[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6352259,"mediaKeyId","2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d","parentId",2225059,"title","Residents praise unions, raise public-records concerns during Lawrence council public comments","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",569000,"endMs",810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d&start=569&end=810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d/thumbnail_569000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6352259/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Residents-praise-unions-raise-public-records-concerns-during-Lawrence-council-public-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352259-dc75994335797a18a85f21356db487c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447165&Signature=KsAmwoRSbSz9lEE-Xt0n8vy0-5W98Ji7oVuEDw8y7XaHFA12OKkgOgBd9DLd3DE1I-pwY3czvkv7whiq9zJyuHBWJP5XntF0hWZUahAJs0Mpu9upHLDqNSNsMwbf5koczgLxmC4QXxWmpmTl57lqauwBjaCVVEOraUsciUb4RmOjmt~unlNgS7b~vvvTmFapHs8pcP2FZ0KzLHEnvy~FHmypgzAnMNdnUYfujwFbMPxupb5r~rAqW~dbYFIuj20J~kxmKSvBBdHu9p5Dk087uRqSJn8X5WllkPEshHK4dk69tDWZYeOGP823wgL2d7QSkjzN9ILXxe1oxMU3Xrtg~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","During the Lawrence City Council's public participation period on Feb. 4, two residents addressed the council with contrasting appeals: one voiced support for municipal unions and workers; the other complained about an alleged delay in the city's response to a public-records request.

\"We are united to support Lawrence Police Union,\" resident Umoyun Malley said in remarks that thanked police, public-works and inspectional-services employees and urged help for people experiencing homelessness. Malley provided a street address for the record.

Another speaker, Richard Russell of 34 Cross Street, told the council he had submitted a public-records request titled \"2024Foyer-1299\" on Nov. 18 and said the city had not responded after 78 days. Russell said the request sought emails from city addresses to Facebook or Meta accounts during a specified period and raised questions about appointments to a citizens advisory committee for the police-chief search, noting his concern that a city employee and a $500 campaign donor were both on the committee list. He said he had filed a follow-up request seeking the list of applicants and reasons for rejection.

No council action was recorded in response to the comments during the meeting. The speakers' remarks were entered into the public record, and Mr. Russell said he would await the city's response to his public-records requests.

Ending: Comments reflected both public support for municipal employees and an outstanding open records dispute; the transcript records the statements but does not record any immediate staff response or council direction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | Lawrence City Council | February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents used the council's public participation period on Feb. 4 to praise municipal unions and to complain that a public-records request had not been answered after more than two months.","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},6352264,"Mayor Brian A. de Pena outlines grants, infrastructure and public-safety plans in State of the City address",1468,1578000,3046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d&start=1578&end=3046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d/thumbnail_1578000.jpg","/articles/6352264/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Mayor-Brian-A-de-Pena-outlines-grants-infrastructure-and-public-safety-plans-in-State-of-the-City-address","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352264-f059acf18084c50dda9276b4e0f8d69c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447165&Signature=c2ykqy-~OsHw9ropEfDwQwdhrjh6O1ID5WpmLLTT8tKBJCW-6K-3-8lzHU67EOpEytWxj~MY8rz6yH7UKSPcOmQZOS7Rz6yZaaZNxP3UPFm5nUP1cIz96ueG3VLMWwlo~xWZ5Ktd5tNw-YG7kfRNfHAuq0vUEeM1uMED0-ubFNGlkK8clZIuQIJFLtY29EcH~lxljGrFe3YzoPOFH8BRho0Vc3m-K8xbbQz6sYJtuSrVIfxsiPCJA00Pnq86qXsJCxiaRwxEwviOsvtgd-ZpEQDqnXGfPKaESZCdaTCm4F2fDIgRwOVKVcD-t7MoUKiH~yf4DoIc55TGHSKVFFdKwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Brian A. de Pena delivered the 2025 State of the City address to the Lawrence City Council on Feb. 4, saying the city has strengthened its financial position and secured multiple state and federal grants to support infrastructure, housing, public safety and other projects.

\"I am honored to deliver my Thursday of the city address, marking the conclusion of my full term,\" de Pena said. He told the council an independent audit showed improved financial management and that the city reduced its deficit from $27,400,000 to $8,500,000, and reported free-cash certification of $15,737,541 and reserve funds of $57,800,000.

De Pena listed grant and capital awards the administration has secured, including $27,200,000 in state and federal grants; nearly $5,000,000 for street and intersection repairs; $9,200,000 for infrastructure and environmental improvements; $7,730,000 for lead-hazard reduction; $16,000,000 in state funding for water and sewer initiatives; and $3,000,000 through the Merrimack Valley renewal fund program, the mayor said. He also announced awards for local projects including $700,000 for the Nicki Jam Music and Art Center, $1,500,000 for a library renovation, and $500,000 for city hall electrification.

The mayor highlighted public-safety investments, saying the city allocated more than $4,000,000 toward police staffing, crime prevention, opioid treatment and fire safety. He also announced the city has begun a search for a new police chief; the mayor said he has proposed a search committee that will evaluate candidates, interview finalists and submit a ranked list to his office, after which he will present a final candidate to the council for approval. De Pena said he would not intervene in the process.

On technology and security, the mayor credited the information-technology team with blocking three ransomware attacks in the past year and preventing compromise of city data. He also described public-works investments such as installation of solar-powered park lighting, drone and AI use for asset and sewer-line management, and replacement of more than 100 street lights.

De Pena spoke about education and local governance: he welcomed superintendent Ralph Carrero following a national search and said one formerly underperforming school has exited state underperformance status; he said the city is prepared to resume local control of its schools with a new governance structure and a five-year strategic plan.

Other initiatives mentioned in the address included the restoration of the Commission on Disability, an ADA municipality improvement grant for City Hall accessibility improvements, the Lauri's partnership for transition to employment for youth with disabilities, the Prosperity Lawrence small-business grant program (a $500,000 fund that provides awards to small businesses), and plans for a Merrimack River trail. The mayor also recognized firefighters and said the city will add officers and academy attendees to the police force.

Ending: De Pena framed the address as an inventory of achievements and a roadmap for continued investment in infrastructure, public safety and economic development; he said continued grant-seeking and local projects will guide the city's near-term priorities.","Mayor Brian A. de Pena told the Lawrence City Council the city's finances have strengthened, listed millions in grants and capital projects, and announced a police chief search and other initiatives during the Feb. 4 State of the City address.",{"_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},6352269,"Lawrence City Council approves $170,000 transfer to extend childcare voucher program",359,869000,1228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d&start=869&end=1228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2225059-c1d1a4d9390302755e6fbdf19420a78d/thumbnail_869000.jpg","/articles/6352269/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lawrence-City-Council-approves-170000-transfer-to-extend-childcare-voucher-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352269-68e4aed5b96fdf623201312fff2b2634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447165&Signature=GjCYF2Wis7NmvFrnE-WWrBxZFTlFsl0jlbTD-Hgp1Eqbf50sbvG-F45y5DAy3JX3GZpVrWM9X6w8uE6HAZ42SgYdmhZrFF5mHpjIjXwchK4TJHLoEXI861bb1w9mha~HwxcAE5iAGA7pp6vAOnfiiuO0P-TQg0MeLsh3vPd4GMYOo2p5K9nKANBQbkNWl2n7r1RxsO5niJx6GCJguBK7tNrYFzXIp7KQJCQAXWa1kZU-uQwte9msI7eJdo2qwMgaxFzevhHe2WuYIhGjYXm3fvJYLmRTTtuRmycAdkem~uEvMtEL1rVPergwxvOM0pT514f7rPHXwAB2i75-KY-R4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence City Council on Feb. 4 approved an appropriation transfer of $170,000 to extend the city's childcare voucher program, a staff member told the council. The budget-and-finance committee sent the item to the full council with a favorable recommendation, and members approved it by voice vote.

The childcare voucher program was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to address urgent child-care needs and functions as a bridge for families who need care immediately while they wait for state voucher enrollment, Maria Muller, the city's childcare program lead, told the council. \"This program was first developed to meet some of the urgent childcare needs that were happening during the pandemic,\" Muller said, and added that the program helps families \"accept a job much quicker than they used to before.\"

Muller told the council the program is not permanently funded and is currently serving about 60 families. She said $300,000 in total funding would carry the program through April, while the $170,000 transfer approved Feb. 4 would extend services through March. She also said state child-care vouchers are closed for the remainder of the fiscal year, which increases reliance on the city program.

Councilors asked whether the new money would simply maintain existing vouchers or create new openings. \"We press that this will maintain the funding we have,\" Muller responded, explaining the funds will preserve current placements and help staff work with families on other options once city funding ends.

The item was introduced by the budget-and-finance committee and identified on the agenda as item 22A-25: an appropriation transfer of $170,000 from various accounts to the childcare circuit. Council members voted by voice; the clerk recorded the outcome as approved (\"the ayes have it\"). No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

If the council does not approve additional funding, staff said the program would likely end in March. Council members and the program lead described the initiative as a temporary, demand-driven bridge that reduces job loss caused by gaps in voucher availability.

Votes at this meeting related to the childcare item were by voice; no amendments were recorded. The council did not adopt a permanent annual appropriation for the program during the meeting.

Ending: City staff and council members framed the program as an important stopgap to keep families working while state voucher availability remains limited; without further appropriation, the city-funded bridge is expected to lapse after the month covered by the newly approved transfer.","Councilors approved a $170,000 appropriation transfer to continue the city's childcare voucher program; staff said the funds would fund services through March and the program acts as a bridge while families await state vouchers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents praise unions, raise public-records concerns during Lawrence council public comments

Mayor Brian A. de Pena outlines grants, infrastructure and public-safety plans in State of the City address

Lawrence City Council approves $170,000 transfer to extend childcare voucher program