Lowell

see the museum go. They discussed options including permanently closing the museum, repairing the building, buying a building or constructing a new museum.

The museum will continue to operate with volunteer staff for the foreseeable future, Moore said.

The City Council approved the budget Nov. 19. The budget includes 3% raises for city staff, said Jerry Hudlow, finance director.

About 60 people work for the city full-time, according to the city’s website. Lowell’s population grew from 7,000 people in 2007 to 9,200 people in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The budget shows about $8.63 million in revenue and about $8.62 million in expenses, leaving a surplus of about $9,800. The Fire Department, which has two stations and about 25 full-time firefighters, has the most money allocated, with about $2.6 million in expenses. The Police Department, which has one station and about 20 full-time officers, is next with about $1.9 million in expenses.

The city plans to spend $75,000 on three police vehicles, $15,000 to replace a heating and air conditioning unit at City Hall and $10,000 to refurbish a machine the Fire Department uses to fill air tanks when fighting fires, Hudlow said.

The police vehicle purchases are regularly planned to replace old vehicles, Moore said.