A delegation of state senators from the Merrimack Valley and beyond will hold a town hall-style public forum in Lawrence as part of a so-called “Commonwealth Conversations” tour, according to Senator Barbara L’Italien of Andover.
Sen. L’Italien, whose district includes Lawrence, Andover, Dracut and Tewksbury, stressed any and all issues are open for the discussion at the forum, which will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at Salvatore’s Functions Facility – Entry B, 354 Merrimack Street, Lawrence.
“Making sure the issues and concerns of the people of the Merrimack Valley are fresh in the minds of senators as we begin setting our agenda and priorities for the coming year is of utmost importance,” said Sen. L’Italien, chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. “I am so pleased Senate President Rosenberg and the rest of my colleagues in the Senate are able to hold this forum in Lawrence to hear directly from the people of the Merrimack Valley whom we all work for,” L’Italien said.
Other Local senators heading up the Merrimack Valley stop include Sens. Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport), Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), Kenneth J. Donnelly (D-Arlington) and Jason Lewis (D-Winchester).
L’Italien said the statewide forums are designed to develop ideas for improving and spurring economic development, education, the environment, human services, job-creation, housing and public safety.