Council approves MCC grant, solar net-metering agreement and other routine measures; announces Cambodia Town TDI award
February 24, 2026 | Lowell City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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Lowell — The Lowell City Council on Feb. 24 approved several agenda items by roll call votes, including a $138,600 Massachusetts Cultural Council grant and a bundle of measures covering a cultural-district grant, a net metering credit sales agreement, a notice of hearing for 48 Kinsman Street, a school-bus violation stabilization fund, and demolition funding transfers.
CFO Baldwin briefed the council on finances tied to the bundled votes and explained that proceeds from the sale of a city property (the old firehouse) created sufficient proceeds in a special-revenue fund to pay for additional demolitions; the city intends to attach demolition liens to affected parcels so costs can be recovered if properties are later sold. "We will attach a demolition lien to the property," Baldwin said, adding that the city has used the practice before.
On renewable energy, the council heard a presentation from the city's energy lead on a long-term net metering credit arrangement that would allow Lowell to buy credits at a discount and apply them to municipal electrical accounts. The presenter said the city has saved roughly $4.1 million from existing net metering agreements over the past 12 1/2 years and estimated the proposed program would save the city roughly $600,000 to $900,000 annually, with an average estimate near $750,000 depending on solar production and credit value.
Council also voted to accept and expend $138,600 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for local programs and to establish a special stabilization fund for school-bus violations and related transportation expenses. The stabilization fund will receive automated receipts from fines and will require a future appropriation vote if the council chooses to spend from it.
Separately, the city announced it had won a Targeted District Initiative (TDI) fellowship for Cambodia Town. City staff said MassDevelopment will hire and place a full-time fellow to work with local partners on small-business grants, public-art projects and district improvements; partners will help select the fellow and set project priorities.
What’s next: Staff will advertise the public hearing for 48 Kinsman Street, implement the net metering agreement with a target for credits going live in 2027, and bring updates to the council on demolition liens and stabilization-fund receipts.
Key quotes: "We think the average will probably be closer to $750,000," said the city's energy lead estimating net-metering savings. CFO Baldwin: "We will attach a demolition lien to the property," describing how the city recovers demolition costs.
CFO Baldwin briefed the council on finances tied to the bundled votes and explained that proceeds from the sale of a city property (the old firehouse) created sufficient proceeds in a special-revenue fund to pay for additional demolitions; the city intends to attach demolition liens to affected parcels so costs can be recovered if properties are later sold. "We will attach a demolition lien to the property," Baldwin said, adding that the city has used the practice before.
On renewable energy, the council heard a presentation from the city's energy lead on a long-term net metering credit arrangement that would allow Lowell to buy credits at a discount and apply them to municipal electrical accounts. The presenter said the city has saved roughly $4.1 million from existing net metering agreements over the past 12 1/2 years and estimated the proposed program would save the city roughly $600,000 to $900,000 annually, with an average estimate near $750,000 depending on solar production and credit value.
Council also voted to accept and expend $138,600 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for local programs and to establish a special stabilization fund for school-bus violations and related transportation expenses. The stabilization fund will receive automated receipts from fines and will require a future appropriation vote if the council chooses to spend from it.
Separately, the city announced it had won a Targeted District Initiative (TDI) fellowship for Cambodia Town. City staff said MassDevelopment will hire and place a full-time fellow to work with local partners on small-business grants, public-art projects and district improvements; partners will help select the fellow and set project priorities.
What’s next: Staff will advertise the public hearing for 48 Kinsman Street, implement the net metering agreement with a target for credits going live in 2027, and bring updates to the council on demolition liens and stabilization-fund receipts.
Key quotes: "We think the average will probably be closer to $750,000," said the city's energy lead estimating net-metering savings. CFO Baldwin: "We will attach a demolition lien to the property," describing how the city recovers demolition costs.
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