Sorry I’m a bit late with this, but it has been confirmed with the City Clerk that the Public Hearings this evening at City Hall start at 7:00.

Just a heads up that the Central Street bridge is closed from today through the 21st, so don’t take a right out of our lot or the garage thinking you can get to the Connector that way.

And, in case you didn’t get the notice from management this morning, there’s a hearing tomorrow evening at City Hall regarding city parking rates that concerned citizens are encouraged to attend. Please note, the email from management stated 7:00 since that’s what we were told but the agenda says 6:30. I’m currently trying to get a clarification.

The agenda for that hearing can be found here, and specifics about the proposed parking fee raise can be found here. Even if your space in the Leo Roy Garage is paid for by the Association, a significant raise like this affects the Association’s bottom line, and that affects everyone’s condo fees.

If the proposal passes as is, the rate changes would be as follows:

• Seniors(65+)/handicapped: From $43 to $46.50 
• Residents: From $78 to $100 
• Groups: From $84 to $112.50 
• Market Rate: From $104 to $125 

Note that the qualifying age for seniors will increase from 62 to 65, creating an increase of $57/monthly for residents 62-64. 

A gray striped tiger/tabby cat has been seen hanging around in the area between our building, Canal Place 3, and the abandoned shell of the coal storage building. There were signs up on some trees about a lost cat last fall, so this may be the one. If you know anyone missing a cat, it might not be a bad idea for them to lurk around that area for a bit in hopes of finding it.

Also, we’re considering replacing our 23-year-old refrigerator and not seeing a lot of options that will fit in that space. Our current Kenmore is 33″ wide by 31″ deep (known as “counter depth”) by 66″ high. And, while it could be an inch or two taller, the other dimensions are a tight fit, with the open door just barely clearing the breakfast bar. I remember someone saying years ago that a side by side fridge/freezer in that corner was a nuisance because of the fridge door opening only to the right, so I’m trying to avoid that configuration. But I love my in-freezer ice-maker so I don’t want to go for a totally stripped down fridge! Does anyone have any suggestions from their own experience?

This Frigidaire is the best one I’ve found so far. I figure that with two fridge doors and the freezer on the bottom we can keep all the frequently used stuff on the left of the fridge and use the right door as little as possible.

Every so often someone has questions about the parking area near our loading dock. While we have an easement that allows us to use our dock, that area is legally part of 246.1 Market Street, which is the empty building attached to ours.

To find out what that rather decrepit area is eventually supposed to look like, click here.

To see what the floor plans for the planned units look like, click here.

To see the most recent ownership and contact info (that I’m aware of) should you have questions for the owners, click here.

That project started close to ten years ago and has changed hands repeatedly, but there was another hearing on the project as recently as December so it’s still creeping along.

https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/1090 https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/2307 https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/2123

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.)