Council rejects closed session on mayor's charges
The Lawrence City Council voted 0-9 against entering executive session on complaints concerning Mayor Brian DePeña, then voted 8-1 to table the item.
Select Board · Meeting of August 18, 2026
LAWRENCE — The Lawrence City Council voted 0-9 against entering executive session on complaints concerning Mayor Brian DePeña, then voted 8-1 to table the item. Chief Financial Officer Ramona Ceballos told councilors "the city was not involved at all" in the COVID-era transactions underlying the allegations, which involve the mayor's private business. City Attorney Tim Houghton said the council's job was "to protect the city of Lawrence," not adjudicate guilt.
Councilor Estefani Infante read a constituent email calling for the mayor's resignation, while Councilor LaPlante was the lone vote against tabling. Separately, the council unanimously created a new Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police position at $54,600 to $87,360 and approved, 8-1, a $10,000 theater-festival expenditure over a city attorney opinion recommending denial.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,897 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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