Melanie Gilbert

Arlington

Multimedia Reporter at The Lowell Sun

Reporter @LowellSun & @DetroitNews. [email protected]. If it's happening, I'm on it.

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Articles

Lowell receives millions in state loans for sewer project

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Fiscal concern around the $200 million for Lowell's sewer separation project was eased somewhat by the announcement Tuesday that the city is eligible for $9.5 million in low-interest-rate loans to help pay for the multiyear construction project. The massive infrastructure project is the result of a consent decree signed by the city with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last May.
UTEC fights food insecurity in the Merrimack Valley

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

By Melanie Gilbert LOWELL - For more than 25 years, UTEC has been about transforming the lives of young adults. Now, through a pandemic-inspired program called Madd Love Meals, those young people are transforming the lives of others through an innovative new outreach program, the Breaking Barriers Kitchen food truck. Originally Published:
Alternative House rallies in face of federal cuts

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Alternative House is a 24-hour operation - days, nights, weekends and holidays - because domestic violence never takes a break. Federal funding cuts threaten its lifesaving mission.
The Keep gets ready to move on

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - For seven years, The Keep owner Richard Healy has served food and spirits at his restaurant and pub. But in September, his lease is up, the building is for sale, and he's looking to make a change.
Pawtucketville care center cited for sanitary code violations

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

By Melanie Gilbert LOWELL - A local rehabilitation and health care center was cited by the Board of Health for numerous violations over a two-month period including a noncompliant fire suppression system, an unserviced kitchen exhaust hood, which could be a fire hazard, mold and a four-day sewage backup. Originally Published:
The Five Minute Read

3 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

DeFrancisco picked as new superintendent of Stoneham Public SchoolsAssistant Superintendent of Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Kristin DeFrancisco was selected as the new superintendent of Stoneham Public Schools. She will begin work in Stoneham on July 1, pending successful contract negotiations. "I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the Stoneham School Committee for extending the offer to be Stoneham Public Schools' next Superintendent," DeFrancisco said.
Lowell City Council approves $100 million for water utility upgrades

3 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - The City Council approved almost $100 million in capital plan expenses over the next five years for the Lowell Regional Water Utility during its Tuesday night meeting at City Hall. Executive Director Steven Duchesne told the council the money will help the utility replace aging infrastructure, improve operational efficiencies and maintain water safety standards. "The treatment facility has not been upgraded since right around 2000," he said. "We have some serious areas there.
Bipartisan group tackles effluent discharges in Merrimack River

3 weeks ago | unionleader.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL, Massachusetts — Combined sewer overflows reached a record high in 2024, with 896 million gallons of untreated sewage released along the Merrimack River, about 30% above the average amount in the previous 10 years. The municipal sewage discharges were in addition to partially treated sewage discharges and street sewer overflows. All that untreated and partially treated waste flows into the 117-mile federal waterway, which provides drinking water for more than 600,000 people.
Bipartisan group tackles effluent discharges in Merrimack River

3 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

A bipartisan working group of local, state and federal leaders met March 14 to discuss progress on keeping bacteria-laden combined sewer overflows out of the Merrimack River, which supplies drinking water to 600,000 people.
Skanska determined to have 'best value bid' for Rourke Bridge project

3 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc. was unanimously selected by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Board of Directors to be the construction company to design and build Lowell's new Rourke Bridge project. "The public bid opening happened on January 23 and Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc was determined to have the 'best value bid," Communications Project Manager Marshall Hook said by email on Tuesday. The Skanska bid was $273.84 million for the estimated three-year project.