Holyoke public meetings in 2024
19 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider several committee recommendations, including adopting a 100% property tax exemption for veterans under the HERO Act, approving the sale of two surplus parcels to abutters, and granting a special permit for a truck repair center. The agenda also includes multiple budget transfers, a grant acceptance, and various traffic and safety orders.
- Recommendation to adopt HERO Act Clause J at 100% veteran property tax exemption
- Sale of 133 Pine Street to Pine Suffolk, LLC for $4,500
- Sale of Old Rock Valley Road parcel to Jessica A. Messier for $25,000
- Special permit granted for Daniel's Truck Center at 41 Temple St with conditions
- Transfer of $48,826.15 from various accounts to cover salary adjustments
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider several financial transfers, including a $927,778 subsidy for the sewer enterprise budget from the tax levy, and a recommendation to allow the Police Department to hire a Crime Analyst above the usual pay grade. The agenda also includes appointments to the Library Board, zone change petitions, and multiple budget transfers for various departments.
- Order to hire Crime Analyst at $78,000 (above Grade 10 mid-range of $70,407)
- Zone change petitions for 736 Dwight St. and 712-718 Dwight St. from BL to DR
- Transfer of $49,915 from Capital Stabilization to Public Library R&M
- Transfer of $250,000 from Firefighters salary to Overtime
- Appointments of Beverlyn Blanchard and Thomas Gilchrist to Library Board
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will vote on several recommendations from committees, including hiring a police crime analyst above the usual pay grade, adopting an ethics hotline ordinance, and selling two city-owned parcels to abutters. They will also consider multiple budget transfers, including $300,000 for police overtime, and discuss a zoning change for cannabis businesses.
- Approve police crime analyst position at $78,000, above the Grade 10 mid-range of $70,407
- Adopt ordinance creating an Ethics and Compliance hotline for city government
- Transfer $300,000 to police overtime from dispatch and patrolmen salaries
- Sell 133 Pine Street to Pine Suffolk, LLC for $4,500 and Old Rock Valley Road parcel to Jessica A. Messier for $25,000
- Discuss cannabis impact fee funds and zoning changes for cannabis businesses
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to vote on a range of items, including a policy for using cannabis impact fees, a police crime analyst hire above the usual pay grade, and numerous traffic and parking orders. The agenda also includes several financial transfers, grant acceptances, and appointments to city boards.
- Order to develop a policy for using cannabis impact fees, including billing for city employee work and capital improvements
- Police Department authorized to hire a Crime Analyst at $78,000, above the Grade 10 mid-range of $70,407
- Transfer of $33,000 for professional engineering services and $30,000 for elections officers
- Acceptance of a $306,443 state 911 grant with no match
- Sale of surplus property at 285 Main Street to an abutter for $15,000
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing on a pole petition and consider multiple orders, including a raise for a police crime analyst position, several budget transfers, and appointments. The council will also discuss traffic safety measures and school-related issues.
- Approve police crime analyst salary increase from $70,407 to $78,000
- Transfer $192,500 from capital stabilization for fuel depot capital outlay
- Transfer $150,000 from capital stabilization for schools capital outlay
- Accept $306,443 state 911 grant and $50,000 community compact grant
- Order to replace traffic light at Main and Vernon Streets
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will decide on multiple fiscal transfers for FY2025, including a $108,695.56 appropriation from cannabis stabilization funds to cover legal claims and damages. Several ordinances are up for adoption, such as establishing a public process for raised crosswalks and doubling tax abatements for veterans. The council will also discuss pending petitions, including a speed hump request on Hampshire Street and a second-hand license renewal at 50 Holyoke St.
- $108,695.56 transfer from cannabis stabilization to legal claims/damages
- Ordinance to establish public process for raised crosswalks
- Ordinance to double veterans' tax abatement
- Speed hump petition for Hampshire Street
- Second-hand license renewal at 50 Holyoke St.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on several ordinance changes, including expanding the senior tax work-off program from 30 to 70 slots with a stipend increase from $750 to $1,000, and creating a Chief Administrative and Financial Officer position. The agenda also includes multiple budget transfers, grant acceptances, and various resident requests for handicap signs and street repairs.
- Expand senior tax work-off program to 70 slots, stipend to $1,000
- Create Chief Administrative and Financial Officer position
- Approve $250,000 transfer for sewer professional and legal services
- Accept $1,229,730 grant for Day Brook Watershed vulnerability preparedness
- Approve tax increment exemption for 174 Lyman Street housing redevelopment
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider a veto by Mayor Joshua Garcia of a 2/3 majority vote ordinance, along with several appointments and lease agreements. The agenda includes numerous budget transfers, grant acceptances, and orders regarding city properties and services. Several items are procedural, such as minutes approval and committee reports.
- Veto of 2/3 majority vote ordinance by Mayor Joshua Garcia
- Lease agreements for Mackenzie Field and Mackenzie Stadium with Elms College and Valley Blue Sox
- Appointment of Jorge Santiago as Director of Veterans Services
- Transfer of $108,695.56 from Cannabis Stabilization to Solicitor - Claims & Damages
- Acceptance of $149,760 EOEEA FY25 Greening the Gateway Cities Program Implementation Grant
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider transferring $150,000 from police department accounts to cover claims and damages. Additional transfers totaling $1.17 million from free cash funds are proposed for police vehicles, opioid programs, and other city stabilization funds.
- Transfer $150,000 from police accounts ($40k Captains, $80k Dispatchers, $30k Quinn Bill) to Claims & Damages
- Transfer $246,775 from FY2024 free cash to Capital Stabilization
- Transfer $299,820 for 6 police cruisers under Police Capital Outlay Vehicle
- Transfer $427,347 to Opioid Special Revenue Fund
- Transfer $100,000 to Mayor’s Ongoing Projects and Trainings
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will vote on a home-rule petition to change the city treasurer from an elected to an appointed role, with amendments shortening the term to three years and requiring qualifications by ordinance. The agenda also includes numerous orders, many recommended for withdrawal, covering topics like employee safety studies, rental inspections, road safety, and tree maintenance. Several budget transfers and appointments are also scheduled for approval.
- Order to petition state legislature to make city treasurer appointed (amended to 3-year term)
- Budget transfers totaling $14,838.34 and $17,986.29 for injured-on-duty police payroll
- Budget transfer of $21,000 from patrolmen salaries to energy costs (two separate orders)
- Petition of Blue Fox Brands for marijuana manufacturing special permit at 1 Cabot St.
- Petition of Edwin Colon for street vendor license at Berkshire and Main St.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider several items, including adopting a revised proposal for 689 Main Street, expanding the Center City Liquor License Area, and potentially changing the City Treasurer from an elected to an appointed position. They will also vote on various road safety measures, street repairs, and budget transfers.
- Revised proposal for 689 Main Street (Assessors Map 055, Block 00, Parcel 009)
- Amendment to Home Rule Petition to expand Center City Liquor License Area
- Home Rule Petition to make City Treasurer appointed (two versions, one with amendments)
- Zone change from IG to DR for Holyoke Housing Authority at 662-710 South East Street
- USDA Urban & Community Forestry IRA Grant of $1,000,000 (no match)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a special meeting to receive Mayor Garcia’s State of the City address and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 city budget. The meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers and can be accessed remotely via Zoom.
- Mayor Garcia's State of the City address
- Proposed FY2025 City Budget
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to consider a public hearing on a Community Preservation Act (CPA) rate change, along with multiple financial transfers, appointments, and license renewals. Key items include a proposed ballot question to reduce the CPA surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0%, several fund transfers for vehicles and legal services, and a recommendation to deny a $5 million bond for parking facilities. The agenda also includes routine appointments and license renewals.
- Public hearing on petition regarding CPA rate change
- Ballot question to reduce CPA surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0% (recommended for adoption with date amendments)
- Transfer of $80,160 from Capital Stabilization to Fire Dept. vehicles
- Transfer of $32,975 from Capital Stabilization to Recreation vehicles
- Recommendation to deny $5,000,000 bond for parking facilities
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing on a pole and wire location petition, then consider several financial orders, including a $5 million bond for parking facility improvements and multiple fund transfers. The agenda also includes committee recommendations on speed humps, a plastic bag ban, and a settlement agreement, as well as numerous requests for traffic and infrastructure improvements.
- Public hearing on Holyoke Gas & Electric pole and wire location at O'Connor Ave
- $5,000,000 bond for parking facility demolition, remodeling, and construction
- Transfer of $60,000 from Mayor's contract negotiations to various city departments
- Transfer of $80,160 for Fire Dept. capital outlay vehicles and $32,975 for Recreation vehicles
- Petition to ban single-use plastic bags, straws, and food containers (recommended to withdraw)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to consider a range of items, including a public hearing on utility pole placement, appointments to city boards, and multiple financial transfers and grant acceptances. The council will also review recommendations from committees, including a proposal to make the City Treasurer an appointed position and several orders that have been recommended for withdrawal.
- Public hearing on Holyoke Gas & Electric pole and wire location near 31-33 O'Connor Ave
- Reappointments to Registrar of Voters and Commission on Disabilities
- Transfer $87,000 for engineering, streets, refuse, and parks overtime
- Accept $197,404 Green Communities grant and $89,850 disability grant
- Proposal to make City Treasurer appointed (two versions)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will act on multiple grants totaling over $143,000, including workplace safety and emergency management funds, and vote on ordinances for free municipal parking for veterans and creation of a crime analyst position. The meeting also includes routine communications, committee reports, and budget transfers for public works and public safety.
- Accept $11,000 Workplace Safety Grant (no match) for labor department
- Accept $12,350 Emergency Management Grant (no match) for public safety
- Accept $89,850 Massachusetts Office on Disability Grant (no match)
- Approve $10,000 stipend addition for Assistant Director of Public Works
- Update ordinance to provide free municipal parking for veterans with official Veteran License Plate
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider placing a ballot question to reduce the Community Preservation Act real estate surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0% on the November 5, 2024 ballot. The council will also review several committee recommendations, including granting a special permit extension for a marijuana facility, accepting multiple grants, and approving a $850,000 transfer for school buildings. Many other items are procedural or recommended for withdrawal.
- Ballot question to reduce Community Preservation Act surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0% (amended to Nov. 5, 2024)
- Special permit extension for marijuana manufacturing at 532 Main St. (ACMJ)
- Accept $17,245.53 Firefighter Equipment Grant (no match)
- Appropriate $850,000 transfer for school buildings (includes $303,000 from sale of real estate)
- Petition for zone change on South East Street from IG to DR (Holyoke Housing Authority)
Ordinance Committee
The Holyoke Ordinance Committee is meeting to discuss and hold public hearings on several zoning and ordinance items, including cannabis business permits and zoning changes, as well as other proposed ordinances. The agenda includes both new items and previously tabled orders, with some items marked for disposal without discussion.
- Public hearing on special permit extension for ACMJ Inc. marijuana cultivation at 532 Main St
- Public hearing on zoning change to allow cannabis businesses beyond IG zone with social equity priority
- Order to create Crime Analyst position in Ordinance Schedule A (tabled 2-7-24)
- Order to create Housing Committee with tenant and landlord representation (tabled 2-7-24)
- Order to allow residential wind turbines and backyard hens
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will decide whether to place a ballot question before voters in November 2024 that would reduce the Community Preservation Act real estate surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0%. The council also considers installing a street light on O'Connor Ave to address safety concerns and reappoints a Housing Authority Commissioner.
- Install street light between 31 and 33 O'Connor Ave to deter break-ins and improve pedestrian safety
- Vote on ballot question to reduce Community Preservation Act surcharge from 1.5% to 1.0% for November 2024 election
- Reappoint Gladys Lebron-Martinez to Holyoke Housing Authority for five-year term
- Accept $576,814.28 Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant with 25% local match
- Appropriate $90,861 for Fire Department personnel and overtime transfers