Lowell Board of Health Demands School Officials Explain Persistent Fire Safety Failures

LOWELL — May 7, 2025 — Lowell Board of Health moves to compel school officials to explain unresolved fire extinguisher failures. The board voted unanimously at its May 7 meeting to summon a school department facilities representative and the district's fire suppression contractor, believed to be Impact Fire, to the June meeting after Development Services Director Matthew Sheen reported that the Puckett, Shaughnessy, Moody, and Lowell High schools remain in a failed inspection status for expired fire extinguishers and hood systems — deficiencies first flagged in October 2024. "I've been in the schools three times; this will be four times for some of them," Sheen told the board. Northwood Rehab on Varnum Avenue, which had accrued roughly $1,000 in fines, finally passed its food inspection this week. Separately, a food truck operator found working with no permits at all will be required to appear before the board before any food license is granted.