I’ve long wondered whether the reason Lawrence has lagged behind Lowell in terms of its revitalization is that the former has a weak-mayor form of government while the latter is run by a professional city manager.
The charter in Lawrence hinders the mayor’s ability to make the tough decisions that are sometimes necessary to move a community forward. But despite those limitations, this week Mayor Michael Sullivan surprised many — including the members of the City Council — by seeking to end an embarrassing budget impasse with a declaration that the budget he submitted last spring now has the effect of law.
The state Department of Revenue and the city attorney have sided with Sullivan, and I hope the courts will feel likewise if councilors go through with their threat to appeal. (Given the cost, such an appeal would be a real disservice to taxpayers.)
Simply put, a majority of councilors disagree with Sullivan’s position that given the huge share the state contributes to the city’s operating budget — the brand-new high school that opens next week was built and will be operated entirely with state taxpayers’ money — the city has an obligation to raise as much as the levy limit allows from its own property owners.
That’s a reasonable position, and even if taxed to the max, the average homeowner in Lawrence will pay far less than those in neighboring cities and towns.
Sullivan’s position may not be a popular one, but it’s the kind of bold leadership that Lawrence has been lacking for too long.
