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Boards, Commissions, and other Advisory Bodies

Overview

The City of Lowell has over twenty Boards, Commissions, and other Advisory Bodies charged with performing the critical role of informing the public and its officials about important and complex issues. These Advisory Bodies also provide citizens the opportunity to provide input on the policies that shape their government and their City. Over 100 dedicated citizens appointed by the City Manager (and possibly requiring City Council approval) provide an invaluable service to the City through their work on Advisory Bodies. To find out more about a specific Advisory Body (including members, meeting times/locations, and contact information), please visit the individual links listed below.

Advisory Body members generally receive no financial compensation, but the payoff is great. Members meet other residents with similar interests, learn about the City, and help shape the future of the City of Lowell. However, being on an Advisory Body does require significant personal commitment, so potential applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying. As Advisory Body meetings are open to the public, potential applicants are encouraged to sit in on monthly meetings.

How to Participate

As Advisory Body seats become available, they are posted here. Please note that even though the specific Advisory Body that interests you may not have available opportunities at this time, the City would like to hear of your Advisory interests! Please do so by submitting a cover letter (clearly specifying which Advisory Body you are interested in serving on), along with your resume, qualifications, and any additional supporting documentation for future consideration to the address here.

Note that Residency requirements may apply to your appointment. Residency City Code 15-167: All persons appointed to membership on Boards and Commissions of the City shall be residents of the City unless a particular Act specifies otherwise. Also MGL C.41, s.109 provides that where residence is required of a Board member and he/she ceases to be a resident, he/she shall be deemed to have vacated the office.

List of Boards, Commissions, and other Advisory Bodies:

Arena and Civic Stadium Commission
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to the Lowell Arena and the Civic Stadium. Seven (7) members are appointed to a five (5) year term. Four (4) members are appointed by the City Manager, three (3) members are appointed by the University of Massachusetts Lowell; City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.325 Acts 1994; C.79 Acts 1995; Sec. 53 of Ch. 205 of the Acts of 2002.
Auditorium Commission
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Five (5) members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term. One member from Veteran's Council Organization. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.148 Special Acts 1919; C.427 Acts 1983.
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals is responsible for reviewing the decisions of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services in regards to the interpretation of the building and zoning laws and denial of requested variances. Their duties include: hearing and making decisions of appeal applications, variances and special permits under zoning laws. Five (5) Members and two (2) Associate Members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.40A s.12.
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is responsible for the valuation of all real and personal property in the City; setting of the tax rate; motor vehicle excise; abatements and appeals; and statutory exemptions. Three (3) members are appointed by the City Manager to a three (3) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.383 Acts 1921 s.24; City Code 7-16; MGL C. 41, s. 24.
Board of Health
The Board of Health provides policy direction in public health matters and concerns; approves certain licensed professions and businesses; acts as a hearing forum for various appeals to actions taken by Health Department staff; assesses penalties authorized by its own regulations; and passes public health regulations as appropriate. Five (5) members (including (1) physician) are appointed by the City Manager to a three (3) year term; City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.111 s.26; C.60 Acts 1997, as amended by Sec. 312 of Ch. 159 Acts 2000; 1922 City Charter Sec. 23, City Code s.10-16.
Board of Parks
The Board of Parks has jurisdiction and authority to act in all instances for the promotion and conduct of recreation, play, sport or other similar acts with regard to the use of playgrounds, parks, stadiums, etc. Five (5) members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.383 Acts 1921; City Code s.14-16ff; MGL Ch. 41, s.2.
Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commission is responsible for overseeing matters that affect the City's six public cemeteries. Five (5) members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: C.264 Acts 1890; C.337 Acts 1891; MGL C.285 Special Acts 1915; MGL C.243 Special Acts 1916.
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission is responsible for overseeing the protection of wetlands, riverbanks, and wildlife as defined by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act; the Commission also issues permits and orders of conditions for work to be performed near protected areas under MGL Ch 131 s. 40. Seven (7) members are appointed by the City Manager to a (3) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.40 s.8C; Accepted 10/04/1960.
Council On Aging
The Council on Aging is responsible for the efficient delivery of quality services to elderly residents of the City of Lowell. Nine (9) members are appointed by the City Manager to a three (3) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.40 s.8B City Code 2-76ff.
Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL)
The Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) is a non-profit arts service corporation established 10-2-2001, that provides general support to the many cultural activities and institutions in the community through coordination, collaboration, outreach, and promotion. COOL's goal is to create a high quality cultural environment that offers appealing experiences to the City's diverse population and which encourages people to participate in making, presenting, and preserving the culture of their community. COOL functions as a Chapter 180 non-profit corporation, with eleven (11) directors with cultural qualifications are appointed. Said Directors consist of appointees from the following Lowell area educational and event-oriented entities: City of Lowell (two (2) appointees, including the Special Events Coordinator for the City), University of Massachusetts/Lowell, Middlesex Community College, National Park Service, Lowell Memorial Auditorium Management Organization, Tsongas Arena Management Organization, City Museum Representative, Representative of art community within the City, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Owner/resident of Ayor Lofts (Middle Street). City Council Confirmation is not required.
Election Commission
The Election Commission is responsible for managing and conducting all municipal, state, and federal elctions within the City of Lowell from start to finish. Four (4) members, representing two (2) parties, are appointed to a four (4) year term. Diverse political party affiliation required. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.154 Acts 1920; C.115 Acts 1921; MGL C.131 Acts 1923; MGL C.594 Acts 1945; C.725 Acts 1957; MGL C.30 Acts 1992; MGL C.4, s.12.
Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board
The Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board charters the Career Center of Lowell along with its primary partner, the Massachusetts Division of Career Services, and works closely with the business community to identify and assist them in achieving their employment needs and help promote the economic develoment of the area. The Career Center itself provides core, intensive and training services to economically disadvantaged adults, youths, and dislocated workers who live or have worked in the City of Lowell and towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Westford. Various members are appointed to the Board for varying terms, including members representing local businesses, local education, labor organization, community organizations, economic development agencies and others who may be appointed by the City Manager, and/or certified by the Governor. City Council Confirmation is not required. For a complete list of all members, please visit http://www.glwib.org. Statute Reference: Not created through any City Ordinance; 29 USC s2832.
Historic Board
The Historic Board is the City’s historic preservation agency with the responsibility of design review, permitting, and enforcement authority in the Downtown Lowell Historic District and nine (9) additional neighborhood districts. In addition to its design review and permitting activities, the Board also provides technical assistance regarding preservation and design citywide, maintains a comprehensive survey of over 2,500 historic resources in Lowell, and runs an active education and outreach program including newsletter, house marker program, and the annual Doors Open Lowell event. Nine (9) members, including five (5) from the City, are appointed to a two (2) year term. The City's members are as follows: one (1) attorney from two (2) nominated by the Lowell Bar Association, one (1) representative from two (2) nominated by the Lowell Historical Society, one (1) member from two (2) nominated by the City's Planning Board, one (1) person having interest in real property within the downtown district selected from two (2) persons nominated by the Lowell Chamber of Commerce in consultation with the Downtown Business Association, one (1) architect from two (2) nominated by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. City Council Confirmation is required for these five (5) members. The remaining four (4) members are as follows: the Director of the Division of Planning and Development, one (1) member representing historic preservation interests appointed by the City Manager, one (1) member appointed by the superintendant of the Lowell National Historical Park, one (1) member appointed by the commissioner of environmental management. Statute Reference: C.566 Acts 1983.
Hunger and Homeless Commission
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to Homelessness and Hunger in the City. Members are appointed to a two (2) year term. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: C.382 Acts 1991; City Code Sec. 2-120, 2-122 (adopted by City Council 5-5-1992).
Industrial Development Financing Authority
License Commission
The License Commission adopts rules and regulations for licenses and license activity that address matters of local interst in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and is the local authority for licenses effecting alcoholic beverages, public amusements, common victualler (food), second hand motor vehicles and entertainment. Three (3) members are appointed to a six (6) year term. Diverse political party representation is required. (MGL Ch. 4 s.12) Two (2) year prior residency also required. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.428 Acts 1894; MGL C.138 s.10 .
Lowell Commission on Disability
The Lowell Commission on Disability serves as an advisor to the City on issues relating to citizens with disabilities. Nine (9) members are appointed by the City Manager to a three (3) year term. Disability and other qualifications required of appointees. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.40 s.8J (Adopted 1/23/2001) City Code s. 2-123 (Adopted 3/13/2001).
Lowell Cultural Council
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to the Culture within the City. A minimum of five (5), with a maximum of twenty-two (22) members are appointed to a three (3) year term. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: MGL C.653 Acts 1989; MGL C.133 Acts 1992 Code 15-167; MGL C.10 s.58; 962 CMR 2:00.
Lowell Housing Authority
The Lowell Housing Authority "LHA" secures public and private sector funds to develop, manage, and administer affordable housing programs for the City's elderly, near elderly (over 50 years of age), low to moderate-income families, and individuals with disabilities. Four (4) of the Five (5) members of the LHA, including one (1) tenant and one (1) labor representative are appointed to a five (5) year term by the City Council (City Council Confirmation is required). The other member of LHA is appointed by the Division of Housing and Community Development. Statute Reference: MGL C.121B s.5 (Special Municipal Employees per MGL C.121B s.7).
Lowell Water Board
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to the City's Water. Three (3) members are appointed. Term is not fixed. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: Code s. 18-200 ff (adopted by CC 11/19/1991).
Planning Board
Hears and decides matters pertaining to subdivision control, site plan review, and some special permits. Five (5) members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.41 s.81A (Voted 8/23/1994); MGL C.211 Acts 1936; Ord #8-1959.
Pollard Memorial Library - Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees have responsiblity through the City of the general care, administration, and policy making for the library. The Board engages in an ongoing planning process, which assesses the needs of the library and the role of the library in the community and ensure that the library develops to meet those needs. Nine (9) members, including the City Manager as ex officio President of the Board are appointed by the City Manager to a four (4) year staggered term. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: MGL C.231 Acts 1888 Code 17-166; City Charter (1921) Sec. 28; MGL Ch. 78 , s.7-13.
Retirement Board
The Retirement Board is responsible for maintaining records of member employee contributions determining eligibility for retirement due to any service and disability or for the payment of retirement benefits. Five (5) Members consisting of the City Auditor ex-officio , two (2) elected member(s) chosen by the employees in the system for a three (3) year term; one (1) appointed by the City Manager; and one (1) non-employee or retiree appointed member for a three (3) year term. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: MGL Ch. 32 s.20(4)(b).
Scholarship Commission
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to Scholarship awards to students residing in the City. There are seven (7) members of which five (5) are are appointed by the City Manager to a four (4) year term. City Council Confirmation is not required. Statute Reference: City Code 2-336 through 2-341; MGL c.60 s.3c.
Taxicab and Livery Commission
Advises the City Manager on issues pertaining to Taxicab and Livery issues within the City. Three (3) members are appointed by the City Manager to a five (5) year term of which two (2) are members of the general public and residents and the third member is a designated Department Head of the City. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: City Code C.19 s.20.