Prudence Brighton

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Prudence Brighton

LOWELL - Onsite work starts next week on the now-$303 million project to replace the temporary Rourke Bridge, now marking 40 years of use, when the contractor begins investigative water and land soil tests. Weather permitting, the contractor is scheduled to start on Monday in the Merrimack River, next to the existing bridge. In early July, and continuing through the month, work will begin on roadway approaches to the bridge. Drivers, boaters and walkers can expect some impact on their activities.

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Peter Currier |Prudence Brighton

Officials in Greater Lowell towns still resisting the requirements of the MBTA Communities Law gave mixed reactions to last week's decision by Plymouth Superior Court Justice Mark Gildea against nine towns that had claimed the law to be an unfunded mandate. "At this point, we are mostly still digesting it ... That decision was a fairly strong indication the court is not going to entertain claims of an unfunded mandate," Wilmington Town Manager Eric Slagle said Tuesday.

3 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Prudence Brighton

DRACUT -- Voters sent a loud message to Beacon Hill and Town Hall Monday night, overwhelmingly defeating a motion to reconsider their vote last November that nixed the MBTA Communities law. Dracut is now in noncompliance with state law and likely to remain so for a considerable period of time. It is not the only community in Eastern Massachusetts not in compliance, but most of the 177 communities covered by the law have complied.

4 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Prudence Brighton

DRACUT - Selectmen are in a tough spot as the June 2 Town Meeting approaches. They must convince voters that adopting an unpopular state law is imperative if the town wants to keep receiving millions of dollars in grant money and to avoid job losses. Selectman Tony Archinski explained the problem succinctly: "No means layoffs." He was paraphrasing signs that opponents have placed throughout town, reading "No means no."It's a law that no member of the board seems to like very much.

1 month ago | lowellsun.com | Prudence Brighton

TYNGSBORO - Newly elected Select Board member Adele Coughlin is looking forward to her first meeting and is excited about her election. That's despite a remarkably low turnout in the May 20 town election. Less than 3% of the town's registered voters turned out, whether on election day or during the early voting period that began May 10. Tyngsboro has 10,524 registered voters, but only 304 cast ballots, according to the report of election results released by Town Clerk Jessica Brunelle.