Holyoke public meetings in 2025
19 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider creating a new Administrative and Finance Department, approve several appointments, and vote on multiple financial transfers and special permits. The agenda includes many public safety orders awaiting disposition, mostly traffic and pedestrian safety measures.
- Order to create an Administrative and Finance Department (Municipal Modernization Act of 2025)
- Appointments to Holyoke Redevelopment Authority, Park and Rec, and Planning Board
- Special permit amendment for retail marijuana at 40 Lyman Street (Lyman Group LLC)
- Zone change for 9 Martin Street from R-2 to BG (recommended to withdraw)
- Transfer $100,000 to Crisis Relief Fund from FY2026 tax levy
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will review and vote on multiple grants totaling $1.3M, including trail and public safety programs, plus several road paving requests for Old Bassett Road, Cedar Hill Road, and West Cherry Street. The meeting also includes appointments to local boards and commissions, and discussions on zoning and parking regulations.
- Accept $239K CT River Pathway grant ($61K city match) for trail improvements
- Accept $45K Municipal Road Safety Program grant (no match)
- Accept $18,344 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (no match)
- Appropriate $5K transfer for Building Custodian to R&M Buildings & Grounds
- Appropriate $300K transfer from Firefighter to Overtime
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to consider a range of items, including accepting multiple state and federal grants, approving budget transfers, and transferring city-owned parcels for affordable housing. The agenda also includes several ordinance changes, such as reducing the speed limit on Laurel Street and designating parking spots for police and veterans. Many items are routine approvals, but the council will also discuss a neighborhood petition about noise complaints and a home rule petition for reduced speed limits near senior housing.
- Accept $5,341,978.91 MassDOT Center City Connector 3 Project Grant
- Approve $300,000 transfer to fire overtime
- Transfer South Bridge Street parcels 006 and 007 to Holyoke Redevelopment Authority for $1.00 each
- Reduce speed limit on Laurel Street to 25 MPH
- Adopt MGL Chapter 40, Section 22A 3/4 for veterans parking at City Hall
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider several petitions, including a zone change for 1-9 Martin St. and a livery service at 400 Hillside Ave. The agenda includes multiple grant acceptances, budget transfers, and proposed changes to council rules, along with routine approvals of minutes and reports.
- Zone change petition for 1-9 Martin St. by Martin Street Psychiatry PLLC
- Livery service petition at 400 Hillside Ave.
- Accept $73,615 MassDOT donation for All-Way Stop initiative at seven intersections
- Accept $390,000 MVP grant for wastewater vulnerability assessment
- Accept $285,631.88 Complete Streets Grant for Race Street
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will vote on multiple proposed changes to the city charter, including updates to the roles of the city solicitor and mayor, and the creation of new administrative departments. The meeting also includes decisions on traffic safety measures, surplus property sales, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements.
- Amend City Charter Sec. 39 to update city solicitor role and gender-neutral language
- Amend Charter Secs. 19 & 34 to allow mayor to appoint Fire Commission and DPW Commission members (subject to council confirmation)
- Approve $73,615 state donation for all-way stop control at 7 intersections (e.g., Dwight St at Pine St, Sargeant St at Commercial St)
- Declare 569 South Bridge St and Holyoke Assessors Map 029, Block 08, Parcel 007 as surplus property for sale
- Approve sidewalk easement for Holyoke Gas & Electric at 150 Race St for electrical conduit installation
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is considering a large package of charter amendments and a Municipal Modernization Ordinance that would reshape city government, including the city solicitor's role, appointment powers for commissions, and creation of an Administrative and Finance Department. The agenda also includes several public hearings, committee reports, and routine items like minutes and appointments. Many items are recommended for adoption, but some are only awaiting disposition or have been withdrawn.
- Charter amendments to Sections 19, 34, 39, 13, 14, 22, 24, 41, 49, 53, and Rule 8M
- Creation of Administrative and Finance Department and Chief Administrative and Financial Officer position
- Adoption of Substitute Municipal Modernization Ordinance
- MassDOT Local Bottleneck Reduction Program grant of $390,149.30 (no match)
- Transfer of $137,500 from CAFO to Mayor's Contracted Services
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider borrowing $8,691,405 for the Kelly Elementary School roof and $4,498,497 for the Lt. Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School roof, both to be replaced in summer 2026. The agenda also includes numerous proposed amendments to the City Charter, covering the city solicitor's role, appointments to the Fire and DPW Commissions, council procedures, and the creation of an Administrative and Finance Department. Several grants, budget transfers, and a petition to rezone 120 Front St. are also on the agenda.
- Bond order for $8,691,405 to replace Kelly Elementary School roof at 216 West St.
- Bond order for $4,498,497 to replace Lt. Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School roof at 75 Kane Rd.
- Charter amendments to allow Mayor to appoint Fire and DPW Commission members, subject to Council confirmation.
- Petition to rezone 120 Front St. from BC to IG.
- Transfer of $250,000 to HPD overtime from other police accounts.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider multiple committee recommendations, including a special permit for a recreational marijuana retail store at 15 Main Street, several salary adjustments for city positions, and a series of proposed charter amendments. The agenda also includes appointments to various boards and commissions, and reports on school and fire department matters.
- Special permit for Sixan MA LLC recreational marijuana retail at 15 Main Street
- Salary Schedule C changes for Police Matron and Substitute Nurse adopted
- Director of Public Works moved from Grade 14 to Grade 15 (new range $94,521-$130,733)
- Transfer of $83,656 from PT Associate Solicitor to PT Assistant Solicitor
- Charter amendments on city solicitor duties, appointments, and special meeting notices
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and consider a wide range of items, including accepting several state and federal grants, approving traffic ordinance changes, and addressing numerous constituent requests for road and sidewalk improvements. The agenda also includes appointments to city boards and commissions, as well as several special permit applications.
- Accept $709,700 SSYI grant, $197,850 Safe Streets grant, $294,000 Community Mitigation Fund, $10,000 Anti-Heroin Task Force grant
- Approve all-way stop control at 7 intersections (e.g., Appleton at Elm, Dwight at Pine)
- Reduce speed limit to 25 mph on St. Jerome, Laurel Street, and other roads
- Petition for speed humps on Sequia Dr. and Cypress Rd.
- Approve $9,342.11 transfer for electrical inspections
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to consider the proposed FY2026 city budget, a substitute Municipal Modernization Ordinance that would create an Administrative and Finance Department and adjust several high-level salaries, and a $12.76 million transfer for health insurance trusts. The agenda also includes several petitions for home occupation permits and a recreational marijuana retail establishment, as well as numerous committee reports and orders, some of which are recommended for adoption, denial, or withdrawal.
- Proposed FY2026 City Budget and Mayor's Updated DPW Admin Budget (Page 32)
- Substitute Municipal Modernization Ordinance: adds CAFO to Grade 17, Treasurer/Collector to Grade 14, Comptroller to Grade 13 of Schedule A
- Transfer of $12,759,860 from Health Insurance to Dental and Health Insurance Trusts
- Petition of Sixan MA LLC for recreational marijuana retail at 15 Main Street
- Special permit applications for marijuana cultivation and manufacturing at 1 Cabot St (Mass Cannabis Growers Cooperative LLC, Blue Fox Brands Inc.)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will decide on street resurfacing, easements for the Cabot–Race Street project, and multiple budget transfers. They will also discuss speed humps, parking changes, and zoning updates, including short-term rentals and tiny houses.
- Approve Hampden Street Streetscape Improvements from Waldo St to Nonotuck St
- Accept Lynn Ann Drive and Richard Eger Drive as public ways
- Allocate $58,200 for easements in Cabot–Race Street resurfacing project
- Add $12.76M to health insurance trust fund
- Set aside 5% of cannabis revenue for capital improvements in affected communities
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will review and discuss multiple fiscal year 2025 budget transfers, committee reports, and zoning matters. Key items include proposals to update battery storage project ordinances, accept state recycling and firefighter safety grants, and address several second-hand and pawn broker license renewals. Additionally, the council will consider petitions for a new drive-through facility and a marijuana manufacturing establishment.
- Acceptance of the 2024 MassDEP Recycling Dividends/Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant for $7,800
- Acceptance of the FY2025 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program (Round 2) for $11,660
- Petition from Holyoke Retail LLC for a drive-through facility at 1504 Northampton St.
- Petition from The Mass Cannabis Growers Cooperative LLC for a marijuana manufacturing establishment at 1 Cabot St.
- Fiscal year 2025 fund transfers including $145,000 for police motor vehicles and $35,000 for Council on Aging building repairs
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider a series of FY2025 budget transfers, including $145,000 for police motor vehicles, and several ordinance changes, such as allowing email for special meeting notices and restricting RFP bids for applicants with outstanding city violations. The agenda also includes reappointments to boards and a petition for a second-hand license renewal.
- Transfer $145,000 from police salaries to capital outlay for motor vehicles
- Transfer $108,695.56 from cannabis stabilization fund to solicitor claims
- Transfer $78,000.50 from school capital outlay to fire equipment
- Ordinance to allow email for special meeting notices
- Petition for second-hand license renewal at 311 High St.
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will review and likely adopt several zoning and ordinance changes, including updates to special meeting notice rules, zoning changes for Dwight Street properties, and new reporting requirements for city property damage from vehicle accidents. The meeting will also include appointments to the Housing Authority and License Board.
- Zone change application for 736 Dwight St from BL to DR for duplex/triplex development (recommended approved)
- Zone change application for 712-718 Dwight St from BL to DR for duplex/triplex development (recommended approved)
- Ordinance update: Increase fee for ordinance violations from $200 to $1000 to align with state law (recommended adopted)
- Ordinance requiring police to report city property damage over $1,000 from vehicle accidents to City Council and Mayor (recommended adopted)
- Appointment of Denis Luzuriaga to Holyoke Housing Authority (recommended confirmed)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council is meeting to act on several committee recommendations, including two zone changes on Dwight Street, a police crime analyst salary increase, and multiple FY25 budget transfers. The agenda also includes public hearings, petitions for license renewals, and numerous orders on council rules and procedures.
- Zone change at 736 Dwight St from BL to DR for duplex/triplex apartments
- Zone change at 712-718 Dwight St from BL to DR for duplex/triplex apartments
- Police Crime Analyst hire up to $78,000 (above Grade 10 mid-range of $70,407)
- Transfer $5,000 from Police Reserve to Out of State Travel
- Transfer $25,000 from Capital Stabilization to HPD Building Improvements
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will vote on several items, including a pay raise for a police crime analyst, multiple budget transfers, a special permit for a coffee shop, and various appointments. The agenda also includes discussions on the Metcalf School's future, a PILOT policy study, and several grant acceptances.
- Police crime analyst salary increase from $70,407 to $78,000
- Special permit for coffee shop/drive-thru at 209 South St (South Street Plaza)
- Transfer $100,000 from patrolmen and dispatch to MAP/DATA maintenance
- Accept $24,081 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant (no match)
- Appointments to Conservation Commission, Housing Authority, and other boards
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will decide on multiple fiscal transfers and grants, including $425,000 for schematic design studies at four schools to assess roof replacements and $100,000 for a firefighter safety equipment grant. The meeting also includes appointments to boards and committees, special permits for commercial projects, and internal fund reallocations.
- Approve $100,000 firefighter safety equipment grant (MSBA program, no match required)
- Allocate $425,000 for roof studies at Kelly Elementary ($100k), McMahon Elementary ($100k), Sullivan Elementary ($75k), and Holyoke High ($150k)
- Grant special permit for Salmar Realty coffee shop/drive-thru at 209 South St with 32 conditions
- Grant special permit for Schermerhorn’s Restaurant renovation at 224 Westfield Rd
- Hire Police Crime Analyst at $78,000 (raised from $70,407 grade 10 mid-range)
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will consider multiple financial transfers, including $350,000 for police overtime and $293,439.63 for highway capital outlay, as well as several ordinance changes such as creating a municipal hearings officer, adjusting vacant building fees, and restricting group homes. The agenda also includes appointments to city boards, a joint statement affirming immigrant rights, and various orders and resolutions on topics like crosswalks, polling locations, and the Community Preservation Fund.
- Appropriation of $350,000 from patrolmen, sergeants, and dispatch to police overtime
- Transfer of $293,439.63 from stabilization funds to highway capital outlay
- Order to create a municipal hearings officer for building code appeals
- Order to adjust vacant building fee based on building size
- Order to require City Council approval for any group homes in Holyoke
City Council
The Holyoke City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on several items, including hiring a police crime analyst above the usual pay grade, accepting multiple state and federal grants, and approving special permits for local businesses. The agenda also includes appointments to city boards, several traffic and safety orders, and a resolution condemning a political statement about Puerto Rico.
- Approve hiring a police crime analyst at $78,000, above the Grade 10 mid-range of $70,407
- Accept $606,446.54 Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant and $30,000 Project Safe Neighborhoods grant
- Approve special permits for vehicle repair businesses at 54 Commercial St and 41 Temple St
- Approve $350,000 transfer for police overtime and $293,439.63 for highway capital outlay
- Appoint Tiffany Espinosa to Holyoke Redevelopment Authority and Mary O'Connor to Historical Commission