[{"_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",6230177,"mediaKeyId","3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1","parentId",3442795,"title","City Council proposes roughly $505,000 budget; discussion includes confidential secretary pay, temporary staff and internship idea","audioSeconds",900,"startMs",7983000,"endMs",8883000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1&start=7983&end=8883","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1/thumbnail_7983000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230177/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/City-Council-proposes-roughly-505000-budget-discussion-includes-confidential-secretary-pay-temporary-staff-and-internship-idea","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230177-ebe91bd4d12b2a665f824b0fcca072d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195115&Signature=RSHW6oLHZ2WTDw91fMi3DA7-lQJjnrS2ALjbkXbsX8-onUfUxrYKBsrToiuJIhsCulwL28WKWh4TAlHWlah1fFfSuYWPNsIGF0iOKjENuiQR8DtWJsL9iU2PVX6Y6IYs9JducUffSWFy75e90nqcut3G8uPU4TTZIdA6KHRuENd06aLtXa69MYeU8EDgxn51sHxZQ90t0SbjJum1BQoSO0rIhQhhw-SgdCBAion6O1TjCXLlUqRgUFoq-hOBhkoDXhdkCpGeEWQZdteq94rBl0guqGu6~xARBH3Rxpx6AT~qy56LY4mu~WbxSqeE3KoTkuIWlzfVQHE7XHBgJSPYLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-05-22T12:07:05.957Z","article","Council President presented the city council’s proposed FY26 budget to fellow councilors, explaining the package totals just over $500,000 and enumerating salaries and line items that fund council operations.

Why it matters: The council budget covers salaries for nine councilors and the council president, office and meeting costs, and audit and professional services paid by the city; staffing decisions influence how the council operates and interfaces with residents.

The city council budget presentation listed personal services at about $342,300 for council salaries (the council president at $27,500, councilors at $25,000 each), purchase of services of approximately $108,000, professional services at $30,000, supplies at about $12,500, and other charges including audit expenses. The president described the total as “a little over half a million dollars.” The audit contract was noted as roughly $70,000 per year.

Several councilors praised the confidential secretary’s work and discussed a recent salary adjustment for that position. Councilors noted that the confidential secretary supports nine elected members and said the role’s responsibilities — including constituent work, scheduling and confidentiality — justified the adjustment. One councilor observed that the last confidential-secretary increase occurred in FY2024; the president said confidential secretaries across departments receive similar considerations.

The council also discussed adding a temporary salary line for either a part-time aide or a paid internship to support the office. The council president framed the idea as building institutional knowledge and offering paid opportunities for students; councilors asked that roles and responsibilities be clarified before hiring.

Councilor Marmol suggested, in a separate comment, that as the city grows the council should consider whether some councilors should transition to full-time positions with dedicated assistants. Councilors acknowledged the workload of the position and that current salaries (councilors $25,000; president $27,500) do not reflect a full-time-equivalent job.

No formal vote on the council’s own budget line occurred during the hearing. The council president said staff will provide requested budget details and that the council will continue discussing the item during remaining budget hearings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | 05-21-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Lawrence City Council presented an FY26 operating request of just over $500,000 that covers nine councilor salaries, office operations, audit and professional services, and a newly proposed temporary-staff line to support the confidential secretary.","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},6230186,"Lawrence police present roughly $18 million FY26 budget; new chief questions need for deputy chief slot",206,2987000,3193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1&start=2987&end=3193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1/thumbnail_2987000.jpg","/articles/6230186/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lawrence-police-present-roughly-18-million-FY26-budget-new-chief-questions-need-for-deputy-chief-slot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230186-16a75bb12063f08644dd6a48f997e587/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195115&Signature=diauO2Zwv6pfFcFai0d~n9C7xCvRIuaqp9tHIv19puNELvHgDja6Eke~BJiQAxdqOz0k7gcBBsKYmmg9Gzr96bWlhOkF754nWv22V5TMQEaMTTiDDbCQnWAJQAHX74wWPu8grt2TDt2YekqdKwj3HTdrKrxh3NjP0WzprkNwKfQR4CLu2LaxtfBH1Bom12ow461pZmG35z3XTGaXIXVkH5mwkz~j~hPWUm7htlH8s0T33tv7kixvjtSxCckmagM27IgK~HZ2t-ciqyZIYvjTyUeA12BFFONsNQAkcQXaoEIUU49sPTptPOQQgMtmNZUiCRvx~NJkbkOqf6MSOaIAzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence Police Department presented its proposed fiscal-year 2026 operating budget to the Lawrence City Council on May 21, with Director Rosa Sheppard saying the department filed a balanced request of about $18.0 million and that the total increase over last year is $702,413, or roughly 3.84 percent.

Why it matters: The presentation highlighted several personnel-driven costs — education pay differentials enacted under the “Quinn bill,” individual salary adjustments for senior staff, and funding tied to vacancies and overtime — and prompted council members to press the department’s new chief for more detail before the council votes on the overall city budget.

Rosa Sheppard, a department presenter, gave line-item changes in police administration. She said the budget includes a $175,000 increase tied to a deputy chief line, a raise for the director of police and community relations from $95,365 to $99,500 (a $4,135 increase), and a raise for the director of support services from $90,346 to $94,600 (a $4,254 increase). Sheppard also said the confidential secretary line reflects a decrease of $8,080 and directed councilors to pages 67–74 of the budget book for details.

The council asked for specifics about the $702,413 increase and how those funds would be allocated. A finance-presenter explanation and Sheppard attributed a portion of the increase to the Quinn bill, a statewide package the council was told adjusts pay for officers with additional education (associates, bachelor’s and master’s increments). Sheppard identified the three main recurring grants that offset some costs as the 9-1-1 training grant, the 9-1-1 support/incentive grant, and the Municipal Staffing grant.

The newly confirmed chief of police, who said he had been confirmed less than 24 hours earlier, told councilors he had not had sufficient time to review the proposed budget in detail and said he preferred the opportunity to revisit the item after a closer analysis. Asked directly whether the department needs a deputy chief position, the chief replied, “my answer is no,” but added he wanted to reallocate the roughly $175,000 in a way that “makes us more operationally efficient” and said he could use the funds for hiring, advertising, or other personnel needs if allowed. He asked for time to identify how best to reallocate the funds and offered to return to a later hearing with recommendations.

Councilors pressed the chief and Sheppard on internal flexibility to move funds. Finance staff and council clarifed that amounts already in “personal services” can be used among categories of employee pay across divisions (administration, operations, animal control), but transfers out of personal services into different character categories generally require council approval. Councilors urged the administration and new chief to confer and, if necessary, return to a future budget hearing before the council approves the book.

Councilors also asked about vacancies and overtime. Sheppard identified a vacancy (the “vacancy factor” or lost-time adjustment) budgeted at about $588,000 to reflect current open positions, and the chief said reducing overtime via new hires was a priority to relieve burnout among officers. The chief reported there are four captains and said an organizational reallocation of captain responsibilities is planned; he said he did not intend immediately to assign the deputy-chief duties to a captain.

Other policy and personnel details discussed: the chief said new police hires who attend the police academy must commit to three years’ service to the city or repay the city’s training costs; human resources will add that clause to offer letters. Several councilors urged caution on proposed salary increases amid broader city budget constraints and asked the chief to account for those concerns when he returns.

No formal vote was taken on the police budget during this session. The council agreed to schedule the police department to return on a future hearing day so the new chief can present a reviewed, more detailed plan.

Looking ahead: The police department will coordinate with council staff to identify an available date during the remaining budget hearing days for a follow-up presentation. The chief asked for time to prepare a reallocation proposal and to discuss options with the mayor’s administration and human resources before returning to the council.

","The Lawrence Police Department presented its proposed fiscal-year 2026 operating budget to the Lawrence City Council — roughly $18.0 million, a $702,413 increase (about 3.84 percent) — and the city’s newly confirmed police chief asked for time to review and possibly reallocate a $175,000 deputy chief line item.",{"_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},6230172,"Council halts hearing after window struck; police respond and investigate",137,6821000,6958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1&start=6821&end=6958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1/thumbnail_6821000.jpg","/articles/6230172/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-halts-hearing-after-window-struck-police-respond-and-investigate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230172-e693356664a28e95036287d4e9387693/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195115&Signature=lpit1Jhbkryfb-hlIMGRAlE5rmhJbT1WWdAEoF6lnSDNW8FjB5vxATXTbO6avUVop~OH3nZk-Bg1LhXRVBtHNTzuvrtDMv0WkO3pQZ0qSBtgdfbIuX~rMIYP-MjUYfvnonCUCGq46u-DrS9NobgKF-x-iSLyfNwwsfPl2I0xF1vPGv-5zX34xvLvtTYnOqnzdtQU5BM115YfVzBLY2aA8ZdtqPQIbMayWRL23RR2IW20CntKS6z7Kl6M~zzKsyPabeVCTjE-UYIOU7YlkXrAiYYOy2SDnKwGN2xBgHMyjVuSLsJbgY5RT9OxJoTuSASGrCqmiTGsudYI5tjTV3PtCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Lawrence City Council budget hearing was temporarily recessed on May 21 after a rock or other thrown object struck a window in the council chamber, prompting an emergency safety response.

Why it matters: The incident interrupted budget proceedings, caused a safety-first recess, and prompted a police response and an on-site investigation.

The council chair announced that the meeting was being paused after an apparent safety incident and thanked the Lawrence Police Department for a rapid response. Council members said everyone in the chamber was safe. The chair said LPD would continue investigating and that more information would be provided as it became available. After officers cleared the scene, the council reconvened and continued the budget hearing.

No arrests or injuries were reported during the meeting. Council staff later directed police to provide any investigative updates to the council office for possible future reporting.

","A budget hearing was briefly recessed after councilors reported an object had been thrown and struck a council chamber window. The Lawrence Police Department responded quickly; council resumed the meeting after officers cleared the scene.",{"_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},6230181,"Finance director outlines FY26 revenues: $469.6M total and $3.16M proposed levy increase",863,4157000,5020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1&start=4157&end=5020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442795-d07882ee7fdbe307daf44ac2ee04edc1/thumbnail_4157000.jpg","/articles/6230181/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Finance-director-outlines-FY26-revenues-4696M-total-and-316M-proposed-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230181-33c51d85f94f941568b7356bb6b53b28/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195115&Signature=YRgUt6mix73bhiq0jsx~I3UqzXoJjdHCO95i5TQEW5wZr4WAtbydD0NrUYC9OVfOPELzqpkx7A1ZpjM~T~kMbpKKa6OXvjUsv4vh~YYWCPkbMsBXMNjBPghXKUsJlqc9wU9KWfSjv6l8UCcwSt44bKcgDjtfpBNSY9igKaymQLTqYRsCkfPhYzJcE2lYF8QqI2djKRK4M~0YPQOLZglzF1qrGmupDIYO9bt-b5IP7lHX3iczGsUoK0GwY3O92ydVECC8dborwnP6tEq0HP1RavOYNiwCmsV211XnUhM5K~J1zPHZRCmhOIsU5Anj4iE8y9NdbODGNX-K9bhz58m0Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city’s finance presenter walked Lawrence City Council members through the revenue side of the proposed fiscal 2026 budget, showing total revenues of $469,611,008.65 and explaining how the state’s levy limit, Proposition 2½, and new growth feed into the city’s tax levy calculations.

Why it matters: The revenue assumptions determine how much the city must raise from property taxes and how an increase in the levy translates to changes in the tax rate and individual tax bills.

The finance presenter explained the main revenue categories for FY26: taxes and excise (real and personal property), state aid (including education funding and chapter 78 allocations), local receipts (motor vehicle excise, charges for services, licenses and permits), and other financing sources (a $5.0 million transfer from the stabilization fund and indirect enterprise fund costs). The proposed revenue total presented was $469,611,008.65.

On tax policy, the presenter reviewed Proposition 2½ (the 1980 voter-approved limit on property-tax increases), the levy limit and levy limit growth (2.5 percent plus new growth), and the city’s excess levy capacity. The presentation noted Lawrence’s excess levy capacity at roughly $13.0 million and said that new growth in recent calculations was about $1.4 million in one year and roughly $1.2 million in another slide; the presenter cautioned that new-growth figures vary annually and come from the assessors’ office.

Finance staff calculated a FY26 levy limit and showed how deductions for allowances (abatements and exemptions such as elderly, veterans and blind) reduce taxable levy. The presentation stated a proposed FY26 tax levy of $91,544,131 and reported that the levy increase from FY25 would be $3,161,241.

The presenter used Department of Local Services (DLS) interactive tools during the hearing, showing that Lawrence’s average single-family assessed value was $450,108, per-capita income $20,919, and the FY25 residential tax rate $8.80. Using the proposed levy increase, staff estimated an illustrative FY26 tax rate around 9.11 and an estimated annual tax-bill increase of about $139 for a single-family home assessed at $450,000. The presenter explicitly called the estimate illustrative and noted many variables affect final bills.

Councilors asked specific follow-ups about intergovernmental (“cherry sheet”) assessments, the composition of local receipts, and the treatment of the $5.0 million stabilization transfer. The presenter pointed councilors to budget-book pages and to the DLS tools for community comparisons, and said some figures (for example, the detailed school internal allocations) were not shown on the city-side book because the school department provides only a one-line total for its appropriation.

Councilors also raised debt and debt-service questions. Finance staff pointed to an amortization schedule and a debt-outstanding table in the budget book showing city and school debt; outstanding debt at end of FY25 was presented as about $158.85 million and forecast to be about $150.56 million at the end of FY26 after scheduled principal and interest payments. Staff said the city works with a financial advisor and remains within statutory borrowing limits.

No formal council action was taken on revenues during this session. Finance staff and councilors agreed to follow up in subsequent hearings on targeted questions (debt-service detail, intergovernmental assessments, and motor-vehicle excise reimbursements).

","City finance staff presented revenue assumptions and explained how Massachusetts’ levy limits and new growth affect the city’s taxable capacity; the presentation included estimates of tax-rate effects for a typical single-family home.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council proposes roughly $505,000 budget; discussion includes confidential secretary pay, temporary staff and internship idea

Lawrence police present roughly $18 million FY26 budget; new chief questions need for deputy chief slot

Council halts hearing after window struck; police respond and investigate

Finance director outlines FY26 revenues: $469.6M total and $3.16M proposed levy increase