[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6120564,"mediaKeyId","2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226","parentId",2707137,"title","Votes at a glance: Lawrence council approves grants, permits and appointments; authorizes hiring-related actions","audioSeconds",1536,"startMs",3304000,"endMs",4840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226&start=3304&end=4840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120564/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Lawrence-council-approves-grants-permits-and-appointments-authorizes-hiring-related-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120564-39482eba9b89c88b2286f21deec140fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578733&Signature=jpeFGJ4oCoYyNZv43sYCocQXQh1uSHNIQix39Z~IP8-E4ilQPPwO453hBxW7W69RvPSz15dGxbLMAIwTtR4EG8a8eHtZDzpMbS0RcGfE0A1vNTmDMXhi~OoUSKXyH6XdSxUAYr55dwEdK2NSaq~4eF2VqC3667XK1vuk0K~k6dhX43KXt74aUA-vpz65Zwik8uLvR10tIVOy842rnKo55CJnCiA-7qWMJS1yZ2Vjda8GRSPoUl3oqEAJXHdhZ2ufeZRQTeoDWdP8nFxEysBoBljkQ2u7J7hV6Tc0BINvo56eHdI0bnvZjvUxbfTvI-RbJVMn04rRagRw~5-eAYm95A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","At its March 18 meeting the Lawrence City Council approved a range of routine and substantive actions covering grants, permits, appointments and administrative matters. The items below summarize formal votes taken on agenda actions that were moved and recorded on the public record.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Housing Choice Planning Grants: The council accepted committee recommendations and approved two authorizations to expend planning grant funds: $125,215 for Gateway 2.2 (item 42‑25) and $132,000 for the McGovern Transportation Center / Merrimack Street corridor (item 43‑25). The motions passed by voice vote at the meeting.

- MSBA Accelerated Repair Program (ARP): The council approved a resolution supporting Lawrence Public Schools’ submission of a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for accelerated repairs (item 84‑25). The district proposed roughly $8,000,000 in roof and window repairs and estimated a potential city share of roughly $4–5 million depending on MSBA reimbursement rates; the council voted to support filing the application.

- Opioid and Substance Use Program: The council authorized acceptance and expenditure of $1,298,760 for a comprehensive opioid, stimulant and substance‑use site‑based program (item 85‑25). The funding will expand an existing hub of partners and cover outreach, partner organizations and some administration and police data support; discussion identified hub partners and oversight structures.

- Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes Grant: The council approved acceptance of a multi‑year award of about $7.37 million for lead hazard control and healthy‑homes interventions (item 86‑25). The four‑year grant program is structured to make up to $25,000 per housing unit for lead control and approximately $4,000 per unit for healthy‑homes interventions; the city committed to addressing 200 lead‑safe units and 180 healthy‑homes interventions over the grant period.

- Prior Year Bills: The council approved payment of a prior‑year bill in the amount of $10,496.55 (item 87‑25).

- Farmers markets and park permits: The council approved seasonal permits for Groundwork Lawrence farmers markets, O'Connell Park events, and other parks uses (items 67‑25, 68‑25 and related), plus several special‑event date adjustments and time windows discussed and adopted by committee reports.

- Handicap and parking changes: The council approved multiple handicap parking designations and no‑parking adjustments as read into the public hearing record; several locations were approved as a package following the public hearing.

- Appointments and confirmations: The council confirmed multiple appointments including Victor Ortega Cruz as director of Veterans’ Services (item 82‑25) and reappointed Francisco Abad to the Planning Board (item 83‑25); both motions passed by recorded voice votes or unanimous committee recommendations.

- Enforcement prosecutor position authorized: The council voted to authorize posting and filling an Enforcement Prosecutor position in Inspectional Services (personnel item 409‑25). The motion to approve the authorization passed after discussion; the final recorded vote on the authorization was 5 in favor and 4 opposed. Councilors asked that the department repost the job and follow standard hiring procedures; staff said the role will support housing, building, zoning and illegal‑dumping enforcement and will coordinate with a hearings officer and the city attorney’s office.

Votes that required roll call or were otherwise recorded

- Extension of temporary appointment of interim police chief (item 94‑25): Recorded roll call — motion carried (8 yes, 1 no). Councilors pressing for a faster completion of the chief search sought written clarifications and a timeline from HR and the search committee.

- Enforcement prosecutor authorization (personnel item 409‑25): Finalized by roll call tally 5–4 in favor; councilors who opposed urged additional procedural safeguards or prioritized establishing a hearings officer prior to expanding enforcement staffing.

What the council asked staff to do

Councilors asked staff to provide additional documentation and outreach materials for several items: the municipal aggregation mailings and postcard copies; the search‑committee timeline, quorum and tie‑breaking procedures for the police chief search; an updated list of surplus properties and related notices; and details on grant partner budgets and how settlement funds and new grants will coordinate for opioid work. Staff agreed to follow up by email with the requested documents.

Ending

Most items were advanced with committee recommendations; where there was substantive public interest (municipal aggregation, police appointment and enforcement staffing) councilors pressed for follow‑up communications and timelines. Several routine items (permits, parking changes, vendor license renewals) were forwarded to appropriate committees or acted on with committee reports.

Votes summary table (selected items)

- 42‑25: Authorization to expend $125,215 (Housing Choice planning grant) — approved (committee motion).
- 43‑25: Authorization to expend $132,000 (Housing Choice planning grant) — approved (committee motion).
- 84‑25: Resolution supporting MSBA ARP application (~$8M project; city share estimate $4–5M) — approved.
- 85‑25: Authorization to expend $1,298,760 (opioid/stimulant program) — approved.
- 86‑25: Authorization to expend ~$7.365M (lead hazard control & healthy homes) — approved.
- 87‑25: Payment of prior‑year bills $10,496.55 — approved.
- 82‑25: Confirmation of Victor Ortega Cruz as Veterans’ Services Director — approved.
- 83‑25: Reappointment of Francisco Abad to Planning Board — approved.
- 94‑25: Emergency extension of interim police chief appointment — approved (roll call 8–1).
- Personnel 409‑25: Authorization to fill Enforcement Prosecutor position — approved (roll call 5–4).

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | Budget and Finance Committee | March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 18 meeting the Lawrence City Council approved a range of routine and substantive actions covering grants, permits, appointments and administrative matters.","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},6120569,"Council extends interim police chief—appointment amid criticism of repeated short terms",1148,2136000,3284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226&start=2136&end=3284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226/thumbnail_2136000.jpg","/articles/6120569/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-extends-interim-police-chiefappointment-amid-criticism-of-repeated-short-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120569-8a17611e367976f43653983b3337d4c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578733&Signature=JHs6dhNoFiCuvSIIPKNpWfFct8Zmr3bFI8DFlyRzhBUiR8N3d0xdk4BPo7lr8Tc81bVwku1DU9Ysbyw1qkyW9aMxYLaFo-q9mw525~EZXfU0B7C~WnIWSCVgzSgVBOXKffwpXkwS7rmQU9k7zsh5p~iHOgtdI2Z0br5Umw6i8NoqjIOcCsCGqirVYErUU5c0ZNk4-3Zb2cpr~GWCdXbQ-RMan26gEgc44LLmz2TF8wWfFLFJWyfbFsuQQUgyiahcmcsS61xWEh1wq-PviMDtipGd96KHHfBW5kRvDpGfmqVdo47UTLh8UbzLbUv~ARkVe8Gmoby~LWSLaQ-9lmfoBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Council on Tuesday voted to extend the city’s temporary appointment for the interim police chief while the search for a permanent chief continues, after heated discussion about repeated short extensions and department leadership needs.

Council President Rodriguez brought item 94‑25 forward as an emergency request because the 90‑day temporary appointment of the interim chief had expired the day before. Councilors voted first to suspend the rules to consider the item immediately, then approved the extension. The motion, as recorded on the roll call, carried with eight votes in favor and one against.

Why it matters: Councilors expressed concern about continuing to extend temporary leadership at the police department and urged a faster conclusion of the search for a permanent chief. Members emphasized the operational risks of having a sergeant performing duties they said should be handled by a higher rank.

What the council discussed

Councilor Luzon said the repeated 90‑day extensions were problematic and argued the council needed an update and a firm timeline from the administration. “I’m concerned about this process, about taking a vote every 90 days to extend something that should have stopped months ago,” Luzon said. She also noted that the acting chief had reverted in rank to sergeant and warned that a long interim period sends a bad message to the department.

Councilor Del Rosario, who serves on the search committee, reported the committee had screened candidates and narrowed the field. “We had 12 candidates to review,” Del Rosario said, noting six moved forward and interviews were scheduled; the committee planned to recommend three finalists to the mayor for consideration and council confirmation. He urged patience with the process while saying he expected the mayor’s selection and a council confirmation vote soon.

Councilor LeBlanc raised charter timing concerns and recommended that, if the council adopts an emergency measure, it be aligned with the charter’s 61‑day emergency expiration or be amended to cover the full 90‑day period the administration requested. The council amended the motion to align with the charter timing and additional days to reach the requested 90‑day extension.

Vote and outcome

The council voted on the emergency appointment extension after discussion and roll call. The clerk read the roll call: Councillor Levy — yes; Councillor LeBlanc — yes; Councillor Luzon — no; Councillor Del Rosario — yes; Councillor Santiago — yes; Councillor Marmol — yes; Councillor Reyes — yes; Council Vice President Infante — yes; Council President Rodriguez — yes. The chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps and committee updates

Del Rosario summarized the search committee’s work: the committee reduced an initial pool to six candidates and planned interviews; after interviews three finalists would be forwarded to the mayor, who then chooses a nominee for council confirmation. The HR director told councilors the timeline provided by the consultant aims to conclude the process by April. Councilors asked for written clarifications on quorum rules for the search committee, tie‑breaking procedures and a copy of the vendor/consultant timeline; staff agreed to email that information.

Ending

Councilors who opposed repeated extensions said they would continue to press for a final selection quickly. The council voted to approve the emergency extension with the amended timing; the interim chief remains in place while the search and confirmation proceed.

","The Lawrence City Council voted to extend the temporary appointment of the interim police chief for another 90 days under emergency procedures after debate about the repeated short extensions and the ongoing chief search; councilors pressed the administration for a clear timeline and procedural updates from the search committee.",{"_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},6120574,"Lawrence leaders briefed on municipal aggregation plan offering lower electricity rate",936,928000,1864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226&start=928&end=1864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707137-b0cc1f68bbdf90a6804c3f392e65e226/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6120574/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lawrence-leaders-briefed-on-municipal-aggregation-plan-offering-lower-electricity-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120574-56b9197fd621211bfd81aeac644f144e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578733&Signature=ar6a1DAavU7FDXCVo4ZuC3OncCSSSNoCK83N40qqUZdCmF-OS3F5mDsnuEf3GkRJF4KYADOMRcqLmbqS~PAmvEPErnTkfp~c-EHyteVIUNozqBN0SemrRviVGq3tVdR3nDAshObwHQ1ReMJQ6FC3uGDTsdJM2TpomDRmHYFQCZAAd3B4cleyY2kR9vKPcygiwntgehPCJZcEwYkDHEvJ0feO2DkbHLBQ1jryYQNe-LrAiip1iqCznDY~txZBC2NSNgBUu7uk5zJiKFdNhsW9AXjL5Sf0SqZ~h1yr0hR9nmn0ONA95huXGTHC6zeJNpgeYfBAOYYbQbk0s5O6dsUHWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence City officials heard a presentation Tuesday on Lawrence Energy Choice, the city’s new municipal aggregation program that will automatically enroll most residential electricity customers at a fixed supply rate starting with May 2025 meter reads. The city’s energy consultant and broker said the program sets a 30‑month hedge at 13.2¢ per kilowatt‑hour to protect customers from higher basic service rates charged by National Grid.

The program was introduced by Anil Laukka, adviser to the mayor, and described in detail by Marc Capitona of Colonial Power Group, the city’s consultant. Capitona said the city procured supply through Colonial Power and that First Point Power will serve as the electricity supplier; National Grid will continue to deliver service and respond to outages. “No one in Lawrence needs to pay more than 13.2¢ a kilowatt hour,” Capitona said. “This program is an opt‑out municipal aggregation. You’ll automatically be enrolled unless you decide to opt out.”

Why it matters: Municipal aggregation uses the city’s buying power to lock a supplier price for participating customers. Advocates say it can reduce volatility and save money compared with the default utility basic service price during a multi‑year contract. Opponents or cautious members of the public often worry about switching rules, solar customers, and whether third‑party supplier contracts include early‑exit fees.

Details provided to the council and public

- Enrollment and timing: Residents with an electricity meter who receive the city mailing will be automatically enrolled for the May meter reads (billing will show up in June). Customers who do not wish to participate can return a postage‑paid opt‑out card or opt out online. Capitona said there is no penalty or fee to leave or re‑enter the city program.

- Price and term: The initial contract sets supply at 13.2¢/kWh for 30 months. Colonial Power described National Grid’s then‑current basic service as about 14.672¢/kWh and said market rates have historically ranged from about 7¢ to 33¢. Capitona said the city will re‑procure when the contract nears its end and that customers in the program will be moved automatically to the next supplier unless they opt out.

- Interaction with solar and utility discounts: The presenters said customers who have rooftop solar, budget billing, low‑income discounts or Mass Save programs will continue to receive those utility services. Capitolina (Colonial Power) explained how netting and credits work under the different billing constructs: National Grid continues to handle net metering credits at the basic service rate while the aggregation sets customer supply charges.

- Third‑party suppliers: The mailing and postcards also target customers already on third‑party supply. Colonial Power recommended those customers review their current supplier contracts and call the supplier’s 1‑800 number (required on National Grid bills) to confirm whether there is an early‑exit fee. Customers on third‑party supply will not be switched automatically; they can choose to join the municipal program later.

Council questions and next steps

Council members asked for more educational materials in English and Spanish and direct contact information for city staff and Colonial Power for constituent questions. Vice President Infante and others requested copies of the mailing and the postcard for councilors; the consultant agreed to provide electronic copies. A councilor asked how the program handles solar credits; Colonial Power said the process is seamless, explaining the difference between the rate paid when customers export power and the aggregation supply charge.

No council vote was required Tuesday; the item was presented for information and to respond to constituent questions after mailings went out. Capitolina said residents with questions may call Colonial Power Group at 866‑485‑58581 or visit colonialpowergroup.com and the city’s website for FAQs and bilingual materials.

The council and Colonial Power agreed to additional community outreach including radio spots, library sessions and targeted FAQs for councilors to distribute to constituents.

Ending

Colonial Power said the program will begin appearing on bills as “First Point Lawrence Ag” for participating customers; the council indicated it will continue to publicize outreach and requested copies of all mailings and the consultant’s contact information for distribution to residents and city staff.

","City consultants told the Lawrence City Council the new Lawrence Energy Choice municipal aggregation will automatically enroll residential electric accounts at 13.2¢/kWh starting with May meter reads unless residents opt out; the program runs for an initial 30 months and keeps utility services and discounts unchanged.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lawrence council approves grants, permits and appointments; authorizes hiring-related actions

Council extends interim police chief—appointment amid criticism of repeated short terms

Lawrence leaders briefed on municipal aggregation plan offering lower electricity rate