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Council reauthorizes DPW recycling revolving fund, approves $150,000 to restore resident services
Summary
The Lawrence City Council approved reauthorization of the Department of Public Works recycling revolving account and an appropriation of $150,000 to fund curbside barrels, bags and special pickups after officials said the new account (created Dec. 2023) lacked funding to maintain services.
Bridal Santana, deputy director for the Department of Public Works, asked the Lawrence City Council to reauthorize the DPW recycling revolving account and approve an appropriation for $150,000 so the department can replace trash barrels, provide bags and resume mattress and white-goods pickups.
"That account is needed for our department," Bridal Santana said. "It was created in December of 2023 because the department was not charging for some services previously, and we were not able to service our residents the way we could if we had that account." She said the revolving fund would pay for barrels, collection bags and white goods (TVs, air conditioners, appliances).
Councilors asked how a previous vendor warranty affected parts replacement of barrels and whether the department would replace only lids versus full carts. Santana explained the prior vendor—s 10-year warranty (from 2020) allowed some part replacements; after the contract changed the city could not repair older carts and now must replace units, though new carts include warranties.
Councilor Mamo asked for a more detailed revenue cover sheet showing dates and quantities. Acting assistant comptroller Marlene provided additional detail: a miscellaneous expenditure on the revolving fund reflected a one-time collaboration between DPW and Groundwork Lawrence to clear homeless encampments. Marlene also confirmed the account had been reauthorized once before and this was the second reauthorization.
Council action: The council voted to approve and waive the 30-day waiting period and reauthorized the DPW recycling revolving fund with the $150,000 appropriation.
Why this matters: Residents had reported weeks without replacement carts; the appropriation was presented as a near-term fix to restore services that the DPW said could not be sustained without the revolving account.
