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Committee Recommends Full Council Approve Four Days of Worship at O'Connell Park
Summary
Lawrence committee recommended the full City Council grant a permit for a four-day worship event at O'Connell South Common Park after organizers agreed to limit noise and clean up the site.
Sandra Lopez, speaking for Healing the Brokenhearted Church, requested a permit for four days of worship at O'Connell South Common Park from Aug. 7–10.
The Lawrence City Ordinance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted to send the request with a favorable recommendation to the full City Council. Councilor Gregory Del Rosario made the motion; Vice Chair Salina Reyes seconded it, and the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote.
The committee discussion focused on two practical issues: conflicts with other events at the park and noise. Councilor Del Rosario said churches’ worship events produced the most noise complaints at parks last year and asked organizers to “try to keep the noise down.” Sandra Lopez and Maraima Martinez of Healing the Brokenhearted acknowledged last year’s complaints and said the church would “do our best this year to control that a little bit better.”
Councilor Fidelina Santiago, who represents the neighborhood around O'Connell Park, echoed the request to be mindful of volume and to “leave the park better than how you found it.” The committee emphasized that the committee’s favorable recommendation sends the item to the full City Council for final approval at its next meeting; the permit itself is issued only after the full council votes.
Organizers were told to attend the full council meeting to answer any questions from other councilors. The committee did not attach additional conditions beyond asking organizers to limit noise and ensure no scheduling conflicts with other events.
