Wayne Jenness sent along the following information:

The city administration is proposing a large increase in the parking garage rates for monthly parkers. The measure is going to be introduced at Tuesday’s special city council meeting and will be referred to a public hearing to be scheduled for 6/20.

The current rates are posted here:
https://www.lowellma.gov/465/Garage-Parking-Rates

To summarize:

Current Market Rate: $104

Resident currently: $78 (25% discount)

Senior currently (62+) / Disabled: $43

Proposed rates:

Market Rate: $125

Residents: $100 (20% discount)

Senior (65+) / Disabled: $46.50

I am most concerned about the potential increase for rates for residents between 62 and 64 years of age, as this proposal would see their parking costs go from $43 / mo to $100 / mo… That is unacceptable and I will be making a motion to amend that on the floor.

However, I am also concerned with the regular resident increase from $78 to $100. That’s a big jump, particularly for a building such as ours where our condo fee covers a spot in the Roy garage for many residents of our building. Our condo association’s budget for this year was not created with this hike in mind, and this would go into effect as of July 1st, so there would be no time for the association to adequately react. [admin note: Our 2023 budget is still somewhat in flux with everything going on, but either way, we would really like to dodge another financial hit right now.]

I would encourage residents to share their feedback on these proposed changes with my colleagues by utilizing the contact form on the city website, located here: https://www.lowellma.gov/formcenter/contact-the-city-council-5/city-council-contact-form-45

Or by planning to come speak at the public hearing on the 20th.

More freebies:

Two free IKEA metal shelving units with storage drawers. They are about 4 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Pickup only. Lillian.bertram@gmail.com

From a neighbor:

Free stuff, including photography equipment, camping/hiking gear, TV. Used but in good condition!

Getting rid of the following: 

–one Alps Mountaineering inflatable camping sleeping pad (not ultralight)

–one pair Merrel womens “hiking” books, size 7.5 (more for woodsy walking than serious hiking), hardly worn

–one pair Altra running/hiking sneakers, Lone Peak 5, womens, size 8, hardly worn 

–35L Deuter hiking pack, used 

–32 inch Sanyo television with remote (no wifi)

–foldable photography reflector thingy

–photography lightbox and stand

–and 3 new tennis balls!

If no takers by Monday, all goods will be donated. Thanks! 

Email lillian.bertram@gmail.com to arrange pick-up

For Sale ad from a resident:

Selling 2010 Prius V, top of the line. Heated seats, GPS, 5 cd changer, hatch with cover and all-weather floor mats. All brakes just done and oil change; new tires a year ago. Excellent condition. 79500 miles. Can be seen at Canal Place 1. $10,900- low side of Kelley Blue Book. Always garaged, no smoking or pets. Contact sally.coulter@gmail.com for info or to see.

Sally would also like to connect with other Canal Place folks who might be considering getting a hybrid or electric vehicle at some point and are interested in exploring the possibility of eventually installing EV chargers on site. Please contact her at the email above.

There are two Greek Festivals coming up in the next month in Lowell: the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church festival June 2nd–4th, and the Holy Trinity Greek Church festival June 16th–18th. These festivals always involve good food, good music, and good dancing.

And here’s the June schedule for the lobby office:

A reminder to folks to make sure not to leave valuables in their cars and to keep their vehicles locked. The Lowell Police regularly report that the most common kind of theft they see involves people simply walking down the street or through a parking lot trying door handles, and when they find a car unlocked they go through it and take what they can.

Also, for anyone who might be moving, or needs to pack fragile items for whatever reason, I have two shopping bags full of bubble wrap that I’d like to see reused rather than tossed. Just let me know if you’re interested and I’ll hand them over. (Update: bubble wrap has been claimed and is no longer available.)

An owner is requesting advice. If you have any suggestions, please put them in the comments.

I’m looking for a carpet cleaning company that’s not afraid of coming into our building.

I’ve tried a few and I’ve been told that mill buildings in downtown Lowell are very difficult to work in, and that I’d need a company with portable equipment.

If you have worked with a company recently that you were happy with, and they were able to supply the portable equipment to get to our upper level floors, please let me know who they are so that I can give them a call and try and get them to come and do my carpets. 

Your help is much appreciated.

A message from Sally:

We will be tilling the soil tomorrow in the 3 islands around the parking lot where we put flower beds each year if anyone wants to join us from 9 am to noon. Wear garden gloves and bring water.
The following week from 9am to noon we will be planting the 45 flats of
begonias. Helpers welcome.

Still looking for volunteers to help put in those flowers that will brighten our lot all summer long. Please contact Sally Coulter if you can pitch in on either day. This has been a one-man project for years; with him unavailable this year, it’s time for the rest of us to step in. Not to mention it’s a fun way to get to know your neighbors better!

Sally Coulter and Betsy Chisholm will be leading the charge. Volunteers need no special skills. On Saturday, May 13th, the plan is to loosen the soil and add compost. On the following Saturday, the 20th, forty-five flats of begonias will be planted on the usual three islands. Hours are 9:00am until finished. If you have hand spades, shovels and/or work gloves, please bring them.

Again, please let Sally know which days you can help, what equipment you can bring, and how to reach you if plans change at the last minute (a cell phone number would be good). Thanks!

The lobby office will be closed this Saturday, the 29th. The schedule for May appears below.