[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6181483,"mediaKeyId","5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c","parentId",5112927,"title","Library says food purchases on revolving account stopped after guidance; future use to cover copiers and supplies","audioSeconds",615,"startMs",3730000,"endMs",4345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c&start=3730&end=4345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c/thumbnail_3730000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181483/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Library-says-food-purchases-on-revolving-account-stopped-after-guidance-future-use-to-cover-copiers-and-supplies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181483-d8caae61e101ddd1a3f29c423604ceb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207542&Signature=fL9JpxYiSahvohJugPeZsWR8gWTGHUuSAZa0l~jI~2RiW508dTxbHRfNpz-39kAndfXZAenA91QMCJj8UHpZfWN5kROPHE817b6EU1n~uyuSZqXZXJNqDQn5PPXfDUihnkjf9nSRZ2Hr~GMV4smVOfpTJnlJBMGpyPm-GfEiZFZzo3lm3A-sHQGAowBR~nQxvpBREE-Sbl5I6GG02lJ1IJhR2cjGHL85J8KSG2ZwfXxaTWhKQR4NL80l8eqLz0WbKe43l9JVmOrFM3CY1PtpeJ5BzY3sO~1Vvuz8C4kxEYk1LJoGKbjTlVDc0-S593YhEbJlETuZt3iqRGqOGZTQsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence City, MA","date","2025-07-02T13:59:04Z","article","The Lawrence Public Library provided a written statement explaining 13 expenditures totaling $2,938.11 charged to its revolving account between July 2024 and January 2025. The library said the purchases were food and refreshments for community programming and were made to boost attendance at workshops and youth programs.

The council read a memo the library director submitted, which said the purchases supported local vendors (Sal's Pizza, Bridal Subs and Pizza, Lou's Cafe and Heavenly Donuts) and that the city's instruction following a budget hearing in February 2025 was to stop processing food purchases through the revolving account. The director informed the council that, out of respect for that direction, no food charges have been made to the revolving fund since January 2025.

The library said it consulted Kate Merlin of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (state aid program director), who confirmed that food purchases may be allowable under state aid to public libraries; the library said it will charge future food-related programming costs to state aid project 1961 (project number 82600) rather than to the revolving account.

Library clerk Janelle joined the council by phone and the director later appeared via Zoom to confirm the written statement and to accept the council's request for additional detail. Councilor Luzon asked that the library provide the name of each event tied to the date on the revolving-account report so the council can cross-check attendance and social-media posts. The director agreed to supply a dated event list and said she would provide the requested memo the next day.

The council also confirmed that copying and printing fees (collected from patrons) are deposited into the library's revolving account. The director said the current copy fees are 15¢ per page for black-and-white and 30¢ for color copies; the library said those revenues support copier supplies and related services and will remain a revolving-account use going forward.

Why this matters: The library used the revolving account for light refreshments tied to programming but stopped following guidance from the comptroller and city attorney. The library is shifting food costs to a state aid account while retaining the revolving account for operational supplies and copier services. Councilors asked for more transparent line-item reporting that links expenditure dates to named events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Council | July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lawrence Public Library said it charged $2,938.11 in food and refreshment purchases to its revolving account between July 2024 and January 2025, but stopped those charges after city guidance and will move future food spending to a state-aid account.","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},6181487,"Council reauthorizes DPW recycling revolving fund, approves $150,000 to restore resident services",542,1949000,2491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c&start=1949&end=2491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c/thumbnail_1949000.jpg","/articles/6181487/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-reauthorizes-DPW-recycling-revolving-fund-approves-150000-to-restore-resident-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181487-dc6c03335584fb945bfe7f2029336756/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207542&Signature=hB~NP1AG1X46tfq-m8OuSdeNQ-3veZ-0iGZEmiVKqUmM8rF1oKeiBqoZR0ytp2kkCdKaqYd7SLgTQCKpHhHMGocdJxbq9dbRRVFN48YV0Xhx9ABh1Pii-ZMJQdSZFKiZA6~E7w1Hwq9YrIL5SmkVn1LNOKZUWRTY5sMYcWkZJ0koLPnsLqR-q~pPucpsvAtW3F6ZwYP9AM0Z7UJsoBtQ5EdfHaNPXVRk2qs~83hEI1uSy8YdM9aCTbdkcNk3sY8hdX1e-pEywinXTivUlfsvqI~fzAOwGKUcMf5eb5I5Kba3kSveI9ziyMt0tjihwThFvIJgmYBD1h4YLX0ZBgILzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridal Santana, deputy director for the Department of Public Works, asked the Lawrence City Council to reauthorize the DPW recycling revolving account and approve an appropriation for $150,000 so the department can replace trash barrels, provide bags and resume mattress and white-goods pickups.

\"That account is needed for our department,\" Bridal Santana said. \"It was created in December of 2023 because the department was not charging for some services previously, and we were not able to service our residents the way we could if we had that account.\" She said the revolving fund would pay for barrels, collection bags and white goods (TVs, air conditioners, appliances).

Councilors asked how a previous vendor warranty affected parts replacement of barrels and whether the department would replace only lids versus full carts. Santana explained the prior vendor's 10-year warranty (from 2020) allowed some part replacements; after the contract changed the city could not repair older carts and now must replace units, though new carts include warranties.

Councilor Mamo asked for a more detailed revenue cover sheet showing dates and quantities. Acting assistant comptroller Marlene provided additional detail: a miscellaneous expenditure on the revolving fund reflected a one-time collaboration between DPW and Groundwork Lawrence to clear homeless encampments. Marlene also confirmed the account had been reauthorized once before and this was the second reauthorization.

Council action: The council voted to approve and waive the 30-day waiting period and reauthorized the DPW recycling revolving fund with the $150,000 appropriation.

Why this matters: Residents had reported weeks without replacement carts; the appropriation was presented as a near-term fix to restore services that the DPW said could not be sustained without the revolving account.","The Lawrence City Council approved reauthorization of the Department of Public Works recycling revolving account and an appropriation of $150,000 to fund curbside barrels, bags and special pickups after officials said the new account (created Dec. 2023) lacked funding to maintain services.",{"_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},6181491,"Bellevue Cemetery leaders defend locking gates, say container fund covers overtime and security costs",2675,92000,2767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c&start=92&end=2767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6181491/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Bellevue-Cemetery-leaders-defend-locking-gates-say-container-fund-covers-overtime-and-security-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181491-148bc1a66a903b7fffc5cb69007f0484/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207542&Signature=Lo66oKHwFZAOs1VIRe~S2anfNGf8L843GZ-edjzLMl0X3565kWG4Noq2rbZNKdbBVYvx1oZUiqpMgdQLK-fOgkCUjTkGGfa~W4VEIyI9SYzuTwVZX5DgqEcDtTZQrB~UbcF32YGNOrDxOeCnr-lm53Gm6vEvDDEwqcCBg4GnyAcfYMCZZbCW0ZMQ~ddlB1UU1JA4KNP54mzMxEkJX8aJImrfgTtwG-F4n5VAK79Yg6dhOi4--Y6huB9AeuUeyrL5dcDck9U0H~ZtVzpQphbhwkuIJTCNIjwLciyfkkmJI0-s5P02WJPc~H29xFFqUJyYP7DRY~JUHwxpHAmRG4Ea2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elizabeth Charlton, chairwoman of the Bellevue Cemetery board, told the Lawrence City Council that Bellevue Cemetery uses a city-authorized \"container\" revolving fund as its operating budget and that the fund covers overtime and security costs.

\"You already get 40% of the sale of every single lot in the Bellevue Cemetery. That is given to the city. We get 60% that goes into the container fund, and we use it for our operating budget,\" Charlton said. She described repeated vandalism, vehicle damage to headstones, two rapes, and drug deaths that the board says justify locking cemetery gates at night.

The cemetery director, who identified the fund as the cemetery's revolving or \"container\" fund, told the council the cemetery receives minimal direct city operating support in the budget and relies on the 60% share of lot-sale revenue. She said the cemetery budget shows roughly $95,000 available in the revolving fund and that overtime costs have increased; she told the council she moved $30,000 into overtime to cover overages and asked for an overtime increase in the current budget.

Councilors asked for clarity about how overtime is charged and where any overtime payments made by families (for after-hours burials) flow. The director said the cemetery charges $600 for overtime burials but that those overtime fees are paid to the city rather than into the cemetery's container fund. Councilors noted that creates a perception issue: the cemetery pays overtime out of its fund while overtime fees collected at burials do not return to that fund.

Councilors praised improved cemetery maintenance and asked for clearer reporting. Councilor Luzon (first name not recorded in the transcript) and others asked for an annual memo that explains the process for purchasing a container or box, details on sales by date, and an annual line-item report that lists revenues and expenditures. The director said an annual, detailed report is produced each July and offered to email a step-by-step guide for lot/container purchases.

The council discussed transfers that had been recorded as year-end moves to cover overtime and that some transfers had been authorized at the recent meeting. A councilor noted transfers of roughly $60,000 related to overtime and asked that future quarterly reports include clearer revenue/dates/quantities for the revolving account. The director agreed to provide additional detail.

Why this matters: Bellevue Cemetery handles interments and historic graves that families visit and the cemetery board says security and overtime are necessary to prevent vandalism and protect irreplaceable stones. Councilors requested more transparent line-item and event-level reporting so the council and public can reconcile the cemetery's self-generated revenues, overtime spending, and related transfers.

Council action and next steps: Councilors un-tabled the Bellevue Cemetery revolving fund item and moved it forward for approval on the council docket. Councilors asked the director to provide: (1) the cemetery's annual report (including every sale and transaction), (2) a memo explaining the lot/container purchase process, and (3) quarterly reports that break out dates, revenues, and expenditures in more detail.","Bellevue Cemetery officials told the Lawrence City Council that a city-authorized \"container\" revolving fund, funded by 60% of cemetery lot sales, pays operating costs including overtime used to lock gates and respond to vandalism and drug activity; councilors pressed for clearer reports and a written process for purchases and transfers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181473,"Council approves two MassDOT airport grants after emergency declaration to secure reimbursements",767,6877000,7644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c&start=6877&end=7644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c/thumbnail_6877000.jpg","/articles/6181473/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-two-MassDOT-airport-grants-after-emergency-declaration-to-secure-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181473-9f2204d00ba3850a823e28576fb024bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207542&Signature=jCwdY3XuulbJmwh4ng0XmaXUvpMxRZndhVh0g14YLRvT3JWme04KTm8k6HVK4yujenO6KUs0Iw4IogYH0Q6cgadeqySuhFr8Jg~tbBrEtGFfbnR3aQH0cMo-mMnABPJzNuUTcnT60XuLoEBXgbaSRlIGNXqfPNITcNDmNjd8s5YH8GT5cri97WBrRvEyn0qBP9lEVSMeWzU3v2IzPCM7i~99YVrIHfVwYVmse5YdoTzEQrGJRVGCSjRhgAfcbrV~Ff6gxbtnuEvmZ6eoUfXEkEvQrPtV6S~ZzMjylqykmC4QFNdv7kPZTlEEzZDm47gYiEut7pGgaMl09gS9TItv8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence Municipal Airport director presented two MassDOT grant items to the council and asked that they be handled as an emergency to secure reimbursement before the state fiscal-year close.

The first grant is $13,015 to fund engineering work for Runway 5N drainage improvements. The second item is $193,962.45 for phase 3 design work on the Airport Administration Building. The director said the state issued the awards recently and that MassDOT Aeronautics will reimburse eligible engineering and design expenditures.

Councilors questioned whether the items could wait for the next regular committee schedule. The airport director said timing mattered because the state fiscal year and competition for funds could affect eligibility; the director said submitting the documentation now would secure the city's place in the reimbursement process. Councilor LaPlante and others probed whether the awards would be lost if the council acted on a normal schedule; the director said the awards are timely and the airport had limited earlier opportunity because the airport commission only recently met to approve the requests.

The council declared the two items an emergency and approved both grants and the associated authorizations to spend. The votes carried.","The council approved two grants for Lawrence Municipal Airport: a $13,015 MassDOT engineering grant for runway drainage work and a $193,962.45 MassDOT grant for phase 3 design of the airport administration building; councilors declared an emergency to expedite state reimbursement and approved both items.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181478,"Council cuts PEG fund appropriation after months of confusion over cable-access revenues and management",2236,4459000,6695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c&start=4459&end=6695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112927-670a9cf2ea863062039640ed0a05c31c/thumbnail_4459000.jpg","/articles/6181478/Lawrence-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-cuts-PEG-fund-appropriation-after-months-of-confusion-over-cable-access-revenues-and-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181478-6a541abc1c7c9458e21793d5cec1397b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207542&Signature=BzkgoI2jMSVlLquXl~CISL0beMhgcYCH~tlRy6bfJz6fVm5INHBdw0SA1NSGqa9UUHrCQOosBzjYPMjZ1FlOJE7Sx9oo4F9Q-4QgjjdHtnI~6f~6H2gyfVBoRP9NZI2NFKuvdMQwu~jbTm0QjNqkl8x5mNSf68Zl39e0PAQaCeoE5ZDsttFQTwCa6HNG4acZClrBiKhZtdF0dtZP5h-ie0IDWdSycLbPNAxBhuIiSrasCElWS1vRpIkFn0VqWsNdPOHQNh8T7CFdGbj8hWZTV4oRmUhHLHdkKSSSYvxevuVnzVw9WH~QWdubVEp81FwilFb8pxdNZttOl7WmEoHGhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Council debated a request to authorize spending from the city's PEG (public, educational, government) cable-access revolving fund and to appropriate up to $450,000. The discussion exposed longstanding uncertainty about who runs the PEG channels, how the revenues are collected, and where equipment and staffing decisions are housed.

Assistant Comptroller Marlene told the council the fund is governed by Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 44 §53F and §53E½ and that Comcast and Verizon collect PEG fees from ratepayers and pay them into the city's account. She said the account currently shows roughly $446,496.21 available.

Councilors pressed for details. The IT director, identified in the meeting only by role, said the account \"is only used for the TV purposes,\" and explained the city took over the community channel after a nonprofit contract (LCAP) expired in 2017. He said the city has been discussing how to find an operator to run the community channel but that no final decision has been made and the administration has no firm timeline.

Councilor LaPlante said he wanted the school system's educational uses covered and proposed limiting the appropriation while the administration produces a firm plan for staffing and management. Councilors proposed and debated reductions; a motion to limit the authorized expenditure to $225,000 was proposed, then substituted with a motion limiting the appropriation to $300,000. The final substitute motion to permit expenditures up to $300,000 passed on a roll call, 7-2.

Why this matters: PEG funds derive from fees charged to cable customers and are statutorily tied to public, educational and governmental cable-access programming. Councilors said they needed a clear plan for how the city will operate three channels (education, government, community), who will manage operations, and how equipment purchases and channel staffing will be governed.

Council action and follow-up: The council approved an appropriation capped at $300,000 and asked the administration to return with a clear plan that identifies (1) who will operate the channels, (2) a budget breakdown for education/government/community shares, and (3) a procurement or hiring timeline. Councilors reserved the right to reauthorize additional funds after the plan is provided.","Councilors debated a proposed $450,000 appropriation from the city's PEG (public, educational, government) cable-access revolving fund, pressing city IT and finance staff for a plan to operate three channels. After questions about fund management and oversight the council approved a reduced appropriation of $300,000 (7-2).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library says food purchases on revolving account stopped after guidance; future use to cover copiers and supplies

Council reauthorizes DPW recycling revolving fund, approves $150,000 to restore resident services

Bellevue Cemetery leaders defend locking gates, say container fund covers overtime and security costs

Council approves two MassDOT airport grants after emergency declaration to secure reimbursements

Council cuts PEG fund appropriation after months of confusion over cable-access revenues and management