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Public commenters urge support for unions, traffic enforcement and new noise rules
Summary
During public comment at the Jan. 7 meeting, speakers urged council support for public-safety staffing, union pay, traffic enforcement cameras, a new noise ordinance and formation of a citizens advisory panel for selecting a police chief.
Two members of the public addressed the council during the public-comment period with calls on public-safety staffing, municipal services and enforcement.
Mario Malik of 53 Chester Street urged the council to support the Lawrence Police Officers Union, Department of Public Works employees, the inspection department and Lawrence Public Schools staff. Malik said the city should hire more inspectors and called for greater support for unions and first responders.
Rich Russell of 34 Cross Street urged the council to increase traffic enforcement at the intersection of South Broadway and Shattuck Street and to examine signal timing at South Broadway and Merrimack Street. Russell also asked the council to consider whether a home-rule petition would allow Lawrence to install automated enforcement cameras for red-light and stop-sign violations. He suggested the council review the existing contract for parking enforcement (which he described as allowing roof-mounted flashing lights on vendor vehicles) and asked for an update on a citizens advisory committee to help select the next police chief. Russell also recommended the council consider a decibel-based noise ordinance.
Councilors acknowledged the comments; no formal council action was taken during the public-comment period. The council later discussed translation services and said the previous contract had expired and the city was seeking bids for a new translator; staff said they hoped to have temporary coverage within the next two meetings and to seek a permanent vendor through procurement.
