City Government
Lowell City Council
Lowell’s City Council has eleven members: three elected city-wide (“at-large”) and eight elected from neighborhood districts, one per district. This hybrid system was adopted in 2021 to settle a federal Voting Rights Act lawsuit that challenged the city’s former all-at-large elections for diluting the voting power of communities of color. Councilors serve two-year terms and elect one of their members as Mayor to chair the Council.
- Sets policy and law by adopting ordinances and resolutions.
- Controls the purse by adopting the city’s annual budget.
- Hires the executive by appointing and overseeing the City Manager.
Council Members
Mayor Erik Gitschier chairs the Council. The three at-large councilors are elected by all Lowell voters; the eight district councilors each represent one neighborhood district.
Erik Gitschier
Rita M. Mercier
Vesna Nuon
Daniel Rourke
Corey Robinson
Belinda M. Juran
Sean McDonough
Kimberly Scott
Sokhary Chau
Sidney L. Liang
John Descoteaux
Individual councilor emails and direct lines are listed on the city’s “Meet the City Council” directory at lowellma.gov.
Meetings & How to Participate
- When: the Council meets most Tuesday evenings at City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, in the Council Chamber on the second floor.
- Agendas & minutes: posted in advance on the city’s Agenda Center at lowellma.gov.
- Public comment: residents may speak on agenda items; check the current agenda for the sign-up procedure.
- Watch: meetings are broadcast on LTC and streamed online.
Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape city decisions. Learn how to get involved and make your voice heard.
View the Lowell Handbook