LYNN — At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the council filled a vacancy on the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission by voting to appoint Councilor Obed Matul. The council also voted 9–2 to hold a removal hearing for commissioners Richard Colucci and Vincent Lozzi Jr.
“On January 15, 2026, I received a resignation letter from Councilor Dr. Peter Meaney,” City Council president Coco Alinsug said, before asking that the letter be read. Alinsung then asked the council for nominations for their appointment to the LWSC.
Councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey nominated Matul, a move that was backed by the rest of the council. All members voted for Matul to be appointed except for Meaney, who chose to abstain.
“I step into this position with one clear priority: to protect taxpayers,” Matul said. “The residents of Lynn work hard, and they deserve transparency, ability, and thoughtful decision-making when it comes to something as essential as the water and sewer services.”
A discussion quickly followed regarding the conduct of current Lynn City Council appointments to the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission. Alinsug began with a statement.
Referencing his previous service on the commission, Alinsug said, “As my colleagues know, I was honored to serve as a member of the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission as the City Council appointee from 2023 to 2025.” He pointed to accomplishments during that time, including “the most serious efforts yet to clean King’s Beach,” progress on the West Lynn Sewer Separation Project, and infrastructure improvements funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Alinsug explained that during his final commission meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, “the Commission unanimously voted to reappoint Michael Celona as chairman of the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission for a one-year term,” emphasizing that “there was absolutely no discussion at all by any member of the Commission.” He noted that no motion for reconsideration was filed within the timeframe required by Robert’s Rules of Order.
He went on to criticize the actions taken at the commission’s Jan. 12, 2026 meeting, saying he was “embarrassed and ashamed by the actions of members Colucci and Lozzi,” following a motion to rescind the previous vote. The commission then voted to appoint Meaney as chairman, despite the fact that he was attending his first meeting as a commissioner. Alinsug said he was not aware of “any legal basis to rescind these appointments,” describing the action to remove Celona as chair and appoint Meaney as an “unlawful vote.”
Alinsug said the vote damaged public trust in the commission and prompted widespread concern, resulting in heightened public attention and criticism. He reminded councilors that they represent the residents of Lynn and noted that nearly 400 people had signed a petition urging the City Council to take action.
After the petition was read, Alinsug formally called on the council to issue preliminary notices of removal for commissioners Colucci and Lozzi, citing conduct unbecoming of City Council appointees to the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission under the commission’s enabling statute.
After the meeting, Alinsug explained, “A lot of people in Lynn saw that video. How ugly it was. Coming from a third-world country and then coming to America, which is very advanced, modern and democratic, I felt like I was watching a third-world meeting.”
Councilor Fred Hogan said if Colluci and Lozzi were aware of the proper timeline to file for reconsideration, their attempt to remove Celona as chair would have violated Robert’s Rules of Order.
“I hereby make a motion to request that the law department draft a preliminary removal for both Mr. Richard Collucci and Mr. Vincent Lozzi Jr.,” Hogan stated, with Councilor Nicole McClain seconding.
“This vote was made not for the community but for a personal attack,” McClain explained.
That set off a spirited debate among the councilors.
“It seems as though this could be a legal matter, even beyond this council,” Councilor Brian LaPierre later said. “Its very important that our appointments have the weight…that we put into them.”
“I really do think that it’s bad practice to remove someone based on, what I feel, doesn’t meet the standards,” he added.
LaPierre said he does not take the removal of any citizen from a board or commission lightly, stressing that decisions should be made in the city’s best interest and that members’ opinions should matter. He added that he did not believe the actions discussed were serious enough to justify removal or set a precedent for the council.
“I will not legislate on social media. We have a job to do,” he said.
Councilor Brian Field argued that the council lacked sufficient information to decide, then engaged in a back and forth with McClain, after which a vote was held. LaPierre and Field were the only two “no” votes, while Meaney interestingly voted in favor of removing the two commissioners who spearheaded his being elected chair of the LWSC board.
“It was just a hearing on it, not to remove anybody,” Meaney explained after the meeting.
Celona said, “I think the discussion in the city council was a good discussion. I think the video evidence is good. I think it’s kind of clear what transpired. I support any efforts to increase transparency and become a water and sewer commission.”
