Personnel committee forwards four Lawrence Municipal Airport nominations to full council

The Lawrence City Personnel Committee on March 24 voted to forward four nominations to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission — two reappointments and two new nominees — to the full City Council with favorable recommendations.

The committee advanced reappointments for long-serving commissioner Bill Collins and Airport Commission Chair Sharon Virgil and recommended three new nominees for remaining vacancies, including Sabiel Ortiz and Dionysio Cruz. Each item was sent to the full council by motion and approved by voice vote during the hybrid meeting held at 200 Common Street.

Why it matters: The airport commission advises the city on operations, facilities and education programs tied to the Lawrence Municipal Airport. The committee’s favorable recommendations move each candidate to the April 1 full council meeting, where council confirmation is required.

Bill Collins, a veteran who said he was first appointed about 15 years ago, told the committee he has served repeatedly under successive mayors and described the commission’s role as “to care custody and management to the airport.” After Collins spoke, a motion to forward his reappointment was made by Councilor Anna Levy and seconded by Councilor Fidelina Santiago; the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote.

Sharon Virgil, introduced by staff as the current chair of the Airport Commission, told the committee she has served “17, 18 years now,” and that she now resides in Methuen while continuing to represent the commission. The committee voted to forward her reappointment to the full council; the term as presented in the meeting was noted to expire July 15, 2027.

Staff presented Sabiel Ortiz as a Lawrence resident with a background in banking and finance; Ortiz told the committee, “I’m a Lawrence native. I’ve been here since I was 8 years old,” and described experience in commercial lending and construction finance relevant to projects at the airport. The committee voted to forward Ortiz’s nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Dionysio Cruz, introduced by staff as a private pilot who holds an active Federal Aviation Administration license and is part owner of an aircraft, said he trained at Lawrence and has been active in local aviation programs. “I learned how to fly out of Lawrence,” Cruz said, and said he is interested in expanding youth and women’s participation in aviation programming. The committee voted to forward his nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance - Reappointment: Bill Collins — Motion to forward to full council with favorable recommendation; mover: Councilor Anna Levy; second: Councilor Fidelina Santiago; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Reappointment: Sharon Virgil — Motion to forward to full council with favorable recommendation; mover: Councilor Fidelina Santiago; second: Councilor Anna Levy; outcome: approved by voice vote. Term noted to expire 2027-07-15. - Nomination: Sabiel Ortiz — Motion to forward to full council with favorable recommendation; mover: Councilor Fidelina Santiago; second: Councilor Anna Levy; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Nomination: Dionysio Cruz — Motion to forward to full council with favorable recommendation; mover: Councilor Fidelina Santiago; second: Councilor Anna Levy; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Discussion and context: Committee members and staff emphasized the commission’s community and educational roles. Members noted existing aviation education programs tied to Greater Lawrence Technical High School and that the commission meets monthly to advise on airport operations and projects. Staff clarified charter limits on membership — the commission has nine seats and up to three seats may be filled by residents who live outside the city.

What’s next: Each forwarded nomination will appear on the Lawrence City Council agenda for confirmation at the April 1, 2025 council meeting.

Ending: The Personnel Committee conducted the meeting in a hybrid format and adjourned after completing the nominations docket.