Lawrence — The Lawrence City Personnel Committee on Feb. 13 voted to table the confirmation of Pamela Gonel as assistant commissioner of health and code services after committee members said they needed an official, written opinion from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission about a potential conflict of interest involving a business connected to Gonel’s spouse.

The item (identified in the meeting as “30 eight-twenty 5”) was introduced by the acting Inspectional Services director, Attorney Garcia, who brought forward the confirmation at the committee meeting. Committee members asked for additional documentation and verification after concerns emerged about a city contract and an apparent relationship between Gonel’s family and a vendor.

Nut graf: The committee paused the appointment despite supporters in the room and a presentation from the nominee because members said they had not yet received the formal written ethics opinion they wanted in the meeting record. The committee directed staff to provide the requested materials ahead of the next meeting and tabled the item to avoid any appearance of impropriety while the city secures formal advice.

Pamela Gonel introduced herself to the committee and described her current and prior roles. Gonel said she has served in the Inspectional Services Department as a health, safety and equity officer since Jan. 29, 2024, and that she has been acting as assistant commissioner since Nov. 18, 2024. She told the committee she began work in public health roles after arriving in the United States and said she previously trained as a medical student in the Dominican Republic. “If given the privilege to serve as assistant commissioner of health and codes, I will work tirelessly to strengthen the communication, increase efficiency, and maintain a culture of respect and accountability,” Gonel said.

Committee members asked detailed questions about Gonel’s qualifications, résumé entries and prior work experience. One councilor pressed her on academic timelines and the specific duties she has performed in the Inspectional Services Department, including whether she conducted inspections earlier in her tenure. Gonel answered that she began as a contact tracer and later moved into health equity work and supervision within the department; she said she has sought professional training for inspectors and has worked to create standard operating procedures for the department.

Significant portion of the questioning centered on possible conflicts of interest. A committee member read portions of Massachusetts conflict-of-interest law into the record and asked whether Gonel had sought advice. The committee discussed a disclosure filed with the city clerk on Jan. 20, 2025, and an earlier disclosure dated Sept. 15, 2024. Gonel said she completed the ethics commission’s conflict-of-interest training and said she had requested advice and received a paper indicating she would recuse herself from sections the advisory identified. Gonel said, “I recused myself from the section 19 and the section 17 and 23 b section c.”

Councilors also raised a question about a city contract that appeared tied in discussion to a business associated with Gonel’s spouse. At different points the transcript records both a reference to “contract number 8883 from AG MR Fusion Consultant Inc.” and a later comment that “contract $88.83 is valid until the 28 this month,” creating ambiguity in the committee record about the contract identifier and value. Committee members asked staff to provide the relevant contract documentation and any written ethics opinion.

The committee chair said he had requested legal opinions from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission and that he did not recognize the paperwork presented in the meeting as the formal ethics advisory the commission issues. To avoid potential problems he asked that the item be tabled until the committee received an official written statement from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission via email.

A motion to table item “30 eight-twenty 5” was made and seconded by Councilor Anna Levy; the committee voted aye and the motion carried. The committee also approved minutes from its Dec. 11, 2024 meeting earlier in the session.

Committee members asked staff to provide the requested materials in advance of the next meeting and reminded departmental leadership to supply documentation at least 48 hours before committee meetings going forward. A city attorney present told the committee he had provided a letter saying he saw no conflict of interest, but committee members maintained they wanted the state ethics commission’s written advisory in hand before proceeding.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 11, 2024): Motion to approve made by Councilor Federina Santiago and seconded by Councilor Anna Levy; outcome recorded as approved (ayes recorded).
- Item 30 eight-twenty 5 — Confirmation of Pamela Gonel as assistant commissioner of health and code services: Motion to table; second by Councilor Anna Levy; outcome: tabled pending a written ethics opinion from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission.

Ending: The committee did not take further action on the appointment. Staff were asked to deliver the requested contract and ethics materials for review before the next personnel committee meeting.