City Council votes to reconsider Fernandez pension legislation
City Council votes to reconsider special legislation granting Vincent Fernandez a pension increase and 10 years back pay. The 7-4 motion to reconsider brought by Councilor Mercier passed after members citing insufficient information and concerns about financial burden and potential violations of
City Council · Meeting of July 28, 2026
LOWELL — City Council votes to reconsider special legislation granting Vincent Fernandez a pension increase and 10 years back pay. The 7-4 motion to reconsider brought by Councilor Mercier passed after members citing insufficient information and concerns about financial burden and potential violations of state pension rules, with Retirement Board member William Desrosiers testifying that the proposal would violate PERAC regulations. In other action, the Council voted 6-5 to study reinstalling a wrought iron fence around the Ladd and Whitney Monument, failed 5-6 to release confidential executive session minutes on UHC-TIF negotiations, and rejected 7-4 a $249,708 supplemental appropriation for an HHS lease amid questions about budget oversight.
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Source: the City Council meeting of July 28, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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