It's uh it's it's something. But uh the idea is to basically maybe put an ease to um the residents uh to have their concern settle.

Thank you, Council Yang. Council Robinson. Thank you. Um I can only say that we I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on the the blinking four-way stops at uh West 6th in Punka Hill. Uh maybe that's something that we look at to duplicate, but uh I've got none but positive feedback. Thank you. Thank you, Council Robinson. All in favor say I. Any opposed? So ordered.

5.2. Council Yang request the city manager have the appropriate department conducting audit assessment of cross street and provide short and long range solutions especially in the areas of Fletcher Street towards school street. Seconded by councelor Jirean. Council Leang.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this is the same, but I just want another uh look maybe at uh Cross Street. Um, since I've been living there, I haven't seen uh any kind of fixings uh on that street. So, I just want to see um the road is pretty bad and uh maybe a department to take a look to see what is the short-term remedies. Um it's not a pothole, but it's sort of like a sinking sort of uh road and Yeah. Yeah. So just um to see if there's any short-term fix or uh what would be the long-term remedies to to to help with that. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Yang. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 5.3 Council Dakota request city manager schedule an information meeting with the traffic engineer engineering office and the residents of Kimmel Drive regarding the proposed sidewalk project. Seconded by councelor Ror councel Dakota.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh first of all uh Mr. City Manager thank you very much for getting this uh this off the ground. This is a a big thing for the safety of the children at both the daily and the Bailey school. So this is a welcome news. Um, and I believe the engineers have finished everything that they needed to. So, I thought this would be a good time to to get with the the Campbell Drive uh residents from the Daily School to the Bailey. Um, I'm not sure if we needed the rest of them, but uh I know we're hopefully planning for the following year to get the rest of that road done and hopefully that's something that we can be on the wish list. But um if we get something maybe uh next two or 3 weeks at preferably the Bailey school and uh do a Thursday around 6:00 or something.

Mayor Golden. Uh thank you very much Mr. Mayor through to the council. Uh council is the first three motions even into the fourth motion we'll get get into the engineers's office as well. But the traffic engineer, we had spoken last week about this and we were talking about coming back uh to yourself and and council uh excuse me, may I get you to discuss something about happening in the neighborhood? Something similar that we ran previously. Might might that work at the Bailey? That's fine. Yeah, that's fine.

Perfect. We'll have um let Miss Alman reach out to both you folks and find out if we can do it at the Bailey again within the next couple two or three weeks. As the council knows, this is something that is going to go into the chumps of street u redevelopment uh that we also need to uh fund. So the funding mechanism is going to come through that so we can bring everyone uh together on that and then the next couple two or three weeks. Make it happen. Appreciate the effort. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Dakota. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 5.4. Council Dakota request the city manager have the traffic engineer re-evaluate the synchronization of the light cycle at Westford and Steman Street seconded by councelor noon. Council Dakota. Thank you mayor. Um I'm still getting call city manager. Um in fact I went there today around 4:30 and the traffic on Stewman was closer to CHS than it was to lol. So we we do have an issue over there. Um, I'm not sure what Miss Alman can do and out of her tricks there, but uh, it's still an issue. Thank you very much, Councelor Chow.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, thank you, Council Dakota, for putting that motion. And I'm not quite sure how this could be related to connect to that um, traffic light. Mr. manager. Um along the Westford Road that go to Drum Hill, there are uh several apartment complex that they would have to exit their complex into Westford Street. And I saw a few social media posting. It's like they're saying it's like, you know, play like a Russian roulette when they come out. Um because it's heavy traffic sometime, uh fast traffic. It's hard for those residents uh to get into the main traffic. Um it's very similar situation to the um apartment complex um on the I believe the Bucket Boulevard. Um those um I forgot the name of those um Camel Court. Correct. You know, but on that route you can only make like a right turn. So it's easier to deal with a right turn. But the apartments on westford when they come out sometime that they make left turn or right turn and with heavy traffic on both side it's really difficult to enter the traffic and you talk about literally hundreds of families actually in those apartment complex. So it's there's a lot of vehicles that need to get into the traffic. So I'm not quite sure what can be done along the same line of engineering for the traffic light. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Chow. Council Rook, I think you may is there any way you can go right on red at that late when you come off of Steman because it's as consil Dakota said it's brutal over there and it's been worse since the lights been put in if you ask you know just my opinion but if you can go right on red there I think that will alleviate a lot of the pressure Mr. Manager

uh thank you very much Mr. uh Mayor 3 to the council councils we will try to figure this out. Uh this is something that obviously we looked at trying to solve another problem. Uh but obviously this other this other problem is creeped up. So we'll find out uh with right turns coming out of some of those areas as well as the right on red. Uh I don't think there's a there's a large uh pedestrian because usually that one you know coming in from Bridge Street. Uh, Council Robinson knows this and I in the morning that fowls things up a lot because when the kids are going back and forth to school, they hit they actually hit the light. So, that's a good thing, but I don't think I I don't sense that that's a heavy pedestrian trafficked area. So, unless there's something I'm not seeing counselor, Council Rook,

Council Rook, you all set? Thank you, Council Rook. Council Dakota. Uh, Council Rook brings up a good point. kind of wish we could there but it's been narrowed down to one lane and you can't in the back before there were lights people were just side to side taking the right but now you just don't have that opportunity to do that and that's where I think that's where the backup is happening most likely may maybe you can indulge wasn't there an issue with land taking on the corner and we couldn't take the land to make that second lane I if my mind jogg

yeah but okay thank you all in favor signify by saying I any opposed opposed. So ordered 5.5 Council Mcdana request the city manager have the appropriate department work with the council on aging the health aging and acting group and other interested parties to explore the feasibility of designating one or more happy to chat benches in the community. Seconded by councelor Robinson councelor Mcdana.

Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. This uh motion comes out of a whole series of emails and conversations and occasionally getting a little lost and delaying me about a week and getting this motion in and trying to and me personally trying to wrap my brain around what it is uh this group is is looking for. But I actually I think it's a very good idea. Um and they this group of seniors um and others with the Council on Aging have been working pretty diligently towards this idea. Um and they have some questions about the feasibility of implementing this, how they would be able to do this, uh, given the historic district and uniformity of the benches. Um, I'm happy to pass along the contact information for the the Dr. Dr. Andy from UML has been a real point person on this. I'm happy to pass that contact along. I think they've already been talking to Steve, but uh, through you to the manager,

managing or thank you, Mr. to Mayor 3 to the council. Councelor, yes, we've done this at the Moody School uh over off of um Roger Street for the school kids. So, it's something we can absolutely do. If you could forward us a contact, we will talk to uh Mr. Stole from the historic society to find out how or the historic commission find out how we can do this in and around the downtown. So, easy enough. Uh if you could give ACM a shadow all that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Mcdana. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Seeing at 7 o'clock, we'll go to the general public hearings 4 4.1 ordinance amend zoning data center moratorum gives second reading. An ordinance amending code of city of l Massachusetts with respect to chapter 290 therefore entitled zoning by adding and amending various sections. Item 6.3 up to item 6.3. Does is there any will to bring up 6.3 at the same council Scott? I was just going to ask you to take the plan and board recommendation at the same time.

Motion to take 6.3 up at the same time by councelor Scott seconded by councelor Ror 6.3 communications planning board recommendation regarding creating a moratorum on the development of data centers within the city. We're going to open the uh hearing up to the public. Anyone wishing to speak in favor? In favor, please state your name and address for the record. Please.

And if you can sign the sheet that's up there, please. This one here. So, my name is Jake Fors and I'm at 36 Iowa Street.

Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, so basically, uh, tonight I'm here to talk to you guys. There's uh enough of the people on the council who know who I am. For those that don't, um I have existed on this project since Markley has come to Lel for 10 years. Uh actually now 11. Um I have been looking for transparency and accountability when it comes to this project. When they came to LOL originally back in 2015, the entire community was misled about the intentions of what this data center was doing. I have proof of that because the city manager at the time knowingly said in an exchange between their council at the time to now that they were going to include a street sale that is now known as their private way. That was only one of the things that wasn't known. The more people talk about this data center that exists now, the more we find out that people knew back then when they came that they planned on extending their footprint beyond what exists now. They also had to have known what they were going to need for their facility. But yet, none of those things appeared in the original plans. Instead, things kept on changing. There was no transparency from city hall. Just, oh, in 2018, sorry, you know, it they just appeared there. The four engines that have been fighting since 2016 when they first appeared. However, documentation also shows that the city of LOL knew that those four engines were going to be changed and did not do a major site plan modification. That was back in 2016. The proof is there. There has been no transparency with this project whatsoever. How much

HVAC would be installed at the site and how much of that constant hum we would hear. how much and water would be needed for this facility and whether or not two water tanks would suddenly pop up in somebody else's backyard seemingly overnight and construction would begin before planning board approval. There's an ongoing pattern of lack of transparency from city hall. But the thing that you need to make clear is that every time I come to the meetings, you're heard, but then afterwards seemingly meetings happen where you go to the planning board and they postpone it. They hear your concerns. They're very concerned about what you're talking about and then from there it ends up turning out to be that they meet with uh vice president of Markley who does a private walkthrough with them. And from there, then all of a sudden the planning board changes and rubber stamps everything that they want without a consideration for the neighbors, without actually doing any research on the harm of what they're approving. The last time the planning board voted for this particular data center, they admitted they had no expertise on what they were voting on and yet they still allowed it anyway. That's a very bad look for the city. So the transparency narrative though is not unique to LOL. This is happening nationwide where data centers are popping up in residential neighborhoods, but there's always a constant theme. It's always low to middle income folks.

We had a we got a 3minut time limit. So Oh yes. Who can't um who can't um you know defend themselves and only find out after the fact. So what I'm looking for from you guys tonight is accountability and transparency um in going forward. So, please um do a um community benefits agreement where the community is actually sitting at the table, not just the city and not just the company. Everybody needs to have this because the Sacred Heart neighborhood is under siege. Just look at the property developments recently. Thank you. Expansion is coming. Thank you so much, guys.

Just a reminder to all the speakers, we have three minutes. Mary, if you can speak, state your name and address for the record, please.

Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is Mary Woi. I live at 668 Princeton Boulevard, apartment 4 in L, Massachusetts. I am here to support the the data center moratorum. Uh, and even before I say that, I'd like to make a note that there's usually a process like the one we had recently where we went to the planning board. It's very interesting that uh those who oppose this moratorum did not show up and what it tells me is that they are not really law residents because if they live in law they would have been there they would be there at every stage of the process. Now to my comments data centers arrived in law in 2015 and after a decade we can evaluate their local impact. The city provided $77 million of a tax break to support this industry. One of the largest tax incentives in the history of law. After all that, the documented local return is 30 jobs. Okay, 10 years, 30 jobs. 30 jobs is not a return on a 77 million public investment. It it reflects the reality that data centers are among the lowest job producing uses of land. That's a fact. At the same time, we have a huge deficit in our public school building, which I think was part of this uh conversation, Coen Hall. And so, you were looking at a $40 million deficit and a 1.6% 6% tax increase on residents like me and you.

But 30 jobs, $77 million for a company that's polluting here in law. Well, some are saying that if we have a moratorum, it's going to push development elsewhere. A moratorum is not a ban. It's responsible planning. It gives the city time to evaluate infrastructure impacts, land use tradeoffs, and long-term economic value. The pause is also an act of restorative justice in municipal decision making. The responsible step for the city to do right now is to pause, acknowledge the imbalance and repair it before moving forward. No one is saying shut down Markley. We are just asking the city to be responsible. It's also important to note that the planning board recommended exploring a community benefit agreement. It should, you know, if you were always taking poison and then you realized it's poison, will you still continue taking it just because you started taking it 10 years ago? We need to think and do what's responsible. We all want economic development for Lo, but it should not come at the expense of the entire city. So, um I urge the council to support the moratorum. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Just again, if you can just write your name down on the sheet and um state your name and address. Um, thank you very much. Uh, I mean, I'll write it first. So, uh, my name is Elijah Russell. I live at 61 East Meadow Lane, uh, apartment 8. Uh, I think this is a really good idea for the city. Uh, when it comes to the executive branch and the administration, they put an executive order making it so no states can have any legislation regarding data centers. I think this is a really good idea to let the city really understand what's going on when it has to do with the neighborhoods with the grid. People are subsidizing the increase of energy use and Markley is using our grid. So it is making taxpayer payers and people who live in the property having to subsidize their energy use. I would also say about them buying property up um just the fact that China was not allowed to have high-end Nvidia chips. So they are much more efficient when it comes to their LLM models and um expansion of a data center could lead to um having to downsize once the technology gets better and um we've already like destroyed and built up the land. So, I think this is a really good idea for the city to have a real um inclus includive part of the Markley Group. Thank you very much. Oh, well, I would also say that Block Square uh it's a publicly traded company and they laid off 40% of their workforce and got a stock uh rise because of the fact of AI use. So, we are going to see massive job loss because of these technologies. And so we really need to think about what

that future looks like because it's already in our city. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? In favor Hi, my name is Alex Lunch and I own 25 uh 50 Robinson Street and also 21 Robinson Street. Uh I'm in favor of the moratorum. So my speech is named moratorium and solar the canary warning. Uh, good evening, council members. My name is Alex Lanch. Like I said before, I am here tonight to issue a warning for every homeowner in the city. I have solar panels on my roof for six years. For six years, my winter electricity was $40. My whole bill was $40. This month was $177. I am the canary in the coal mine. If a solar protected home can see a 300 a 300 price jump in a single month, every family in Loel is in danger. The evidence, the wires, black leaves. I have one here. That's my black leaves. All the all the trees around my house are dead with this black stain on it. That's the evidence. I have also the bill and and I'm happy to show it to

anybody here. Only one month 177. The evidence you can you can see it right here. So I see last month I see utility crews were out in the street and stringing new heavy duty wires in my street. Um specifically those for the SA data center they were going all that to the data center for six years our neighborhood greed was enough. Now I am being built 1770 a month for for what the the the wires are destroying my neighborhood peace definitely but look at my trees my river all the leaves they're sick are staying with this horrible black here I'm going to leave this for as a proof I complained that they were dying but nobody Nobody actually show up there. Uh this is industrial zone. I know from diesel fumes and cooling towers. If the trees of my street are being chocked by this fallout, what is happening to the lungs of our children? The health and the state context is the canary is gasping for air. That's this this is us Lel in 2025 local health department data always list respiratory disease as a top priority for our city. We cannot ignore the adding 27 diesel generators to a residential area is a direct threat. The state has already seen warning warning signs. On February 26, the Massachusetts Estate Est State House

passed a bill H5151 to protect RA prayers like me. Our state representatives are fighting to make this corporation pay for the first chair. Lowel need to match that bravery. Tonight,

sir, we got to wrap it up. You're at the three minutes, sir. So, you got to wrap it up. Yeah, that's uh my final I did in the last past six years I invested in solar. I did what I could. So I just hoping that our representative all of you do something about it because this is the safety of our children and our lungs. Uh they don't pay taxes so they may uh extend the taxes. So I hope that you have this in consideration. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? In favor?

Was there a signin sheet? That's okay. I think it was me. Whoops. Sorry. Too many papers.

Don't worry, that's not the first time that happened. All right. Good evening. My name is Jacqueline Kohl's and I'm at Seven Bourne Street in Lowel. Uh I left my paper at home so I have to read from my phone. Uh good evening, mayor and members of the council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I'm here to respectfully support the adoption of a temporary one-year moratorum on permits and construction for the Markley Data Center so that the city can evaluate the potential impacts of this facility. Particularly, they are located within close proximity to my home which is in a residential neighborhood. We know that a moratorum is not a ban. It is a wellestablished planning tool used for municipalities to pause development while zoning regulations, infrastructure capacity, community and environmental impacts are carefully reviewed. It allows the city and community to ensure that emerging forms of development are addressed appropriately within planning regulatory frameworks. Data centers are fundamentally different from traditional commercial buildings. They function as large-scale industrial infrastructure operating continuously and requiring substantial electrical capacity, large cooling systems, and extensive backup power systems. In many cases, these facilities install numerous industrial diesel generators to maintain operations during outages. These generators must be tested regularly and may operate simultaneously during emergencies. When facilities such as Markley are located near residential neighborhoods, that raise important questions about noise levels, air quality, and overall neighborhood compat compatibility. When a data center is located within a/4 mile of homes, the city and neighborhood are affected that are affected um should have the opportunity to carefully consider whether zoning regulations

adequately address issues such as appropriate setbacks and buffer zones between data centers and res residential neighborhood homes. Noise standards for generator testing and emergency operation. Potential air quality impacts from diesel generation diesel generation generator emissions. lighting, truck traffic, and mechanical equipment noise, and whether the scale and intensity of these facilities are compatible with surrounding land uses and community compromise or coordination. In addition to the neighborhood impacts, data centers can place extraordinary demands on local infrastructure. Many require very large electrical loads and significant cooling systems, which may affect energy capacity, water usage, and utility infrastructure. Those in my neighborhood know that additional electric support has been added to support the data center and some of my colleagues have already spoken about this. A temporary moratorium would allow the city to conduct the appropriate studies and planning review including energy infrastructure, environmental and air quality, noise and mechanical etc. Communities across the country have had ex have experienced rapid data center development have taken similar steps to pause approvals while updating their zoning and regulatory flame frameworks as well as well as creating community agreements which one of my colleagues spoke about as well. Taking time now allows the city to establish clear standards, predictable rules and appropriate protections before decisions are made that could shape land use patterns for decades. A temporary moratorum protects residents, provides transparency, and ensures that any future developments occurs in a way that is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, and consistent with responsible long-term planning. Therefore, I'm asking the council to vote yes on the moratorum. In addition, I do have a foster child who I'm seeking guardianship with that has asthma, and I am concerned about the health effects at the address in which we do reside. Um, in addition to what my colleague said before, I thank you for listening to me. Thank you.

You must have rehearsed that speech. It was right on 3 minutes. Nice job. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? In favor. Um, hi. Uh, my name is Nancy Forz. I live at 36 Iowa Street and I'm speaking in favor of the moratorum on data centers. We need guidelines established for these centers that are being located in residential neighborhoods because of air quality, the consumption of electricity involved. They are too close to houses in the area, especially with diesel generators that spew fumes and smoke into the air. They can say they are meeting D guidelines, but I don't think the DB D would live that close to generators. Some of these generators are located 100 ft or less from homes in the neighborhood. There is cleaner options than diesel that pollute. There also needs to be teeth in these regula this moratorum in order to enforce regulations and standards because big companies have a way of ignoring suggestions i.e. fines and such like with recent purchases in the sacred heart neighborhood. These needs there needs to be a pause for the city and its residents so we can chart the best path forward. I live in this city. I pay taxes in this city. I vote in this city

and um I'm asking you to pass this moratorum. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Good evening. My name is Eileen Castle and I live at 64 Odora Street. I directly abut Markley's property, but I am here today to talk to you about how this data center any data centers would affect our lives because I experienced it in the past. I've been there at least 75 years. So, cooling towers have health risks, noise. If they're properly maintained, I understand that they might not be so terrible, but we don't know that they're ma maintained because we have no accountability and we need some accountability for things like that. So, I'm looking to see if LOL is willing to stop things and say we need to pay attention to what is going on to our residents. What's happening? Generators, the fuel, fires, fumes, all these things come to play in my yard next to me. I come out in the morning sometimes and there's mist in on my car. So I think that if you want to look if you want it in your backyard, you can buy my house.

My value was going down. I can't will never get what I should get for my house because I can't look out my window without seeing two big water coolers tanks. Two big water tanks. So I think this is something that the city needs to do. I think someone needs and we have a playground and a school. Do you want to send your kids to school down there? I don't know anybody that wants to. I don't think the the playground is a a mess. I went by it today. It is disgusting. I wouldn't send my kids who I've lived and brought up there to play at all. So, I think the city needs to look at the past and make sure that this does not happen again to any of the residents that you have been voted into office for. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Please just state your name and address for the record, please.

Uh my name is M Bajani. I am speaking on behalf of the work that I'm doing with residents in the Sacred Heart neighborhood. Um good evening, city councilors and mayor. Thank you for the opportunity to share some comments. We need to we need to state our address. Um I live in Northampton. I'm the I live about 423 Florence Road in Florence, Massachusetts. Um I'm the co-executive director. You have to be a LOL resident or somebody I'm actively working with residents here in the community. Mr. Mayor, I motion to suspend the rules to allow Yes. to suspend the rules by Council Mcdana, seconded by Council Mia. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? you may speak.

I'm the co-executive director of Slingshot, which is a regional environmental justice organization, and I'm working with uh residents here in Lowel in the Sacred Heart neighborhood around the issue of data centers. Um, I'm here tonight in support of the proposed one-year moratorum on data center construction or expansion. Through my work, I organize with communities across Massachusetts and across New England who are directly impacted by polluting companies. Pipelines, power plants, incinerators, data centers, you name it. In my years of doing this work, I've seen the same patterns happen time and again. Companies act in their self-interest, maximizing their own profit, and residents are left dealing with the consequences that ranges from costly cleanup of toxic substances to higher cancer rates to tax bases shrinking while pollution continues. I don't particularly blame companies for this. They're built to focus just on money. But it's an important thing to note because it means that communities are responsible for their own self-interest, their health, their economic future, and their environment. Nobody else is going to protect those interests for them. That's where this moratorum comes in. It's an important opportunity for you all as leaders of LEL to look out for the city's self-interest to create the time and space to ensure that future data center development truly serves Lowel. Any company that comes to town is going to seek the best deal they can get, minimum costs and maximum profit. This moratorum is a tool for you all to set the terms of the deal that favor Lowel so that you don't miss out on potential benefits and you don't get stuck with unanticipated costs. This is a tool to be proactive instead of reactive to leverage expertise and resources to chart the best path forward. The whole data center boom has been accelerating rapidly across the country, mostly doing first and thinking later. That's the kind of approach that leaves communities reeling in the

aftermath. Lowel can't afford thinking later. Thinking later means adverse health impacts for residents. Thinking later means missed job opportunities. Thinking later means a bad deal for Lel. Let's slow things down and give the city a chance to think now and do later. You can be in the driver's seat to get the best deal for Lowel. I hope you'll take that chance by voting yes on this moratorum. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor?

Good evening everyone. Uh my name is Jonathan Gman. I live at 83 Varnum Avenue in LOL. I'm a member of 350 Mass of Greater LOL Climate Justice Group and we support this ordinance uh for the reasons that everybody has already stated. I would add that one of the other harmful impacts of storing and using large amounts of diesel fuel, whether the Markley Center or an expanded Markley Center or new data centers, is that it adds to greenhouse gas emissions, which increases speed of climate change, which has extremely negative impacts both here and around the world. I also want to say something to my fellow unionists uh in the IBEDW and any other unions there may be at Markley. I myself am a longtime union activist and supporter. We do need more good jobs. There's no doubt about that. But jobs can be good in two ways. they can be good for the workers who do them and the IBW and many other unions do a great job of making sure that's true and that's essential. But they also can be good for the workers who live in the community that's impacted by the work that's done. those residents of that neighborhood and the extent of the impact of mar of Markley or any future data center are workers also and that's where the problem is right now based on what we've observed with Markley we have no reason to think that without regulation expansion of Markley and more and new jobs there will meet that second criteria and in fact be good for the

workers in the impacted communities Nobody I know who supports the moratorum wants to close Markley or cut any jobs that exist now. But we have the chance with this moratorum to examine our zoning and other regulations before there's any expansion. And we need to do that first to make sure that if and when more jobs are created, they will be both good for those working them and also for those living in the area. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? In favor. In favor. That portion of the hearing is closed. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition.

Please state your name and address for the record and write it on the paper, please.

Andrew Weez, 118 Smith Street. Um, I'm the I'm one of the maintenance supervisors for the Markley Group, and I just like to touch on a couple issues that I I hear come up again and again. Um, we do a lot for the community. Um, both inside the fence line and out. Um, you know, we're constantly cleaning up trash on Bourne Street. We have people climbing into Hailsbrook in waiters to clean motorcycles and truck tires and you name it, out of there. We do care about the community and this company means a lot to me. I'd like to, you know, make this slightly personal, but you know, before I worked for the Markley Group, I'm just a maintenance guy and I never thought I would, you know, have the ability to have a home or have a family. Um, year after working there, I moved to LOL. My wife and I bought property here. Um, we pay l taxes. We, you know, we vote in LOL. And it's my it's my hope that you vote this down and more people can walk the same path that I did. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition?

Come on up. Come on up. All right. Um, my name is Brian Ainsworth. I live on 128 Foster Street. Um, I'm against this ordinance. It's a It's a bad idea and it doesn't make sense. Uh, it's a bad idea because it sends a bad message. It's a message to businesses and residents saying that rather than building one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the country, we'd rather have an old abandoned factory rotting into the ground. Rather than having a site cleaned and hundreds of trees planted, we'd rather have abandoned trash and and vehicles sitting in River Meadow Brook. Rather than innovation and business and hundreds of clients that visit LOL, we'd rather have stagnation. The audience calls out seeking recommendations from professionals and experts regarding impacts to the community. I'm a professional an expert in data centers going on 20 years. I mean if by the way if you know anybody else in LOL that has about 20 years of experience let me know. I'm looking for friends in the industry. Uh and I recommend voting against this ordinance. The impact to the community might be pushing out the sponsor to the next kinetic sculpture race. The impact might be all the charitable donations that could have been given to the community. The impact might be the food bank no longer receiving donations it once did when the federal government shuts down low-income programs. It's a bad idea. It also doesn't make sense. The ordinance mentions noise, energy, and environmental concerns among other things. Like for noise, the existing data center not only meets noise levels set by LOL, but a vast majority of or a vast amount of money was given and spent reducing the sound even more. If sound is still concerned after exceeding the

requirements, the noise criteria should be evaluated for every business in LOL. It's unjust to single out one business to be devastatingly more restricted. What businesses are next? What about a small automotive shop that gets targeted now required to spend millions of dollars on a soundwall because neighbors living next door to an industrial site complain? It's not fair for energy. We should be Why should we waste time and money spent looking at utility impacts? There's an existing agency that does this, the DPU, and they specifically are designed to look out for consumers and and utility rates. We should be lobbying them, not killing a business. Same thing for the environment. There are regulations for environmental protection from both federal and state governments, the EPA and the DP. If we have a problem with regulations, we should be lobbying them, not wasting time here. And again, the impacts need to be thought out for every home in business in LOL, not unjustly singling out one type of business. It calls for a timeline to be established for recommendations, but there's no plan for where the recommendations are coming from. Where are these experts going to come from? And who's going to pay for it? Most of the information I hear about data centers is from flawed opinions from the internet. I know this. And despite the differences of opinions in this room, I know one thing we all share. Every one of us shares a reliance on data centers. data centers for our banking, commerce, medical records, government, internet, cell phones, almost everything in our daily lives. We shouldn't be killing what we rely on. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Uh John Melo 93 Ursula. I lived around this neighborhood my whole life. Live Ursula now. I lived Griffin, South Whipple, Agawam. I'm almost 40. I've used Markley's property to cut through go to places all that whatnot. So I know what the transitions it's gone through and all that to so to say the this is the properties this I I know what it was before. It was a dump.

It was a straightup dump. Now you know keep hearing people say they want transparency and all that. Sir, we're we're building a billion dollar modern marvel over here. Plans will change but they will be accordingly. They will be in the law. They will be the best safety they have. We have the best all of that. They will be to you guys. So, I'm kind of speaking more to the neighbors because that's what I am more. You know what I mean? And to the dude worried about the rivers and the streams and his leaves. Sir, we cleaned those rivers. We did. Markley did. And we do all the time. We shovel the streets like my supervisor just said. We do all that. We bring many businesses to here there all that. And you know your questions, comments, concerns, they do not fall on deaf ears. It's loud. We put up the best sound barrier money could buy. There's a little wall. We put it down. Oh, sorry. Broke it down. Any problems we're coming with solutions. So to come here, you know, and keep this, this, and that. At least come with a little consideration that everything you bring up is met and is kind of trying to meet you. We're not We let city council in this. We're not locking the doors, putting up barriers. I don't see how anyone could be more transparent. That's all I'm So, bring your questions, comments, and we'll meet you in the middle. That's it. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition?

Uh, good evening, uh, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. Uh, my name is Alex Men of 521 East Marramax Street. Uh, so I was born and raised in LOL. Um, currently in the Belvadier neighborhood. Uh I'm here to speak tonight against the uh moratorum. So began uh before I began working for Markley, I had just returned from a combat tour in Afghanistan as an infantryman. I was working odd jobs to make ends meet. In 2015, I was given the opportunity to work for a Markley. It was a huge blessing, especially because my fiance had just given birth to our second child. Markley did something for me that no one else had done. They gave me a fighting chance. That chance allowed me as a father to provide for my family and give my kids the kind of stability I never had growing up. Because of that job, I was able to buy my first home with a backyard where my kids are currently getting ready for uh the upcoming baseball season. All my children attend school here in LOL and and our high honor students. Without the financial stability my job provides, I honestly don't know if the circumstances would be the same today. Uh this moratorium can bring an uncertainty to many others, including myself. Since I started in 2015, I've also seen how much Markley has helped clean up the neighborhood. The crime and drug activity in the area has also gone down significantly. I've also seen them provide opportunities to many other local residents like myself. Markley has done something um very special. Uh you know, they did more than just give back to the community. Markley's given us hope and a future that we all look forward to. One day I hope to show my kids how far Markley has come and have them be proud that their dad was part of a great organization. I'm speaking tonight not just as an employee but as a son of lol. As someone who grew up here and cares deeply about the community. I'm grateful for the opportunities that Markley has provided for me, my family, and many others here tonight. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Mayor, city councils. My name is GP period Edward Brown. It's my understanding that the residency has been waved. I live at 52 Allen Street in Draket, Massachusetts. I'm not here to speak on behalf, but we do have a video and I'm going to play this video and it should come up on your screens. Told it would. Oh, that one you told me right up right hand corner

in public hearings. We don't allow videos. We don't have a means to it. We've seen the reason why we did this argue is we've actually seen at other

the suspension of the rules is for all speakers. If we do it for one, we're going to do it for all. I I just think that's fair. So, a motion by Council Rook, seconded by Council Robinson to allow all speakers to speak in opposition or in favor of. So, you certainly can speak, but I don't know that there's an avenue for you to type in to play something. That's all. We were hoping that that was going to happen because in years past, we've actually seen like PowerPoint presentations. Yeah, there set up presentations for information. And so we got to contact uh LTC for that prior too if that makes any sense. It does. Okay. Okay. Appreciate it. Thank you.

I will certainly ask in the backfire when he's speaking. I'll go back and see if LTC has a means for you to do that. Um register if you want to speak in opposition.

Yeah. I oppose. My name is Tommy Cruz. I live at 287 Pleasant Street. Um I am a lifelong L resident. I was born right up the street um in the Julian Steel projects. I currently um live right behind Markley Street uh Markley on Pleasant Street. And I just want to say um you know I agree with a lot of the neighbors and what they're saying, but also Markley has brought a lot of good to Low. They've hired at least a third of their employees are from low and they're currently looking to hire more people. Um if this um moratorium goes through um it's it's bad for all the employees. Um since I've been working in Moley uh mockly I've been able to put my daughter in private school to afford it. I couldn't do that before. And I just hope everybody here um hears all my co-workers um arguments and w votes in favor of democracy group. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition. Good evening everyone. My name is Scott Denny. I'm a little resident residing at 70 Brad Street A. I've been working in this building for two years. I've been working as a local electrician for about 10. Uh if this job gets shut down, it will significantly impact each and every one of us union workers as well as our growing families work so hard to support. I strongly ask you that you reconsider this moratorium as a preserve for good union jobs and please look at all the good Markley Group has done and will continue to bring to our community. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? In opposition.

Hi, I'm Chinasmi Chun. I've been a long life uh resident of LOL. currently residing at 15 Dover Street. Um about 10 months ago, I re I spoke here um for the diesel permit and uh I'm in support of the data center here at Markley. Um I hope you guys reconsider the moratorum not only for the sake of us here workers, but for our livelihoods. I mean, I'm supporting a three-year-old child and I don't think I can afford to lose out on the opportunities here that Markley has brought here for us. So, please, I depend on this job and I hope you reconsider the moratorum. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? in opposition.

So, we just want everyone to understand there will be no sound with this video because it doesn't play sound. Mayor, we appreciate the accommodations. We thought we were going to be able to do it when we came here. Next time we'll we'll make sure and coordinate. Just public hearings are different.

So, what we wanted to do was coming back up. We just wanted to show if you look at your screens, what Markley used to look like with the trains, the pictures, the waste, material waste that was there and what it looks like today. You want me to pause it and then start it? Okay. Okay. Let me know if you're ready. Okay. I appreciate your help. Thank you. Nope.

Okay. You want me to just pause it again? Okay. Let me just start from the beginning. Okay, here we go. Thank you. It's better with sound. We actually had the trains, the sound of the trains as they were going by. So,

but this will give you an idea of the trains that used to go by on the property and through the residences. That's not part of the presentation. This is what it used to look like. And you can see all the hazardous material. And then you can say this is what it looks like now or during the development. That's what it looked like before. That's what it looks like now. All the trees. Number four. That's what it looks like now. This is what it looked like before. And this is what it looks like now. Before. And now. Before. And now we're towards the end. Mayor of war. And now this is what it looks like inside. Now and you can see as it's been mentioned before the support that we have in the community and all the different areas that Markley contributes to. So, I want to thank you, mayor, city councilors for accommodating us and

allowing us to show this. Um, appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Um, my name is Jacqueline Casey. I live at 100 Park Avenue West and I wanted to speak today as a LOL resident and an employee of Markley for myself and for my fellow employees. Markley has over 100 employees in LOL and 100 full-time union workers on site. We understand there's been a lot of confusion about data centers given the national media stories of events happening in other states within the last year and there's been a lot of misinformation that's being spread and has been presented at these hearings. At last week's planning board meeting, Dan Tenzer mentioned the importance of making sure all voices were heard. As someone who works in the facility, it's important to clear up some of this misinformation. A recent study by VHB, one of the largest environmental firms in the state, showed less than seven homes in the Sacred Heart neighborhood, produce more particle pollution annually than our entire facility. And just want to state that again. Less than seven homes produce more particle pollution annually than our entire facility. We would be happy to pay for another expert firm to confirm our findings as well. A statement was made at the planning board hearing last week that Markley's generators are killing trees a half mile away from the property. Markley has planted hundreds of trees on the property that are thriving. How can our trees be thriving if the admissions from our generators are allegedly killing trees a half mile away? Last year, Markley had an environmental consultant who specializes in identifying health issues at the city council hearing who said that Markley

generators don't raise any health concerns. To say that Markley is causing any health concerns is not supported by studies or research. I think it makes sense for the city to have a study done first to confirm those findings before putting in a moratorum that jeopardizes jobs. We've heard a lot of concerns about water use and water quality. Uh Marcoly designed a bu and built a world-class filtration system to ensure there is no dirty water at the site and evaporated water coming in from any of the cooling units is completely safe, clean, and harmless. And with the sound attenuation now installed, the cooling units can barely be heard. In regards to complaints about Bourne Street drainage, Markley has worked with the city to find a solution to this problem that goes back more than 50 years. And Markley is committed to doing the same on other issues where we can be of benefit to the city. Markley is not taxing LOL's water system and is not creating any kind of water shortage. In fact, Markley play pays higher rates than residential customers and is only adding substantial money for the city of LOL. Markley also has been accused of creating constant noise above allowable thresholds. When several city councilors visit visited the data center and heard the generators, they commented that the birds and lawnmowers were louder than our generators. Markley was accused of having unpermitted infrastructure installed and this is not accurate. To my understanding, all improvements on the Markley property have been approved by the LOL Planning Board and where appropriate the LOL Conservation Commission. We're at the We're at the 3minut mark. So, if we can just wrap it up.

Okay. Thank you. Um I just wanted to say that Markley is a great place to work. It treats its employees very well. And on behalf of our employees and union workers, I'm hope I'm hopeful that the city and Markley continue working together and we can see the company continue to grow grow in LOL. So, please vote no on this moratorum.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Hello everyone. Uh my name is Mike Keltz. My house is uh 829 Luave of Lel. Um I'm an electrician unit electrician over at Markley uh data center. I mean it's one of the best places I've ever worked. I mean I I know you guys don't understand because you're not in this field but the type of work we're doing we are building the future. I mean, you may not want to see that, but that is what's happening. This is going around all over the country. This can put Lel on the map. I understand the residents have a concern. Totally get that. Okay. When we did our tour, I mean, Mr. Mayor, before you were mayor, walked with you when you were council member. You and I had a conversation and I understand you're not trying to put anybody to work. I get it. But if this does go through, that's what you're going to do. That that is the reality. You're going to put us out of work. We have permits active currently. Yes. Once those permits dry up, we have nothing. That's 80 plus families out of work. What are we going to do? So instead of maybe a year possibly because they're cutting it down, that's we're screwed. So please reconsider. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Hi, my name is Justin Padilla. I live at 10 Vincent Street in Lass. Good evening members of the council and thank you for giving me this chance to speak tonight. Not only am I a maintenance technician working at market group here in LOL, I am a member of this community. I live here with my family just like many others in this room. I care deeply about the future of our city. April 1st will be my oneyear anniversary

working here and I have been blessed with this amazing opportunity. From day one, Markley Group has welcomed myself and my family in with open arms and has become like a second family to me. I wish to continue my career here and grow within the company. I'm here tonight because I'm opposed to the mortorium on data center development and how it could directly impact um people like myself, my family, local workers and their families as well. We depend on these jobs uh sorry we depend on these jobs and all take pride in the work we do each and every day. I have sat in this room several times with my co-workers and listened to all the concerns of the residents, but I have also took part alongside my co-workers to help keep the property clean, maintained, as well as our neighborhood. Data centers may seem scary to some people, but what I see every day is something different. I see electricians, HVAC technicians, mechanics, pipe fitters, plumbers, engineers, security officers, office staff, ops, cleaners, and maintenance workers working hard together to keep our critical infrastructure running. I respectfully ask the council to consider the impact that the mortorium could have on local jobs, local families, and the future of technology investment and low. Um, please work with the community and with Markley to create thoughtful regulations, but please do not shut the doors on industry that provides real opportunities for people like me. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition. Opposition.

Hi. Uh, thank you counselors and mayor. Um, my name is Alan Crawford. own uh 9 through15 Carter Street A and uh L mass. It's actually uh the property where I was born and my family has lived in uh for more than 50 years. I've worked in the field of data transport and fiber optic fiber optic uh data connectivity for the last 15 years connecting local state federal agencies along with hospitals, universities and first responders which utilize critical infrastructure solutions such as E911 which the Markley group supports and I tonight I've heard that overlooked quite a bit.

Sir, if you can speak up a little because they can't hear you if you want them to. connecting local, state, and federal agencies along with hospitals, universities, and first responders, which utilize critical infrastructure solutions such as E911, which Maru Group supports. When the public is affected by an outage, those supporting this moratorium will be in an outrage because of their inability to utilize the critical services normally in operation. In fact, everyone who may be in opposition could be using cloud-based applications at work potentially and may even be connecting to the Markley Group currently without even knowing it. This is a state-of-the-art facility wishing to operate in accordance with the law. There's a lot to like about LOL and the Mar presence just adds one more reason regarding the unknown requirements mentioned earlier from 2015 to 2016. I'd love the crystal ball that you own so that I could potentially take advantage of all the technological advancements that you think that they should have been able to foresee as regarding the need for the more compute power to support AI and all these other cloud-based applications. I strongly oppose this. This is not their first facility. Their premier facility in Boston is a hallmark within the industry and I thank you for your time. Thank you. Anyone else wish wishing to speak in opposition?

Uh, hi. My name is Ryan Hughes. I due to the suspended rules, I am a resident of um, Drakit. I live at 144 uh, Troutbrook uh, Road. Um, I I am here to um, uh, argue against the mortorium. Um, Markley, I've been working here for two years. It has been one of the greatest opportunities. Um, I have had to work not just in my uh, local, but ever since I graduated from Greater Little Tech. I may have lived in Drake my whole life, but I grew up in LOL. I went to St. John Dark for 10 years. I went to Greater LOL Tech for four years after that. Um, and uh, LOL has provided me with some of the best opportunities of my life and I continually want to give back and because of Markley, I've been able to. They've been very understanding and accepting of people who want to help their communities out. back when we were um doing our last push uh two December ago. Now, they allowed me to go back and coach the Greater Little Tech Swim Team and give up some of the hours where they wish they had an extra man there pushing because it gives back to the community. They've allowed me to take time off to help our local chapters at Greater Little Tech of Skills USA. They are a company that understands that giving back to the community is very important and I would like to at least stand as proof that we are here not just as uh employees of Markley but as individual people who get the opportunity to give back to those communities. I'd also like to bring out the um uh secondhand kind of income that local businesses have gotten. I knew I know definitely when we were in one of our high swings, the Dunkin Donuts loved us every single day uh twice a day. They uh probably have

never seen more business and never will again, but that was um and then local businesses like George Delicacies um right um supporting us during lunch breaks. So the money that Markley gives to their workers does end up in the community from not just the people living here but everyone working in the facilities. Uh thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? In opposition in opposition

man city council chambers. I I'm David Olaflin. I'm a business agent for Local 103. I represent the members of the IBW that work at the Markley Center and I'm here in opposition of this. Mayor, we spoke um I understand, you know, your concerns about this, but these folks that I represent here, this the apprentices that spoke ahead of me and the journeyman here, those these these young men and women get education from the IBW for zero dollars. The other members pay for that for these these young men and women to get to be electricians. Their school is free. It's paid for by the other members. And in a moratorium on this in 360 days, they have they have customers in the queue. Those folks are going to go somewhere else. And and this is going to hurt the members of my local. It's going to hurt the community. When these folks, to reiterate what the young man said ahead of me, they when people work in low, they're going to spend money in low. And when they when they push this out of here, they're not going to be spending their money in low. And those folks are going to be traveling to work and and have cost themselves more money to go to work. When when they don't work in low, we have to find them jobs elsewhere. And those jobs are predominantly in Boston. And these kids are going to spend money on parking, spend money on on travel time. And it this is this has affected hurting hurting IBW members and hurting the other locals that are in the Machley Center. And that's what I have to say. I I'm opposed to this moratorum. I think 360 days is is a is a very long time for them to these these folks that they have in the queue. They're going to go elsewhere and and we're going to be looking for them to come back here and and they're going to be gone to some other some other data center and and that's that's unfortunate. That's what I have. Thank you for your time. Thank you for hearing me.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? opposition. Uh hello, my name is uh Joseph Mitchell. I live at Five Cummings Road in Marramac, New Hampshire. And I'm speaking under the impression that uh there's a suspension on the resident uh speaking. Um I have worked for the Mark League uh Group and New England Electric for the past better part of six years now. Um it is hands down the best job uh I've ever had in my career. I have been a licensed electrician for the better part of 15 years now. Um, and there is simply nothing that this job site has done in my experience that isn't up to code and standards with EPA safety or anything. Um, I haven't seen anything in my experience to think otherwise. Um, as far as some of the generators concerns go, I would rather breathe the exhaust straight out of the ex uh generator than I would some areas in the city. Um, there's no better equipment you can buy to scrub the air from the exhaust system these things have. Um, as far as jobs created, uh, there was an effort to hire within the community. There is a strong presence of LOL citizens that do work within the building and for the Markley group. Um, and the only thing I can see coming within a 365day moratorum of

permits is lost jobs and unemployment and bad news for families, myself included. I have two young children under the age of three. Um, I cannot afford to lose this job and I know several others on the job site that cannot afford to lose this job. This is a very good job that has done nothing but benefit families um in the community and local surrounding areas. Um there's not much else the Markley Group can do to support uh the employees and the community as far as I can see. Um, so I would just like to say this has been good for everyone that is involved with the project and there's nothing I can see that would be detrimental to the surrounding area. So, thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition. Opposition. That portion of the hearing is closed. What's the wish of the body? Council Rook. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um in the presentation I was given earlier um L junior high football is one of the organizations that um take money uh take money take donations uh for for our free program. Uh I am uh the secretary on the board of law junior high football and talking to uh our solicitor uh recommendation is that I abstain from the vote. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Chair recognizes councelor rook is abstaining from the vote. What's the wish of the body? Council Mercia.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I heard both sides and I have an opinion of both sides and I know what the Mockley Prince macaroni and I knew what that looked like before. It It was a dump. No doubt about that. And I know that since Mach Mockley has taken over the property, it's magnificent. Magnificent. I'm not going to deny that. And I know that there's a brook there and I know that they're going in that brook and they're cleaning it. I know that there's so many good things happening and I also know neighbors there and I know of their concerns. So, it's like I'm faced with a dilemma like which one of my children do I like the best? Do I like the neighbors or do I like the union? And I can relate to what you're saying as union people. My husband was a union painter in local 39, which is now probably 35 cuz it went to Boston. So, I know what you're talking about. I know what you're going through. I know what jobs are like in the union. You get a decent pay and you can afford a house, but then when you're laid off, times are tough. because I I've experienced it. I went without uh you go to unemployment, you collect and then it's gone and you still don't have that other job. So I felt it. I know what you you're gone through. It's a very very tough and I think we do have a representative here from Markley. At least I think he is. And and I'm thinking about the neighbors and their concerns and I'm thinking that and I

know that uh Machley is good to their employees. I've heard it time and time again. But is Machley good to the neighbors? Because I think that they have many many questions that they want answered and you just don't discard them. You can't do that. And I know that we the vote before us is a delay. And I know what a delay means, but I'm but I'm leaning towards the delay only for the simple reason that I know it's tough for you. I I've been there. I've lived it. But I'm I'm for the neighbors. And I and I hope that the message goes back to Markley to please include your neighbors. A happy neighbor is a good neighbor that is well informed and feels like they're a part of the community. They've been there long before Mockley was there. So, please respect the neighbors. So, I'm torn. I'm torn because I know what you're saying. I I I my heart is broken, but I don't see a problem whereby we can learn a little bit more and set the record straight to what we as a city are looking for in with respect to our neighbors. So, I don't know how my colleagues are going to vote. I hope that you don't hold that against me because I I feel the pain that that you're going through. But I just had to say that. I just had to say that. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Meia. Council Dakota. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, do we have a representative from Markley here?

Just give us your name and your address, sir. Hi, my name is Devin Hutchkins and my address is 151 Tmont Street in Boston.

Thank you, Mr. Hutchkins. Um I'm just going to read a a quick paragraph here. U said moratorium prohibits acceptance by the city of lol any new applications and permits for zoning permissions and decisions for the intended purpose of the development operation of a data center. Further this moratorum shall apply to any new expansion for the construction and development of existing data centers. However, the term new as applied to the expansion of exist existing data centers shall not apply retroactively apart from any specific exception as prescribed in the governing statute MGL48. My my question and a couple of speakers that spoke so I I just want to make sure I'm I'm for clarification. We're not saying some of them are saying that if we didn't we didn't do this that you would basically shut down and you'd lose 80 jobs. Please tell me that's not the case. I think that the the point is that if the mo moratorium goes into place then we lose the ability to keep growing

to keep growing but the employees that you have that are working right now would not be affected correct well it's hard to a lot of our employees their jobs are to help the business grow

understand I well said um I just wanted to make sure that we weren't um at at a point here where you're going to say if this didn't go through you're laying off 80 people and I don't think that's the case at all. I think it's a case that anything new would have to take a moratorum. So I want to make sure my colleagues understand that as well is that we're not we're not we don't have 80 people losing their jobs is basically so which standing status quo I guess at this point until we get further information. But I appreciate you coming up here Mr. Dutch. Thank you. Thank you councelor.

Thank you councelor Dakota. Councelor Robinson. Thank you. I'd like to thank everybody that spoke tonight. I mean, uh, we can look at this a couple different ways. Data centers are a new thing for the most part. They've been around for a little bit, but not necessarily in densely populated neighborhoods. At the time of the inception of this, I don't think these conversations were had. No one really knew what to expect. I think we're seeing some of the unintended consequences on the on the neighborhoods. I think some of the key words that came out tonight, responsible. I heard it from both sides. I heard those for the mor moratorum say being responsible it it's a duty of the council to protect their concerns. I've also heard employees testimony for Markley that that have demonstrated how responsible they have been to that parcel of land to the neighborhood. I think they have some excellent phenomenal actually employees over there. Um this moratorum though is basically a temporary pause and that temporary pause uh freeze in expansion allows both parties to come to the table and carve out an agreement and and it's maxed at a year. Um I personally if I'm in charge of the Markley group, you have the key handed to you. You've heard this. That key is a CBA, a community benefits agreement where you can get to the table with the neighborhood and find this sweet spot compromise so you can

continue to move further and the neighbors concerns are addressed. I think this didn't go the way cuz initially I've had people reach out requesting what can we do to be better neighbors? meet with the neighborhood, figure out what that compromise is, address the concerns the neighbors have, and instead of doing so, it seems like we got a full full-on assault from political who's trying to lobby us into submission. That's not going to fly. At the end of the day, our loyalties lie with the neighborhood. And I'm pretty sure any of the phenomenal employees that spoke tonight, if they lived behind this and had to deal with it and they weren't employed by the company, they'd be expecting us again to be responsible and protect their concerns. Um, I think this provides the opportunity not just to the city and our residents, but also to the Mockley group to come up with a working model that demonstrates a collaborative approach that can be emulated elsewhere. You have a data center in a densely populated neighborhood. I mean, I don't think Markley is necessarily a bad neighbor in the sense of the investment in the pictures we've seen. They've they've greatly improved that property. Tremendously improved it. And and and from what we're hearing, they have a a real appetite to continue doing so. Uh we had a gentleman that spoke against the moratorium that got up there and said they're willing to listen to the concerns of the neighbors and and and it shouldn't take a situation like a moratorum for us to start hearing that. I think there's been plenty of time to work with the neighborhood way before this moratorium ever came up. So I mean unfortunately I am going to support this

moratorum and I really do hope that that community benefits agreement is reached and and I try to get to the table with the neighborhood and and the people involved that are impacted tomorrow and begin these discussions so we don't have to sit there for 360 days with a a moratorum in place. The sooner we can come up with this this compromise I think the better off everyone involved is going to be. And so I mean I think that's the the golden key and and and the neighborhood has laid it out to you. Let's work on a CBA between two parties and and come back and revisit this. Thank you. Thank you, Council Robinson. Councelor Mcdana.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I want to start by thanking Councelor Dakota for a phenomenal question uh that you stole from me and councelor Robinson also for also saying that question that I didn't raise my hand fast enough for. Um, I think I think it's one thing that I almost everybody in the room has agreed on tonight and and that's that this whole plan is contingent. it it everybody in the room meaning the the neighbors who spoke against or sorry the neighbors who spoke in favor of this moratorum and the majority of the speakers um from Markley opposing the moratorum they they all seem to agree that this whole business plan is contingent on expansion that this is this is not a question of continuing operation as normal this is not a question even necessarily of arriving at the plan that was laid out a decade ago it's It's continued growth and it's continued growth at the expense of all of them, right? All of the people that came to speak tonight in favor of the moratorum. Um, I would also like to point out that there's been a lot of talk tonight about Markley, you know, if there's a moratorium, we're going to pack up and leave the city. And I would really like to point out that that that's leaving uh 9 years of uh pretty hefty tiff on the table that applies not just to Markley and the physical property but also their personal property and also the personal property of all of their clients which they used to advertise the site. Um and when I say hefty tiff I mean it's 2026 uh looking back 10 years in agendas. Um, so it should be about a 75% exemption uh through 2030 and then a 70% uh from 2031 until 2035. So I I think the economic incentive for them to stay in the city is still pretty strong. Um I would also uh last point

and sorry for jumping but we heard a lot from Local 103 tonight and I think they're a important union. They're a strong union. There's a lot of construction going on at Markley. There's a lot of day-to-day operation at Markley. I I've reached out to several other unions, both building trading trades um in and wider, and I'm not hearing a lot of other good paying union jobs on this site. Not not the security guards or custodians or uh like laborers in general. I know there was an issue with the carpenters union over the summer. Um, and so I just I would just ask my colleagues to to consider that the the labor issue here is I think more complicated than maybe we were led to believe tonight. So I I will obviously be supporting the moratorum.

Thank you, Council Mcdana. Council Scott.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I would just like to start off by saying that for me this isn't just about Markley. I know Markley's been the focus tonight, but Markley certainly has helped highlight the flaws in the process that we've been following through the years. Um, data centers are not defined in our zoning in any way. I think that's something that needs to change and that's why I asked for the moratorum. Um, I'll point to neighbors that have been here through the years, planning meetings, neighborhood meetings with many, many complaints about this project. Um, you're pointing to how clean the project is. They would prefer it how it used to be. That kind of tells you something about what's been going on there, right? Um the neighbors, Eileen Castle, I'm going to say your name. You up here speaking. Um the massive water tank right behind our house that spits down on it, way too close to our house. The buffer should have been there to keep that equipment away from her property. Um landscaping, beautiful landscaping inside the property. There's like no tree line on Bourne Street. There used to be a tree line on Bourne Street. They're all gone now. Um so there's a lot of things that need to be looked at. I'm very cognizant and I'm thankful for the unions for being here. Um I think it's very important we I think we should try to do this work as quickly as possible um so that we don't stop growth because I am not anti-growth. Um but I would ask my colleagues to support this. The neighbors have been through too much um and it's time for us to take a stand. There were also were about 50 residents from home that had emailed everybody as well with their concerns. So thank you.

Thank you councelor Scott. Councelor Dire.

Uh thank you Mr. Mayor uh LOL has embraced new technology throughout its entire 200year history. In fact, it was built on it. And the Mill girls weren't afraid of new technology. They used it to build a city that was a model to the world. And they used their time to continuously learn and enhance their understanding of the world. But when changes in that industry impacted their lives, they spoke up for themselves. in their case going on strike against the industry, not against and not singling out any particular company. They did so not to try to tear down the industry or any company because they recognized their val its value to their economic futures and to that of the city. But they did so to try to change things so that the industry and LOL residents, which they were by then, could live in better harmony. AI and data centers are the new technology now. LOL is not afraid of these technologies either. In fact, as a UNESCO designated learning city, Lowellians today, like the mill girls then can and should use our free time to continuously learn and enhance our understanding of the world, including learning about these technologies. In fact, Governor Healey has recently announced a partnership with Google for free online AI training for Massachusetts residents, which I'm planning to take today. When an industry impacts the lives of local residents, we must speak up for ourselves, just like the Mills did. We must try to address concerns with the industry, not singling out any particular company. LOL is not trying to tear down the AI and data center industry or any company. We recognize its value to our residents economic futures and to that of LOL and to that of the entire country that is competing in a global marketplace.

Oh, somebody doesn't agree with I guess not. Council Diren, he likes the environment, too. Yeah, I guess.

Oh, poor thing. Mayor, would you like one of the Markley? I think it's a bat. These guys come and get it. Mr. Maker, you want to Mr. Mr. Mayor, you want to take a 5minute recess to clear that motion by councelor Robinson to take a fiveminut recess. Seconded by councelor Mercy. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Is it still where to go?

Hey, how you doing? Hey, how are you guys? I know. I had Okay. Yeah. Yeah. who

the bat is now the new city counselor

apparently. Wait. Sure. Guess there's no boat. Hold on. Hold on.

Poor guy. He's probably scared. Oh my god, just just sit down. Sit down. I know.

[ __ ] What's the uh

No, no, no, no, no.

Wait, the window. Go out the window. This is like This is funny. This is the funniest thing. I've seen my Oh. Oh my god. So close to getting out.

This is not a vampire. Oh. Okay. So, we're going to

Well, I think you see the window. Someone's got to take this. This is Oh, I know. Okay. He need He has rights, too. Leave him alone. It's okay.

Just leave me alone. It's okay. Great.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm always surprised I haven't had one in my house yet. This is a trip. All right.

What are you doing here? I have something. Yeah, I have something.

It's on the agenda. Yeah, that's exciting. This Okay, can we stop working now? This isn't working.

I bet you can see they're still singing a lullaby. He's hunting the bat. I'm glad I stayed. He's looking for continue.

Okay. Oh, see he's a patriot. See, he's a patriot. He's right. right there.

Remember, I'm not trying to window. You got to go get a ra It ain't fun.

Oh, I know. But we fight. You don't want to get a square needle. No, that's a No, no, no.

Seen that. Okay, you guys go and get it.

Watch out. Watch out. You guys do it right. I'm coming to

There you go. Watch out. Well, come Come on down. The weather's nice down here. Do I get a city catching credit if I catch it?

Thanks for Anyone got any rocks? Anyone got a small rock? See, this is why you got to have a guy from New Hampshire. You need a [ __ ] rock echo. It's how you catch him. You got it. This is what shuts down city.

I live in Angeles.

Mr. Clerk, roll call. never make it at the sewer plant. Councelor Scott here. Council Chow here. Councilor Dakota here. Mayor Kitia here. Council Jiren here. Council Leang here. Council Mcdana here. Council N. Council Council Mia, excuse me. Here. Council N here. Council Robinson. Uh, Council Rock here. Yes, I'm present.

Council Dian, you have the floor.

Yeah, thank you. Um, and for folks who might not have understood what was going on, there was a bat circling the room because I'm not sure you could tell if if you are on TV or just watching on TV. Um, so thank you. I'll just u So LOL is not trying to tear down the AI and data center industries or any company. We recognize their value to the residents economic futures and to that of lol and to that of the entire country that is competing in a global marketplace. But like the mill girls, we must try to change its impact so that the industry and lol residents can live in better harmony. That's what the moratorium is trying to achieve. It's a pause to allow problem solving. The moratorum will be successful if it brings together not just city departments but also a representative set of stakeholders who recognize that the issue is complex and not black and white including residents, excuse me, businesses, UMass LOL, the LOL plan and others as well as subject matter experts to have the tough and necessary public private conversations that can produce practical solutions including enforcement provisions. And um and it would also be helpful, I think, if we as a council can get quarterly uh input on the or reports on the status. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Janine. Councelor Leang.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm not uh I've been researching this uh since the last time I uh look at the Mali group, but since this moratorium, she's been looking into the effects of what has happened. for I guess since the past 10 year or so. Uh we'll leave it to the professional to do that. And I'd like to also uh echo councelor McDonald about um thanking uh councelor Dakota about that question. That's very important that uh we're not shutting the door. We're not closing um Markley. And also I'm proud to hear that Markley is taking good care of the employees and especially uh the 30% or so of the low resident employee. I also listen to the residents um that's been here. I I've been visiting the neighborhoods oldest street borns Prince Andrew Iowa um and especially uh Oliv Olivia Park you know when uh the employees go home you get to be with your family uh take them to the park walk with them but at the same time if you are the residents around Otis, Bourne, Princeton, Andrew, and around the park itself. Um, they can't do that. They can't clock out. They can't basically come back in or clock in the next eight hours or so. Last week on Thursday, I was driving to work as usual on Moore Street.

As I turned, I saw three little girls playing on top of the snow pile while the father watching after waiting for the school bus on Prince Avenue and Moore Avenue. I didn't know that the data center was on the agenda tonight, but my mind was wondering, will they still be living in the neighborhood? Will they be healthy? the father that's watching them. Will they will he be okay? I talked to the neighbors. I read a lot of email that the resident sent over. I noticed and I feel the fear, the worries and the uncertainties of their life and livelihood. And I'm support this moratorum just because we're not prescribing Tylenol to treat diabetes. We're just looking to see what's happening in the neighborhood. How can Markley work together within the neighborhoods? If the Markley is looking to expand, we need to know the effects of the neighbors because again, they're living there every single day. And um I hope that Markley and uh the the resident can work together uh and come up, you know, with some sort of solution so that it um can help with their concern. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Leang. Council Non. Thank Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to also join my colleague in thanking uh speakers, the residents who spoke in support of this moratorum and the worker, the unions, electricians and whatnot that work for Markley. Thank you for coming up to speak. I wasn't here 11 years ago on the council, but 11 years ago when the city offer a 20-year tiff tax increment finance tax break basically to Markley uh they do so in a number of for for a number of reason a number of factor come into it to clean up the place. The place need to be clean up and Markley did that. and chew in vice in that property and Markley did that in the million and now maybe close to billion. Um and Markley also employee uh worker the requirement basically to get tiff is that you give priority uh to the resident of low when they seek job there. So speaker spoke of hundred of job either the employee of Markley or the union. We understand that I and my colleague too recognize that this type of development the data center that Markley is doing is good. It's good for the city. They provide job. They

help local economy. They are high-tech economy but at the same time we have to listen to the concern of president and to ensure that their concern being addressed. They were there first before Markley. Councelor Leang spoke of that employee go home the resident is there at all time they express concern we are not talking about shutting down Markley we say let's pause put a pause to address those concern that were raised by the resident during this pause the opportunity for the city mly the community whoever were the player to address those concern I don't think that's much to ask planning board make recommendation I like that recommendation to us for us to consider requiring a community benefit agreement way to mitigate the impact of public safety and concern the diesel fuel storage, the environmental impact and so on. So tonight I will support this moratorum to allow all player to come and have discussion address this issue and concern one and for all. Thank you. Council Nun, would you like to make a motion to incorporate the planning board's recommendation into um

I would I would make a a motion that we adopt the planning board recommendation and include it into this one tonight. That's right. Motion by Council Nun, second. Oh, I'm sorry. Um Mr. Solicitor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So the um the recommendations from the planning board are uh they're incorporated into the um the updated amended version number two. Um so they're already incorporated. Um but if we wanted to sort of keep the re the recommendation from the planning board, I mean we have that. It's on file anyway, but I specifically took those recommendations and put them into the um into the version number two that's in front of you. That's fine. Thank you. Yeah, procedurally that's the way we would have to do it is councelor noon se seconded by councelor Scott. Um roll call on that. Please miss the clerk.

Councelor Councelor Scott. Yes. I hear a yes. Yes. Council child. Yes. Councelor Dakota. Yes. Mayor Gia, yes. Council Leang, Council Jeram, yes. Council Leang, yes. Council Mcdana, yes. Council Mercia, yes. Council N. Yes. Council Robinson, yes. Council Rock, he stayed. 10 years. 10 years. Council Chow.

Thank Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I I want to thank the speaker also from both side who uh spoke very passionately and very intelligently uh from both side they they add values and a lot of perspectives. Um I am one of the strongest supporters of economic development on this council and on tonight's issue specifically I have supported marketly in the past. I believe businesses are the engine of our local economy and I want LOL to be a city where businesses want to come invest and grow. But economic development and quality of life are not opposing forces. They have to work together. When a business comes into a neighborhood, it has to be a fit. The noise it generates, the drainage it affects, the way it looks from the street, these things matter to the families who live there. Let me be clear. I am not against data centers. It is one of the fastest growing business sectors in the world and we don't want to miss the opportunity to capture that innovation here in l when first came to our city. It was the first frontier in our city and I was excited about it. Many of our city leaders and stakeholders were too. But with the massive growth and expansion we've seen across the globe, across this country, and right here in our city, we can no longer afford to operate without a framework. Right now, LOL has no zoning standards for data centers at all. That is not good for residents and frankly it is not good for business either. The situation with market speaks for itself. Council Scott who raised compliance concern five years ago. simple as fencing, landscaping, noise, drainage on Bourne

Street. We received a letter just yesterday from Marley's acknowledging that the work is still incomplete. If resolving these issues take more than 5 years, then asking for 360 days to get our zoning right is not unreasonable. It is modest. This moratorum passed by the planning board unanimously. It protects residents. It creates certainty for future businesses and it gives the city time to do the right thing. Uh one final point, I truly appreciate council leader Moscia's uh comment earlier. I I feel her pain and the council paying on this very conflicting vote. I had a chance to speak with the union rep earlier. I was once a former member of a union. Um, one of the reason I support Markley in the past was its strong commitment and support for the union and I hope that commitment continues. I look forward to supporting Markley in the future after this moratorum and getting all the zoning in place. I will be supporting this moratorum and I ask my colleagues to do the same. Um I thank you everyone who are here here in the chamber um to really share your perspective. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Chow. Motion to accept motion to adopt the amended as amended. As amended by councelor Robinson, seconded by councelor Mcdana. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. Councelor Scott. Yes. Councilor Chow. Yes. Councelor Dakota. Yes. Mayor Gia. Yes. Councilor Jirean. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Meria. Yes. Councelor Nune. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Rog. 6.3. We need a motion to accept and place on file by councelor Robinson. Seconded by councelor Noon.

All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 4.2 2 vote authorize city manager to send notice of hearing to 48 Kinsman Street. Give second reading. Vote authorizing the city manager on behalf of the city of L to notify the owners of a certain property that a public hearing will be held pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 139. We're going to open the hearing. Anyone who wishes to speak in favor? In favor? In favor that portion of the meeting is closed. Anybody wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition. Opposition. That portion of the meeting is closed. What's the wish of the body?

Move approval. Move approval by councel Mercia. Seconded by council Mcdana. Motion. A motion by council merc. Seconded by councel Mcdana. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. You want want to read the motion? Yeah. Read. That's the motion to adopt. Let me find the motion. I got it right here. Uh

motion by council mercy. Motion to declare the property at 48 Kinsman Street, Lass 101852, including all buildings and structures a dangerous nuisance to the neighborhood and future and further order the demolition of the same. Seconded by Council McDonald. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. Councelor Scott. Yes. Councilor Chao. Yes. Councilor Dakota. Yes. Mayor Gia. Yes. Councilor Giran. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Councilor Mcdana. Yes. Councilor Mercia. Yes. Council Nuan. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Ror. Yes. Yes. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Council Mercia.

Before we get into the next three motions, could I suspend the rules and take 6.1B and D? Let's finish up those motion responses. So, motion by councelor Marcia to take 6.1B and D out of order. Seconded by councelor Noon. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1 motion responses. B motion response 2025 2026 local election funding. Council Robinson. Thank you. Um, I appreciate you taking it back last week and uh having it reviewed and I believe Mr. Manager has something to add, Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor through the council. Council, just we're just clarifying what you had asked. There were no other um expenditures made to other nonprofits at that. Greatly appreciated. Thank you for either last or this year. Thank you. Motion to accept and place on file by councelor Non, seconded by councel Robinson. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1D. Motion response. TIFFs and ties. Council Robinson.

Thank you. Um I just want to say thank you to the team that that prepared this. I think this is very informative. Um it's it's exactly what I was looking for. Um some of the things mentioned I'm glad to see. Um we're prioritizing. I do think this is a golden opportunity here. I think there's an opportunity to incorporate a lot of councilled initiatives such as um looking at potential. So when we're offering especially in the area of what is it the not the tiff not the tie but the ed

IP. So along those lines, I think we do have opportunity to incorporate things like incentivizing businesses to come to offer down payment assistance for employees that are willing to purchase in our city. I think um integrated pest management with anti-coagulants, a commitment to that is something that I think should apply on all of this. I think um companies that are willing to offer or or or stand by in writing a 25% residency apprenticeship requirement voluntarily. I think it allows us to build a a scale sliding scale as to what we're offering for these incentives for people interested in coming to our community. and and I do realize that it's pointed out that we are actually a lot lower than what some other communities are offering. So, I mean, I would like to refer this to the economic development subcommittee to really put our our heads together and try to work on consolidating some of these councilled initiatives and and see if we can come back with something that everyone agrees to. Motion by councelor Robinson to refer to economic development subcommittee. Seconded by councelor Mercia. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. Council Jan.

Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. I just had a couple of questions. Um this was a really helpful report. Uh um as uh councelor Robinson mentioned, LOL uh on average gives a a lower rate of tax exemption than is the I guess standard in Massachusetts. And I was just curious whether that generally helps or hurts our city either in comparison to you know other competitive situations but obviously it also helps our tax base. So just curious if there are any insights there assistant city manager by Thank you. Um it depends.

Yeah. Uh and so um I think that we have we were getting a lot of requests locally and I will say in the last few years we've seen a lot of requests from developers that are asking us to provide a schedule that is more aggressive than the standard schedule that we offer. And so uh essentially what we tell developers is like we have a standard schedule and if you accept this we can like move forward right now. um if they want something else then that requires negotiation and that requires coming back in front of this council and we have had several developers that have asked us to negotiate uh directly and not use the standard schedule. So um you know and what we have been told is that you know because we're not offering a very aggressive schedule like people are are are going to ask for that like oneoff negotiation more often and that is what we have been seeing. Um, so I I think just given like the cost of construction in general that like we anticipate that people will continue to do that. Um, you know, it doesn't stop people though like we we have people that are still interested in coming to LOL and still coming to do development here. Um, and we try to make sure that we explain to them that uh these anything that deviates from the standard schedule is at the will of this council. And so if you want a shorebat and you want to know exactly how you can move forward, you can use the standard schedule. If you want something more aggressive, that's a business decision for them to make. Uh but they go into that discussion knowing that ultimately you all could, you know, say no and they could get back to the uh original schedule that we offered in the first place. So um I will say that we we have been seeing more requests recently that deviate from the standard.

Thank you. Um the other question is on the housing um uh program. There was a project highlights sheet. I think it was the last sheet of the presentation. And when were these projects typically sort of put together? I was trying to figure out if they were very recent or older. Some of them I recognize, some less so.

Yeah, I would say we have some as recent. I mean, the Hildrith building is the one that's under construction in downtown right now. So we have some very very recent projects and then some of them that are several years in operation. The edge uh Marramac is an example of the building across the street from Little High building that has been completed and operating for a really long time. So um I don't know I would say maybe the last like 10ish years this probably captures. So it captures everything in that time frame you think? Uh most of them. Yeah. Okay. Great. Thank you manager Golden.

Uh thank you very much Mr. Mayor through to the council. councelor, if this goes heads into the um subcommittee, we can get those actually dates, start dates and end dates for that time frame. We can reach out to um uh Miss Ms. Burdau down in the U assessor's office. And also uh to follow up on the assistant city manager's point, this administration and and this council and private councils, we've also uh we're not shy about bringing in a financial expert when it comes to building. Um, and I think that our negotiations when people go off of uh the the standard uh tie for housing, I think that that has helped us as well. Uh, we're not shy at all about calling in those folks to make sure that uh quite frankly the numbers match. We did that in uh prior uh negotiations that this c strike that that the previous council did and then uh my hope is over the next four weeks or so we'll have other things to go into executive session have those discussions with other uh pieces that we have we're moving forward on. So, um, I think it's so important that when people are coming in and asking us for money, and I have to say from Assistant City Manager Rose's standpoint, I think that these folks that we've talked to and brought in, um, I think that we've done a lot for our um, for our own folks to figure this out and to figure out what is fair and what is uh, too aggressive. So, just wanted to say that. And um so if it's okay with the council uh when this goes into a subcommittee, we'll have the appropriate dates, the start dates and the end dates for all of these ties and tests.

Council Marcia.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to give a point of information to the viewing public if there's anybody still out there listen listening or watching that we talk about a tiff or a tie and yet that's probably foreign to people but a tiff is a tax increment finance and it's an agreement uh and it's to a company moving to low a tiff But there's a number of factors that are included. So it's not just a given. You got to meet certain criteria. Now a tie is a tax increment exemption and it's given to a developer looking to build housing in Lowel. So that's the difference. And I just thought I'd give a point of information in case someone was wondering. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Mia. Councelor Non.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I want to thank Joan Joawani by Roses for the report. It's very helpful report. Um I know that um you know cities of low uh no differ than other city and town is when we offer tax incentive program to developers is coming in to um to low or track quality uh development too low. You know it's a good thing. Um a while back I filed motions. I think I'm still waiting for a motion respond on that that that at the same time the city should get something uh in addition to you know helping the developers or you know large scale uh you know people that coming to build more housings and whatnot. We should get something back. Uh we talk about community benefit agreement. Uh so I asked for that a while back. I want to see if we can look at into or look at other city and town that do that and say in l of me giving you a tax break, give me something, give back to the city something in in the form of money or mitigate conditions with similar to Macly that we just had. So those are something I'm looking forward to report on that. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Newon. Councelor Rook. Thank you Mr. Mayor. you know, there's a there's a terrific motion and even better response. I mean, and I think that um you know, this is stuff that we need to get out more. I mean, you know, obviously potholes and traffic and snow removal is one thing as everyday life, but this here is what brings people to the city. This is what brings families to live in low with housing. Uh we saw and then you saw all the employees um you know, from a a business in the city as well. and I counted over 600 full-time permanent employees that live in the city of Low because of the negotiations um that are done by DPD and a law department. Um you know more outstanding work um you know by a DPD uh director and our city solicitor to get this to where we are. I know changes have been made in the past four years um actually five years now and it it just goes to show you know how a gateway city like low um you know offers the terms to get people to come here. Uh you compare us to other gateway cities and there's no comparison. You're talking 45% um exemptions over 10 years to 14% in law over seven years. I mean that is just outstanding. And and again, what that does is it it creates the opportunity for employment. It creates opportunity to to have a a home or a condo or whatnot uh through development. Uh and it's something that I'm glad that this council as a whole unanimously always approves because you see the results uh in place after these things are done. And you know, you can't hear about, oh, you know, you're giving money away, yada yada yada. 600 jobs probably wouldn't be happening right now in the city of law without these agreements in place. Uh you're talking 151 u million dollars uh in value totally uh with what we just saw uh through edge and thorn dyke and waterhead and the lofts. So this is something you know and $2 million in revenue that come to the city because of

it. Uh so once again it's just outstanding work by the administration um to create the opportunity to come to the city. uh and not only that um you know as a manager says all the time to find a way to get to yes and uh we have seen that recently and um just keep up the outstanding work. Thank you. Thank you council councel Robinson.

Thank you. Um I just like to piggyback on my colleague in this report and this is available on the state on the city's website. Something that really jumped off the page to me was since adopting this program in 2012, LOL has benefited from 14 projects receiving over 25 million in state tax credits. Combined, these projects will create over 600 new market rate residential units, resulting in a total of 250 million in private investment and an estimated new tax revenue of approximately 2 million a year. So this council, pre prior councils, this administration, we've been trying to figure out a way for LOL to stand up and and carve out our own identity. And I think we're looking at one of the key pieces to allow us to do that. And and I think that's why it's so important we could really work together and and maybe we look to other options to expand on with DPD uh per her per per their advice in the subcommittee to see I mean we have something that's bringing in the outcomes that we're we're looking for. How do we refine this and do more? Thank you.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Motion to accept and place on file by Councel Robinson, seconded by Councelor Rook. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Going to go back to the regular portion of the c of the meeting. 5.6. Council Mcdana. Request the city council reestablish the unanswered non-responsive section on the agenda of the regular meeting. Seconded by councel Jiren. Council McDonald.

Thank you. I actually want to just if I could quickly. This is I tried to change the wording and I I was too late on on making my edit. Um, I hit my fat fingered descend on myself. Um, really all I'm looking for is like an awaiting response section. I was looking through past agendas and trying to find if we had ever called it something, saw that, typed it out, then went looking at other cities, hit send on what I had in, and was like, ah. So, I didn't I didn't want it. It It reads incredibly aggressive, and that's not actually what my intent was. Um, you uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor 3, you to the manager, I had alluded earlier to something that sounds like it might already be in the worksish. And so I do wonder if before, you know, looking for a a vote and adding pages to an agenda or whatever, if this is something that we might want to refer to a subcommittee for a discussion about maybe what it could look like with Yeah.

Manager Golden.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through the council, uh, council, yes, on all of this. Uh so the unanswered non-responsive we are working with 311 um system I you know it's right here I I don't particularly like how it's going it's looking right now. Uh my hope is that by mid to late April we'll have the first quarter report of what it should look like and this is really once again um over the past four years we've talked about 311. Uh, Council Scott, I think, has been trying to push something similar to this over the years. And what we're trying to do is increase the transparency of where all of the motions are. It's important to know uh where the motions have been, what has been happening, and what is going on today. So, if you could give me um until midappril, show you what I think that we're going to be presenting to the council as to where all of these motions will be, how they were answered. I mean, currently right now, motions that are responded to are in the agenda center. Uh, and quite frankly, there is so much on our website that sometimes it's just not that easy. So, with a dashboard that we're trying to create once again with um 311 uh and the award we just received tonight, I think that hopefully by the end of April, we should be able to get the first quarter to something that of the liking of hopefully not just the council but the people outside uh that can you know can research this a lot easier. We are trying to get there. Um so, if you could give me or we could put in subcommittee whichever is is appropriate. Uh, but I think we should have an answer. Um, I'm hoping in the next four to four to six weeks with an actual this is what it is. What do you think,

Council McDonald?

Thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor through to the manager. Uh, thank you. Um, really the and it's why I wanted to clarify at the at the beginning of the comment here that I fully acknowledge my my wording here wasn't great. I did. Um, but the motion really comes from I think exactly the the problem that it sounds like you're trying to address. Um, and also, um, from speaking with residents at a at a number of neighborhood meetings, it's actually kind of phenomenal how many how many council watchers there are out at home probably watching the bat. I was looking to see if they were the bat was still in here who are kind of keeping their own little like ad hoc motion track and it it yeah, I think it's something that it sounds like we have the ability to simplify it. I'm glad to hear the administration's working on it. So, thank you.

Thank you, Council Mcdana. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 5.7. Councelor Robinson request the city manager begin a conversation with the superintendent of schools to look into any space consolidation measures that translate into cost savings for our residents. Seconded by councel rock. Councel Robinson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I just think with with it's pretty obvious to everybody financially times are getting tough. Um, just to pay our bills, it it's every penny is going to count. Absolutely. There's no no more parachute. ARP is gone. We all know this. Um, I think we have some opportunity if we look through maybe our portfolio. um if we reach out and communicate with the law public schools and see if they have anything in their warehouse that they think would kind of work. Um we hear attendance is down so maybe that frees up some space. I have a feeling um I believe central office lease space is coming up um Juneish this year. Um, so I think it's some opportunities are going to present themselves and and if we could really even with the Gan Dog property, I think uh once that comes online, if we can kind of expedite that, that might offer some kind of opportunity as well to Low Public Schools to work with us to try to consolidate in and again with the with the desired outcome here, cost savings for our residents as well as I mean streamlining a lot of the stuff that that's going on. I mean, if we have people spaced out at different locations, does it make more sense for low public schools to to relocate some of their people to a place that they feel like would be better suited? Do we have space within our portfolio to relocate people that we feel like we'd be better suited and and more capable of uh handling?

Golden.

Go ahead, Mr. Golden. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Three of the council. uh council, we have been I've been talking with the superintendent about this uh and not to get involved in which school and how and what is going to be happening, but um this conversation has been going on probably for the better part of a year considering the fact like you said our partnership with the school department on St. Jak uh school over in Puckville. I think that's going to go well once it gets up and running with the with the elevator etc. But uh we've been talking about the shifting demands within the school department and see what the city can actually do to help that happen. Um, so this is a I don't want to say it's a preliminary discussion, but it's something that is happening that I would hope that I'd be able to get you uh some type of response or come back to the council with a with a thought and idea. I I would probably say I would hope before July 1, before the fiscal year.

Um, and and since since it's been brought up, where are we currently on that Gan Doc property? Um, I I mean, I thought initially it was going to be kind of a easy lift, uh, pretty much turnkey facility, but I think the the elevator is is the the sticking point. And how far away are we from actually seeing that building being used? Mayor Goolan.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Three to the council, council, as if it's okay. I could probably have anformational in the next two weeks to find out exactly what the lead time is on the elevator. Um, and just have it written written up. But overall the Jeak school has been it's a phenomenal buy in my opinion still to this day we will be putting money into it but there is no way we would have been able to uh purchase excuse me build a school of that size for the amount of money we purchased for it. So, uh, if it, uh, if it's okay with the council, I'll just take it from anformational standpoint and, um, bring forward in the next, say, two weeks, uh, an idea of as to where we're at and what the lead time is on one of the major sticking points is the elevator. In and in the meantime, based on this motion though, I'm hopeful that um again, if we're going to have leases expiring, coming up, I hope we can we get some kind of general ideas of at least available options before we're required to look at resigning a lease or anything with existing space. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Robinson. Councelor Scott. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I just wanted to I guess clarify a few things. Um, as far as leases that come up under the school department, would that save the city money or does that go back into the school budget? It's coming from the school budget right now. Correct, man. Golden. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through to the council. Yes, council. Yes, councel. That would be a savings in the school department. Um, but once again, trying to there is this u sometimes this thing out there that the city and the schools aren't working together to try to get this done. uh if we were able to u bring leases together somehow assist that would help the school department's bottom line directly that you are correct.

Yeah, absolutely. And more money for them to use within their budget for for other needs obviously. Um but I guess my only question would be around you know um how this goes forward to the school committee or like would the mayor bring a motion forward asking them to come up with enrollment numbers and you know space requirements. Uh, that's something that used to happen pretty frequently where they would get this kind of documentation and give it to the city for what their needs were. So, I don't know if that's something we can make as a motion for the mayor to bring to the school committee to ask them to come up with enrollment um enrollment and space requirements for the city. Sure. Thank you. I'd put it make it in form of a motion, I guess.

Motion by councelor Scott to have the mayor go to the school committee and ask for enrollment requirements. Seconded by councel Chow. All in favor signify by saying I. Yeah, just one more comment. Just it's my understanding that the the Je actually basically full that there is a higher population already than they expected to go into that school. So I think it would be really good for us to get some grip on where they are and what their needs are going to be in the future. So thank you councelor Dakota.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um, I appreciate council Robinson's uh motion. Um, unfortunately I'm not very optimistic for the fact that and councelor Scott just brought it up is that we purchased the Jean Duck building 3 years ago with the hope that we would take in students from other cities and towns at, you know, between 60 and $80,000 in tuition and bring it into the school system. But at this point, they're already saying that we're full and we're going to be full when they open up full in 2027. Now, I did uh I was at the Highland neighborhood meeting on Monday night, and I did pose a question to Superintendent Skinner what the what his thoughts were about once uh low high is completed, what will happen to the freshman academy. And that's a that's about 45 rooms in there if I'm not mistaken. Um the ideas went from early childhood center to, you know, um it could be a autistic center. Uh so there's quite a few things to to talk about it with that but um um I agree with councelor Robinson you know to get out of these leases you know for downtown which is what 400 $500,000 a year uh we're looking at the chood um 80 school which is about 300 300,000 so to get under out of those leases would be something that we could look at it cuz if I'm not mistaken the pine it used to be the pine arts and the um demo school back and it was two different schools I believe one was 12 rooms and the other half was like 32 rooms I believe somewhere around that vicinity. But um I'm I'm looking forward to see what you and Mr. Skinner come up with for a plan.

Mayor Golden.

Uh thank you Mr. Mayor through the council. Council is I just want to once again reiterate this is a very preliminary discussion with the superintendent. We've been talking about everything council Dakota that you're talking about is has been on the table. What can happen? uh the three and four year olds uh you know uh I would know this because talking with the superintendent about the challenges uh which schools uh can be merged which cannot be merged what's going to happen with the old um well the current freshman academy I suppose uh you know what could happen so there is a lot going on so um once again in in thinking forward this has been going on but there's just no concrete uh pieces right now but I know that the superintendent uh has been talking back and forth I'm I'm pretty excited to see what we can accomplish and I would think that it would be hopefully uh council Dakota to your point you're correct uh we are full but that's also us pulling some folks repatriating some of our students back into the city of law which would be a good thing for us overall. Uh so there's there will be some type of savings there. Uh but um I'm very uh bullish I think on the conversations we have had about what could happen with the I'm going to say 29 other buildings throughout the throughout the city that uh are possible in the school department.

Thank you, Mr. Manager. Councelor Rook. Thank you uh Mr. Mayor. Yeah, to the manager's point, you know, I think we um and I'm sure the mayor knows the number better than I do, but I think we're over $2 million in just in transportation just for maybe 30 students that travel outside the district and far out the district as well. So, to bring those students back, I think was a major reason why both sides actually agreed on something uh to to purchase a property and then fix it up. So, that's good stuff and that I you know, I certainly hope that this motion goes better than the joint facilities subcommittee that you had a couple weeks ago, Mr. Mayor. Um, best of luck, Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Councelor Rook, for the confidence. He was a builder. Um, all in favor signified by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. U 5.8. May I get May I get you request the city manager have the proper department look into adding blinking stop signs at the four-way intersection of Westford and Foster Street and Princeton A and Foster Street. Seconded by council. Motion speaks for itself. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Mr. Mayor, um, looking at the calendar, we got St. Patrick's next Tuesday. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to cancel next Tuesday's meeting if possible.

Second, third. We didn't even finish the I won't. We're already canceling meetings. Motion by councel Robinson to cancel next week's meeting. Seconded by councel Rook. Roll call. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. Goodness. Where did that come from?

Yes. Council child. Of course. Council Dakota. Yes. What' you say? Yes. Yes. C. May I get you? No. Council Jire. No. Jeremy. No. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. No. Councilor Mercia. Will the bat be gone by then? Yes. Yes. Yes. Council Noon. No. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Ror. Yes. One, two, three, four, five. Seven. Yes. We hope everyone enjoys their Irish day.

Whatever works for you. Seven votes. The city manager 7.1 vote authorizing city manager execute easement easements with National Grid Douglas Road. Wave full reading in second reading by title. Vote authorizing the city manager to execute two easements from the city of lol to mass electric company DBA national grid USA for the installation of an underground electric distribution system. Said system is located in through under over across and upon a parcel of land situated on the easterly side of Douglas Road in Sedol. Motion to adopt by councelor Nune, seconded by councelor Mercia. Roll call.

I'm sorry, Council Jan. Yeah, I I have looked at this. I've looked at the maps. I liked the description that said over under in any which way. I couldn't really actually be able to tell anybody what's going to happen. So maybe somebody could tell me what's going to happen. Assistant city manager Michelle. I can have the I can have national grid or um our engineers get um something specific for you to look at.

Okay. The it would be helpful just because if anybody asks I could not tell them anything. Thank you. And I'm assuming we need to do this for the project to move forward. Otherwise voting on it tonight would be a challenge. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. Council Scott. Yes. Council Chiao, yes. Councilor Dakota, yes. Mayor Gia, yes. Councilor Jan, yes. Council Leang, yes. Councelor Mcdana, yes. Councilor Meria, yes. Council Non, yes. Council Robinson, yes. Council Rock, yes. Uh, 11 years.

11 years. 7.2 vote authorizing city mayor execute notice of activity and use limitation 86 F Street and 1170 Gorm Street. Wait, full reading and second reading by title. Vote authorizing the city manager to execute notice of activity and use limitations regarding property at 86 FA Street, Fulma Costa's dump site in 1170 Gorm Street. L roll call, Mr. Clerk. Motion to motion to adopt by councel noon, seconded by council mercy. Roll call. Council Scott, yes. Council Chowo, yes. Council Dakota, yes. Mayor Gia, yes. Council Direan,

yes. Council Leang, yes. Council Mcdana, yes. Council Mercia, yes. Council Non, yes. Council Robinson, yes. Council Rock, yes. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Eight. Council Bond, communications. City manager request approval of Juan Jur and removal of Emma Amaro. Um motion to adopt by councelor Noon, seconded by councelor Rock. Roll call. Councelor Scott. Yes. Councelor Chow. Yes. Councelor Dakota. Yes. Mayor Gia. Yes. Council Jirean. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Mia. Yes. Council Non. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Roy.

Yes. 11. Thank you. reports 10.1 municipal facilities subcommittee joint with school facilities subcommittee February 25th 2025 looking forward to this mayor I'm sorry council looking forward to this I am too council Dakota I'm not

yes the municipal facilities um school committee joint uh subcommittee joint with school facilities uh met on February 25th president or myself councel Robinson councel Scott from the school committee Um Mr. Bahu and Mr. Del Rossi and Miss Martin was absent. Also present and council chains were Rita Mercier, Eric Gia, Mayor Golden, Austin Ball, present from the school administration with John Ley, James Hall, Rick Underwood, and Superintendent Liam Skinner. I commented on the amount of money the city contributes to the school system. I noted that discussion was started by Mayor Gier for efficiency purposes and further noted the number of meetings to date trying to make headway. School committee Bahoo noted contributions of the city and the importance of a partnership. Council Robinson commented on how the idea grew and that it had it was never his intention to include privatization of work into the mix. Council Robinson noted the concerns of the school committee and indicated there must be a partnership developed to reach certain goals regarding the school buildings. School committeewoman Del Rosi noted her backing of the city in school collaboration and that if it works is to be done, it must be done together. Superintendent Skinner comment commented on the partnership and the need to maintain the schools. School committee woman Del Rossi commented on work orders and who is doing what and that there is a lack of communication in the system. Superintendent Skinner outlined the school due program and the late lack of skilled labor. Mr. Underwood noted the school due process and noted the number of instances that the school side is doing the work of the city and that the schools are unfairly criticized. I noted the need to work together, not point fingers. Mayor Gia commented as a resident of the city and noted the language should be inclusive, not divisive and portrayed earlier. Mayor Gia noted the lack of operations in the schools and admit them in the buildings must be cleaned. I noted the lack of skilled labor in the workforce which causes much of these issues and that there should be professionals in the building with apprentice programs.

Council Scott noted the blame game must end and that there should be tight structured department developed. School committee woman Del Rossi noted the need to have a managed department with professional laborers. Council Robinson noted the need to meet and develop a department with input from all partners to ensure efficiency and professionalism. Manager Golden noted the continued conversations with the schools which brings ideas together to bring proper structure. Meeting was open to the public. Pam Agente noted the need to follow protocol. John Ley noted prior experiences that and that the fix would not be difficult and that there is a need for a second shift. Paul Georgees noted that privatization must be completely eliminated. And Sophia Marsden noted the need to support positions. Motion by comm uh councelor Robinson, seconded by school committee Del Rossi to remove privatization element from any discussion regarding developing a centralized facilities department. Adopted per roll call. Five yays. So voted. Mr. Underwood did not agree with the removal of privatization. I noted the need to develop structure for change. School committee man Bahu commented on the need to collaborate. Mayor Gishia noted plan E form of government and the restraints on elected officials under that plan. Council Scott noted the vote that made note of intention not direction. That pretty much summed that up. Uh through you Mr. May uh mayor to the city manager. Have Have we had any correspondence with 1705 at this point?

Major Golden. Uh yes. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. I threw you to the council. Yes, we've we've talked, but there's still uh a lot more discussions to go. We've also I'm waiting on some response from the um the teachers union as well in regards to what uh possibly could be happening with the um custodians. So, it's it's still a work in progress. We should be hearing something soon to have some discussions, deeper discussions with 1705, I hope. Mr. Manager, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Three to the council. Um, yes, but as but I'm going to have to pres I'm going to have to have something to present them, okay,

from the U custodial union to see what they're willing to do. But the president did know, you know, we had spoke about it, but uh she said, "Well, as soon as we have something in writing, we'll we'll we'll have that discussion." Just afraid of some lapses. I just don't want this to go off the table cuz I want I want I want to set up another sub subcommitt. Absolutely. All right. Thank you, city manager. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Council Dakota. Councelor Mc Robinson.

Thank you. Through you to the city manager, um maybe to the city solicitor. Is there a mechanism that would allow the council to at least bring everyone to the table for a conversation? Same room. uh representatives from teachers union asks me obviously administration school side as well as the council for a conversation. It's not a negotiation but just to try to flush out what does this look like from all parties and then at least that way when you get into the negotiation pieces at least you'll have I think clearer ideas of what you need to try to get from whatever groups you're discussing with

me. Uh thank you very much Mr. May through the council chedoto myself, mayor was actually there as well. We've had some of those discussions. We've had actually one discussion on that already. I've talked to the superintendent about this previously. So that um that is happening. It's just not I don't think it's happening as quickly as we would like. So I'll reach over to um the u the teachers union, Mr. Georgees, to find out where they are with their uh their thoughts. Uh because once again uh the conversation that that was had uh I I don't want to leave anybody out. Mr. the mayor uh was M was the mayor u chair Dakotto chair Bahu and and a lot of city and uh school staff but I think the three elected officials that were there I just stated uh so that discussion has been happening uh and I I anticipate that um we can we can continue to move forward but I'll I'll try to ask uh the teachers union where we're at with their their I guess their idea or thought or proposal that then I then I can bring it to 1705 if that's okay.

Thank you, manager Golden. Thank you.

Thank you. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by councelor Direan, seconded by councel Yang. All in favor signified by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered 11 petitions 11.1 claims two property damage. Motion referred to law department for report and recommendation by councelor non seconded by councelor Rook. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered 11.2 miscellaneous James McCarthy request installation of a handicap parking sign at 32 Willie Street. Motion to refer to the transportation engineer for report and recommendation by council Yang. Seconded by councelor noon. All those in favor signified by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered.

Uh council me. Are we up to 11.4? I'm at 11.3. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm sorry. 11.3 Miscellaneous Samuel DY request installation of a handicap parking sign at 154 Cobin Street. Motion to refer to the transportation engineer for report and recommendation by councel Robinson count seconded by councel noon. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 11.4. Council Mercia. Yes. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I'd like to um bundle 11.4 to 11. A anybody want to

motion by council mercy at a bundle 11.4 to 11.8 seconded by councelor noon all in favor signify by saying I any opposed 11.4 4 National Grid request installation of 1 J pole located at 114 to 120 Agawam Street 11.5 National Grid request installation of one Jop pole located at 217 Wilder Street 11.6 6 National Grid request one installation of one J pole located at 275 Vinav 11.7 National Grid request installation of one J pole located at 7 to19 NZmouth Street 11.8 Boston Gas request replacement of existing gas man on Seals Street give first reading a motion to refer 11.4 to 11.8 8 refer to public hearing on March 24th, 2026 at 7 p.m. by councelor Mcdana. Seconded by councelor Chow. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 12 announcements. Councelor Mercy.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On this Saturday on um let's see what date is that? Oh, March 14th. This Saturday at 9:00 at Lindsay's State Representative Rodney Elliot and the Bridge Club of Greater Alo will have their St. Patrick's Day breakfast. It should be a great time. Tickets are $50. I'm sure you could buy them at the door and we're going to be honoring Jay Lahan. Thank you, manager Golden, Assistant City Manager Mashado.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, tomorrow Mass Hire Career Center is offering a job fair at Middle Sex Community College from um 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Again, it's at Middle Sex Community College. The uh Thursday um Wednesday, tomorrow's job fair is social services, healthcare, law enforcement, finance, and education. Thursday, there's another job fair, and that'll be trades, um warehouse workers, transportation, and food service. So, two-day event um Middle Sex Community College from 11:01. Council Mcdana, then manager Golden.

I just wanted to quickly uh announce the thanks to uh the manager and his team, especially assistant manager Mashado, uh from just about everybody who lives in the vicinity of uh of a certain street downtown. Um there's been an ongoing issue with dumpsters for about I don't know five weeks. Uh I've never gotten so many positive phone calls and emails uh I think in my life uh not just here and people mostly complain here but uh so thank you very much. I wanted to make sure that uh you the manager and everybody else involved got got that thanks in a public setting. So thank you again. Manager Golden.

Uh thank you very much Mr. Mayor. Last call. Uh March 12th, Thursday, March 12th at 6 p.m. I want to remind everybody that the budget hearing is going to be happening uh in the mayor's reception room. It's uh on debt and capital. I promise you I will be there. But uh Austin Ball and Connor Baldwin will be excited to talk to you about uh debt and capital. So we've getting a very good response on this and we probably have four more scheduled thus far, not including any of the this one and then uh two more

two more and then uh not including some of the neighborhood groups. So if you're interested, please let us know. Once again, March 12th, 6 p.m. budget hearing on debt and capital. Thank you all very much. In the mayor's reception room. Thank you, manager Golden Council Jiren. All set. Motion to adjourn by councelor Scott, seconded by councelor rook. Any all those in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered.

All right. Go go go to Cambodia ball. Have a good day.