LYNN — The Lynn City Council has finalized the removal of Water and Sewer Commissioner Richard Colucci and voted to rescind preliminary removal proceedings against Commissioner Vincent Lozzi Jr., following weeks of controversy and formal notices issued under the city charter.
On Jan. 27, 2026, the council voted 9-2 to issue preliminary notices of removal to both commissioners pursuant to Sections 37 and 36 of the charter. Both men were served by members of the Lynn Police Department on Feb. 4 and were given 10 business days to request a public hearing before the Council.
Colucci declined to exercise that right.
In a Feb. 17 letter read into the record, Colucci wrote, “I’ve chosen not to attend the hearing as nine of you have already decided my fate on Sunday, Jan. 18th, when I heard from a third party, the steps were being taken to remove me as a Lynn Water and Sewer commissioner, and then, again, formally on Tuesday, Jan. 27th, at the Lynn Council meeting. These nine votes were pledged long before I had an opportunity to make my case.”
He continued, “In 32 years, as a city councilor, and approximately seven, as a Lynn Water and Sewer commissioner, I conducted myself professionally and ethically, and never received an ethics violation or complaint. I believe that I did nothing wrong with my vote to change the chairperson of the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission. I have moved on from this chapter, and I am turning the page.”
Colucci also thanked Councilor Brian M. Field and Councilor Brian P. LaPierre for their support and expressed disappointment in those who voted for his removal “without hearing my side of the story,” he stated in the letter.
Council President Coco Alinsug described Colucci’s claim that he was denied due process as “completely false and inaccurate,” emphasizing that the commissioner had a statutory right to request a full evidentiary hearing.
“Mr. Colucci possessed a statutory right to request a full hearing before the Lynn City Council to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and provide his own testimony while being represented by legal counsel,” Alinsug said. “He waived that right to a hearing.”
Citing Section 37 of the charter, Alinsug noted that because Colucci did not request a hearing within the required 10 days, “the preliminary resolution shall be deemed to be final.” The removal became effective at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2026.
Following discussion, the Council approved Colucci’s waiver of his right to a hearing and voted to declare the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission seat vacant, directing that the position be publicly posted and interviews conducted in open session. Both actions passed by an 8-1 vote. Councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey was absent, Councilor Peter Meaney abstained, and Councilor LaPierre cast the lone vote in opposition.
“I wish to thank Mr. Colucci for his many years of service to the city of Lynn,” Alinsug stated.
Lozzi, meanwhile, initially submitted a timely request for a public hearing. However, in a Feb. 24 letter to the council, he indicated he would not seek reappointment when his term expires on June 30, 2026.
“I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission,” Lozzi wrote. “I am proud of many accomplishments of the progress we, as a commission, have made in furtherance of this mission.”
“In anticipation of the acknowledgment of my term ending on June 30th, 2026, I wish to inform the Council that I will not seek the appointment as a commissioner, nor will I accept reappointment if it’s offered,” he continued. “I look forward to spending more time with my family, and continuing to enjoy our community.”
Given that Lozzi’s term is set to expire in just over four months and that he does not intend to seek reappointment, the Council voted unanimously to rescind the preliminary notice of removal issued against him.
LaPierre, who voted against accepting Colucci’s letter and against filling the vacancy, later explained his reasoning, saying he believes council appointments carry significant weight and should generally be allowed to run their full terms.
“I really feel like the Council’s appointments, when we make them, to various agencies and commissions throughout the city, our boards, I feel as though our appointments have a lot of impact on what we do,” LaPierre said.
He argued that removal should be reserved for serious misconduct.
“Everyone’s looking at cause. When you have cause, and you have just cause, there are two legal standards. One is cause, but one is just cause,” LaPierre said. “If we’re holding people to the just cause standard, that’s a very high standard, and you must do something so egregious — stealing, giving away a job to a brother-in-law, forging documents, having criminal activity outside of your role as a commissioner.”
He added that rescinding a prior vote and electing a new chairperson did not meet that threshold. “But rescinding an agenda item, and then voting for a new chair at the subsequent meeting … I didn’t feel like that rose to that level of cause for removal.”
LaPierre also cautioned against allowing online commentary to influence council decisions.
“I really did not want to legislate through Facebook,” he said. “I don’t want social media to drive my decision-making in this chamber.”
With Colucci’s removal finalized and Lozzi set to complete his term, the Council will now move forward with filling at least one seat on the Water and Sewer Commission as the matter moves toward resolution.
