Lawrence City Council set to vote on $455,000 in grants and earmarks July 7; recent board minutes not yet published

The Lawrence City Council meets July 7 to consider more than $455,000 in state grants and earmarks, a rezoning of city land to open space recreation, and adoption of a Vision Zero traffic safety policy. Meanwhile, minutes from nine board and committee meetings held over the past two weeks have not yet been published, so outcomes of those sessions are not confirmed.

City Council — July 7

The council's agenda includes two MassDOT Aeronautics Grants totaling $27,856.70 for Runway 5 drainage improvements at Lawrence Municipal Airport, a $177,400 state grant for intersection safety signal equipment (item 291/26), and a $250,000 state earmark for supplemental city bridge project costs (item 292/26).

The council will hold a public hearing on a proposed update to the City Noise Ordinance (item 65/26, ORD # 09.04.040) and a public hearing on creating a Billing Analyst position. Members will also vote on rezoning city land off Bay State Road and Jordan Street from industrial to Open Space Recreation (item 46/25), adopting a Vision Zero policy to eliminate traffic fatalities, and naming a new park on Bay State Road as "Billy Robertson Park" (item 269/26). Numerous appointments to boards and commissions are also listed.

Recent Meetings — Agendas Only, Minutes Pending

All nine meetings held between June 23 and July 1 are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published. What follows reflects what was scheduled for discussion or votes; confirmed outcomes are not available.

Airport and Drainage Funding

The Airport Commission met June 25 to review a design presentation for an administration building replacement project, a lease request from Eagle East for additional aviation space, a Safelite North Andover parking agreement renewal, and annual landing, parking, and tie-down fees. An executive session regarding Charles Street was also scheduled.

The Budget & Finance Committee met June 29 to consider two authorizations to expend MassDOT Aeronautics Grants for Runway 5 drainage improvements: $5,409.36 and $22,447.34, totaling $27,856.70.

Zoning and Development

The Zoning Board of Appeals met June 25 to hear a continued petition from MBAG LLC seeking dimensional and parking variances for a 30-unit mixed-use building at 348 Jackson St. New cases included Ramon Baez requesting variances for a two-family dwelling at 85 Berkeley St, Opalos Café requesting a variance and special permit for liquor use at 89-95 Essex St, and God's Good Company LLC requesting variances to create four apartments at 447-449 Essex St. The board was also scheduled to accept the resignation of Frederick Diaz and appoint a vice chair.

The Planning Board met July 1 for a public hearing on a special permit for four apartments at 447-449 Essex St in a B-3 district, a continued case for 9 Osgood Street by Osgood Street Partners LLC, and appointment of a chairperson and vice chairperson.

The Ordinance & Intergovernmental Relations Committee met June 23 to discuss a zoning change request at 46 Winthrop Avenue from Elias Kanj, naming a park on Baystate Road as "Billy Robertson Park," and naming the corner of Haverhill and Amesbury Streets as "Anthony DiFruscia Square." Tabled items included a proposed ordinance prohibiting city employees from serving on boards and a vote to opt into the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

Licensing, Personnel, and Retirement

The Licensing Board met June 24 to consider a liquor license transfer and manager change for Tavern on Merrimack, LLC at 275 Merrimack St., amend its internal rules and regulations, and hold a noise complaint hearing for Cavallo Restaurant and El Barrio Restaurant at 297 So Broadway.

The Personnel Committee met June 29 to vote on extending Santiago Matias as Planning & Development Director for 90 days (item 264/26), appointing Valencia Tanairi to the Conservation Commission (265/26), and appointing Rolando DeCastro to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority (266/26). Tabled items included appointing Robert J. Blackwell to the Redevelopment Authority (231/26) and Carmen Garcia-King to the Airport Commission (205/26).

The Retirement Board met June 30 to discuss and potentially approve its FY27 office budget, vote on superannuation retirements for Michael McCarthy and Jose Perez, and review GASB 67/68 disclosures as of 12/31/2025. A COLA base increase and a declaratory judgment remained tabled.

The School Committee held a professional development training workshop July 1 covering governance coaching, community engagement, and time use evaluation. No official business or votes were scheduled.

Coming Up

• **City Council** — July 7, with votes on $455,000 in grants and earmarks, Vision Zero policy, noise ordinance update, and rezoning of land off Bay State Road and Jordan Street.
• Residents can check the city website for published minutes confirming outcomes of the June 23–July 1 meetings.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — No Final Votes in Sight as Lawrence Boards Advance Zoning, Appointments, and Airport Spending

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.