[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6352260,"mediaKeyId","2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a","parentId",2225057,"title","Votes at a glance: February 4 Lawrence City Council — grants, appointments, TIF ratification and multiple parking/traffic items","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",761000,"endMs",938000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a&start=761&end=938","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a/thumbnail_761000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6352260/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-February-4-Lawrence-City-Council-grants-appointments-TIF-ratification-and-multiple-parkingtraffic-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352260-c00dbc3e414738fe941b0b0e394d2959/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206131&Signature=iafNk3lmzzmZR5bJ-~FkVtIZdzPt7AzU5MZtL3NURnn8X5DDqWe6J6qPPH0GW5TwqfWe54kQ0ywVSXgVoPiwqHhJYOaP1CNVOv9FKs0Pa1EXm4KRNu91jPwqLaW2ce6PJb2c08i-fqyF7YRGf9ja0CFsM3lX6y5RwoFCzrUwtgReBgCic~cCtW2eavoU8UCGS99tXnhP5P3J~rWB~67tXN9RYHtgOPI3GGw1Z08FJmDNCii3oezX1w3w0GG276OW8cUIO0l5WRv87tnn0XDWC3AYEAu372OuAfg9toypGTkcm9uAoAHgXOjMvkqltOWRJOhHHNf070mxiUaxwBLYAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","Key outcomes from the Feb. 4, 2025 Lawrence City Council meeting (summary of formal actions and outcomes as recorded in the meeting):

- Authorization / Grants
- Item 24‑25: Authorization to expend funds towards the \"Shannon Grant\" from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (motion read as authorization to spend $1,165,000.91). The Budget & Finance Committee recommended approval; council voice vote approved the motion. (Note: the grant presenter later referenced a different figure when describing prior awards; see clarifying note.)
- Item 25‑25: Authorization to expend $37,490 for a BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (voice vote approved).
- Item 26‑25: Authorization to expend $5,000 (mini BJA Comprehensive Opioid/Stimulant/SUD program) (voice vote approved).
- Police PSN grant item (Item 23‑20‑5): Report accepted and related action approved by voice vote (presentation indicated $50,000 last year; $30,000 this year).

- Appropriation / ARPA
- Old business Item 383b‑23: Appropriation transfer of $300,000 in ARPA/free cash to Lawrence Prospera for a Neighborhood Safety Initiative (approved by voice vote). See separate article for details.

- Contracts / Agreements
- Old business Item 5‑21‑24: Ratification of the TIF agreement for Esperanza Academy, Nunez LLC and the City of Lawrence — council voted to ratify the agreement to correct scrivener’s errors and add signatories; motion approved by voice vote.

- Appointments / Personnel
- Item 13‑25: Confirmation of Daniel McCarthy as Planning Director (approved by voice vote).
- Item 27‑25: Confirmation of Sadie Lis and Camilo Perdomo to the Zoning Board of Appeals (approved by voice vote).

- Ordinance / Public works
- Layout/alteration plan for a portion of Glen Street (order approved; project is part of MBTA/Chapter 130 federal financing and IRAP industrial rail work; committee recommended approval).

- Parking, handicap spaces and traffic controls
- Council ordered public hearings or approved a string of parking and traffic items (handicap parking locations, 15‑minute parking amendment at 294 Prosper Street, several no‑parking requests and stop‑sign requests). Some items were approved on the floor; others were ordered for public hearing and referred to the ordinance committee or DPW for study. Notable process points: several councilors urged closer pre‑agenda coordination with the police department and DPW so committee staff have collision/accident data and the police can comment before items appear for votes.

Clarifying note: On Item 24‑25 (Shannon Grant) the agenda/motion language read an authorization figure (reported in the clerk’s readout) that differed from the figure a department presenter later cited while describing program details. The council approved the motion as presented on the agenda; staff follow‑up should confirm the definitive award amount and reconcile any discrepancy in official grant paperwork.

Votes that were recorded by roll call (where recorded in transcript): the council conducted at least one roll call on a traffic item (result reported as 6–3 in favor of ordering a public hearing). Many other items were decided by voice vote and recorded as \"the ayes have it.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | Lawrence City Council | February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved multiple grant authorizations, personnel confirmations, a TIF agreement ratification and ordered public hearings on a series of parking and traffic items. Several votes were voice approvals; some measures required roll call or committee referral.","taxTitle","Lawrence City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",5815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6352265,"Daniel McCarthy confirmed as Lawrence planning director; councillors cite need for continuity",389,4579000,4968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a&start=4579&end=4968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a/thumbnail_4579000.jpg","/articles/6352265/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Daniel-McCarthy-confirmed-as-Lawrence-planning-director-councillors-cite-need-for-continuity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352265-b63b1fe4a311ff178637b8716d7e7435/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206131&Signature=Yig8BDfRPcBoRWXkpgvsqYWFF38gZB0XGWjTf~JYwLjezR814Vybjfk6M92TkEJ9JmiBtUN9pUVmcQu711eIsRByGCyQ2joQZ-7rPabUkEsadwKakN~~udnKgUKvP2PoHwqaIZshx56PqrAOmVMTFcwwdV60tZbcSDldT5oOkmUMXkS~7aP6ihn-zuiN1yI67o7i1cvZsVjvQdEmZT23kaKgZEdh74JxIxiFaQMYzSebThivF14GWYY1qjhjSmBjYNOHZUmR-C2Kzk0XQK6FUQn-6jTeQgyQ3Dz1vQ2QTyt5uSxxPiBphGNHt-NKs~-XPrO6MFXouHaz87MALaexRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Council confirmed Daniel McCarthy as the city’s planning director on Feb. 4, 2025; the motion carried by voice vote.

Councilors said retaining McCarthy would maintain institutional memory amid recent staff changes. McCarthy told the council the director role formalizes work he has been doing for years: long‑range and comprehensive planning, coordinating transportation projects with the Metropolitan Planning Organization and MassDOT, and overseeing day‑to‑day land‑use review handled by planners in the office.

McCarthy said he previously served as an OPD director and then returned to a union position as a land‑use planner. He told the council the department will hire a junior planner from the current administrative staff to fill day‑to‑day duties, while he will continue to oversee comprehensive planning and major transportation projects. He noted four transportation projects are scheduled to begin next summer, including intersection projects, Amesbury Street reconstruction and a rail trail, and said he will seek additional staff capacity to support those efforts.

Councilor LaPlante and other members praised McCarthy’s knowledge of city projects and said continuity in planning leadership is critical for pursuing state transportation funds and keeping project pipelines ready for grant cycles. The council approved the appointment by voice vote and congratulated McCarthy on his confirmation.","The city confirmed Daniel McCarthy as planning director. Councilors praised his institutional knowledge and discussed continuity of planning work, staff assignments and upcoming transportation projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6352271,"Police outline Project Safe Neighborhoods activity; council seeks clarification after report labels \"Dominican drug trafficking organization\"",515,85000,600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a&start=85&end=600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6352271/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Police-outline-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-activity-council-seeks-clarification-after-report-labels-Dominican-drug-trafficking-organization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352271-8ff61f1dd2cbd55c9813392fa2b42205/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206131&Signature=cdn9bkhjV7gHa75N738Wv7nsk0hDcHREUQcsvMb9vkkYJgR7elcwjX8PlCct~hTaS0EQ0iL0y98nceyG7~93kLoy8RVIP1vfmx-AfEWET8hlLxSRqdAsWioQtALLh6i-1PNFPo2p~93dcduEFAngm-Mu4ueAQEvQylpuI4h1z3nS~uYx0TYRrUOYVJv8VYTuSsRKnJOsBIg1819hZhP0cdgEIGpJTdpHOcmBvE~JoohwYg-0f79NqS9xRT5I~Z4m7nq87aZmujdVAy0pttx-a4OW8PZldrZBOb2~rO6XEju51u0tEbFQFbkl9qP~mRRhD2PM4qTUlHCU3jwcn3nwCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence Police Department presented a summary of work done under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant and answered council questions on Feb. 4, 2025. Officers said the PSN‑funded unit conducts directed patrols with the Massachusetts State Police focusing on drug trafficking and gun violence; the department reported previously receiving $50,000 and this year receiving $30,000 under the program.

\"So basically the grant is, the street crimes unit, which is the drug unit and the gang unit. We partner with the Mass State Police, and we do directed patrols, in certain neighborhoods. And we focus on drug trafficking and gun violence,\" an officer told the council. The officer said the multi‑agency partnership has led to arrests and seizures in prior years.

Councilor Luzon raised concern about a term used in a state‑issued report the council received that referred to a \"Dominican Drug Trafficking Organization.\" She asked how the state produced that label and whether the city or the police department compiles the statistics that led to the designation. The police representative said the department forwards booking sheets and arrest information to state police personnel who compile the statewide report.

\"No. They're not all Dominicans,\" the police presenter said in response to the councilor’s concern. He said the state — not the city — assembles the comparative statistics and names groups in the report; local officers supply arrest and booking data that the state aggregates.

Councilors asked for more granular data going forward, including counts of customers and their states of origin (the presentation listed customers from New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont). One councilor requested the department track how many individuals from each neighboring state travel to Lawrence for drug activity; the police officer said the unit compiles totals and agreed to provide further detail to the council.

The council then voted on the item related to the PSN grant; the chair called for the question and recorded voice votes with the result \"the ayes have it.\"","Lawrence Police presented recent work under a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant and said the department received $50,000 last year and $30,000 this year; council members pressed police to clarify state‑issued report language that names a \"Dominican drug trafficking organization.\"",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6352275,"City Council approves $300,000 ARPA transfer to Lawrence Prospera for neighborhood safety program",0,4191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a&start=4191&end=4191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225057-50d0704910a057b89fcaaa625f85438a/thumbnail_4191000.jpg","/articles/6352275/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/City-Council-approves-300000-ARPA-transfer-to-Lawrence-Prospera-for-neighborhood-safety-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352275-971f3216ddcfa2889d0f2f9d88b8d4a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206131&Signature=BEKwE18VuirVdoZFLh2M3sm8~xRp5eibw9yS9kbh4ctJHJyKVrUJUo0w35t2R1me-0MGwaYdlZCFWbj1ztZ7HNaFpnmh1aN8rhb-bw8XtGYwed~thW1Yta~e6v0TcLgEFnrG-WvG8A1lHoeRxZkPaBSJvs6DT8vnSHsgQXzxAIGLHoQv0QDAYgWvCbbWiNy-JUOEZNEfC2~3m4Eu~CAp-eTAQU8PBT1203vL0j8FvBHOnhTkF7CE5VTYpJuC~rjj3Ap4WtVbUbGko2-bkFyQ499uDc8SJQa5mxhrhWg1X-CsknqLBGJf0RYQPtrMOjM5qRNumZLZVPC70-l~XT6b3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Council voted to transfer $300,000 in ARPA/free‑cash neighborhood safety funds to Lawrence Prospera on Feb. 4, 2025, authorizing the nonprofit to manage a community safety initiative in partnership with the Lawrence Police Department. The motion passed by voice vote; councilors answered “aye” and the chair declared the motion approved.

Council Vice President Infante introduced the motion to re‑submit the appropriation, saying the money had been earmarked earlier for Project Safe Neighborhoods and had been withdrawn in May 2024. Infante said the difference now is that the funds will be given directly to Lawrence Prospera rather than routed through the police department, and Prospera would submit invoices under a standard city contract for reimbursement.

Why it matters: the $300,000 is public ARPA/free‑cash money designated for neighborhood safety work. Councilors said they wanted assurances about the process, transparency and that the program and the recipient had been vetted by committee before the council voted to release funds.

Councilors reviewed the item’s history during a lengthy discussion. Kate King of Planning and Development told the council the neighborhood safety initiative and the proposal had been considered in committee multiple times between October 2023 and May 2024; the earlier presentation had been accepted but not funded. King said the funds have been sitting in the relevant account and the current action is to make Prospera the contracting party so that Prospera — rather than the police department — will manage reimbursements.

Dan Halloran, identified as executive director of Prospera, said Lawrence Prospera is the local doing‑business‑as name for Lawrence Family Development and that the organization is positioned to receive and manage the funds. Paul Hitehouse, deputy director of Prospera, told the council the rebranding avoided having to obtain a new EIN and that the organization’s board membership had changed over time but the organization traces to a 1992 founding.

Councilors pressed for procedural clarity before agreeing to the direct award. Councilor LaPlante said he supported the program and stressed the need for institutional continuity; he asked for confirmation of committee review. Councilor Espaceli Infante and others emphasized that the arrangement should reduce administrative burden on the police department and improve accountability by having Prospera invoice the city directly.

According to the presentation on Feb. 4, the Prospera proposal includes funding two positions to run program activities; the full hiring plan and budget detail were presented to committee and the council asked that contract terms include routine reporting and invoice review. The council said the award will follow the city’s standard contracting and reimbursement process.

The measure was approved by the council by voice vote. The mayor’s office and city staff will execute a contract with Lawrence Prospera and Prospera will begin submitting invoices under the agreed reporting terms.

Looking ahead: councilors requested follow‑up reporting on hires, expenditures, and program outcomes once the contract is active.","The Lawrence City Council approved a $300,000 appropriation transfer of ARPA/free‑cash funds to Lawrence Prospera to run a neighborhood safety initiative the council previously considered; councilors pressed for clarity on vetting and oversight before voting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: February 4 Lawrence City Council — grants, appointments, TIF ratification and multiple parking/traffic items

Daniel McCarthy confirmed as Lawrence planning director; councillors cite need for continuity

Police outline Project Safe Neighborhoods activity; council seeks clarification after report labels "Dominican drug trafficking organization"

City Council approves $300,000 ARPA transfer to Lawrence Prospera for neighborhood safety program