[{"_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",6229081,"mediaKeyId","3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81","parentId",3464823,"title","Lawrence recreation budget largely level‑funded; director cites partnerships and ARPA funds to sustain summer programs","audioSeconds",839,"startMs",1943000,"endMs",2782000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81&start=1943&end=2782","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81/thumbnail_1943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229081/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lawrence-recreation-budget-largely-levelfunded-director-cites-partnerships-and-ARPA-funds-to-sustain-summer-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229081-0797e1485ea34a114390c227e96949fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395479&Signature=E0tpu6zI9-lTFSGVp~3ogAOvFcZyCQxZdup3ZFxVQ0Fh0GbfAvuaKFY64CqMw61PYchQZ~dDPehQe1Y699qlFgp04IQZebF47E3ZKYsp2NaW0~eRvRW~2GwEsQsx-cZ5wq6rLklR5FPy5cX05E4ZQSkPtV6~H1v3Fzv9CbHfsqctIFOF92GWNT-KPjkJJeWCrNsy1GrHNYH0J-qN~V2XqIpj3oHCMXzNR-q86dkqkw3h6bPSh5n3IbWXrOq8zUm6kEORhgBzMpAFWiFqUY5wgpZ9AXUsZXLdc0Mt1MjcCwycsEYVwdQ1UZRPQY-SoMCcE-W8KtCNwgtjfp4-oO6SLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-05-23T15:58:03.627Z","article","Adaley (Adderly) Gonzalez, director of Recreation, told the Lawrence City Council on May 22 that the department’s recommended budget remains essentially level‑funded with a very small net decrease in the mayor’s recommendation.

Gonzalez said the Recreation Department currently has three full‑time staff and additional grant‑funded support; summer program applications for children ages 6 to 12 were open and staff had run multiple hiring days to fill seasonal positions (the department reported 25 program slots and 50 applicants in the recent hiring round). She said the department filled many summer roles with program staff and leveraged those hires to run broader summer programming.

To manage programming with limited operating funds, Gonzalez described partnerships the department has formed with private foundations and regional sports organizations, including the Red Sox Foundation, the Patriots Foundation and a planned tennis program run with a national tennis organization. She said the department is coordinating with the school department and police to secure gym space for fall and winter programming, and that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds previously allocated to the department supported park and program work in recent years.

Councilors praised the department’s outreach but expressed continued concern about staffing and compensation. Councilor Luzon and others noted recreation and senior services have historically received limited operating dollars; councilors urged continued outreach for grants and partnerships and suggested the mayoral administration consider salary adjustments that reflect the workload.

The council did not take a separate vote on the Recreation Department budget during the session; Gonzalez said she would return with operational updates as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | 05-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Adaley Gonzalez, director of Recreation, told the Lawrence City Council on May 22 that the Recreation Department’s budget is largely level‑funded while the department relies on partnerships and prior ARPA funding to sustain programs.","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},6229085,"Veterans services seeks more flexibility in Lawrence budget, aims for VA claims accreditation and additional staff",872,1093000,1965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81&start=1093&end=1965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81/thumbnail_1093000.jpg","/articles/6229085/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Veterans-services-seeks-more-flexibility-in-Lawrence-budget-aims-for-VA-claims-accreditation-and-additional-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229085-f2cd430178a0dced86a84c5bbf1f8659/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395479&Signature=gPlmvQ~xSZhUCAl5oy9ii9ahHgWfeFssnD0zwrNvgtLvYPab7BjDA1vvd7qe~BkZb2jUVt5XFgQ4Pb7lKUpQUf3osYHXX3WdfFIDoUqtUyeEfOciBXPBqimRHTKDmLpnoJbqNp1pkPVeKEZRmEREujVruHB7N8~HJ6LvjZNf2PUltIe0M27Y2Ifxf-XJ~4picRoZj7wINRYLX9tUB-A8EdOZR30U278by-oe~ip1XaR5-NyQTZjsdIobVo2zMkuAgH7UpYeLNflAGejktCJG3tieSjLfaQaUsfgagFrZ3HxbZHPLbNHlNcX5qf7v7w2YDviw1FjRuZtnamQWCgHDng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Victor Ortega, the newly introduced director of Veteran Services, appeared before the Lawrence City Council on May 22 to present his first budget and describe operational priorities, including accreditation to file VA claims locally and adding a part‑time assistant position.

Ortega said the mayor’s recommended budget moves roughly $23,000 from a reimbursement account into the purchase‑of‑services line for the Veterans Office to give the office more flexibility to fund events and program needs such as Memorial Day and beautification efforts. “Moving that to purchase of services under the office of veteran services will give us more flexibility,” Ortega said.

Ortega and Director Martha Velez explained how Chapter 115 reimbursements work. Velez said Chapter 115 payments — the state‑reimbursable program for certain veteran needs — are paid back to the city after the city advances funds and that roughly 75% of Chapter 115 expenditures are reimbursed by the state, with the municipality covering the remaining portion; the record shows a Chapter 115 line consistent with prior reimbursement flows (the transcript referenced a large reimbursable amount in the budget lines).

Ortega described plans to pursue accreditation for the office to file VA claims directly. That, he said, requires training and a new software system; the associated costs are reflected in the Dues and Memberships and software budget lines. “From what I’ve been gathering information will be, the first time in a long time that the office will be able to do VA claims independently,” Ortega said, noting the office will partner with existing regional claim processors as needed.

Councilors asked for detail on modest line‑item changes, such as a small increase in operating supplies to purchase office desks and chairs and a reduction in longevity pay when a qualifying employee left. Councilor Marble asked whether any new services would be added; Ortega said accreditation and improved outreach and home‑visit capacity are priorities and that a part‑time assistant VSO could help cover the office during the director’s absences and expand home visits for homebound veterans.

No formal action was taken on the Veterans Office budget during the hearing. Ortega said he would return with additional data, including a count of veterans served for the fiscal year, at a subsequent meeting.","Victor Ortega, new director of Veteran Services, asked the council to reclassify roughly $23,000 from reimbursement to purchase‑of‑services for flexibility, discussed pursuing VA claims accreditation and said chapter 115 reimbursements are significant and processed separately by the state.",{"_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},6229090,"Lawrence Council reviews Council on Aging budget as director moves part‑time roles to full time and fields privacy, advisory council questions",816,296000,1112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81&start=296&end=1112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81/thumbnail_296000.jpg","/articles/6229090/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lawrence-Council-reviews-Council-on-Aging-budget-as-director-moves-parttime-roles-to-full-time-and-fields-privacy-advisory-council-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229090-f29f487009d1b5b500f7674180d01b0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395479&Signature=eZfs9IfDF2qSwpHmz5DTMrnHge5H5AC-Wyq1-MpARAgeZc0g4OvyUyKY5rFvGtCAj7KpWzz5lprVcNY2C3VLD22j02pe6FavAclJlcR~-T8mP99RoA-9knzgXpG0KAO8sLLy1TiL8yVsRFJRbBOuXqfow0sjMOmx-ilVqeqHouHz2eUy996SHoDEoM55mar~YOhfnMv3HKpTm~U0gRZDApAqpEMIl2yN1buAcTbs24ZS4fPLkK1wJaOmltdNTJoJOgobiI3vWNQkMsvt4Zn9-L6PdJmqrHQ7hzndbwUvg4iTWxrvbfDNjy2c~IHFCd6MF87mv51-HT0evTN3QLRVKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Martha Velez, director of Health and Human Services, told the Lawrence City Council on May 22 that the Council on Aging’s portion of the Health and Human Services budget is $1,426,441, an increase of $5,972 from the prior year.

The increase is largely tied to personnel changes, Velez said: the department replaced four part‑time program assistants with three full‑time program assistants to improve continuity of service and provide benefits. “It was hard to find part time, 18 hours a week with people not getting benefits,” Velez said. She added that moving those roles to 35 hours a week produced a modest increase in pay for the employees.

The change matters because the council on aging provides large-scale services to older residents: Velez said the department served more than 6,900 people last year, delivered about 2,010 units of service and provided 76,000 meals to homebound elders. The department also runs citizenship and English classes and daily exercise programs that draw 60 to 90 participants, she said.

Councilors asked several follow‑up questions. Councilor Marmol sought detail on the program‑assistant staffing change and the salary impacts; Councilor Lazo pressed on the specific dollar increase tied to converting part‑time positions to full time. Velez responded that the combined change produced a higher hourly/annual cost because the three full‑time employees are on a benefits schedule that the part‑time roles did not receive.

Privacy and data access drew sustained scrutiny. Velez described a new client database used for intake and tracking across Health and Human Services programs and said access is tiered: administrators have full access and printing rights, while frontline staff have restricted entry privileges for appointments and records. Councilor Luzon raised past leaks of confidential documents and asked how the department will prevent inappropriate use of the database. Velez said only administrators can print names and phone numbers and that the system requires login credentials and role‑based permissions.

Councilors also raised the long‑dormant Council on Aging advisory group. Councilor Lazo said constituents had asked why the advisory council had not met since 2016 and noted the appointments are made by the mayor. Velez said the city has posted openings in the past but struggled to secure applicants and quorums; she said the advisory panel’s duties are advisory — to suggest policy and programming for seniors. Councilors offered to help publicize openings if the mayor’s office forwards candidate information.

The council did not take a formal vote on the Council on Aging budget section during the session; questions were answered and councilors requested further information on advisory‑council vacancies and access to the new database.

Velez closed by inviting council assistance with outreach and reiterated that some positions in the department are grant funded and therefore already accounted for in the grant budgets.","At a May 22 budget hearing, Martha Velez, director of Health and Human Services, presented a $1,426,441 budget for the Council on Aging with a $5,972 net increase; councilors pressed staff on a shift from part‑time to full‑time program assistants, a new client database and the long‑dormant advisory council.",{"_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},6229076,"Inspectional Services budget adds health inspectors as grant positions end; councilors press for salary‑scale corrections and staffing clarity",3098,2772000,5870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81&start=2772&end=5870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464823-6fc0632672079cf2dcdc47e16ec5ae81/thumbnail_2772000.jpg","/articles/6229076/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Inspectional-Services-budget-adds-health-inspectors-as-grant-positions-end-councilors-press-for-salaryscale-corrections-and-staffing-clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229076-66b4b02493bc0c6e96e41b9f1741ca36/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395479&Signature=aGz5dRKlS57XKlvEKPd0BLFmfLLmaVibgHLQ9BO4MU1KMQcdtv5xd0JCNVwCzQqlS3g3xGB6LKh2cMWiDfWxrTtZOx1HlRW6zaffY~DXiiu56iV6IaQM34w8hj5xQcWne3AkVkdc2~KkJt4~BjXXj7mTvDGcsMd9j0CVUoXGPVKMIwa-7y5MJIdTJC9UP056zO1VKC3BLbz92UucQpZEt5rh0PNC8tsmmuRS-108vxh3fTHEl0I2Q3KRXR0zQa5-yAqV2bAZziY-yhOgGWGtJ-j62mnW5qSaSZRSWFwEuEA65xntfscWS5dqscOE4tpBQsVIOLogEtgp~C5gSfI8Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Reese presented the Inspectional Services Department budget to the Lawrence City Council on May 22, detailing personnel changes pursued in response to recent grant reductions and public‑health staffing shifts.

Reese said the largest single budget change in the department reflects the addition of two health‑code inspectors after cuts from the Department of Public Health grant funding. That change raised the department’s personnel cost by about $127,000 in the mayor’s recommendation; Reese said the department will lose five grant‑funded inspectors on June 30 and sought to restore capacity through two city‑funded hires and a shared‑services inspector funded through a regional agreement with Methuen.

The department also proposed reclassifying an office supervisor to a financial‑officer role, a change Reese said would increase compensation by approximately $14,000 under the union pay scale; the reclassification is an exchange rather than an additional position, Reese said. Public‑health nurses on the department payroll were listed to receive standard step increases, and the licensing and boards lines include stipends for board chairs and members.

Councilors focused on pay and hierarchy. Several councilors objected to an apparent parity between the assistant director’s budgeted salary and the enforcement prosecutor’s salary — both were shown against the same nonunion classification scale — and asked the administration to correct an apparent error so the assistant director’s budgeted top step would be $104,000 (the nonunion chart’s step 5), not $90,000. Reese acknowledged the line had been carried forward from last year’s budgeting and said the department would provide a corrected sheet showing the intended classification and step progressions before the special meeting.

Reese also described licensing and fee revenues tracked through the department’s CitizenServe portal and explained that many smaller permit lines (for example, single‑day permits and certain fire department permits) appear in the consolidated licensing revenue schedule. The department noted ongoing enforcement work against illegal dumping and vacant‑property violations; inspectors can issue warnings and, if noncompliant, fines starting at modest levels (the transcript references fines up to $300 depending on the violation).

Reese said inspectors will soon face state‑level certification requirements (tiered certifications for food and housing inspectors), and the department is preparing staff for those mandatory credentials. Councilors asked for follow‑up reports on unpaid fees and accounts receivable tied to inspectional enforcement; Reese agreed to run and provide those reports.

The council requested corrected salary sheets and asked the CAFO to verify classifications and step placements before the next meeting; no formal vote on the ISD budget section occurred that night.","During the May 22 budget hearing, Director Reese outlined an inspectional services budget that adds two health‑code inspectors after public health grant cuts, replaces a supervisor with a financial‑officer classification, and raises concerns among councilors about pay parity between the assistant director and the enforcement prosecutor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawrence recreation budget largely level‑funded; director cites partnerships and ARPA funds to sustain summer programs

Veterans services seeks more flexibility in Lawrence budget, aims for VA claims accreditation and additional staff

Lawrence Council reviews Council on Aging budget as director moves part‑time roles to full time and fields privacy, advisory council questions

Inspectional Services budget adds health inspectors as grant positions end; councilors press for salary‑scale corrections and staffing clarity