The committee approved the expenditure of a $1,389.70 grant for the fiscal year 2024 Safe and/or Senior Safe Grant. This grant, presented by Deputy Chief Matt Nato of the Lawrence Fire Department, aims to educate children and older adults about fire safety. The grant has been received annually and is important for community outreach efforts. Vice Chair Vivian Marmol inquired about the specifics of the educational programs targeting children, to which Deputy Nato responded that they focus on second graders through interactive presentations and experiences like a “Smoke House.” Adult education efforts cover safety measures, including avoiding cooking hazards and falls.

The introduction of various new fees, particularly for fire service charges and sewer connection fees, sparked extensive discussion among the council members. Commissioner William Hail presented an updated draft of the fee schedule, which included a new $35 fee for Fog Permits, essential for restaurants to manage grease disposal and prevent sewer issues. Another newly proposed fee was $40 for cross-connection surveys to ensure secure water supply connections. The hydrant permit fee was also proposed to increase from $40 to $200 due to the administrative burden and cost associated with meter management.

Council members expressed concern over the sudden introduction of these fees, particularly the impact on restaurant owners and new entrepreneurs. One member highlighted that the $0 fee previously led to incomplete applications, burdening the department’s resources. Commissioner Hail defended the new fees, emphasizing the critical nature of managing grease disposal to prevent city-wide sewer problems. He cited a recent incident where a manhole was filled with grease as an example of the potential issues.

Further discussion involved the proposed increase in water and sewer connection fees, moving from $200 per inch of diameter to $1,000 for a one-inch connection. Hail justified this by referencing a $22 million investment in the water infrastructure and the need for new connections to contribute fairly to the system. The committee also discussed an $80 application fee for new service requests, which Hail argued was reasonable given the review and marking efforts involved in new construction projects.

In addition to fee-related matters, the council also discussed a grant proposal concerning the Mario Lassi Memorial Bridge. A city representative detailed that Congresswoman Lori Trahan had secured $2 million in funding for repairs to the bridge, which had become a safety concern due to its deteriorating condition. The funding would address multiple structural issues, including deck cracking and scaling. A council member raised concerns about the potential impact on local businesses and traffic flow, urging that timely communication with business owners in the area was essential to mitigate negative effects. The representative confirmed that the project must be completed by September 30, 2027, to avoid losing any unspent funds.

Another item was the authorization to expend $286,000 from the MVPC EPA Revolving Loan Fund for the demolition of the contaminated Florence Street Garage. Project Officer Kenny Lamar presented the request, noting the property’s long-standing contamination issues. A senior advisor elaborated that the garage had been problematic for several years and emphasized the need for its demolition. However, concerns were raised about the lack of a clear plan for the property’s post-demolition use. The discussion included inquiries about the timeline for the demolition and the remediation process, emphasizing the need for prompt action due to strict funding deadlines.

One such proposal involved a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute for a digital equity implementation plan. The plan would identify areas lacking internet service to improve Wi-Fi and broadband access in the city. Another grant proposal, amounting to $39,895 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, aimed to enhance active transportation, specifically safe routes to schools and parks. The initiative would involve collaboration with various departments and focus on promoting physical activity and improving the physical environment.

Additionally, the council considered the extension of temporary appointments within the Department of Public Works (DPW) to ensure continuity in operations during a review of previously posted positions. The Personnel Director noted that while the positions were posted and applicants had applied, he would need to verify the postings and potentially repost them if necessary. The council agreed to send the matter to the full council as a committee report pending the requested information.