Meeting report · City Council
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City Council — May 19, 2026
The meeting featured pointed public criticism regarding the budget and inflation, and a brief recess was required due to a public interruption.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
FY2027 Operating Budget
4.32% budget increase Affected: All Lawrence residents and taxpayers
tax increase
02
Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments
Transition from single-tier to a tiered consumption-based rate structure Affected: All residents using water/sewer services, particularly high-volume or commercial users
fee change
03
Airport Administration Building Bond
$10,149,973 bond authorization Affected: City taxpayers
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Reauthorization of Bellevue Cemetery revolving fund account
Expenditure limit of $95,000.
Approved
Reauthorization of Council on Aging revolving fund account
Expenditure limit of $150,000.
Approved
Reauthorization of Recreation and Park Self-Supporting Service Revolving Fund
Favorable recommendation.
Approved
Reauthorization of Veterans Memorial Stadium revolving fund accounts
Expenditure limit of $100,000.
Approved
Reauthorization of library programs revolving fund account
Expenditure limit of $50,000.
Approved
Reauthorization of PEG access and cable-related funds for Lawrence Public Schools
Appropriation of $350,000.
Approved
Reauthorization of PEG access and cable-related funds (Government portion) for City of Lawrence
Appropriation of $108,000 for the government access channel; community access funding pending a formal plan.
Approved
Reauthorization of DPW recycling revolving fund account
Expenditure limit of $300,000.
Approved
Bond authorization for Airport Administration Building
$10,149,973 on a reimbursement basis, with the expectation of a 95% state grant.
Approved
Transfer from retained earnings to fund GLSD FY2026 assessment
Transfer of $1,007,282.28 to other assessments.
Approved
Authorization to expend funds for SAFE program
$10,933.13 for student awareness and $4,168.38 for senior SAFE program.
Approved
Transfer of $110,000 from ARPA free cash for Economic Development Master Plan
Funds to be used for the master plan conducted by Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
Approved
Transfer of $10.8 million from free cash to various reserve accounts
Includes OPEB trust, compensated absences, workers comp, injured on duty, debt service stabilization ($3M), litigation/judgments, and DPW snow/ice ($4.4M).
Approved
Withdrawal of Christopher Berkeley appointment
Candidate requested name be withdrawn for Municipal Hearing Officer.
Withdrawn
Reappointment of Daniel Foley to Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission
Candidate has 20 years of service.
Approved
Approval of Ordinance Committee items (Park Events)
Approved Evangelism Outreach (July 19), Recruiting the Spirit (July 18), Construyendo Futuro (July -1), and Get to Know Your Church (May 23).
Approved
Approval of Item 203.26 (Get to Know Your Church event).
The motion was carried via 'aye' vote.
Approved
Approval of Tiered Water and Sewer Rate Consumption Structure.
The council approved the transition from a single-tier to a tiered rate structure for water and sewer usage.
Approved
Table Document 33 (Handicapped Parking - Bowdoin Street).
The motion to table was made due to an expired handicap placard requiring renewal information.
Tabled
Approval of Document 76 (Handicapped Parking - Bennington Street).
The motion to approve was carried.
Approved
Approval of Document 77 (Handicapped Parking - Farnham Street).
The motion to approve was carried.
Approved
Approval of Document 115 (Removal of Handicap Parking - Orchard Street).
The motion to approve the removal was carried.
Approved
Untable and Approve Item 145.26.
Item was untabled following approval from the Recreation Department and subsequently approved.
Approved
Untable and Approve Item 146.26 (Day of Bible Celebration).
Item was untabled after police department approval was confirmed and subsequently approved.
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 05:59 Approval of Minutes
The Council moved to approve the meeting minutes from April 21, 2026.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 06:25 Public Participation
Citizens provided comments regarding local services, budget concerns, snow removal, and street safety.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 24:50 FY2027 Budget Introduction
Mayor Brian A. DePena (via representative) presented the fiscal year 2027 operating budget, emphasizing economic growth and financial stability.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 55:00 Committee Reports and Revolving Fund Reauthorizations
The Budget and Finance Committee presented several items regarding the reauthorization of various revolving fund accounts.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 77:10 Ordinance Committee - Park Event Permits
The Council reviewed and voted on several upcoming community and religious events in city parks.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 89:00 Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment Notice
The Clerk read a notice regarding a public hearing for proposed water and sewer rate adjustments for FY27 through FY30.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 86:39 Get to Know Your Church Event
Discussion and approval of the 'Get to Know Your Church' event scheduled for May 23, 2026, at Campanile Common Park.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 88:07 Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments
A public hearing and presentation regarding a proposed tiered water and sewer rate structure for FY27 through FY30 to fund infrastructure and ensure equity.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 119:58 Handicapped Parking Amendments
A public hearing concerning various amendments to the municipal code regarding the addition and removal of handicapped parking spaces on specific streets.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 123:00 New Business and Committee Referrals
Referral of various items including municipal budget, bridge repair funding, zoning amendments, and license renewals to appropriate committees.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
FY2027 Budget Increase
The proposed 4.32% budget increase exceeds the federal cost-of-living adjustment (2.8%), leading to public questioning of fiscal necessity and management of existing funds.
Board position: The Mayor's representative argued that economic growth and financial stability are necessary to avoid relying solely on tax increases.
medium concern
02
Tiered Water and Sewer Rate Structure
This represents a significant change in how utility costs are distributed among residents, shifting the burden to higher-volume users to fund infrastructure.
Board position: The board approved the transition to a tiered structure to ensure equity and fund infrastructure.
medium concern
03
Religious Event Noise in Public Parks
There is a conflict between the city's approval of religious events in public spaces and the potential for noise complaints from the community.
Board position: The council approved several religious events but issued a warning that continued noise complaints could lead to restrictions on such activities.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Submit an official memo to the City Council once the 95% state funding for the administration building is guaranteed.
Assigned: Airport Manager
Provide the Budget and Finance Committee with the full report/documentation regarding the agency and scope of work for the Economic Development Master Plan.
Assigned: Director Francisco Cirillo · Due: Soon
Review Proposal Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Budget and bridge repair authorization.
Assigned: Budget and Finance Committee
Review various license renewals, zoning amendments, and community event requests.
Assigned: Ordinance Committee
Attend upcoming budget hearings scheduled for June 1, 3, 4, 8, and 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Assigned: Council Members · Due: 2026-06-11
Notable statements
Why can't the city budget stay within the cost of living increase window? — SPEAKER_06 (Rich Russell) · Questioning the FY27 recommended budget increase of 4.32% compared to the 2.8% federal cost of living increase. ▶ 09:28
Our financial stability must be supported by economic growth. We cannot rely solely on raising taxes. — SPEAKER_11 (Mayor's Rep) · Presenting the Mayor's FY27 budget statement. ▶ 27:34
The churches have been [spending] a huge amount of money on this equipment... if the noise complaints keep coming, we will have to stop doing these things for you guys. — SPEAKER_14 (Councilor Del Rosario) · Discussing noise complaints regarding religious events in public parks. ▶ 81:00
The more water that you use in the city, it shifts the burden to that particular high water user... we wouldn't want to have a commercial laundromat paying the same as a single family. — SPEAKER_00 (William Hale) · Explaining the logic behind the proposed tiered water rate structure. ▶ 108:16
When this situation happened and you have a director or department head invite you and walk you through it, it's easy for us to make a decision. — SPEAKER_14 (Councilor Rosario) · Commending the Water Commissioner for his proactive communication and preparation regarding the rate proposal. ▶ 116:05
Member positions
2 issues · 0 explicit · 7 inferred
Del Rosario
Present
Councilor
Approval of Ordinance Committee items (Park Events)
YES
~
Approval of Tiered Water and Sewer Rate Consumption Structure
YES
✓
Supported equity-focused tiered rates
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
3
Total speakers
1
Addressed
0
Partial
2
Not addressed
H. Mali
Addressed
The speaker expressed deep gratitude for the Lawrence Police Department, citing their excellent leadership and role in city safety. They also offered praise for DPW workers, the inspection department, Lawrence Public Schools, and the Fire Department. Additionally, they expressed support for various unions and veterans.
Key concern
Expressing community support and gratitude for municipal services, leadership, and unions.
Board responseThe Council President thanked the speaker.
The board acknowledged the positive comments with a thank you.
Rich Russell
Not addressed
The speaker criticized the proposed FY27 budget, arguing that the 4.32% increase exceeds the federal cost-of-living adjustment. He also questioned the adequacy of snow removal appropriations and complained about snowplows being stored in the General Donovan parking lot during the off-season.
Key concern
Budget increases exceeding cost-of-living and mismanagement of snow removal funds and equipment storage.
Board responseThe meeting was briefly recessed due to an interruption by another speaker during his comments, but he was allowed to continue his remarks after the recess.
While the board allowed him to finish speaking, they did not provide a substantive response or solution to his budget or snow removal concerns during the public comment session.
Oscar Ordonez
Not addressed
The speaker shared his personal experience of being hit by a car on Lawrence Street two months ago. He expressed serious concerns regarding pedestrian and vehicle safety on that street, particularly for children and the elderly, and requested improvements to street signals.
Key concern
Traffic and pedestrian safety on Lawrence Street and a request for improved street signals.
Board responseThe Council President thanked him and noted his comments would be submitted for the record.
The board acknowledged the speaker and recorded the comment, but did not offer a specific plan or response to the safety request.
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-25.