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Ways and Means committee approves multiple transfers, grants and appropriations totaling millions; council warned federal grants may be at risk
Summary
The Ways and Means Committee approved a long list of transfers and grant acceptances on Jan. 28 — including multimillion-dollar free‑cash buildouts, police grants and school program awards — and heard a warning from city counsel that some federally funded pass-through grants could be affected by a recently signed executive order.
The Lynn Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 28 approved a series of transfers and grant acceptances totaling several million dollars, and discussed the potential for federal pass-through grants to be affected by recent state or federal executive actions.
Committee members voted to move free‑cash appropriations including $2,750,000 for the 195 Market Street build-out, $2,200,000 for the Lynn public safety dispatch system, $1,675,000 for the 100 Bennett Street build-out and $1,000,000 for police and fire compensation buyouts. The panel also approved smaller appropriations for school repairs, heating control updates and cultural council awards, and accepted multiple outside grants for police and school programs.
After the roll-call votes on the transfers, City Attorney Jim Lamanna briefed the committee on federal funding risk. “It is possible that some of these grants … could very well be grants tonight that were approved that have been halted as a result of an executive order signed, I believe, today,” Lamanna told the committee. Members said they would monitor the situation and follow up with state agencies where appropriate.
Committee roll calls indicate unanimous approval on listed items. Several councilors and the chair emphasized the practical importance of the grants to daily city services and school programs; one member said the community will feel immediate effects if pass-through funding is halted.
Votes at a glance
(Selected items; committee recorded roll-call approval for each) - $2,750,000 from free cash for 195 Market Street build-out — approved - $2,200,000 from free cash for LPD/LFD public safety dispatch system — approved - $1,675,000 from free cash for 100 Bennett Street build-out — approved - $1,000,000 from free cash for police and fire compensation buyouts — approved - $595,000 from free cash for Lynn Classical heating system control update — approved - $446,354.29 to Police Department (Shannon CSI grant) — approved - $116,200 to Police Department (2025 jail arrest diversion program) — approved - $30,000 to Police Department (Project Safe Neighborhood Program) — approved - Multiple school department grant acceptances totaling several hundred thousand — approved
Ending
Committee members directed staff to continue monitoring state and federal grant streams and to notify council leadership if funding changes materialize. No items were tabled; all listed transfers and grants carried by committee roll-call votes.
