[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6285456,"mediaKeyId","2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d","parentId",2571719,"title","Committee agrees to repost prosecutor position for enforcement of housing and code tickets; seeks ordinance review","audioSeconds",1277,"startMs",2333000,"endMs",3610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d&start=2333&end=3610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285456/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-agrees-to-repost-prosecutor-position-for-enforcement-of-housing-and-code-tickets-seeks-ordinance-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285456-16b2c5902e541dfb4022ec972727a5c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773777488&Signature=eEoOAe6N8CWAHjOWRvUQ2UOsT2xC8u-2ABb2GeS~pwIPVuVz53aVukpImxNx~PjPPA-y95IBAbIutzmhNee6-uYUsA5wfg7qtgKJq5o0nkuXFvmwdsbExSv1ZSFiw5QfOvTt4y4pCIexKvG1iMcrvfIzpYhZzmtblX79ezPSHbB7XexG-v5FtEQHpfjPErfVITR5jjRIrPJ1P2ZmArJn0PQ4CMFRzStZf6qc~AxBa0UzYctBs0RdI6HGwPorOI89IOKRdpYwD4y~RTWABXMXZFe4JAYxKKPr5nF9MH3VmqHAVeXPJR2aP2nQVroDuBBTr-DMgVTwQpAY-LSq9uMGig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Personnel Committee voted to untable and forward a committee report to the full council recommending reposting the enforcement prosecutor position used to pursue housing-code and other municipal tickets.

Inspectional Services Director Ruiz described the prosecutor's expected duties as managing ticketing under Massachusetts General Law chapter 40U, monitoring inspections and timelines, sending notices and filing complaints when necessary. \"They would essentially be in charge of anything that has to do with ticketing under the 40U law that we enforce,\" Ruiz said.

City attorneys and committee members stressed that the city also needs an independent hearing officer for appeals. The city attorney explained the three-step enforcement process: an inspector issues a ticket; a hearing officer (an impartial reviewer) adjudicates appeals; and, if a ticket remains unresolved, a prosecutor or attorney takes the matter to housing or district court. \"If somebody appeals the ticket, that person must have a hearing; if they don't get a hearing, the ticket may be dismissed,\" the city attorney said.

Committee members noted that the city has an existing backlog of uncollected tickets and that prior task-force efforts that aided enforcement had lapsed. The committee requested that HR repost the position and open it to applicants, with the understanding that ordinance updates and appointment of an independent hearing officer may be required to restore a complete enforcement pipeline.

A motion to untable the item and then a subsequent motion to send item 49-25 as a committee report to the full council were both approved. Director Ruiz said the department will repost the position and conduct interviews; the committee recommended the ordinance committee review any ordinance-level changes needed to the hearing and enforcement process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | Personnel Committee | March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Personnel Committee voted to repost the enforcement prosecutor position (item 49-25), discussed duties under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40U and asked HR, inspectional services and the ordinance committee to coordinate on job description and hearing-officer arrangements.","taxTitle","Lawrence City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",5815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285461,"Council president seeks job postings for three school committee appointees; committee tables detailed ordinance work",1185,1121000,2306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d&start=1121&end=2306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6285461/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-president-seeks-job-postings-for-three-school-committee-appointees-committee-tables-detailed-ordinance-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285461-8e900fbe2bcb8d18921cd873989abafd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773777488&Signature=KU4sUeW5McdfsB7u6a9a1wLg13d92BjJz4aD89TsexKr24yYNtvRxrhP1Al3pUDboyiyXr7Vm2nsJwyQL9YJ8CNhl5CSBqj5rq0Ay-MTjE3NYmf4~4i7mjDsP5D4dZ3PyXXMKLaDA~rjBb3WkQvcI00eToI9yy1hWujvIlNRUNBUIq5JMMi99e9PHsIVY607NpmcGWUyOFWOl24ItMdaE4SXsuSKZ8mnco1sloPmdVYtbDDL1kxtzcht7b3A7cBoBS10usqXFTK-BHHbDr-WyPqn5cHQMQ1th-JjjiMbEZ1nb20Wrvb7nE1W~HajKtyLeNunk2l-kIgCHlU5KZApEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council President Giovanni Rodriguez asked the Personnel Committee to develop and post three job descriptions for the positions the council will appoint to the school committee: education, finance and legal. The committee voted to take items 89-25, 90-25 and 91-25 as a block, and later voted to table the items while staff and committee chairs complete related ordinance and benefits work.

Rodriguez said the council needs job postings that spell out required qualifications so the council can assemble a pool of candidates to interview and appoint. \"Essentially what we should do as a council is to ensure that we develop those job postings as it is going to be required for us to have candidates to interview and go through the process for the school committee members,\" Rodriguez told the committee.

Committee members and staff discussed related work on a benefits package that would cover appointees and elected members. Rodriguez said he envisions a benefits package similar to what city council members receive but acknowledged the salary and benefits language still requires ordinance work. Several members warned that if postings go out before the ordinance on compensation is finalized, the job descriptions should state that benefit details are subject to change.

The committee voted to take the three postings as a block on a motion by Councilor Santiago, seconded by Councilor Levy, and later voted to table the items to allow HR and the city attorney to draft job descriptions and coordinate with the ordinance committee on compensation language. The committee asked HR to prepare drafts and to post positions six months ahead of anticipated interviews so applicants have ample time to apply.

Members also discussed timing relative to the November election: Rodriguez suggested keeping applications open through November so appointed and elected members can be coordinated and begin work together in January. No final ordinance or compensation vote was taken by the committee; those issues remain pending with the ordinance committee and HR.","The Personnel Committee approved creating and posting three job descriptions for prospective school committee appointees (education, finance, legal) but tabled final ordinance and benefit-package decisions pending HR and ordinance-committee work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285466,"Committee backs Francisco Abad for full voting seat on Lawrence zoning board",307,809000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d&start=809&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d/thumbnail_809000.jpg","/articles/6285466/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-backs-Francisco-Abad-for-full-voting-seat-on-Lawrence-zoning-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285466-13a870fba322877ad6719330270a56a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773777488&Signature=h5gWY6E38ufQHJ6RQrHj8w91sSOeTqfl3nPa-oTIwINdppP2kUbk4BpZXQ2SXDJuByZMs-W99z3nOCZ0OgvgENpdrV~e3-a3Dn4MhOKa4fUUPrvpJXq0~FqIi6gDzNr~M3ONt0GWVfQgqcYaVZMPVLb5Njm2-JBIBxME6Z7w8RlEiAgorLc-Hil-8EU5yLg3t6pcm0x8PvMPr3X8PrO9kspcxzdIfp~RbHnBhx6RRnwAtUZomeYyNluX5rVNrSkJzZhVekrIIEEKAQceNCXBN6ShP6I60YMZX35x5eEXzS6v--7IsnpRRATxQfSjjkAaPWXVLQqeNkNTQqvVLIbThw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Personnel Committee voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the full council for the reappointment of Francisco Abad to a full voting membership on the Lawrence Zoning Board.

Director McCarthy introduced Abad as a candidate who has served as an associate member of the planning board since May 2022 and is being nominated to a full voting seat. \"Mr. Abad has been an active member of the planning board for the last three years,\" Director McCarthy told the committee.

Abad told the committee he moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1996, is a Lawrence High alumnus and that serving on the planning board has been \"a great experience.\" The committee asked for a small clerical correction after noticing the certificate of oath omitted the city name in the address field; the city attorney advised the certificate should be corrected but that the omission did not bar the committee from making a recommendation.

A motion to send item 83-25 with a favorable recommendation was made by Councilor Luzon and seconded by Councilor Santiago; the committee voted in favor. Committee members directed staff to coordinate with the city clerk to correct the oath certificate's city field for the record prior to finalization at full council.

Abad's term as described in the packet would run through Dec. 30, 2028. The committee took no additional conditions on the recommendation and the reappointment will proceed to the full council for final confirmation.","The personnel committee voted to forward a favorable recommendation for Francisco Abad's reappointment as a full voting member of the Lawrence Zoning Board; a minor correction to his oath certificate will be handled by the city clerk.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285471,"Personnel committee recommends favorable confirmation for Victor E. Ortega as director of veterans services",518,276000,794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d&start=276&end=794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2571719-b8a256bd087da4eca7e5e51f55a93a7d/thumbnail_276000.jpg","/articles/6285471/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Personnel-committee-recommends-favorable-confirmation-for-Victor-E-Ortega-as-director-of-veterans-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285471-ed5ad4df2828110050a562fa475fe4e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773777488&Signature=TPy0mJEk1zAo2ik7i4Bucpg0ujJp9RiiSFawkwTgxvNbAz1ADO7fjXx9LwLQmFvJpXKpx8bKwJ6R~zLhFCjk756Vx3jedRZTxDKp4ws6u5oMrtJ9mGCjx~MbroMb8K8gXWiHt1DFgCdfXtuyIJLcxFOxGwH5zZqyp2PJW-9asbsIkxlB-HQZmtOo~1uS2074rwPzVu6QKq9Q6QumXVADOwfmhHiItOLzS7e2dJEMU~RNiKXftub4YAwvuOasahCGso8m993NQWFbF17DXSuwy4KJmZNdTKgy-x2VlDncw3VX01Q8EOihXFgHJiOUyyM-sUdxZxW0pC7plm~P7IznaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Council Personnel Committee voted Monday to send a favorable recommendation to the full council for the confirmation of Victor E. Ortega as director of Veterans Services.

Ortega, who described himself as a U.S. Marine veteran and a long-time Lawrence resident, told the committee he joined the Marines after the Sept. 11 attacks and later served in Iraq and Afghanistan. \"I am dedicated to serving all veterans with transparency, integrity, and focus on long term solutions,\" Ortega said during his remarks to the committee.

The committee heard a short presentation from the city attorney introducing Ortega's confirmation package and then gave the nominee an opportunity to speak. Ortega said he has worked with the Department of Veterans Services on rehousing, benefits assistance and compliance training and that he prepared demographic data about veterans in the city for the committee.

Councilor comments focused on process and outreach. One councilor urged the administration not to issue press releases announcing appointments before the council completes confirmation, saying public announcements should follow the formal approval process. Another committee member thanked Ortega for his service and urged support for rebuilding the department.

A motion to forward item 82-25 with a favorable recommendation was made by Councilor Louzon and seconded by Councilor Levy; the committee voted to approve the motion. Committee members noted the final step is the full council confirmation, scheduled for the council meeting next Tuesday, when a final vote will decide the appointment.

Ortega said his primary goal, if confirmed, would be to \"reach every veteran in the city and inform them about the services we provide and that we are here to assist them in any way we can.\" The committee did not set conditions on the recommendation.

The committee session recorded a 30-day window referenced in the packet for completing confirmation procedures; the committee chair noted that the administrative 30-day period for full approval or denial expires March 31.","The Lawrence City Council Personnel Committee voted to forward a favorable recommendation for Victor E. Ortega to be confirmed as the city's director of Veterans Services; final confirmation will occur at full council on March 17.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee agrees to repost prosecutor position for enforcement of housing and code tickets; seeks ordinance review

Council president seeks job postings for three school committee appointees; committee tables detailed ordinance work

Committee backs Francisco Abad for full voting seat on Lawrence zoning board

Personnel committee recommends favorable confirmation for Victor E. Ortega as director of veterans services