[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289515,"mediaKeyId","2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b","parentId",2532325,"title","Council clears first step to amend pawnbroker ordinance, sets $200 annual license fee","audioSeconds",83,"startMs",5268000,"endMs",5351000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b&start=5268&end=5351","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b/thumbnail_5268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289515/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-clears-first-step-to-amend-pawnbroker-ordinance-sets-200-annual-license-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289515-58ebf75a6c031e87db35809fbf8493c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171282&Signature=BCZVaPpiStM~UjQis5Q9rpih5XtxYFZkbt1UffgF64CE9dREiQQh2gA-id75SsD4dlKwgcNoxQKm5LQsnyyDnoRvhb2DiqCvoQH7veNY4yYcRZ6AIXR8PEphJfYlhI9i8CCxrXpEPErxHpCDst8SqIZLF66839tja76st6f0whRZqx74~aF9Qn2Ux9g8ofXTGJ70ZkVPXxmnUWp7idwK1IOAMYrvana5CCnljZIku8dhHE9Cqfxzg9g4Xz4oSYfeVfDXshD~XTC3lJsXFEApGi0tVa~tdIW1NDszTZMTmjS-OeE8zE7X8xBv7EW8~JE23CrsiqjdMyWMcw27t~hWWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Springfield City, MA","date","2025-03-10T23:02:16Z","article","The Springfield City Council passed the first step Monday for an amendment to Chapter 270, Section 1 (pawnbrokers and second‑hand dealers). The proposed change removes an unintended blank in the 2016 ordinance that had left a limit on the number of licenses unspecified, and it formalizes the annual license fee at $200.

Councilor Fenton, the sponsor, said the blank was an inadvertent omission in the 2016 ordinance; the change removes the empty clause and sets the fee. He said the police department has been charging $200 for several years and the amendment aligns the ordinance text with current practice. The council retains an existing moratorium on new licenses; the amendment does not lift that moratorium.

Councilors asked about the item's background‑check requirements and the police commissioner's authority. The ordinance language requires that applicants and employees submit to a criminal background check on application and renewal; Councilor Kern asked whether that applied to owners and employees and was told it does. The police commissioner retains discretion to determine suitability, which city staff said reflects current department practice.

Councilor Delgado asked about the prior fee, which was $100; staff said the police department had been collecting $200 in recent years but that the ordinance text had not been updated. Councilors asked for clarity about the criteria the police commissioner uses to determine suitability; the law department noted the moratorium has limited licensing activity in recent years and formal suitability guidelines were not elaborated in the discussion.

The first step passed by roll call. Because this is an ordinance amendment, a second step (final passage) is required at a subsequent meeting.

Ending: The council advanced the ordinance amendment to formalize the license fee and remove the blanked cap; future steps will determine final language and whether to lift or extend the existing moratorium on new licenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield City Council Regular Meeting 3/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted on first step to amend Chapter 270 (pawnbrokers) to remove an unspecified cap left blank in the 2016 ordinance and to formalize a $200 annual license fee; the first step passed on roll call. The ordinance retains background‑check language and the police commissioner's suitability discretion.","taxTitle","Springfield City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",3703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289520,"City files MSBA statements of interest for multiple school projects, including heat‑pump requests",1248,4006000,5254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b&start=4006&end=5254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b/thumbnail_4006000.jpg","/articles/6289520/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/City-files-MSBA-statements-of-interest-for-multiple-school-projects-including-heatpump-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289520-5761ad40f3ea62bbe613649a2e174dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171282&Signature=PhjYDsP3Fek~bNLVf9eV7PYQVlXwqZ2~1uJyfSV8wzRP-4wXS3AUvXUCHJO3LT07bZ-nBK6NxkixTo-c2XoCyaoQTdIuVkItYgZnw82wFnOtSejfTEaqSHGLkwQBsDjN0jxeGSdO6uMHZzQ2fR76GfpZyFdcipzgMOhgDQUMR2uS46~8PThiKF88qBlfE6OkVb4M5vsqjbrIUSp9xJ0Ue5Qs4JL6m6dXc6CjoblJbgMKw4-2AZeaGq10ybOpG0gV2Y5JRXYxGpvDhCreQuPpKvMWK5GUJL9NawruJ5nkEJ48Hbc3rdhpNw8ZFHnThAbwlaZj3wxg0KhxgnzMu0IL0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Springfield officials outlined and the City Council approved Monday a slate of 2025 statements of interest (SOIs) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), including a priority request for a Washington School replacement, a Kensington schematic design submission, several accelerated repair requests, and a series of heat‑pump system projects.

Jonathan Kerrigan (Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management) presented the SOIs. He said the city's \"priority request\" is a Washington/Beal core replacement. The Kensington site and White have been invited into schematic design by the MSBA after a prior submission, Kerrigan said. The city also identified Van Sickle, Bolland, Doorman and Brunton for the MSBA Accelerated Repair Roof Program. For a new MSBA heat‑pump program (system replacement rather than whole‑building replacement), the city identified Mary Lynch, Arthur Talmadge, Zanetti and Liberty elementary schools as meeting the program criteria.

Councilors asked technical and siting questions. Councilor Jose Davila sought clarification about potential co‑location: the city discussed the possibility of co‑locating a replacement Washington School near the Alice Beale site but said it is an early, tentative idea that would require design, community input and MSBA approval. Councilor Whitfield asked whether solar would be considered in heat‑pump plans; staff said solar and other electrification measures would be evaluated during engineering review and that site constraints (roof load and parking availability) would factor into implementation.

Councilor Curran and others praised city facilities staff for their record with MSBA submissions. The council approved items 16 through 27 (the list of SOIs) by roll call.

Ending: The approvals allow city staff to proceed with MSBA applications and schematic design invitations where applicable; further design work, site selection and community engagement will follow MSBA process steps.","Springfield submitted 2025 statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a priority replacement request (Washington/Beal), a Kensington schematic design invite and a set of accelerated repairs and heat‑pump system replacements at multiple elementary schools.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289525,"School officials ask council to approve $4.5M, four‑year lease for student, staff laptops",879,3085000,3964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b&start=3085&end=3964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b/thumbnail_3085000.jpg","/articles/6289525/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/School-officials-ask-council-to-approve-45M-fouryear-lease-for-student-staff-laptops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289525-8193c1f994ac0b1da66338d088537fbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171282&Signature=IX1YFplL0FIsmt5rrsAAozu3IFlxcDWRP7OHyirLPIOw8iB53qobkxDp38r4QT86-eXmA6fdFi26Ily~-xASrILHGBP4-3C4uUo76voCj~WRrnXStLkr7Y3oQJgZQQ-KiCrLTDn~G2Sh12KdsioRXwudagVuR6NYgdd6JpEsBYroGi8XFSpAOAL5RwNSmFkIhkTVC6PiU-lpqa8yUtIWJTKgacTbwNXtCO9MvW1tzyGUjQ5UuY36dBAsEmA9qZzq8vL0vnaMuz4mnlaQyGrJvgckDd1ZZ-EwHUtr553Wl9IQWRsUloYcOxOTxCIKPfbhOJYhjzxm-~iD0lEhtFVuNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Springfield Public Schools asked the City Council Monday to approve a four‑year lease‑purchase financing agreement for laptop computers to support classroom and remote learning; the council approved the order by roll call.

Bob St. Lawrence, chief information officer for Springfield Public Schools, told the council the district plans roughly 6,000 laptops for students and about 1,200 for staff. The program follows the district's policy to replace laptops on a four‑year cycle; St. Lawrence said the total cost is about $4.5 million over the lease term (roughly $1.2 million annually).

Under the proposed arrangement the district would finance devices through Hewlett Packard Financial Services and purchase equipment from a vendor (St. Lawrence named WALL E Computer as a vendor partner). St. Lawrence said the school system retains ownership of the devices at the end of the lease at no additional cost. He outlined plans to extend the life of older devices where possible, recycle end‑of‑life units with vendors, and explore donations or community refurbishing programs.

Councilors asked about warranty, maintenance and support. St. Lawrence said in‑house staff handle most repairs; warranties and a parts budget cover additional needs. Several councilors separately suggested the district explore bulk purchasing to achieve lower unit prices and to coordinate refurbished devices for seniors and community groups. Councilor Brown named a local nonprofit, Springfield Community (Erica Andrews), that refurbishes and donates used devices.

The council approved the order to authorize the four‑year lease‑purchase financing agreement by roll call.

Ending: The district will proceed with the lease financing, and city and school staff said they will follow up on questions about maintenance budgets, recycling/donation plans and opportunities to lower per‑unit costs through procurement strategy.","Springfield Public Schools asked the City Council to authorize a four‑year lease‑purchase agreement to fund about 6,000 student and 1,200 staff laptops; the council approved the order at Monday's meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289529,"Council refers Public Health Nurses collective bargaining agreement to Health & Human Services committee",951,2123000,3074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b&start=2123&end=3074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b/thumbnail_2123000.jpg","/articles/6289529/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-refers-Public-Health-Nurses-collective-bargaining-agreement-to-Health-Human-Services-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289529-ca88e92cb2c3f42470648191242722e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171282&Signature=MFUF7LX5CuuKlxLgbCW3hlU5XSK~6XeeenYl14iHZqGL0RDPr5hUg3pPa1s4h2VTMQeTFIt9HEhs9huIOZmA4GzzuC~9zBYfSGz3PiBzSc9MygWOq-VknyJNTql6jyZ9KQ26QWE7SSdVvvfNjr8E09Pa6S9KGyTbegq737vb35yqqniQT5RCqUsxgSCkW3PY84TheDUt1hNC4DEejwuF5hoF6GRrP~m76CFHww8vsFHhpgLoeUy08kOG-~gNpo324EWomZlxLIjTAjBYB33TtXoaEIFwpCgD3WXijiv8sBek01lqb8zCjSAXuHhb~Vehve2EBkIi3qD16RhLksL0xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Council voted Monday to refer a ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the Springfield Public Health Nurses to the Health & Human Services Committee for additional review and follow-up.

Bill Mahoney, director of human resources and labor relations, presented the agreement and said it covers the period beginning July 1, 2024, and extends through February 2028. The contract provides a $1-per-hour increase in the first year and raises of 2% in years two through four. The agreement also expands grievance filing time from five to 10 days, incorporates language for military leave previously approved by council, and allows the Commissioner of Health and Human Services more flexibility to use outside agencies and part‑time, nonbargaining staff.

Councilors expressed concern that there are currently no employees in the bargaining unit. Mahoney said there had been one employee during negotiations who ratified the tentative agreement and then resigned before the council vote. \"It's a very odd situation,\" Mahoney said, noting the unit had three to four members historically but is now vacant.

Councilor Michael Curran moved to send the item to committee, citing concerns about recruiting and whether the salary will attract candidates. Councilor Jose Davila seconded the referral. Councilor Whitfield questioned the proposed salary level; Mahoney said the proposed starting salary for a nurse with a bachelor's degree under the contract would be about $71,300. Several councilors urged committee review of recruitment strategies and salary competitiveness, and Councilor Brown raised the idea of on‑site nursing for the police department holding cells as a separate operational matter to examine.

The Health & Human Services Committee will review the contract language, recruitment plan and budget implications. The referral passed on roll call.

Ending: The referral puts the CBA on track for committee analysis of staffing, salary competitiveness and operational flexibility before the council takes a final ratification vote.","A tentative collective bargaining agreement for Springfield Public Health Nurses was presented and, after questions about vacancies and pay, the council voted to send it to the Health & Human Services Committee for further review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289534,"Council delays Eversource, Verizon easements; sends petitions to joint committee",896,876000,1772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b&start=876&end=1772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532325-3810b4dd96d52f498106a73d4c55cf9b/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6289534/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-delays-Eversource-Verizon-easements-sends-petitions-to-joint-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289534-2ccc8164c779bfe7246a5b7236597882/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171282&Signature=Qd~5r351Kj3CZWWpR0Ar4yVLrd-ut9q34Bom1M6l0E0qhECBJyX5~5cRqhiFTYtkqrBkhox0KOdQbT5Yf--0jpCTFG6wi60JUxEi3dI7IEg9dZ2aHGij9xQ-DEQIsP-hKKddjKAmDQNAn9EHGhp4P8tXEPbOocTR8JhYmxg~J0FlfZlcsHpc-2ncOfLOZuHGyPRZUpVluFLGk0YTLce5AS0fLFqWGqQlY9BF4z-Ja-oPvg4w5bwfhiDKGRWYjnJSo1XKu3BknDmtkuxJF6tE5dQshT5vag2PJtyW6nSYFenEbdvTVGZlkrgTKzk~Q68x4gguSK9sK1anDcOf4MpR4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Council voted unanimously Monday to send six utility petitions from Eversource and one from Verizon to a joint Maintenance & Development and Economic Development committee for further review.

Councilor James Brown pressed the motion after questioning whether the city and residents understand how utility upgrades affect consumer bills and how companies allocate costs and profits. \"We're gonna reconstruct this...and then now we're gonna charge the customers this amount of money for doing it,\" Brown said, urging the council to \"slow down a lot of this and put it in committees.\" Councilor John Curran seconded the motion.

The petitions include routine easements and infrastructure work. Hector Velez, the city engineer, told the council the Westwood petition from Eversource would replace roughly 2,000 feet of gas line (from Northampton Avenue to Norfolk Street) with plastic pipe; he also answered questions about an underground Verizon run on Maple Street of about 109 feet. Don Bonner of Verizon identified himself for the record earlier when the Maple Street petition was discussed.

Councilors who spoke in favor of the referral cited two main concerns: the potential cost pass-through to customers (delivery or distribution charges) and poor coordination between utility work and city road repaving. \"There's a lack of communication with that utility, and there's a lack of transparency,\" Councilor Curran said, adding that constituents are seeing higher delivery charges and disrupted roads after repair work.

Councilor Golan, who said many constituents have complained that delivery charges are nearly double supply charges, and Councilor Santonello, who noted an upcoming public meeting with Eversource at the Ray Jordan Center, supported the move. Councilor Walsh asked whether petitions originate with the utility or with residents; Hector Velez said petitions come from Eversource.

The motion to refer items 2 through 7 to committee was called to a roll and passed by voice/roll call. The referral directs the petitions to the Maintenance & Development Committee with joint review from Economic Development for the financial implications. Councilor Brown and Councilor Curran said they plan to schedule the joint meeting in the coming weeks.

The referral does not approve or deny any easement or construction; it sends the petitions for additional review and potential recommendations back to the council.

Votes at the meeting confirmed the referral. The clerk's roll call recorded the vote as affirmative and sufficient to send items 2–7 to committee.

The council also recorded specific item details on the public record: the Maple Street Verizon petition was represented in the meeting field inspection by Mr. Bonner and city staff; the Westwood (Eversource) petition involves the Upper Hill neighborhood and a 2,000-foot replacement. Councilors asked staff to report back with documentation showing whether specific petitions were requested by constituents, how work would be scheduled against city paving projects, and clearer information on how costs are passed to customers.

The committee referral is procedural; any decision to grant an easement or approve construction will return to the full council after committee review.

Ending: The council indicated Brown and Curran will coordinate dates for the joint committee and that staff will gather additional cost, notification and coordination information from Eversource and the city's Department of Public Works ahead of that meeting.","Springfield City Council voted to refer six utility petitions from Eversource and Verizon to the Maintenance & Development and Economic Development committees after councilors raised concerns about transparency, customer costs and coordination with road repairs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council clears first step to amend pawnbroker ordinance, sets $200 annual license fee

City files MSBA statements of interest for multiple school projects, including heat‑pump requests

School officials ask council to approve $4.5M, four‑year lease for student, staff laptops

Council refers Public Health Nurses collective bargaining agreement to Health & Human Services committee

Council delays Eversource, Verizon easements; sends petitions to joint committee