City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov JOINT LOWELL CITY COUNCIL AND Michael Q. Geary City Clerk LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Date: November 6, 2019 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA MAYOR’S BUSINESS 1. ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 5:45 p.m., members present, namely: C. Milinazzo, C. Noun, Mayor Samaras, C. Conway, C. Elliott, C. Kennedy, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, Mr. Nutter, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. C. Cirillo was absent. 2. MAYOR’S BUSINESS 2.1 Interview of (5) Final Candidates for the position of Greater Lowell Technical School Committee Member. 2.2 Selection of Greater Lowell Technical School Committee Member Mayor Samaras presiding. Mayor Samaras read the notice of the meeting and noted that the purpose of this Special Meeting of the Lowell City Council and the Lowell School Committee was to interview and select a candidate for the Greater Lowell Technical School Committee. The Mayor outlined the time frames for each interview. The four candidates are as follows: 1. Deborah Belanger 2. Tanya Ford 3. Lee Gitschier 4. Diego Leonardo City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 3) 1. Deborah Belanger was the first candidate to address the members. Ms. Belanger thanked the members for the opportunity. She stated that she believes in the Vocational High School and also stated that her husband and her son are both graduates of the Greater Lowell Technical School. She stated that she believes that allowing students to be self-sufficient adults is very important and she has a real infinity for this school. She stated that the board has not had a woman on it since 2006. 2. Tanya Ford was not present in the chambers and did not address the members. 3. Lee Gitschier also thanked the members for the opportunity to address them and spoke about his background and noted that he is a 1987 graduate and his son is a recent graduate of the Greater Lowell Technical School. Mr. Gitschier stated that he presently works in his vocation and is also President of IBEW Local 2321. Mr. Gitschier concluded by stating that he feels that he is very qualified to be on this board. 4. Diego Leonardo gave his opening statements outlining his background and his work experience as well as his dedication to public service. Mr. Leonardo stated that he sees the necessity in education and feels he can bring different ideas and that he wants to give back to the community. C. Mercier made a motion to begin ballot voting; seconded by C. Elliott. 14 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo) APPROVED C. Elliot made a motion to select a candidate for the Greater Lowell Technical School Committee; seconded by C. Mercier. 14 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo) APPROVED The first ballot was recorded as follows: C. Milinazzo Lee Gitschier C. Noun Lee Gitschier Mayor Samaras Lee Gitschier C. Conway Lee Gitschier C. Elliott Lee Gitschier C. Kennedy Lee Gitschier C. Leahy Lee Gitschier C. Mercier Lee Gitschier Mr. Nutter Lee Gitschier Mr. Descoteaux Lee Gitschier Ms. Doherty Diego Leonardo Mr. Hoey Lee Gitschier Mr. Lay Lee Gitschier Ms. Martin Lee Gitschier City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 3) Mr. Gitschier was selected on the first ballot with thirteen (13) votes. Mr. Leonardo received one (1) vote. Mr. Gitschier thanked the body and will be sworn in by the City Clerk at a later date. ADJOURNMENT 3. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. C. Elliott made a motion to adjourn at 6:02 p.m.; seconded by C. Mercier. 14 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo) APPROVED Respectfully Submitted: _______________________________ Mary E. Sheehan Recording Secretary City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov