[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6062912,"mediaKeyId","3275226-dc341d72e21cbb44fe1946d690425029","parentId",3275226,"title","Personnel committee gives Maurice Aguilar favorable recommendation for Lawrence police chief; contract, priorities discussed","audioSeconds",1992,"startMs",2094000,"endMs",4086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275226-dc341d72e21cbb44fe1946d690425029&start=2094&end=4086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275226-dc341d72e21cbb44fe1946d690425029/thumbnail_2094000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062912/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Personnel-committee-gives-Maurice-Aguilar-favorable-recommendation-for-Lawrence-police-chief-contract-priorities-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062912-278300ba1eef39167ff31022dbdaa496/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207654&Signature=dxK0yugkH64h8XNEzTVHLo1V8ttGxPbqTBUB7gIRW6ylQLs66nPl5zKDhqnir2DP875MULXdeVREy8V~-xlVB7zLmL~FaGB6fH4RcSJqLKucT7Q5sjeRJCDPuarhleAk4MI-YFQm-c0uJjUOF-IZglGLYpVQ8392VkrUjaF-c7mRPlLPEZnaqKVH617vginwTpi0uIW8ROV8IqEWp3o-RVDHUa7UwRvOBLUA5C~YyhI-EDfRBrV-~0EAcRAFdNsEe~OiZKAIg5Kdvk-5U~QLiKbnTRyGD~muMdtU2qwE5BUnyxuSBNl1TfoOSLLm~Vg2xeSAGyN4-hHLr790Gb5TdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-05-12T22:06:41Z","article","The Lawrence City Personnel Committee on May 12 voted unanimously to forward Mayor Brian A. DePena’s nominee, Captain Maurice Aguilar, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and anticipated executive session for contract negotiation details.

City Attorney Tim Hooten told the committee the administration and the candidate had reached agreement in principle on contract terms and that a completed three-year contract would be available for council review. The administration shared that it had identified priority areas for the nominee, including drug trafficking, homelessness, noise and public alcohol use, dirt bikes and community policing with businesses and residents. HR reported a background check on Aguilar came back clear.

Aguilar, a career Lawrence Police Department captain, reviewed his record and said he had led or helped develop multiple department initiatives, including a behavioral-health unit, a domestic-violence unit and the department’s body-worn camera program (which he said stalled previously because of labor negotiations). He told the committee he wanted to prioritize recruitment and retention, budget management, and nuisances that affect quality of life such as illegal motorcycle activity and vagrancy.

\"I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve as your chief,\" Aguilar said in closing remarks.

Sergeant Mike Somard, speaking as president of the Lawrence Police Superior Officers Association (LPSOA), and local business owner Rafael Guzman both spoke in support of Aguilar. Somard and Lieutenant Grama offered to answer questions from the committee about Aguilar’s record. Guzman said the business community backed the nominee.

Committee members questioned Aguilar on community engagement, trust-building in the city’s Latino community, the department’s overtime and staffing, strategies for reducing illegal motorcycle groups and enforcement of noise ordinances, and how he would improve department culture and supervision.

Aguilar estimated the department currently has about 109 sworn officers and said recruitment would be an \"evergreen\" priority; he told the committee the department is budgeted for roughly 132 positions and he intends to pursue transfers, college recruitment and advertising to reduce overtime by filling vacancies. He described plans to revive neighborhood association engagement, youth programming and public-information efforts to improve two-way communication with residents.

Councilor Wendy Luzon moved to forward the nomination with a favorable recommendation; Councilor Federlina Santiago seconded. The committee amended the motion to note an anticipated executive session for reputational questions and contract review; the motion passed unanimously.

The full City Council will consider the nomination at a future meeting; the committee was told a finalized contract (reported to include $255,000 in annual salary) would be completed for council review before final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | Lawrence City Council | 05-12-25","oneSentenceSummary","The personnel committee unanimously recommended Maurice Aguilar’s nomination for police chief to the full City Council, noting a proposed three-year contract and administration priorities including drug trafficking, homelessness, noise and community policing.","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},6062917,"Personnel committee recommends Irvin Mata for Lawrence Zoning Board of Appeals",984,1212000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275226-dc341d72e21cbb44fe1946d690425029&start=1212&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275226-dc341d72e21cbb44fe1946d690425029/thumbnail_1212000.jpg","/articles/6062917/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Personnel-committee-recommends-Irvin-Mata-for-Lawrence-Zoning-Board-of-Appeals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062917-ba2c8d8ac1704f0e70e30f402d08e7b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207654&Signature=n-xzzDsMIwP6AqBQjvhlX6FvKvsOkwXnkmLWjZPoLHWkScz5BvThATQKCYUmjwfIpd6mURL-HshBDDeUzr1Hi1TFaxkuUrhGvqIFkf4SEi4iVwqibwh0GIaEqRKCcTj~GHlTZIUW9mmekFvdpogcQ2JVw4FlP2PqUxx2WE-31lhvehmqVlrreAl9pnvB122MTJ3T5jfVukjJjh2Z475OX-OeGPZvYMOuUE2NttN4SjK8nhwJV~bGq~05LCE7fEVsNCGPSg5e8lIh5M4HSMLI4ysf3d3hYeXXe4zXz4qiUkV5LYx3XSTeAno8P76lKQhf5hs9CU~GGrF6zsnsbTAQUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Personnel Committee voted unanimously May 12 to send Mayor-proposed nominee Irvin Mata to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation for appointment as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The zoning board hears appeals from decisions by the building commissioner and considers requests for dimensional, density and parking variances. The committee discussed Mata’s background and members emphasized careful review of projects that may affect parking and neighborhood character.

Jeannie O'Rant, administrator of boards and commissions, introduced the candidate and presented his resume and application. Mata told the committee he is a “lifelong member of the Lawrence community” and a real estate professional who wants to “contribute meaningfully to the city's growth.”

Councilors asked Mata how he would balance approval of development with long-term impacts. Mata said he would rely on the city’s zoning ordinances and the municipal master plan and apply a data-driven approach. He told the committee he would, when feasible, visit project sites to assess neighborhood impacts rather than decide on documents alone.

Counselors also urged attention to parking impacts. Councilor Wendy Luzon said developers will come to the zoning board seeking approvals and asked Mata to “take a minute to analyze parking.” Councilor Anna Levy asked for diligence and warned about concerns some residents have raised about projects being approved without sufficient on-site assessment.

Committee members noted Mata’s resume lists activity as a real estate investor and property developer and reminded him of conflict-of-interest rules. Councilors said they expect appointees to be aware of state and local conflict-of-interest laws and to recuse themselves when appropriate.

Councilor Levy moved to send Mata’s nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation; Councilor Federlina Santiago seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The full City Council is scheduled to consider the nomination at its next meeting; the committee asked the clerk to ensure Mata’s English-language resume is included in the full-council packet.","The Lawrence City Personnel Committee voted unanimously to send the nomination of Irvin Mata for associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to the full council with a favorable recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

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Personnel committee gives Maurice Aguilar favorable recommendation for Lawrence police chief; contract, priorities discussed

Personnel committee recommends Irvin Mata for Lawrence Zoning Board of Appeals