The City of Lowell’s Government

The fundamental purpose of government is to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens.

The City of Lowell, Massachusetts was founded in 1826 as a planned industrial city, and incorporated as a City in 1836.  Situated 28 miles northwest of Boston, and with a population exceeding 100K, Lowell is the fourth largest municipality in Massachusetts.

By Charter, the City of Lowell follows a Plan E form of government, in which the popular vote of the City of Lowell's residents elects nine members to the City Council to serve a two-year term of office; City Councilors then elect one of their members to serve as City Mayor.  The City Mayor serves as the official head of the City presiding over City Council and School Committee meetings.

The City Council appoints a City Manager (responsible for the administration of the City), a City Auditor (responsible for the approval, payment, and recording of all financial transactions for the City), and a City Clerk (responsible as the Administrator to the legislative function of City government).

Among it's duties, the City Council is responsible for:

• Analyzing, evaluating, and approving or disapproving the City Manager's budget recommendations;
• Acting on all appropriations including all supplementary budget requests;
• Approving the transfer of money;
• Setting user fees;
• Establishing salaries for ordinance personnel;
• Setting policies and giving advice and consent on the appointment of department heads, boards, commissions, and other advisory bodies;
• Acting on proposed changes in department reorganizations or the establishment of new departments;
• Responding to citizens and community groups seeking information or assistance; and
• Communicating information relative to City services, operations or proposed plans, policies or philosophies to constituent groups.