Lawrence
Upcoming
City Council
The council will consider several public hearings regarding noise ordinances, street pole installations, and parking adjustments. Key business includes approving airport drainage grants, adopting a 'Vision Zero' traffic policy, and confirming various municipal commission appointments.
- Mass DOT Aeronautics Grants for Runway 5 Drainage ($27,856.70 total)
- Intersection Safety Signal Equipment Grant ($177,400)
- City Bridge Projects supplemental costs ($250,000)
- Rezoning of city land off Bay State Road and Jordan Street to Open Space Recreation
- Adoption of 'Vision Zero Policy' to eliminate traffic fatalities
City Council
The Lawrence City Council will hold public hearings on a proposed update to the noise ordinance and on creating a Billing Analyst position. They will also vote on adopting a Vision Zero policy to eliminate traffic fatalities, and consider over $427,000 in state grants for intersection safety and bridge projects. Numerous appointments to boards and commissions are on the agenda.
- Public hearing on proposed update to Noise Ordinance (65/26)
- Rezoning city land off Bay State Road and Jordan Street from industrial to open space recreation (46/25)
- Authorize $177,400 state grant for intersection safety signal equipment (291/26)
- Authorize $250,000 state earmark for supplemental bridge project costs (292/26)
- Name new park on Bay State Road as 'Billy Robertson Park' (269/26)
Last 30 days
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a special permit for multi-family housing at 447-449 Essex Street, proposing four apartments in an existing commercial building. They will also continue a case for 9 Osgood Street and handle board business including appointing a chairperson and vice chairperson.
- Special permit for 4 apartments at 447-449 Essex St (B-3 district)
- Continued case for 9 Osgood Street by Osgood Street Partners LLC
- Appointment of chairperson and vice chairperson of Planning Board
- Approval of minutes
Lawrence School Committee
This agenda outlines a procedural training workshop for School Committee members. The session focuses on governance coaching, community engagement, and time use evaluation. No official business or votes will be conducted.
- Effective Schools Boards Training
- Governance Coaching session
- Community Engagement workshop
- Time Use Evaluation exercise
Retirement Board
The Lawrence Retirement Board will discuss and potentially approve its FY27 office budget and hear updates on GASB 67/68 disclosures. They will also vote on superannuation retirements for Michael McCarthy and Jose Perez. Several items from previous meetings remain tabled, including the COLA base increase and a declaratory judgment.
- FY27 office budget discussion and approval
- Michael McCarthy and Jose Perez superannuation retirements
- GASB 67/68 disclosures as of 12/31/2025
- COLA base increase (tabled)
- Monthly warrants and retiree payroll approval
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee will vote on extending Santiago Matias' temporary role as Planning and Development Director by 90 days. They also consider appointments to the Conservation Commission, Lawrence Redevelopment Authority, and Airport Commission, plus tabled items.
- Extend Santiago Matias as Planning & Development Director for 90 days (264/26)
- Appoint Valencia Tanairi to Conservation Commission (265/26)
- Appoint Rolando DeCastro to Lawrence Redevelopment Authority (266/26)
- Tabled: Appoint Robert J. Blackwell to Redevelopment Authority (231/26)
- Tabled: Appoint Carmen Garcia-King to Airport Commission (205/26)
Budget & Finance Committee
The Budget and Finance Committee will consider two authorizations to expend MassDOT Aeronautics Grants totaling $27,856.70 for drainage improvements on Runway 5 at Lawrence Municipal Airport.
- Auth to Expend $5,409.36 MassDOT Aeronautics Grant for Runway 5 Drainage Improvements
- Auth to Expend $22,447.34 MassDOT Aeronautics Grant for Runway 5 Drainage Improvements
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear a continued petition for a dimensional and parking variance to build a 30-unit mixed-use building at 348 Jackson St. New cases include a two-family dwelling at 85 Berkeley St, a liquor license for Opalos Café at 89-95 Essex St, and converting a commercial building into four apartments at 447-449 Essex St. The board will also ratify a prior approval, accept a resignation, and appoint a vice chair.
- Continued petition: MBAG LLC seeks variances for 30-unit mixed-use building at 348 Jackson St
- Ramon Baez requests variances for a two-family dwelling at 85 Berkeley St
- Opalos Café requests variance and special permit for liquor use at 89-95 Essex St
- God's Good Company LLC requests variances to create 4 apartments at 447-449 Essex St
- Board to accept resignation of Frederick Diaz and appoint vice chair
Airport Commission
The Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission will discuss the design for a new administration building and review lease requests. The body will also determine annual rates for landing, parking, and tie-down agreements.
- Admin Building Replacement Project design presentation
- Eagle East request for additional aviation space lease
- Safelite North Andover parking agreement renewal
- Annual approval of landing, parking, and tie-down fees
- Executive session regarding Charles Street
Licensing Board
The Lawrence Licensing Board will consider a liquor license transfer and manager change for a local business. The board also plans to amend its internal rules and regulations and address noise complaints at two restaurants.
- Liquor license transfer and manager change for Tavern on Merrimack, LLC at 275 Merrimack St.
- Amendment of board rules and regulations
- Noise complaint hearing for Cavallo Restaurant and El Barrio Restaurant at 297 So Broadway
Ordinance & Intergovernmental Relations Committee
The Lawrence Ordinance Committee will discuss new business including a zoning change request at 46 Winthrop Avenue, naming a park and a square, and several parking requests. The committee will also revisit numerous tabled items from previous meetings, including a proposed ordinance to prohibit city employees from serving on boards and a vote to opt into the PACE program.
- Zoning change request for 46 Winthrop Avenue (Elias Kanj)
- Naming of park on Baystate Road as "Billy Robertson Park"
- Naming of corner of Haverhill and Amesbury Streets as "Anthony DiFruscia Square"
- Proposed ordinance prohibiting city employees from serving on boards (tabled)
- Vote to opt into Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program (tabled)
Licensing Board
The Lawrence Licensing Board will meet to discuss a new state law allowing municipalities to temporarily extend the operating hours of on-premises liquor licenses by one hour and permit off-premises sales in designated districts.
- Consideration of new state law allowing extended liquor license hours until 3:00 AM
- Discussion on allowing off-premises alcohol sales in designated public consumption areas
- Meeting held in person at City Council Chambers Room 105 and via Zoom
- Approval of previous meeting minutes and roll call
- Next meeting scheduled for June 24, 2026
Library Trustees
The Lawrence Public Library Board of Trustees will review policy updates, discuss new subcommittees, and consider a proposal to spend $76,505.83 of state aid funds on computer lab renovations.
- Approval of May 21, 2026 meeting minutes
- Renovation of the Computer Lab using $76,505.83 in state aid funds
- Updates to Meeting Room Policy
- Passport Application Agency Site Proposal
- Discussion on establishing new subcommittees and revising bylaws
Conservation Commission
The Lawrence Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting to consider two Notices of Intent. New Business involves Eversource gas pipeline work at the intersection of Union and Island Streets. Old Business continues review of a project at 264-272 Lowell Street by Rayprogress, LLC.
- Notice of Intent for EGMA Gas (Eversource) at Union and Island Streets
- Notice of Intent for Rayprogress, LLC at 264-272 Lowell Street and adjacent parcels
- Site walk scheduled for June 13 at 264-272 Lowell Street
Bellevue Cemetery Board
The Bellevue Cemetery Board will hold its monthly meeting to review financial statements and receive reports from the superintendent and committees. New business includes discussion of the Serrano case with Attorney Tim Houten. Old business covers the Hearst-Receiving Tomb, cemetery fencing, and barn siding.
- Review of financial statements
- Serrano case with Attorney Tim Houten
- Hearst-Receiving Tomb discussion
- Cemetery fencing
- Barn siding
City Council
The Lawrence City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget. The meeting may continue over multiple days as needed.
- Public hearing on Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget
Redevelopment Authority
The Lawrence Redevelopment Authority will consider updates on its lawsuit against the city, a solar project on LRA-owned land, and the sale of the Hydro Unit and other properties. They will also review an easement request for the Casey Bridge Project and a partnership for the Sí Lawrence Festival. The board may enter executive session to discuss litigation and personnel matters.
- Update on LRA v. City of Lawrence litigation
- Solar project proposal for LRA-owned property
- Status of purchase/sale of Hydro Unit and other LRA properties
- City easement request for Casey Bridge Project
- Town Livery Downtown Trolley Proposal
City Council
The City Council is holding a special meeting to conduct public hearings regarding the upcoming fiscal year's municipal budget. The session includes presentations from the Chief Administrative Financial Officer.
- Public hearing for Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget
Licensing Board
The Licensing Board is considering whether to opt into a new state law that allows on-premises licensees to sell alcohol until 3:00 AM and permits off-premises sales in designated public consumption areas. The board will also discuss old business and approve minutes.
- Public hearing on opting into temporary pilot to extend liquor license hours until 3:00 AM and allow off-premises sales in designated districts
Greater Lawrence Sanitary District
The Greater Lawrence Sanitary District's Executive Director Contract Negotiations Subcommittee will meet to enter executive session for discussion of contract negotiations with nonunion personnel. The agenda includes roll call, executive session, and adjournment, with no other public business.
- Enter executive session under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (executive director)
City Council
The Lawrence City Council is holding a special meeting to conduct a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget. The hearing is led by CAFO Ramona Ceballos for Mayor Brian A. DePena. The meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026, with a continuation date of June 17 if needed.
- Public hearing on proposed FY2027 Municipal Budget