Council Approves Festival Permit After Process Debate
The Lawrence City Council voted 7-1 to approve a Guatemalan Independence Day festival permit at Bergen Square Park after a debate over bypassed review rules.
Select Board · Meeting of September 2, 2026
LAWRENCE — The Lawrence City Council voted 7-1 to approve a Guatemalan Independence Day festival permit at Bergen Square Park after a debate over bypassed review rules. Councilor LaPlante questioned why the event skipped the council's standard "17 day" process, though he ultimately voted yes, saying his objection was "a process point, not against the organization." Councilor Marmo voted no. The council also approved a $204,993 Green Communities grant, a $231,375 transfer funding the Police Superior Officers Union contract, and a $150,000 increase to the Bellevue Cemetery Revolving Fund after an earlier $95,000 appropriation went toward a lawsuit settlement.
Lieutenant Razzo told councilors the superior officers union now supports body cameras "under the right circumstances," though funding remains unresolved. Three National Grid pole-relocation petitions, including one tied to the Mariner Mill redevelopment, passed unanimously.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,572 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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