Lowell Center City Committee, Inc.
Stakeholder's Representatives
Annual Meeting
April 3, 2007

MEETING MINUTES

The Annual Meeting of the Lowell Center City Committee, Inc. was held Tuesday April 3, 2007 in the Conference Room of the Lowell Plan in Kearney Square, Lowell.

The Stakeholder groups were represented by the following members:
Building Owners, Marshall Field;
Business/Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Osborn;
Business/Community Banking, Matt Fitzpatrick;
Business/Lowell Plan, Jim Cook;
City of Lowell/DPD, Chris Samaras;
City of Lowell/Police Dept., Ken Lavallee;
Education/Middlesex CC, Molly Sheehy;
Education/UMass Lowell, Dr. Joseph Lipchitz;
General Population/LRTA, Jim Scanlan;
Non-Profit Corporations/CTI, Bill Lipchitz;
Visitors/Lowell Festival Foundation; Janet Leggat;
Visitors/Lowell National Park; Mehmed Ali.

Absent:
Artists, Steve Syverson;
Business/Restaurants, Franky Descoteaux;
Business/Retailers, Mark Coddaire;
Cultural Organizations, L.Z. Nunn;
Education/Lowell High School, Bill Samaras;
General Population/NMCOG, Bob Flynn;
Residents/Lowell DNA, Ted Lavash;
Youth/UTEC, Juan Carlos Rivera;
Visitors/CVB, Debbie Belanger.

Also present were Alternates Susan DeMari (Community Banking); Sara Khun-Leng (Lowell Police Department); Bob Kennedy (LRTA,), Peter Aucella (Lowell National Park), General members Jackie Ormonde, Terry Williams, Germaine Vigeant-Trudel and Melissa Surprenant, and Guests Mayor Bill Martin and City Manager Bernie Lynch.

In addition, Special guests included the following representatives of businesses that have been in Downtown Lowell for over 50 years: Pam Theodoras, United Restaurant Equipment,Inc.; Richard Sheehan, Merrimack Rug; Angelo Grzch, Elliots Hot Dogs; Maurice Cohen, WCAP; Dick and Laurel Kapala, Cappy's Copper Kettle; Leo Rapone, Star Barber Shop; Armen and Sossy Jeknavorian, Post Office Locksmith; John Kolofolias, Ymittos Candle Co.; Jim Hogan, Washington Savings Bank; Peter Danas, Danas Fruit; Kris Pisarik, Lowell Sun; Robert Akashian, Lowell Academy of Hairdressing; David Garnick, Garnick's TV, Corey Belanger, Major's Pub; and Robert Caruso, Lowell Five.

The meeting opened at 8:40 AM.

President Bill Lipchitz opened the meeting at 8:35 AM by welcoming everyone and thanking Jim Cook and The Lowell Plan who provided the venue and the coffee and pastries. He noted the on going efforts that have characterized the Center City Committee and Lowell public officials efforts to revitalize the downtown. He then introduced Lowell City Mayor Bill Martin who spoke briefly about the history and value of the Center City Committee to the City of Lowell and Bill’s long-standing commitment and efforts. The Mayor presented Bill with a City Council citation noting Bill’s long and valuable service.

Business Portion of the Meeting:

Noting the By-Laws of the CCC, the President announced that since the building owners as stakeholders do not have an organization, the Member and Alternate for that group need to be appointed by the Stakeholders. On a motion by Molly Sheehy, seconded by Joe Lipchitz it was voted: to appoint Marshall Field as the member and Larry Field as the alternate for the Building Owners group.

The second item on the agenda is to elect a slate of officers. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Jeanne Osborn, Ken Lavallee and Steve Syverson, proposed a slate of candidates, and on a motion by Jim Scanlan, seconded by Peter Aucella, it was voted: to elect the following as officers of the Corporation to serve until their successors have been chosen:

President .......................Mehmed Ali
Vice-President...............Molly Sheehy
Treasurer.......................Matt Fitzpatrick
Clerk .............................Marshall Field
Secretary.......................Bill Lipchitz

Treasurer Matt Fitzpatrick announced that with the improved dues structure the Committee has a balance of $2240, and that prospects appeared to be good. On a motion by Marshall Field, seconded by Molly Sheehy it was voted: to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

The last item on the agenda related to the setting of dues. The by-laws call for two types of membership. The voting members who are appointed by the Stakeholder Organizations, and General Members who do not vote but attend the weekly informal meetings and receive mailings and other information. On a motion by Janet Legatt, seconded by Peter Aucella it was voted: that the current dues structure be retained at $50.00 for stakeholders and $15.00 for Informal members.

The President spoke to the Annual Report that had been handed out to all members, noting that several of the goals the CCC has committed itself to had been accomplished and others were current and on-going. Bill explained that he had decided to step down from the President's position because The transformation of the Center City Committee to a stakeholder-based structure is complete, the organization is strong and active, and new leadership has come forward to take it into the future. He said he had thoroughly enjoyed his work in the downtown and intends to continue to be active in the discussions and in promoting the City of Lowell. He thanked city managers past and present, other civic leaders and institutions for their cooperation over the years, and specifically George Duncan and the late Paul Tsongas for their support and efforts. Also he thanked Christine DeFeo for her tireless efforts in maintaining the mailing list and getting the weekly minutes and announcements out that has made his own work on the Committee much easier.

Bill then introduced City Manager Bernie Lynch as someone who has shown himself to be not only a thorough professional but also a true believer in the destiny of downtown. The City Manager mentioned the great progress Lowell has made and the example it has set for other cities seeking to rebuild. He noted that many are copying some of Lowell’s initiatives, realizing the need to re-invent themselves as Lowell has done several times. He spoke of the success of the summit meetings that have not only seen large turnouts but also more ideas and plans for future growth and development. He particularly noted the efforts to re-develop the Hamilton Canal area’s 14 acres focusing on residential, retail and commercial and job development. Three national firms are interested in taking the lead in developing this area which promises to be a new and vital part of the downtown. The City Manager also noted the continuing collaboration of the City and the National Park Service in their efforts to improve the downtown.

The next item on the agenda was the annual tradition of recognizing people and groups who have made a significant impact on the downtown. With the Downtown Summit progressing to the point of a new plan for downtown, the Committee wanted to recognize those businesses that have persevered and continued to operate through thick and thin for over 50 years. With some diligent research by resident historian and newly elected President, Mehmed Ali, the CCC found 33 businesses that fit that criteria.

City Manager Lynch presented the awards and the prestigious Center City Committee ceramic coffee mug to those owners or their representatives who were present, and the remainder will be distributed to those who could not be at the meeting. The awards were presented in reverse order of the year of founding:

Gil Campbell Real Estate – Gil Campbell (1955)
WCAP – Maurice Cohen (1951)
Owl Diner – Tom Shanahan (1950)
Kennedy Butter and Eggs – Jan Patel (1947)
Rogers Toys – Gary Rogers (1945)
George’s Textile – Joan Psaledakis (1942)
Goodyear – Ty Lee (1941)
Merrimac Rug and Linoleum – Lance and Richard Sheehan (1941)
Hanover Leather and Findings – Anthony Carito (1940)
Conlon’s Liquors – Manny Silva (1939)
Cappy’s Copper Kettle – Laurel and Dick Kapala (1938)
Star Barber Shop – Leo Rapone (1936)
United Restaurant Supply – Patrick and Pam Theodoros (1935)
Garnick’s Appliance – David and Robert Garnick (1934)
Club Diner – David LeVasseur (1933)
Lowell Academy of Hairdressing – Newton Akashian, Jr. (1933)
Major’s Pub – Corey Belanger (1933)
Factory Shoe Outlet – Albert and Barbara Bernstein (1932)
Kosciolek Insurance – Paul and Romona Kosciolek (1932)
Slowey-McNiff Insurance Agency – Brigid McNiff (1932)
Post Office Locksmith – Armen and Sossy Jeknavorian (1923)
Towers Motors – Mark Levine (1922)
Majestic Barbershop – George Boutselis (1921)
Elliot’s Hot Dogs – Angelo Grech (1920)
Danas Market – Peter Danas (1914)
Owl Stamp – Peter Bergeron (1912)
Ymittos Candle – John Kolofolias (1910)
Butler Bank – John and Ginger Pearson (1901)
Old Worthen – Penny Hamourgas (1898)
Washington Savings Bank – James Hogan (1892)
Lowell Sun – James Campanini (Kris Pisarik) (1878)
Lowell Cooperative Bank – Richard Coughlin (1885)
Lowell Five Cents Savings Bank – Robert Caruso (1854)

Marshall Field then presented the final award to Bill Lipchitz from the Center City Committee in honor of his years of dedicated service as President. Bill accepted the ceremonial clock with cameras flashing.

Mehmed Ali then announced the meeting schedule and that CCC will be hosting an input meeting for Folk Festival ideas on April 10.

On a motion by Jim Scanlan, seconded by Ken Lavallee, it was voted: to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 AM.