Are we good here? Okay. Okay. Good evening and welcome to the ordinary and intergovernmental relations committee. A sub-committee of the Warren City Council and the meeting is scheduled for today, Tuesday, June 23rd.
This is uh 2026 uh 7 10. Uh that's uh this meeting is also conducted as a hybrid meeting and you may [crying and screaming] may remotely access the meeting through the digital platform below.
Uh I have with me the voting members uh Franklin Miguel vice chair, uh counselor uh Gregory del Rosario to my right, and myself, Anna Levy, the chair of the committee.
Pursuant to the Chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, this meeting of ordering committee is being conducted both in person and via remote participation. It is reminded that persons who would like to listen or to view this meeting
while in progress may either attend in person at the location above or use any of the following access location. Facebook Floresville City Council or YouTube Floresville City Council. So, please stand up for the pledge of
allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Council, uh there are minutes
uh to approve 4 14 2026 and 6 9 2026. May I hear a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> The ayes have it.
Uh new business. Uh chair >> If If it's okay, can we take our out of order item 273-26, resolution honoring the Youth Development Organization YDO? >> Yes, that's the item that I was saying taking right now.
Uh may I hear a motion? Motion to taking item 273-26. It's the resolution honoring Youth Developments Organization and uh 20th anniversary and recognizing uh July 16, 2023
as YDO Day. Council? Discussion? I know there is one that is going to Council President is over here, was
here. He is one of the >> Yeah, if you guys want to come up and talk to us about it. >> Um hello, my name is Milanka Castillo and I have been a resident of Lawrence for my entire life. I have just graduated from Community Day Charter Public School Gateway and this fall I
will be attending Phillips Academy. The address for YDO, which is the program I've attended for the past 6 years, is 15 Union Street. We stand here before the Ordinance Committee today to request a YDO Day to honor the 20 years of mentorship towards the youth in Lawrence. Personally, I have engaged in a variety
of courses including STEM, woodworking, high school prep, theater, dance and more. Every single one of these classes has helped shape me and many others into more confident scholars. This is thanks to the great wonders YDO has done for the adolescents in our town. Now, my colleague Isabella will come up to say
more about our program. >> Hello, my name is >> one second? Please. I want to clear and do recognize Council Reyes, please. She has come after we already mentioned all the Council name. >> Okay. So, Council Reyes? >> Present.
>> Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Isabella Moore. I have recently completed 7th grade at Lawrence Family Development Charter School. I'm a resident of Lawrence and the YDO address is 15 Union Street. YDO started offering enrichment programs for the youth 20 years ago and the organization
and the organization have served 2,000 Lawrence residents. It has worked with youth to pursue high-quality STEM and art opportunities and has built long-term relationships to provide personalized opportunities for success. For example, a student can start with YDO in third grade, take programs and
get a first job and receive a help applying to college 10 years later. And now my colleague Maya will tell you more about what it's like to be a young leader in this organization. >> Good afternoon. My name is Maya Maldonado. I've been a resident of the Lawrence community for the majority of
my life. I currently attend Abbott Lawrence Academy as I just finished my freshman year and the YDO address is 15 Union Street. Although I am only 15 years old, for the past year and a half at YDO, I've been supporting the high school prep class and I've also been an
assistant to one of the senior staff throughout majority of the school year. I also taught my own class during the winter term to a group of middle school students. It is not uncommon for YDO to trust young people like me with different responsibilities. This summer, I will be helping to lead a
STEM program staffed by 31 high school and college students. As a part of this STEM summer program, we'll have a showcase of students' projects and learning Thursday, July 26 July 16th, 2026. And now my colleague Leisha will speak
about our request. >> Hi, my name is Leisha Morales. I'm going to seventh grade at Lawrence Family Development Charter School and YDO is located on 15 Union Street. Members of the committee, you have heard from my colleagues how special YDO is to the city of Lawrence and that is why we come
before you tonight. We wish We respectful We respectfully request the city council recognizes the contributions of YDO over the past 20 years by declaring an honorary YDO day in the city of Lawrence on July 16th,
2026. Thank you for your time this evening. >> Thank you guys. >> Chair. >> Okay, Council DeRosario. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. And and I want to thank you guys for showing up. Um And what I'm going to say it might sound
bad, but the city has locked by not showing what YDO does. We haven't recognized what YDO do for our kids. Like my kids go to YDO. I have a high school kid, uh Gregory, that's going to be a mentor and he's going to be working today um this year
with you guys for high school prep. Gregory is attending uh Belmont Hill High, one of the 20th best schools high school in Massachusetts and it's thanks to YDO. I have Eddie also going to YDO and Rosanna, my kids, and this is an amazing
program. And it was a shame to me every time I I I go there you guys need a financial help and the city either denying you guys or it was too hard for you guys to get financial help and I think you guys are getting some this year somehow, but I I what you guys do to our kids I mean
you can see it and I can see it at my house with my kids, the great work that you guys do. And it's not just it shouldn't be just YDO day on that day. It should be YDO day every year. We should celebrate what you guys do to what you guys have been doing for 20 years for our kids. I mean I'm I I'm
proud of saying that my kids are going there and all that my kids are doing today I I can say that it's not just cuz of school, it's what YDO has done for them for them to be where they are now academically. Uh kids behave pretty well.
And even again, my kid that has that has a a somehow a learning disability, you guys did not discriminate and my kid is doing amazing. He had a prize last year of the most improvement, I guess it was the the most improvement kid of the year, which
you guys turned him around. My kid was hyper and all kinds of stuff and you guys turned that kid around. And again, it's amazing and my son is looking forward to work with you guys this summer and I'm and I'm in He had all kinds of places to go and and help and I said, you got to get back
to this place. It gave you so much. So, it I'm I'm in full support of it and I think the city should be looking to this type of program and provide help. Even if you guys don't show up, we should bring the help to you guys cuz you guys are doing extremely great work and you can see it on the youth. Thank you for
what you do. >> Council, any other council that would like to say something? >> Yes, Council. I'm so glad to see you presenting the beautiful resolution and I follow my colleagues. We are so proud and we support the
resolution. >> So, Council Miguel? No? I'm going to read the resolutions from the city council uh that we're going to be sending to the full council uh on the for the next meeting on July.
Whereas, the city of Lawrence take great great pride in recognizing organization that through value enrichment and mentorship empower the youth of the Lawrence to discover and pursue the bright future in and in so doing make a better our
community. And in the spirit, the Lawrence City Council proudly celebrate Youth Development Organization, YDI. On the occasion of their STEM Summer Showcase to recognize and honor their 20
year of dedication services to the youth and family of the city of Lawrence. And whereas YDO seeking to help youth recognize their potential, they pride in their talents
and become participating members of the community. Has done so by providing high-quality educational activity in a STEM and in the arts. Development supported a long-term relationship and providing personalized
opportunity for succeed. And whereas YDO has developed net noteworthy expertise, facility and capacity to support the youth of Lauren in their exploration
and pursue the STEM education through hands-on project-based learning, as well by providing wrap-around service like academy, advising, and transportation for the students across the city.
And whereas YDO summer program has been a demonstration of the organizers effectively by granting unprecedented control to older youth over the design and delivery of offering
younger students and has successfully used near-peer mentoring and relationship to build a welcoming culture to achieve among its YDO kids and network of alumni. Now,
therefore, be it resolved that the Lawrence City Council, on behalf of the citizen of Lawrence, hereby extend its highest praise, congratulation, and gratitude to the Youth Development
Organization on their 20th anniversary and officially declare July 16th, 2026 to forever be known as the first YDO day
in the city of Lawrence. The Lawrence City Council hereby set its hand and cast the seal of the city of Lawrence to be affixed this 7th day of July in the year 2026.
So, this resolution is going to be signed by the council and also by the city clerk to testify that the July 16, 2026 is going to be a great celebration for all the YDO.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Chair. >> Okay. Sorry. >> Deputy Chair. >> Councilor De Rosario. >> Thank you. And and I want to thank uh Council President Rodriguez to put this item on the agenda. And I and I would
like make a suggestion for YDO. And and Council uh President Rodriguez, if you guys have a flag or you guys can make a flag and maybe we can ask permission at the mayor's office to and hang the flag at the park for that day. YDO day, we can raise a flag if you guys have one if that's okay. I
mean, I I I I have so much for you guys that I that's the least that we can do. Uh I said request at the mayor's office, if you guys have a flag, we'll raise the flag at the park and we leave it there for for a couple of days. And then and and July 16, so let us know if if it's
possible. And then and and and that would be a way to say thank you for everything you guys do to our youth and our kids here in City of Blount. >> And with that I would I would like to make a motion to send to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All the ayes have it.
>> Thank you so much. [laughter] >> Okay, congratulations. Council, um I'm going to take it an item out of table uh from the new business that is dated May 5, 2026.
This is the item 188 26. Uh request a vote to opt in in the property assessed six clean energy pace program from uh Francisco Surillo and business and
economic development director. So, Mr. Mr. Corona from master development is going is here to finish because this is when we had the electricity went off a couple of weeks ago. >> Yes, thank you for having me back, Madam
Chair and fellow councilors. Um you may recall that I went through that presentation with you on that May council date. Um we had just wrapped up with it before we lost power, so I'm happy to circle back and go through that presentation or kind of just give a
light overview depending on kind of if you guys remember uh the presentation or if I know there was kind of a lot of information, so if you want me to kind of run through the slide deck with the pages again, I'm happy to do that. >> I think that's um Huh?
Council? >> Um if we can just, you know, provide a overview of the >> Just just a little overview and to wrap up, you know, the the presentation. >> So, the PACE program, or the commercial property assessed clean energy program, is a financing mechanism for commercial
property owners to finance energy efficiency efficiency improvements or new construction developments, and the financing is repaid via a betterment assessment on their property tax bill. So, we've already met with the mayor and his team, and um answered staff
questions about the process and procedures, and they support this program. For the benefits for the city of Lawrence is that it can obviously help with job creation with new construction jobs, uh attract new or retain existing business, and then the environmental benefits of associated with reducing
energy consumption and energy cost savings. For the property owners, PACE is attractive because um for a number of different reasons. First and foremost, it's a long-term form of financing. Uh the repayment takes 20 years on the financing, so they can kind of plan out
logistically um and space out that the repayments over those 20 years, and it doesn't show up as new debt on their balance sheet either because this financing actually is attached to the property itself and not them. So, if they sell the property, the assessments or the PACE loan runs to
the new owner, so it doesn't follow them. So, those are kind of what differentiates PACE financing from traditional financing. Um you know, there's other states that do this program as well. There's 36 states plus Washington, D.C. that have this program.
Our program in Massachusetts, it's been around since 2020. New construction became eligible in 2023. Mass Development is the program administrator, and we also work with the Department of Energy Resources as well. They have to approve any PACE application to ensure that it meets the
energy standards. And this program is eligible for any commercial or industrial property owners like office malls, restaurants, bars, hotels. Not for profits can actually qualify as well. And then multi-family housing qualifies as a commercial building if it's five
units or more. Some of the things you can use PACE financing for if you're upgrading or replacing your HVAC system, getting rid of old boilers and furnaces, building envelope upgrades, so like improvements to your insulation, new windows and doors, new management control systems,
new lighting. Like even replacing your roof um is eligible for PACE financing. And then renewable energy systems if you want to put a solar panel or uh solar system on your roof, parking canopies, geothermal, heat pumps. There's a lot that can be
used um for PACE financing. As I said, the financing is repaid through the property tax cycle. Um so the payments, I think for the city of Lawrence, um it's either twice a year or four times a year you bill property taxes. So a property owner would have either two or four payments every year
for 20 years. So again, kind of spacing out that repayment cycle. Um and then some There has been some updates actually since we last met. Um we updated our guidelines on and released them on June 1st. And um we
based our some of our eligibility criteria for new construction financing off the existing building code. So Lawrence is a stretch code community. So for any project that's permitted in the city of Lawrence, they automatically qualify for the new construction financing at a 25% level cap. Um they
have the choice to if they want to build to the specialized code, which is the higher code above the stretch code, they can access 35% of the total eligible construction cost. So if a project costs $10 million and they're permitted under the stretch code, they can access $2.5 million in
financing for that new construction project. If they build to that specialized specialized code standard, they can access $3.5 million um out of that $10 million that's um eligible. If it's a retrofit, so or an existing building, you can use PACE financing to
pay for 100% of the project. You don't have to go through the total eligible construction cost calculation. As I said, Lawrence is one of the stretch code communities. It's one of the 243 towns and cities in Massachusetts that adhere to the stretch code. So, there's a lot of eligibility
opportunities there. This is just a diagram that kind of walks you through the new code based eligibility criteria that we just released. And I'll go through just one example so you can kind of see exactly how PACE was used. So, on page 13, this was an old
blighted historic 12,000 square foot building in Greenfield, Massachusetts and PACE was part of the capital stack that helped the owner kind of completely transform this building. They installed a solar PV system on their roof. They did a efficient electrification of space heating, energy recovery, um
ventilation, LED lighting, controls, and improvements to their windows and insulation. Their energy savings was 189,000 kW. Um and the financer or the person that provided the capital was Nuveen Green Capital. The mortgage holder on the property that worked with us was
Berkshire Bank. They're also known as Beacon Bank now. And the financing was $450,000 being repaid over 20 years. So, it's a great example of like a small business owner that used this program to transform this. It's a beautiful building out in Greenville with uh retail space on the ground floor and
residential on the second and third floor. And PACE can be used in a number of different ways in like these scenarios. It can even be used for adaptive reuse of buildings. So, if there's a vacant building and a developer wants to transform the use, they can use PACE to finance that, too.
So, there's a wide range of applicability for this program. Um and we have had We haven't had applications yet, but we've had two property owners or developers in the city of Lawrence approach us about wanting to utilize this program. Um we don't like I said,
we don't have an application yet. They would probably most likely or they told us they would apply once the city opt in. So, I just wanted to be up front and say that there is some local interest in this program in the city of Florence. Um the next few pages are just more examples. So, you can kind of see the
applicability of PACE. But, that's kind of a a kind of PACE 101. And I can answer, you know, any questions or comments the councilors have. >> Um any questions, councilors? On item 188 26.
Councilor >> Thank you. And you guys know where I stand. I mean, this is all to me this is all looking into what's coming to Lawrence, not what it's in Lawrence. Um and again, the question with everything happened that I left is what is this difference? How can I go to my
neighborhood and offer this when this is a loan attached to what they have already a mortgage, but uh these programs at the state offer in the same thing without giving a single penny. Um
MassSave energy, I think it is, has the same program. >> MassSave. >> MassSave has the same program. >> So, we >> They They bring all that to your neighborhoods without paying a single penny if you qualify. This is a loan. If I bring this to my neighborhood, which
is the Arlington neighborhood, I got to educate the people that you're going to have another loan on top of your loan. And and this is what I'm seeing. So, to me, I mean, again, everything that comes this like this is based on what's coming to Lawrence right
now, not what's in Lawrence. Uh we just opt in on an energy energy program that is going to save uh the city uh money. Uh but, what I don't like about this again is while while this program for free that could benefit the community that is here already.
I don't see any benefit in this for the community that is here. But it's great business for construction program that coming. Construction projects that there. Like he said, some developers are interested in this cuz they bring in new construction. But how will this benefit,
let's say the Arlington neighborhood in the in the three houses right next to my house? How could I tell my neighbor that to become green or energy saving, you need to opt in to a loan of $450,000 on top of you paying
for your house? So, that's what I don't get. So, how could I go out and advertise that and tell my neighbor >> So, this is it's only for commercial property owners, so it's not a residential program. Mass Save does have a residential incentive program. And we also we work directly with Mass
Save and the Mass Clean Energy Center on this program. Our application at we asked them to out reach out to Mass Save, reach out to their local utility provider because we want them to maximize their incentives. But when it comes to commercial properties, the cost of these energy energy efficiency
upgrades is too big for tax incentives or grants to cover the full cost. So, PACE is designed especially for new construction. It's designed to pair with those incentive programs because they can't cover the full cost. So, for that new construction or that
that example in Greenfield, like I said, that was part of a larger capital stack to help pay for that project. PACE was only a small piece of that. So, that's what we're working with with new commercial property owners. And it's not And it's like you said, not just for new construction. Existing business owners or property owners in Lawrence can also
access this financing. One of the entities we did talk to is an existing business already in the city. And the other one is a developer that is looking to potentially take over a vacant property and re- use a adaptive reuse for the property.
So, it's like a there's a wide range of applicability for this program. And like I said, we will always We're MassDevelopment, we're the state's economic development agency. If we're working with someone and they can get access access to cheaper capital, we're always going to tell them to go take that route. We're never going to Well, well, we won't take it
personally if they say no to PACE because they are working with a local bank or something that can provide provide cheaper capital, so I hope that answers or addresses your concern. >> again, there's there's commercial property right up in the city. The the I mean, the property owners are
struggling, the business is struggling, and now you want to tap them on top of that for them to get some savings, but you got to end up getting a loan. That's I mean, again, the the part of the neighborhood that I represent is the poorest part of the city, and that's how I see it, regardless if it's commercial properties or not. And if they're going to save
some money, but to you they ask you for savings, you need to get a loan of a hundred a hundred eighty thousand dollars, how much are you really saving? So, it it it That's how I see it. I mean, I don't know how my colleague feels, but the part of the city that I represent is the poorest part of the city, even if it's commercials,
uh business and other stuff. So, I cannot I cannot sell this to the property owners or business owners that are in my neighborhood. >> It would That's how I see it. >> It would be available citywide, too. It would be a citywide program. It's voluntary, obviously. It's It's most
other cities that have opted in, they put it in their economic development department as just an option. We call it put a PACE as a tool in the toolbox that if the city wants to offer that to their commercial property owners, they can. Like I said, it's a completely voluntary program, um and the city can market it or not
market it as much as they want. And then, for existing buildings, I should um caveat that they have to pass an energy savings calculation with the DOER. So, they have to demonstrate that all the energy efficiency upgrades that they are installing, they're going to be over time those
savings are actually going to pay for the cost of the project. So, for the existing buildings, you can actually demonstrate that it's like, you know, they're they're saving a lot of money through those. And that's administered by the state agency, the DOER. >> And that's how I see it. How long have you How long have you guys been How How
long have you guys been in this business type of business? >> The PACE program has been in Massachusetts since like summer of 2020. >> And see, so over 6 years, so I've been sitting here over 6 years, too. So, it wasn't It wasn't this big construction work coming in into
Lawrence as wasn't back then. So, that was never offered to the people back then. So, again, to me, my It It's nothing to do with you guys, but it's more This is more facing of what's supposed to be coming to Lawrence. So, this construction work is coming. All this coming in. So, I mean,
it's great, but it's It's It would be For me, it would be hard to offer in the neighborhood what I What I What I sell, and I'm not I'm not in support of that. I'm not in support of putting another loan on a business or a business property owner to get some type of saving on green. We should go green, but we should go green
shouldn't be that expensive to get some savings. >> Through you, Chair. >> Okay. >> So, um do you have a minimum set up uh if someone's, you know, any any business or any commercial property wants to be part of of I mean, do this program? Do
you have a minimum that they have to >> Not by pro Not by statute or like language, there's no minimum. Um it's not Mass Development provided the financing this program. We rely on third-party capital providers or local banks. >> Yes. >> So, it's according to whatever their minimums are.
Um I know there's a few capital providers that are um on our registry. We have an open RFI on our website that they have to apply through to be registered. Um the I think the lowest minimum on the registry, I believe, is 250,000, but we're working with another local
bank to join our registry with that would do deals below 250,000. And then also, we're working internally to see if there's [clears throat] some type of state mechanism that Mass Development we could become a direct lender >> Mhm. >> to work directly, especially in gateway cities, >> Mhm. >> to help address the needs of businesses
that are below that minimum. >> So, help me understand um I mean, this program basically I mean, you will work with any other financial institution. This is just basically to provide whoever decides to join this program to have the
um the benefit uh uh uh you know, the chance to so they can get the the the payment through the tax their tax bill. Uh is basically granting uh any type of uh authorization from for you or whoever join this program to do
it through the tax uh to the tax office to the tax bill. >> Yeah, so we like I said, we've met with the um like the I billing or collection department head and like the chief administrative officer of the city. We met with all those department heads to give the same presentation, answer their
questions. They said they'd be able to accommodate the betterment assessment process in the existing system that the city has. >> Yes. >> And we work directly with the mortgage holders too on the property because they actually have to also consent to this deal. They have to give their sign-off. We can't move forward with a PACE deal
without the mortgage holder on a property giving the okay on it. So, we work directly with them. And obviously, we work directly with the capital providers too. And then we have a transaction council at MassDevelopment. They prepare all the closing documents and they share that information with the city ahead of time. So, we give the city
a notice first that we've received an application. Then we let them know that they've got the technical approval from the DOER. >> Mhm. >> And then we provide a final notice once we kind of have all the closing documents ready. And then it kind of and then the betterment assessment process kind of kicks into start.
>> So, if someone if any other I mean, if any business um or any commercial uh property owner wants to join the program, they have to reach out to you and be uh willing to do the program. >> Yeah, so um they would either probably most likely reach out to me because I
cover the north region which is the city of Lawrence is uh for pace. Sometimes we work with other cities and towns. Sometimes they send us they you know if they have a relationship with a business owner or someone and they have someone interested in pace they can refer us refer them to mass development.
Other times banks or capital providers they come to us about a project that they're working on. So there's a number of different ways it can come to us. But we you know we also we have a consultant that mass development pays for called Municap and they work with the city staff on the betterment assessment
process to kind of help them and alleviate the administrative burden as much as possible so it's really simple for them. And it like I said it follows the existing billing cadence you have for your property taxes so they don't have to do any ad hoc billing or any kind of extra work it falls completely in line with
the existing schedule. >> Okay. >> for property taxes. >> basically another avenue that investors should I mean might have in case that they want to develop any type of program with pace and you know just go this avenue is another option basically. >> Yeah exactly. It's just another option like I said it's another tool in the
toolbox for cities and towns to kind of partner with you know private enterprise and mass development you know we're always we're the program administrator by statute so we're always going to be involved in every deal. And like I said voluntary program so if a commercial owner if they see the advantages of that pace financing the
fact that it's attached their property and it's long-term financing that's a 20 you won't get that with traditional financing that 20 year repayment period it's going to be a lot shorter if you go to you know get a traditional loan. So if they see the benefits of that program they apply for it. We've had like I said we've had a couple of deals so far we've
closed and you know we're hoping the city of Lawrence will be the number 86 community. Since I last met with you we've had two other communities join the program so like I said hoping you guys will be number 86. >> Thank you. >> Councilor any other questions on this
regard or any other discussion? May I hear a motion? >> I motion to send to full council with favorable recommendation. >> Motion Motion already made it by Council Miguel and second by Council Selena Reya. All those in favor?
>> I. >> There I have it. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> So, the next meeting is July 7th >> 7th. >> at 7:00 over here, please. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I can attend as well. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, too. So, let's continue with the
with the agenda. Item 269-26 is the naming of the park under construction on Bay State Road as the Billy Robinson Park by Susan Fing, Manager of Financial and Administrative Services, Office of Planning and
Development. >> Good evening, Council. I'm going to give you a handout before I start. Thank you. Good evening, Councilors. Um the city is currently constructing a new park on Bay State Road adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club. Construction is planned to be completed this summer.
Um I've just handed you a a rendition of the the park as it's being conceived. Amenities at the park include a basketball and futsal court, a volleyball and pickleball court, a learn-to-skate/bike
track, game tables, benches, trash receptacles, court lights, an esplanade for walking, and a sail shade structure. The Boys and Girls Club have been very supportive of this park and were instrumental in the initiation of discussions with the office of planning
and development to get this project started. Because of its proximity to the Boys and Girls Club and their involvement in the project, it was initially thought to name the park after Steve Kelly, who has been a long-time employee who has touched countless lives. As you know, Steve was recently awarded
the Arthur Dangler award by the Lawrence History Center. The Boys and Girls Club building has been named after him, so the name of Billy Robertson was then brought forth. Mayor DePenha has approved this naming of the park. Um at this time I'd like to read a little bit something about Billy
Robertson. Billy Robertson has dedicated 54 years of his life to Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, where he currently serves as an associate director. Over more than five decades, he has worn many hats, but perhaps none more important than that of mentor.
Generation after generation of Lawrence children have grown up with Billy in their corner. He is the visionary behind most of the club's cornerstone program, including the academic basketball program. This innovative program integrated homework time into athletic practices,
created connections with teachers and schools, and introduced participants to leaders and alumni who helped ensure academic success. Alongside Steve Kelly, Billy has been one of the driving forces behind the club's mission, and what sets him apart is the depth of his passion.
For Billy, this has never been just a job. It has been a calling, a decades-long commitment to helping kids find their way and to transforming young lives one at a time. And with your indulgence, I'd like to introduce the executive director of the
Boys and Girls Club, Marcus Fischer, to say a few words. >> Thank you. Good evening, councilors, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. Um I had the distinct pleasure of working with uh Billy Robertson for the last 25 years. >> Please your name and address? >> Pardon me?
>> Your name and address for the record, please. >> my name is Marcus Fischer. I'm the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. Do you want my home address or my work address? >> Work address. >> 136 Water Street, Lawrence. >> Thank you. >> So again, I I had the distinct pleasure
of working with Billy over the last 25 years and I've seen firsthand the impact that this person has on the lives of the Lawrence kids and the youth here in our city. Um I'm here to tonight to express my strong support for naming Baystate Road
Park in honor of Billy Robertson. Uh Billy is a a Lawrence native. He grew up here, was born here, grew up here. And his impact in our community is truly extraordinary. Uh for more than 50 years he has been dedicated his life to serving young people here in the city
through the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. That kind of commitment is rare. Uh the consistency of his effort is even rarer. But what makes Billy special is not just the number of years, it's the lives that he has changed over those that period of time.
Thousands of kids in Lawrence have walked through the doors of the club and found more than just a place to go to. They found a mentor, somebody that provided guidance. They found someone who believed in them and often at moments when they most needed it. For many of these young people, the
person that provided that was Billy Robertson. His passion for helping kids find their path in life has been a straight mark. Quietly, steadily, year after year, he has helped shape generations of Lawrence residents. His influence does not just stay within the club. It echoes throughout our
neighborhoods, our schools, and our families. And if I might say, if you talk to people in the police department or the fire department, half of them are lumps of the club that have worked with Billy. Billy's legacy is deeply connected with his lifelong friend of friendship with
Steve Kelly. Together they have been woven into the very fabric of the city. It's fitting that the Boys and Girls Club bears Steve Kelly's name. And naming Baystate Road Park after Billy Robertson would be a beautiful honor that they share the legacy. Two
men side by side to give so much to Lawrence. This is more than a name on a sign. It's it's really a message to other people here in Lawrence. It's a message to our young people that a life of service matters. It's a message that showing up for your
community year after year makes a difference. And it's a message that Lawrence remembers those who give their lives to lifting others up. For all of these reasons I respectfully ask that the council for the council support naming Baystate Road Park after Billy Robertson.
I'm very passionate about this just because I've seen first hand what this man does and to have the Kelly Club right next to the Bill Robert Billy Robertson Park would be amazing. They have been working hand in hand for over 50 years and
it would be just a beautiful thing. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council. Okay. Councilor Laplante. >> Thank you Madam Chair and members of the committee. Um I just now found out of a Mr.
Robert Robert Robinson? >> Robertson. >> Robertson. >> they do call most of our kids call him Robinson. >> So he'll answer He'll answer both. That's that's that's amazing and awesome. Um so what an amazing man, right? Definitely has
>> address for the record, please. >> Mark Laplante, 21 Andrews Ave. >> Thank you. >> 21 year city council member. Enjoyed working in this institution. Um But the point here is that we've got someone here who clearly has given a life of
dedication. And what I'm about to say is no reflection on Billy Robinson or Robertson. It has everything to do about our history. It has everything to do about remembering and not forgetting those who came before us.
Now, I'm not going to go too much in-depth, but a little in-depth about a guy by the name of Edward F. O'Sullivan. You probably never heard that guy's name in your life. And there's a reason for that. I'll get to that in a second. He went to Lawrence public schools, graduated from Lawrence High School.
He's actually You know Weatherbee School? Heard of the Weatherbee School? So, one of his teachers was Emily Weatherbee, right? So, he's been around that long. Um when he was 18 years old when he was 18 years, he started his own
company, Company I, in the Massachusetts Militia here in the city of Lawrence. 18 years old. At the age of 19 he left here to go to college in Ottawa, Canada, Ottawa University. And he took a side job that a teacher
that paid tuition. While he was in college he formed a football team in Canada, and that football team won the national championship in Canada. Amazing. When he returned to Lawrence
he applied to be the principal of the Saunders School, which no longer exists, on South Broadway. Uh and then when he didn't get the job, he ran for state rep. Sound familiar? Won. He won the state rep's job for two terms.
While he was there, he focused on labor issues. That was like his thing. If you look him up in the state house, you will see he's done a lot of labor stuff. But the state reps didn't get paid in those days. So, his job was as a city engineer.
And one of his primary responsibilities and achievements was completing the Spicket River Valley improvements. He also became the editor of the Lowell Sun. The editor of the Lowell Sun, equivalent of the today's Lawrence
Tribune, right? When he was a part of the militia, because when you're part of the militia, you can do what your you can do your militia like the reserves. You can still do your militia work while your other job. He rose to the rank of captain uh before resigning and went to you before resigning and here's going to tell you how old he is.
Um when the Spanish-American War came up, he joined the 9th Regiment and was in Santiago, Cuba um and was part of the fighting there. He was a war veteran and active in fighting for our country. When he came back home,
he died he died at the age of 46. And he died because of malaria and the fever that he got while he was serving in Cuba. Now, why am I telling you all this when we're supposed to be talking about Billy Robinson, right?
This guy died at 46, but had such an amazing impact Senator O'Sullivan in our city that they named a park after him. Big whoop, right? Guess where the park was. The park
was where the Boys Club is today. When the Boys Club took over, I don't remember the exact year, in the 1960s, early 70s. >> 62. >> 62. Shame on our city leaders back then who decided not to remember this patriot
that came from our city, had a an accomplished career. Shame on our people that whose shoulders we say we're supposed to be standing on, they let us down. No one knows about Edward F. O'Sullivan. Forget about the park that he had cuz now beautiful beautiful
beautiful place at the Boys & Girls Club. Beautiful place. Amazing job. It has nothing to do with the reflection on their work and what they do for our children today. Nothing. But shame on us. Shame on us for forgetting, not knowing.
And now that we know, what are we going to do? Now that we know that some other person who had a family, who had a major impact on our city, who did things internationally, pretty big league stuff.
What do we do now? So, I don't envy us to be in this position. I say me, too, cuz I'm in your shoes. But I I can't turn a blind eye. Our city made a commitment back in the
day, back in 1918 when we named that park after Senator William uh Senator Excuse me. Edward F. O'Sullivan in 1918. And now that and and our people that were preceded us have forgotten, I say
we can't forget. We have an opportunity now to not forget. How many years has it been now since 1918 when they named the park after him? He died in 1904. It's time that we don't forget. Now that we have a chance, we never had a park there. We weren't going to kick the Boys & Girls Club out. God bless
them. God bless them. But now we have something. So, anyway, I throw that onto your plate as you make the decision whether you're going to send it up with a with a recommendation, without a recommendation, committee report. But we can't forget
our history. So, I know where I fit on this. You may not share, you may share, I don't know where you all stand on this. You may want to think about it some more. I know where I stand on this. >> [clears throat] >> I stand on the fact that we need to remember our history, those people who
came before us who made a difference in people's lives as well, and we can't forget them. And when an opportunity like this arrives, we can't shut the door. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman >> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Councilwoman Gallegos de La Salle. >> Thank you, Councilwoman.
Great part of history. But what is a shame, Councilwoman La Plante, is that you've been sitting here for over 20 years, and you haven't you have done about Mr. Sullivan. And now that something is presented to us, it's your opportunity to show it.
What I think is that it it the boys and girls have decided to turn this around. They It's not their fault that councilors like you that have been sitting there for 20 years have forgotten about this and have done nothing about it. And now that there's something beautiful presented, you want to do but I what I
I'll encourage the the Boys and Girls Club to name this park, continue to name this park to Mr. Robinson, and maybe put a plaque on it for Mr. Sullivan cuz you could you could have requested to do something there for Mr. Sullivan. When there was when we went and this is the first
Again, you've been you've been sitting there for 20 years. And where was the bit It was The Boys and Girls Club was built in 1962. So, now you put it on us. It's not fair. I'm in full support. Name the park and name after Billy. And
if the Boys Club decide, maybe put a bench or maybe the basketball court, we can put the name of Mr. Sullivan on it. Um it's it's up to the Boys Club. But again, Councilwoman La Plante, as much as I love your history books and everything, you also should feel ashamed that you've been sitting there for 20
years, and you didn't knew you didn't do nothing about it when you knowing that history. But you you took 5 minutes of your fame 5 minutes of fame to to to sabotage this this beautiful presentation of this park and the memory of Billy that that has
been done. And I again I encourage the Boys and Girls Club to maybe do a plaque, name the basketball court, the skateboard park or something about Mr. Sullivan. But again don't wait 20 years or don't wait for somebody implement something new to back history when you have been
sitting here for 20 years you could have done something about it. As much as I respect you and I love the history you bring to us, but if I sit here for 20 years or longer and I had to wait for somebody to bring something new for me to try to remember whoever was
there before. 1962 was the Boys and Girls built. And I >> [laughter] >> And that's about That's about the time you've been sitting on the City Council. And and you haven't done anything about it. Nothing about it. And you've been doing a great job for for for veterans.
Not even a sign for that gentleman. You should have a sign for that veteran right outside the Boys Club with his name with the with the program that you had. So I'm in full support of of of sending this with a with a favorable recommendation and I will ask the Boys
and Girls Club if they allow some part of the park to be named after Mr. Sullivan even the basketball court, the skateboard or even ask Mr. LaPlante Councilman LaPlante to bring one of those signs in honor of that great veteran that we shouldn't forget. But he
forgot all about it and now Councilman is late. My my humble opinion. >> I don't I don't know Councilman LaPlante Councilman LaPlante do you want to say something again? >> I listen we all have opinions
and my good friend and colleague has an opinion. I don't share the opinion. I don't think the opinion's factual. I haven't been sitting on this often waiting for this exact moment to lay the hammer down. This is not a Machiavellian kind of thing.
Listen. Those of you who know me who know me well know that I've been working on a project to try to get information out about the various things. It has taken me, and I'm still working on it,
eight or nine years, not 20 years. And you can say, "Well, why didn't you bring this up earlier?" But Frank, fact of the matter is this is not the first time we've talked about some brief information, and to our state senator as well. That I said to them, "We've got some
history there with the park." And I've done that years ago. But there is no I'm not We can't force property that's already been made for the Boys Club now insert ourselves in. But now we've got public property. Now it's different. And now is our first
opportunity to look at naming something. It's not the exact same spot. It's a different spot. So, I'm not going to be offending, counselor. I mean, I I listen. I like you. You're a good man. Uh you can overstate things to make try
to make a point. Um Uh You know, you're you're a good guy. I like a lot of the stuff that you're doing. I think you're a little unfair in the characterization. I think you embellished a little bit. I think um
I think we have an opportunity now to to do something. And those who have There's more There's more stories. And as much as I can possibly get those stories out, I will. Um but I'm only one person trying to do something. This is a side thing for me.
This is not my full-time gig. I happen to have an interest in this. And I wanted to bring this information to your attention. All nine of us are going to take the vote on this. I didn't have a vote on this before, but I in my 21 years, but I'm going to have
a vote on it finally on your 21. Yeah, I'll have a vote finally. Yes, on something. We will have something. So, thank you. Thank you for the constructive criticism. I'm going to take it in the spirit that it was intended cuz you want me to do a good job. You want the very best and I appreciate that. And I also want to make
sure that we're all informed. Thank you. >> Thank you, Counselor LaPlante. So, I want to thank you from my side. I want to thank you all of you. Uh And it's great. You know, it is great to hear about the history of the Lawrence and people like Mr. Uh Billy Robinson.
So, that's is practically my first time that I I hear from him. And I am the one that's always think that we have to remember the one that came before bef- bef- before us and made something from
the place of the city or whatever that we are living in. It's very important to know about the history. And that's the history that you um mentioned um that you talked about Mr. Billy Robin-
Robinson. It's grateful. So, yes, you have my vote on this regard because I'm the one who think that we have to give it the merit to the merit. It's Barada. Thank you so much. Thank you,
Mr. LaPlante, also for bringing some of the history about something that I at least me having here uh um before. And >> Discussion. Have a question. >> Maybe it's the >> Question. I have a question for
>> Wait, hold on one second. And Mr. Thing, I don't know who came who came with uh with a name to name this area or this park with a name, but uh I want to say thank you also to remember
uh things like this. Councilman Guerra. >> Yes. Both observations uh through you, sir. Both observations are valid. Uh We do value the the work of uh Councilwoman La Plante and also the the work that is being uh done by uh the
learners uh >> Mhm. >> Boys and Girls Club. Uh but now since we have uh Sue Feng from the Office of Planning and Development, we can ask her if we have any other park coming up. Uh so we can probably come back and name it uh name
after Mr. Sullivan. And we can just go ahead with uh the proposal. >> Well, we're in the very beginning planning stages of an additional park that's going to run behind the Boys and Girls Club >> Mhm. >> up to the water treatment plant. So that
could possibly be an opportunity to take Councilwoman La Plante's um suggestion. >> Which it will be more impact uh impact the park, right? >> Right. >> Right. Okay. >> Of course, that would be something that we need to bring before the mayor from this >> I agree.
>> approval on, of course, but >> Good. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Marcos. Also for for coming and talk about the life of Mr. Robinson. Okay. Council, may I hear a >> I have a comment. >> Do you have a comment? After you,
Councilwoman >> [laughter] >> La Plante. >> Thank you. So I want to say thank you uh both for presenting. Uh I think it's uh very important when we can bring him back something uh about our history, what we do
uh through the year. I think it's amazing to recognize that part. But at the same time, I would love to see another improvement because I'm working very hard to see some renovation on Reviviendo Park and also Escarito Park
is behind Brook Street. I strongly believe these both parks we need to do something for for that place, too. And I love to see some renovation on on these two parks because sometimes we don't think in too much on Escarito Park
because it's behind, it's a little bit hiding, but we have a beautiful community there and a lot of children around, so I want to see something improving there and also Reviviendo Park is a liking the corner with beautiful
community around, new development. I want to see something improving there, but I love to see the news improving on the Boys and Girls Club because my children went there and I'm so proud to see
this kind of renovation. Thank you. >> So, I'll tell you something interesting about Escarito Park. Escarito Park was the very first park project that I worked on. Yes. >> It just remind me that because I was there and my year for all the property. >> Yep.
>> Uh 308. >> Councilwoman Rosario. >> And I admire the work that Councilwoman Rosario, so Councilwoman Plan, we have a project in my district which is a Velington Triangle. So, let's think of a name
of any veterans that is around there and I know you have it and before they propose any names, let's bring that name up and us propose it with my full support, the Velington Triangle and I heard a name that they might put in there which that veterans
already have names all over the city and I was I overheard, so if you can help me work on a name of a veterans that need recognition in that area or nearby, you have my full support. I do support everything you do when it comes to the
veterans, and I love your passion that you put in it. So. With that said, I will make a motion to send this to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> The ayes have it.
Thank you, counselors. Thank you, too. Have a good night. >> Thank you very much. >> Council, the next item on the agenda is 270-20C. It's the hawkers and peddlers license, Lourdes Garcia Urena. >> Good evening.
>> Good evening. Good evening. >> Lourdes Garcia. I live in 32 Bowdoin Street, South Lawrence. Um I'm happy because I will say, "Oh my gosh!" I'm here [laughter] because I need a permission for for selling in the
in the park. I make rosary, and I make a some bracelets, and I'm happy because I say, "Oh my gosh!" I'm here to talk with with with them about that I need to do this in the park. Um
thank you so much. Thank you very much. Um at the beginning, let me talk about something about what I do in this. At the beginning, I'm doing for help people, so about I don't know if I can
say it about the religion. I'm Catholic. So, and I have the church to for the with this. But now I don't have a job. And I need to sell this uh for only
for maybe for uh buy uh everything that I need to make it. But my my goal is to help and tell the people how to use this and how to make it.
And uh tell the people about how important is that. And I and I and I want to explain that we use that not like not for for for me, it's for everybody. Sorry, my English is
a little bit. So, but I need your permission for to that. Yes, please. >> [cough] >> So, this is for sale Yuri's on the park? >> Yeah, is I sell like this.
This is the first stand that I'm doing. That is the reason that I think that >> And that's for sale every day or just only >> Maybe three day of week like uh or when the park have a
uh something special. For example, um the shorts on time want to do something. And I want to go there to to do that to sell that. Yeah. And I am missionaries too. I going to
different places. And and I have some com- some communities so like something like that. Yeah. And I have the the shorts here in in
Lawrence. For example, now that the the voluntary in the Santuario Rosaries, Santuario shorts, and is involved in the library. And I don't know. Yeah.
>> You looking on the ordinance. I don't I don't know if we are giving permit to to sell on the park. I don't have the the the computer or the laptop with me in the ordinance for sale in the park.
>> It's like a I'm sorry. I put it like a table and I put it the the the thing on the table. >> Because I know that we can give a permit, you know, or not us. So, when people have a like any carnival or any event in they are selling the table and
you can put it in there. But, I don't think so that we are able to provide permit for you to sell every day. >> No. >> Or every to whatever the time for for sale >> Or a special day. >> Just only a special day where there is
something that you get a permit through whoever is having the uh the event. >> Mhm. >> So, that's uh something that is not like a giving it to you the permit. It's the person who is doing the event that can say, "Okay,
you can come in and you can have uh a table." >> Mhm. >> But, us I don't think so that we are able to provide you uh a place in in the park in in the area for sale. >> Okay. I understand. >> You know? >> Mhm.
>> But, what I can do, we can uh if the council wanted a weekend table and we can get the information and give it to you at the next, uh, maybe council meeting. >> Through you, chair.
>> Councilor Miguel. >> I mean, what would they send an application to us if that was not >> There is nothing, yes, yes. >> I really is depend. We need to figure out because, uh, are you asking through some event?
Uh, maybe it's not >> I can I can really, uh, one second also, he was making a question. What is your question, first? >> Uh, I mean, if we are receiving the the application and send it to to the ordinance committee to, um, for discussion and we see that all
of the the background and everything has been performed. Um, I mean, that be >> Wait, we only where everybody have a package in here. So, regarding uh, the public safety and security, the
criminal record, but I we don't really have like a uh, an application directly, uh, saying regarding selling. >> Through you, chair. I mean, they they >> Yeah,
give me one second. Okay, so Councilor Rey has a Did you finish? >> I I give the floor to my colleague. >> Okay. >> The hawking and peddling licenses is a license that allow you to sell from places to places, but I believe
that you need to be registered with the state first and then come back here. Isn't it Isn't it how it is? In Massachusetts. You must obtain a state wide license first and then come to the city clerk and and tell them where they're going to they're going to sell it.
But, I mean, we we we have gave hawkers and peddlers licenses here before. Uh, like we have done it. >> Are people selling every every single day at the park? >> Yeah, they they have hawkers and peddler licenses. Those people Those people they
offer us those those phones, those government phones. They have a hawkers and peddler licenses. I don't know where they get it from, but they have a permit. >> What type of licenses do we obtain? >> So, I >> Uh, just probably the same Is it the same license that we do for food trucks or I mean people to be on the street
selling, not necessarily at the park, but you know, walking on the street selling stuff. But, uh, I mean if we have any doubts, uh, I mean I will entertain a motion uh, to table and send it to the chair. >> to the attorney and the inspectional
services. Also, that's uh, practically is the place that most of the time provide the license for us. >> for a sale. >> Yeah. >> So, uh, what we are going to do, we going to leave it in here. We going to table and so we going to send
corresponding to uh, inspectional services and to the city attorney just to guide us on that regard. Um, council? >> Yeah, motion to send to to table and send it to the city attorney and
inspectional services for guidance. Yeah. >> So, a motion is already made it and second by council de Rosario. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> May I have it. Okay, so, um, as soon as we got the information, we uh, we going to have that the the
secretary to call you again just to so that we can explain and give you the information to you. >> All right, thank you so much. Bye-bye. Thank you. >> Uh, council, the next item on the agenda is 271 26 is the naming of calling of Haverhill
and Amesbury Street as Anthony DeFronzo Square submitted by Council President Giovanni Rodriguez and also Mr. Mark DeFronzo. >> Good evening, Madam Chair. Councilors, I am Mark DeFronzo. Home address 337
Kendall Road, Tewksbury, Mass. Business address 260 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, Mass. Right at the corner of Haverhill >> Right at the corner. >> As you can see, there's a big sign that says DeFronzo right on the front. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> It was uh my dad's uh law office. He actually still has an office there. He's
still with us, thank God. He's 86. He was born in Lawrence in 1940, a blended Italian family, which which means Naples and Sicily. That's a blended Italian. Two different Well, I guess Italian, but we we fight in between ourselves, different parts of
the country. Um volunteered as a kid at St. Mary's Church at the time. Then over at uh Mary Immaculate Church at was at uh the corner of Bennington, I think, and White Street. Now it's just a parking lot. >> Oh, yeah, I know. >> He went to uh St. Mary's School on
scholarship. Also Central Catholic on scholarship. Uh Emerson College on scholarship. And New England School of Law on scholarship. He worked full-time in the city. And he was like a lot of other people
talking to some state rep from '68 to '72. He uh tried for Congress, lost that fight to uh John Kerry in the primary. And Joe Cronin in the general election, if anybody remembers Congressman Cronin. He was a one-term congressman from Lawrence, a Republican.
And then he focused his effort back on Haverhill Amesbury Street. Our whole life has been in those three little blocks. In fact, uh we have my family owns the apartments called Parkside Apartments, which are behind the St. Mary's. Of Of and the joke is we go from uh St.
Mary's to uh Mary Immaculate to John Breen. That's all we know. We go from living to assisted living to death. We're all within the same three blocks. We've all grew up there. I grew up there. I I am the manager of Parkside Apartments now. My sisters also work with me there.
You know, my my dad is very connected with Lawrence as a son of Lawrence. He um Oh, he doesn't say a lot. He doesn't do a publicly, but he very passionate about St. Mary's Church. He grew up there. He donates a lot there. We do what we can there. He's
passionate about uh GreenWorks, green groundworks Lawrence. They have a air sensor kind of thing on a I don't know what the heck it is. They measure the air traffic. I don't know what they they do, but they do something there and he's uh very passionate with the Lawrence YMCA,
not the Andover one, Lawrence. He's uh you know, we get uh as a family we get notices all the time donate to this, donate to that. Uh-uh. If it doesn't affect the residents of Parkside, he won't do it. Will not give money to any outside
organization outside Lawrence for the most part. St. Mary's Church, Lawrence Y, GreenWorks. Those are our three. Uh he's very passionate about the residents of Parkside. He's there every day. He's yelling at me every day about snow
bank, a piece of wood, a trash, something on the ground. He gives back to the residents. He's uh He has a Christmas party every year for all the residents. He gives them all uh gift cards to Market Basket. He has a which most of you won't vote it
to. We always send some get the letters, some don't, but we send emails out to all the counselors. Uh he does a summer party. He has a Chick-fil-A truck show up. It's pretty pricey. People love to take three or four of them home with them. Doesn't mind.
And if he knew I was here tonight, he'd lose his mind on me. Thank god he goes to bed at 7:30. He doesn't He can't watch this, but he never wants any recognition. Don't say anything. Don't do anything. Just just give a check and walk away. Walk away. He doesn't want any None of that. So,
my family are trying to That's his block. He's been there for 50 years at the corner. We're trying to give him a little recognition. Hopefully, he'll still be around to cut a ribbon or something. We really would would appreciate if any help the city council would do for us for him in that corner.
Uh the city came calling about a year ago, wanted some of the parking lot to make Amesbury Street two-way. Okay, where do I sign? No question. No issues. The police details let them park in the parking lot. The construction trucks let them park in the parking lot. You know. So, anything the city needs, he's always
giving back. And so, I I would appreciate and the family would appreciate if we could give him a little recognition for that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilor Rosario. >> And how old is your dad now? >> 86.
>> 86. Councilor LeBlanc, do you know anything about Mr. DeFruscia? Anything you can add or know in the history of >> Yes. >> Thank you, sir. >> I've known Mr. DeFruscia since I was 10 years old.
>> [laughter] >> Uh I've got Mark should be very proud of his dad. And he rightfully is. Um his dad has done a lot for our city. Um he put it on a piece of paper as you
have in front of you. Um so, I I I don't want to sound like an ingrate, but I'm deeply appreciative of all the stuff that the DeFruscia family has done to for our city. And um that and we
can't you know, we should be saying thank you more often to people of families in our city that that contribute. Um my um to answer to answer your question. So, what I would like to add to this is a
certain is a little different. So, my question is when we look at naming of things, corners, do we do it for like a lifetime achievement of the
all the stuff that somebody has done? Or do we do it for something special like momentous that someone has done. I'll give you an example of something momentous that something has done. There's been nothing done.
Remember Aaron Feuerstein? Aaron Feuerstein owned a mill that went up in flames on on Broadway. Do you remember this? Malden Mills, that's right. We don't
It is what he did at that fire to the people who live in the area who did a tremendous amount of good as a corporate citizen. There is somebody right there out of his not required to do any of that stuff,
but that fire is emblazoned in so many people's brains and heads. We all remember that. Not the name, but that's an example of someone on one item. Didn't grow up in Lawrence, but he had a business here. That's somebody, right? That's somebody who did
something remarkable that we have we don't do. Um I just would love to see and again, I I feel badly doing this because it sounds like I'm cheapening or reducing the contributions that the DeFazio family most
specifically Tony DeFazio has done over the course of his 86 years. 86 years. >> [snorts] >> And not to be diminished, right? So, but but we also need to if it's a lifetime achievement award,
we need to see the whole life. In my opinion, the whole life. Not close to the end of the life, the whole life. Cuz that's how we know about the person's entire life. Cuz you that's that's what we do. If it's about someone who's done something remarkable, that's
huge, maybe we don't need to wait for that. Maybe because of that person's tremendous thing, maybe we do something maybe while they're alive. That might be a different thing. But again, this is just me speaking. This is my values. This is me. Counselors, you all will have your own way of looking at things.
But I don't want my fear as we're going through all these and I don't and again, I I'm going to sound awful. I don't and I don't mean to be. And I'm not saying this is the case here. I don't want to cheapen. I don't want to be handing out corners like candy. I've yet to see somebody present
something to this council and then council saying no. I've yet to see it. Everybody that's been brought before the council, it's a 100%. We've never said no, 100%. Always gone through. Do we have any standard? I mean, internally, I mean is there something that we say no, that doesn't quite cut
it? I'm not sure this is the one, but I'm saying do we have that? So, I want if we're going to name something after somebody, and I know some of the arguments. It should be challenging. It should be hard. It
should not be easy. It's almost I'm Catholic. And in my faith, when after someone's dies, you it I'm not saying that these people are saints, but there's this thing called saints in my religion. And that if you have
done tremendous things and there's a whole bunch of vetting. You've got to do miracles, all these other kinds of things. And I'm not saying again, I'm just there's apples there's a comparison here. But but we they don't hand those things out. They're not easy to get to be a saint. They're difficult. You've got to be
amazing. And my point here is I think we should whatever we think is amazing we should lift the bar up a little bit more. We don't need to be putting saints. The people who were on that a saint, people of course weren't saints, all the corners do these aren't saints, people
have got problems, they've had their ills, they had issues. But I just want to make things a little more challenging and and I will I will I will submit to this. I don't think we've been as stringent as we should have been or have been or could have been over time and and I think um Mr. Frucher and I have talked about
this a little bit about these kinds of things about how some sometimes things go a little bit easier than they should be and they should be a little harder. So anyway I hope that answers your question and you kind of know where I'm going with this, aren't you? I don't need to say it but you know where I'm going.
Um and that's and it's a hard place for me to be because of my how many years I'm I'm I'm going to be 60 this year, don't wish me happy birthday. So I've known I've known um I've known him now for almost 50 years or with the family for 50 years. >> 60 Monday. >> You happy birthday. I knew that cuz we
talked about that as well. >> know I have burpees on Monday for 60? >> Well, you see that we work well we work out together but clearly he works out more than I do. So >> [laughter] >> We'll do burpees too. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you Gonzalo plan. >> I mean and and and I know
the where you going with this and I and I respect that and I and you also know that I also wanted to believe that that we should recognize people when they are Um I mean if if they made something amazing I I read a history um
in in in their life we should recognize those people when they're alive. After they're dead, I mean, the family will take the recognition, but it's good to, you know, it's amazing a son come here to ask for father recognition of everything he has done,
and he wants to do it while he's alive. And it's an amazing thing. Again, we messed up the ball on the on the old Moulton Mills. We never recognized the gentleman after what he did, not even call that in into the city hall and say, "You know what? Thank you for what you did." The peep. Not not naming a corner, not even
bringing it in, you know. what you did after the fire, everything the fire it's it should it's appreciated, and we never did that back in those days. But I'm I'm I'm in full support of this, and and I believe we should we should recognize people things and they're still alive. We
shouldn't let people recognized. >> Councilor DeRosario, I agree with you. Uh we can recognize you also the Council President Giovanni Rodriguez is over here, and he's part of the sponsor for this. I don't know if you want to say
any any word on this regard, Council President. >> Uh through you, thank you, councilors. Uh I believe that I concur with uh with most of what you said when it comes to recognizing
uh our people in that generation that were not thinking about being recognized that it's getting a little old but still working hard for the community, and still doing so much work that it is going unknown by many people.
But it is important to uh for us to have that type of um that type of recognitions to others because at the end of the day, in the city of Lawrence when we arrive here, there were a lot of
people doing amazing things. And after we leave, there's going to be a lot of people that are going to continue doing amazing things. And I think that the official family have done uh great great things for the community, and they're going to continue doing uh what they know best, which is
uh serving the community in different capacities. So, I'm definitely supportive of this item, and [snorts] I was one of the sponsors because of that reason. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Counselor, what is the motion? >> Motion to send to full council with favorable recommendation.
>> Second. Counselor already made it in second. Uh all those in favor? >> Aye. >> The aye have it. Thank you. So, item the next item is item 272-26. It's the Groundwork Lawrence 5K at
Manchester Street Park, Spicket River Greenway, and Nunzio DiMarzio Park. Oh, I like it there. It's going to be someday August the August 9th, uh from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. So, we got
it here. It's young from uh Groundwork Lawrence. Hi, welcome. Your name and address for the record, please. >> Good evening, committee members and and chair. Um so, I'm Isai Guruyon. Isai Guruyon. Um here on behalf of Groundwork Lawrence. We're at 50 Island
Street in Lawrence. Um so, yeah, we're here to uh get our permit for the 5K. We do this event every year. Um we start at Manchester Street Park. Uh the race starts at 9:00. We run through the Spicket River Greenway, um which goes
through Inez Corito, and that is one of my favorite parts in the city. So, I agree with you 100% Counselor. Um so, yeah, and then we end at uh Nunzio DiMarzio Park. >> DiMarzio Park. >> Yes, we we finish at Nunzio DiMarzo Park and we have a celebration at the end and we have you know we we give out medals
to the winners and have a great time. Um So yeah, just hoping to be able to do it again this year. >> That's just great. So the ending is at the uh Nunzio DiMarzo Park. >> Yes. >> And there we going to have all
the award and the finish and >> Yeah, we'll have music and celebrate everyone. Yeah. >> That's great. I like it. Maybe I going to I don't know if I don't think so that I'm going to walk. >> You can walk it. That's okay. >> All of them they walk.
But uh Excuse me. Mr. DeFronzo Okay, so we are done with you. >> I sponsor I I sponsor that race. >> Oh, are you responsible for this too? Great. >> [laughter] [gasps] >> So
>> I have my own plant box that I run it. >> YOU RUN IT. >> [laughter] >> BUT THIS IS GREAT. YEAH, um like I say I'm going to be I hope that I can be there and that is not a rainy day but still we have a place to be covered,
right? That's is the good thing of it uh the Nunzio DiMarzo Park and maybe it's another park that is going to be done very soon too. >> Hopefully. >> And we going to do the final uh inauguration for that. But um uh got any comment or question?
>> Yeah, three of you chair. >> Then Council DeRosario. >> doing the the white lines right? They goes >> Yes. >> How do you call that? Is it a >> the path yeah, the greenway. Let's think of the greenway. >> Yeah, I did it once. I mean but I I tend to forget every other year and I don't know if I'm lazy or what but I did it
once. I run it. Well, Marla plan walk it. >> [laughter] >> I don't know. I'm not a fast runner but I I I did it. Um And uh >> [laughter] >> And you know why I liked it and loved it cuz I found through that wire line, people don't
know, but you end up in parks and places in Lawrence that you don't know there exist. >> I hear it every year. I always get people, "Oh my gosh, I didn't know this was there. I didn't know this was there." It's It's wonderful. >> So, I took my Remember I took my kid and we would we decide we were running and then we decide to walk it cuz it was it
was amazing going behind the scenes basically and then end up There was a name Michael It wasn't named It wasn't named back in the days the end of the park. It wasn't named yet. >> Mhm. >> But we end up there and the waterfall all the way by the hospital and all that
stuff. That thing is is beautiful. So, I encourage my my colleague walk it or run it or whatever you want to do, but I'm I'm pushing >> Registration will be set up soon, so yes. >> Very soon. Very soon. >> But I But I believe >> very soon you're going to be able to run. You're going to be able to >> Mr. Mayor >> able to watch the waterfalls sitting
there. >> if in your contribution to this, we should get medals to the councilors even if we don't run it. We walk it. We want [laughter] a medal cuz we can't we can't compete. >> I will make sure my company buys one. >> We can't We can't compete. So, we we participate. We We want a participation
a medal of of of participation or something, but >> [snorts] >> But I It's It's an amazing It's an amazing basic I call it a trip up to me it was a trip through the back of the city which is beautiful. So, I'm in full support of it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Councilor Coming or any other questions?
So, can I hear a motion? >> Motion to send to full council with our recommendation. >> Second. >> Uh motion already made and second all those in favor. >> Aye. >> The ayes have it. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you and see you soon. >> On the 7th, miss. >> July 7th. >> Okay.
>> July July 16th. >> July 16th. Okay. >> No, it's the 7th. >> No, sir. Oh, no. Yes. I'm sorry. Yes. July 7th and no Oh. Well, July 7th for the meeting. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. At 7:00 over here. >> Perfect. Thank you. Have a good evening.
Good evening. Okay. I don't I don't do 74-26 is the request for zoning change. I'm being asked to table this item. Can I get a motion? >> Motion to table.
>> Motion to table. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> The ayes have it. So, item 275-26 is the proposed ordinance name change for ordinance 02.48
to office of human resource and and labor relations. >> Hi. >> Hi. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, Madam Chair and City Council members. Cara Garcia, personnel director, hopefully for now. Uh personnel director, 200 uh Common
Street. Uh I am before you uh today requesting that the personnel department be uh changed to reflect Office of Human Resources and Labor Relations. Most of us have heard the term personnel, right?
But have you ever wondered where that term actually comes from? Well, I'll tell you today. It comes from the early 1900s. It's borrowed from military language where they would actually uh used to
separate people from equipment. So, they used the the word personnel in order to identify people rather than the military equipment. It was never really designed to describe a a modern workplace function.
And over time, as organizations started thinking more seriously about how they treat their employees, that word started to really feel like a relic. Today, cities and employers that are serious about their workforce have moved
towards names that reflect what the work is. It's supporting people, managing labor relations, ensuring compliance, and helping the organization grow. And that's what my team does on a day-to-day basis. Renaming our department to the office of
human resources and labor relations also means that my title from personnel director to director of human resources and labor relations would be a title that accurately reflects the full scope of this role. And Lawrence would be in
good company making this change. Right here in Massachusetts, the city of Springfield operates a human resource department led by the director of human resources and labor relations. The city of Worcester has a human resource department as well, headed by the chief
human resource officer. The city of Cambridge has a human resource department with a director of labor relations. Even the city of Lowell, our neighbor, has moved away from personnel and now operates under human relations.
Each of these communities recognize that the name personnel needs a change. It needs to reflect our what we do today, which is support our organization, support our our employees. This isn't just about updating a sign on
a door or a business card. It's about telling our employees, our unions, and our community that Lawrence sees its workforce as its as its greatest asset. And that we're committed to serving them in a way that reflects that. And we
think that it's worth making it official. >> Council, any comment, discussion on this? So, the only thing that we've been doing right now is to change the name.
>> Change the name of the department, correct? >> And as well as my title as well. >> title. Right. Okay. So, I think that uh one thing that we have to do from here is like it to send it to
uh to the city attorney. Just to uh verify the language or anything that you've been presenting to us and do the confirmation at the same time to table. >> Yes.
>> So, uh after we get the information from him. >> I did send this to the city attorney. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. So, we're going to wait for his response. >> So, it will be tabled. I will have to come in front of the city this committee again. >> Yes.
Yes. >> Okay. >> So, we have to wait for for him. Unless that this the other member of the city council decide anything else. >> I believe that we can I like I believe that we can chair up to you. I believe that we can move it up pending uh the
approval of the language from the city uh from the city attorney and that way it's not sitting here for too long while I mean I don't see anything to hold it here uh pending that information. If he's already seen it, he just need to email
us or send us an okay of his opinion of the legal opinion on the language. >> And I can get that to you by the end of the week. >> Uh yeah, we can send him pending with documentation with the current Yeah.
Uh Do the motion. >> Motion to send to the full council with a favorable recommendation pending um communication from the city attorney. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> Okay. So, the the next item on the agenda is the creation of proposed ordinance. Item 276-26 is the creation of proposed ordinance 02.48.050.
Uh deputy director of the human service. >> Thank you. I Carol Garcia, personnel director for the city of Lawrence, 200 Common Street. Good evening, Madam Chair and city council members again. I want to take a moment to talk about the people behind the people.
And that's my department. Right now, we're a team of three. Um four if we want to include my benefits coordinator. Um and we are responsible as of last week as of our last payroll for 593 people.
During an election cycle, we are responsible for about 700 employees for the city of Lawrence. And that's across 10 departments, more than 10 unions. We handle everything from workers' compensation to FMLA,
grievances, benefits, hiring, civil service, promotions, and our new quarterly training programs. It's an enormous amount of ground for three people to cover. Communities like Springfield and Methuen
have recognized this challenge and have invested in their HR teams accordingly. We're asking for you to do the same, to add one further position, which would be the deputy director of human resources,
to help us do right by our 593 employees. >> Are there any discussion on this? >> [clears throat] >> Once again, for me I will send it to I know that you maybe you're going to say the same thing that you already send it to the city
attorney. But I will prefer to table and send it to the city attorney. So just to verify >> Can you hold on counselor, please? >> No, absolutely. Yeah, I can hold on. >> So just to verify the language on
this um proposed ordinance. >> Would it work best if I when I send things down if attorney Tim who in also sponsors it >> That would be a great >> Yes. >> idea because that way we have, you know,
the information, the proposal, and the the confirmation from the attorney that he already read and verify any change or any um information provided. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah.
Uh Counselor Reyes. >> Uh we also saying the the the the item pending with information. Uh I can do uh the motion. I do the motion with every recommendation pending the
uh current documentation. >> Okay. >> Counselor Reyes. Remember that Okay. Um motion is already made it by Counselor Reyes and second by Counselor de Rosario discussion.
>> Discussion. >> Okay. So the first one is a proposed ordinance and this one is a creation on the ordinance. So it's completely different. So we are not doing so there are one that is already done that we are making
the changes on the name, but the second one is has to be creative. >> Yeah, we send the information with the the code and he can send the clarification uh through us.
And we can discuss through the full council and it's not ready yet, we can table it there. It's ready, we can moving forward with the full council. >> So, our motion is already made by council
Arreola and second by council de Rosario. >> Discussion. >> Discussion council uh de Rosario. >> Uh to you. It It doesn't Here in the language it says uh grade D for the city clarification, but it
doesn't show the compensation on this position. >> It would be the top, if I remember correctly off the top of my head, is uh might be 84,000 or 1 104. It's one of those two. If I remember the classification correctly.
Yes, sir. >> And will this position be a union position? >> No, non-union. >> Non-union. >> Thank you. So, um One other thing that I got in here, I got a note that it was sent it to me. It's like it to
uh send it to the city attorney and verify the language and table. But, uh council I would I to do a roll call for this item.
276 is the creation of 27626 is the creation of a proposed ordinance 02.48 .0500 uh through the deputy director of human service uh Carol Garcia.
>> I have this question to three share. >> Okay. This question? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Council, you get it? >> Yes. Uh thank you, three you share. So, is this uh part of the new budget? Is Is this >> It has been approved. Yes, correct. >> as a new budget. All right. >> Yes. >> Okay. Perfect.
>> So, it is fully funded. >> be the difference if we I know that we we receive usually recommendation from the city clerk uh whether the the item needs to be sent to the city attorney. Just for for clarification or verification of the language. If we move
it up uh in the documentation or table it now, I mean, what would be the difference in in terms of I mean, do we have a response by the city attorney before the the the next full council meeting?
>> You will cuz I will make sure of that. And um if if given the the current situation of um the our city attorney, if anything were to happen between now and then and we do not have an answer from uh
attorney Huen, by all means table it at at the full council. >> Mhm. Okay. So, we need to have a a full language verification from the city attorney for the full council. >> That's perfectly fine, which is on July 6th, correct? >> 7th.
>> 7th. Mr. Clerk, please make your own call, please. Yes. So, is the the motion is to send it to the full council is waiting for the
recommendation for the city at all. Please. Do you need a microphone? >> So, Council Vice President Alondra Vega. >> Councilor Vice President, I'm going to abstain. >> Um Councilor Selena Reyes.
>> Yes. >> Um Councilor Vice Chair Franklin Medrano. >> I abstain. Uh yes. >> And Councilor Brad Lander. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. >> Okay.
>> Thank you, too. >> Have a great night, everyone. >> Uh you, too. Uh Council, I'm going to take it as I don't do there are three items that I can take it as a block. 277-26
handicap parking on 37 Bennington Street set 278-26 handicap parking 42 Tom Brady Street and 279-26 handicap parking 35-37 Winthrop Street.
Council, all those in favor? >> That's it. Second. I mean, who who seconded? >> You made it a motion. And Councilor Reyes second. All those in favor? >> I.
>> So, item 277-26 is a handicap parking on 37 Bennington Street. Uh What is the motion for uh 278 26 handicap parking 42 Dyne St? And 279 26
handicap parking 35 37 Wilmot St. >> Motion to send it to the Lawrence Police Department and DPW. >> I second. >> So, uh motion already made it and second. All those in favor? >> All right. Aye. >> Uh item 230 26
is the resident parking on 15 Bomkin here St. Uh to sorry No, sorry. By sorry Perdomo for Rosario Nicotra. Resident parking. Resident parking.
Can I hear a motion? >> Motion to withdraw. >> Motion to withdraw item two 8 and 26. Can I hear a second? >> Second. >> Uh motion already second. Uh all those in favor?
>> Aye. >> They I have it. So, counselor, I don't have any other items for discussion um and tonight there is anything from the table um items that can be that you want to
take it out. Can I hear a motion? >> adjourn. >> Second. >> Motion to adjourn already second uh made it by counselor Rosario and second by counselor Reyer. All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> They I have it. So, thank you, guys. And have a great night. Peace.