[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-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",[32,75,86,98,110,122],{"_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",6118804,"mediaKeyId","2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30","parentId",2716147,"title","Council approves $661,595 in CPA awards for six local projects","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",4871000,"endMs",5214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=4871&end=5214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_4871000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118804/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-661595-in-CPA-awards-for-six-local-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118804-baa5fcd87d6e2e0f650dd81c461d0467/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=XUCV1rMKDrJmL8iZ3uN51RMPBqubRALCunMPEAGu5hQE5JxbT-m3yej0YWb5-FvDmy~pMZiROwIdfpYhwkDZ4QdI29ToBJbHIvYsg4R7i4ZI3dDQwkBcpe4XQG68if2i8UQgzlE2itRd7QksGDTJP59wFdbPyDA~eYY~pdcUa7AqdiZUa9xRXRxssr8pHHJP9mXLjNdHjcQrENxIh5XNBjhjoF-3jO4IlVd82cSPAO7V2YHe~K3dUYfgICmb3unKyRGCf-~Fy~pjfMJoIkU8b2e6MAYMbP5dsFJamHkZQalJoKAvjdEV~XZPV0D8clY3aAI2FKqM1Ay4S65sHaJBtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council unanimously approved Community Preservation Act funding March 18 for six projects totaling $661,595.

Finance and CPA committee members reviewed project applications and recommended awards to the council. The approved projects and recommended amounts were: $100,000 to 1 Holyoke CDC for improvements at the Flats Community Building (historic category); $50,000 for exterior work at Lawrence School (historic); $50,000 for a tiny home and garden project on East Dwight Street (housing); $130,000 to the YMCA for Holyoke pickleball courts (open space and recreation); $150,000 to the Parks Department for GlueTech playground improvements in Ward 5 (open space and recreation); and $165,000 for continued stained-glass window restoration at City Hall (historic).

Councilors discussed the projects during the committee report. Members noted the committee’s review of oversight for smaller housing projects and that the Office of Community Development would provide oversight where appropriate. The tiny-home project on East Dwight was described as preserving sunlight and open space for adjacent properties while adding an affordable housing element.

Councilors emphasized the citywide benefits of park and recreation investments and the preservation of historic buildings. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote approving the CPA awards.

The council’s action authorizes the city to establish appropriations and accounting for the CPA funds and directs grantees to comply with CPA reporting requirements; the committee requested grantee oversight and follow-up reporting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved a Community Preservation Act funding package totaling $661,595 for six Holyoke projects, including historic preservation, playground improvements, pickleball courts, a tiny home and community-building upgrades.","taxTitle","Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",52807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118808,"Council approves Munis consulting transfers; separate DPW transfer denied after debate on staffing",0,6507000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=6507&end=6507","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_6507000.jpg","/articles/6118808/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-Munis-consulting-transfers-separate-DPW-transfer-denied-after-debate-on-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118808-595fcd22ff803431dc8712eee81f85ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=ThQNzR6C3F8qlrJW-KLN0CPklVY3RCNavr4VvIKfQ2ji4G8CQ1UW9gAHNX4W9fb2-AzFuyxoPvl8ONeGOAx71Vusxnmg1I120cRvmqBiLAH-X4YS2bThojjP3s0FCbizGxUhPb7NfU1lxZqDqEHWS-e4CV8a-PiSxGYdL3-xHK2V4IDK6om6QcuQX5jqSchRXOjktjTzD2aJ3QaLntyzYLW9mKqczqJ3Dh0OeYQ~zqOCIc8pEXDgugf9soyUGMVE1FQ-ee~zASr9zjyt3LdQl0U82YWbwVS3B8fKKRwR1tZ41pzgIRAwSIqt13sezPBmkjbHrd~659~WdNgb~tLk7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved several budget transfers March 18 to pay for Munis consulting and training but denied one transfer requested from the Department of Public Works.

Finance committee members had recommended moving funds to professional services across multiple departments to pay consultants and trainers for the city's Munis financial/ERP implementation. Council votes approved a package of transfers from the personnel, procurement and treasurer lines (committee items 35, 36 and 37) to professional services; those transfers total roughly $52,503 and were adopted after committee testimony that the consultant would support department heads and train internal \"train-the-trainer\" staff.

Separately, a $5,000 DPW transfer (item 33) to pay for out-of-state travel to a Munis conference drew more contention. Councilor Sullivan and others opposed moving funds out of DPW payroll lines while key DPW positions remain vacant; they urged the department to prioritize filling positions before diverting funds for travel. After discussion, the council voted 6–5 to deny the DPW transfer.

Councilors pressing for the transfers said consultant-led training is needed to guarantee Munis implementation and to equip staff who will train other employees. Opponents argued the city should use existing departmental funds or wait until vacancies are filled rather than reduce operating lines in understaffed departments.

The adopted transfers were recorded and directed to professional services accounts; the clerk recorded the votes on each item and the finance committee and department heads will schedule consultant work and training sessions.","Council approved three transfers totaling approximately $55,000 to hire Munis consulting services for implementation and training, while rejecting a $5,000 DPW transfer to send DPW staff to a Munis conference amid concerns about unfilled positions and departmental capacity.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118813,"Council accepts $84,458 grant to pair police with Roca for crisis intervention program",1002,6911000,7913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=6911&end=7913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_6911000.jpg","/articles/6118813/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-accepts-84458-grant-to-pair-police-with-Roca-for-crisis-intervention-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118813-562f8da3d225abbf92fb9878baa71b74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=Y7XL6fADpKX5HUgwU4166kaNBlpwxpo0pBv17ghAIux0-EmclGNB~MdxiXGOlXDXjagZnTaBBeGwamtrzr1D3h699G48XLbjHpVrPi13IeGcYoE7BHKAE~WCC5aDeGfgjU-JbjeGqXdObngcp26cvB2lvnj0GZ3u1CBOFbl1tXiBpv9jPFX~HU9Et6kcs1CgVPcR9kAMjFzffou9P6NqA9fLzQpGtKGKQjMTJFUDRV8AJ2pBzFqCQLe8zEoLDnmuYzRYhllYortz-Sf9D6n0Pfr25o752xq4lFcqciiFkXWP4LQCtDbR-8ADgeAdz5ilEXRDLGxVZCe5GbZCJDLGdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted March 18 to accept an $84,458.79 grant for a police-led crisis intervention program administered in partnership with Roca, a regional workforce and re-entry nonprofit.

The grant will fund services for approximately 14 participants and, by council description, includes a police officer assigned one day per week to meet with Roca participants to mentor and oversee program activities (driving school, job applications and related supports). The police department presented the grant request to the finance committee; committee members noted the officer would meet with Roca as part of the grant and said the assignment would not be paid as overtime. Council discussion focused on operational implications — several councilors asked whether an officer would be removed from street duty or whether the duty would be assigned within existing schedules and whether the city would bear costs if an officer were injured while performing grant duties.

Councilors raised concerns about officer staffing levels and the potential that police duties would shift to include grant-related mentoring. The police representative and other staff told the council the officer would conduct weekly sessions in addition to regular duties, and the department characterized the assignment as part of regular shift scheduling rather than an extra overtime post.

On the roll call, the council approved the grant 10–1. Councilor Israel Rivera raised procedural cautions during debate; councilor McGrath Smith and others sought clarifying language on how assignment and coverage would be handled. The council asked for assurances that the grant activity would not be funded with overtime and that the police department would manage staffing to maintain patrol coverage.

The vote authorizes the acceptance of state grant funds and the establishment of an accounting method for the program; it also requires city departments to report outcomes as appropriate. The police department and Roca are expected to provide further details on scheduling and program administration.","The council voted 10–1 to accept an $84,458.79 Burns State Crisis Intervention grant, authorizing police to partner with Roca on mentoring and workforce supports for 14 young adults; the program includes weekly officer involvement and drew debate over whether regular patrol staffing would be affected.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118818,"City Council renews home-occupation permit for West Franklin nail salon, reaffirms prior conditions",644,3193000,3837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=3193&end=3837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_3193000.jpg","/articles/6118818/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/City-Council-renews-home-occupation-permit-for-West-Franklin-nail-salon-reaffirms-prior-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118818-2bff085188638bd96e322c7cabc8304d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=FH7OJD~Rq~ClLxzTYrpZu0EyRfPKBmj8R8SxWUMnIOLHi6muVzdrH20hmYfmKqkQ7gQk65M7U8uTYGHVjV1vsKqDKcNLQmAI~He7~H2EVJcgIrUjzxfYyH~zAYxBab99zRuLXDMLcOPsMY9m7UOE7x~uuQnxGMDWpcuZGvCXRLqZ2E~~OF4sWevP8V~fC5oN9LPPtrxEWtgnwLfUoI~9w2t4PPxZ7B5UqsJ1z5x-QnwMXtNcTZt41lt4CmBgpRl9-I6jh7a1NB-axKaOotlOt6c3u7tKHW~IbTeHaIa05k3ainVwH3rJB7-fjVaKrBbCXyd8Iun8G0a6Id6e2mupDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a renewal March 18 for a home-occupation permit to operate a nail salon at 22 West Franklin Street, subject to the same conditions attached when the special permit was originally granted.

Council members raised concerns because the applicant previously had signage that the original permit had prohibited. Council discussion focused on whether the renewal should include the prior conditions explicitly; the assistant clerk and staff retrieved the original conditions during the meeting. The three conditions reported from the earlier DGR committee minutes (Oct. 3, 2023) were: hours of operation Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; no signage; and customers to park in the driveway to the extent feasible.

Councilor Bartley moved to approve the renewal and to include those existing conditions. After discussion about enforcement, councilors requested the Building Commissioner follow up to ensure compliance. The clerk called a roll; the recorded vote was unanimous in favor.

The council emphasized that renewals do not automatically alter previously imposed conditions and noted the building department will verify compliance with the sign and parking restrictions cited in the original permit.","The council approved renewal of a home-occupation permit for a nail salon at 22 West Franklin Street, attaching prior conditions limiting hours, signage and customer parking and asking building department to verify compliance.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118823,"Council approves Holyoke Gas & Electric petition for new support pole at Courser and Isabella",163,1391000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=1391&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_1391000.jpg","/articles/6118823/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-Holyoke-Gas-Electric-petition-for-new-support-pole-at-Courser-and-Isabella","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118823-74bce8166a98b52b9507edc722dd900d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=n-2gFzfadGBfEpq9qtmjbmeXdA5QAb7JrgdLV~zVbn47QILdIpii~FCtZj8GpChrOtXbq9zEh5b2S7RVfQ2DUl9Kdr5LoYZ4vtz8KFafjmXCB9PDj4mcnZPzEfDjIJLX9dyQG4FbzJOmOPlX0hqu-RArJAl9jVmJaO5DvobI95aNWZ4ZCnlEf75pJ5JiOUfkFp4MMBT88n38EmcjQxNbvv3oFyMxdyN2pBc45525eLkmr77drmWsDYU-fTEReqlzB65QW-3zjaV2OUpS~RyuOLZfjw94dOl7h9bVxoYsujZ79Hizi~rhGOz22UVHCBtJMgEQNSXBDIPGlAGu-Chf0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously March 18 to approve a petition from Holyoke Gas & Electric to place a support (span-guy) pole at the corner of Courser and Isabella streets.

Vin O'Connell, representing Holyoke Gas & Electric, described the request as a non-electrical support pole roughly 50 feet from the existing last pole on Courser Street and located near the hospital entrance. He said the pole would not carry primary or secondary electrical facilities and would be used solely to provide mechanical support for another pole on Courser so it “doesn't lean over.” O'Connell said abutting property owners had been notified and the utility had not received objections.

Councilor Anderson Burgos confirmed the location is in Ward 3 and that the ward councilor had no objection. After a public hearing with no speakers, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk read in the roll call; the recorded votes (Israel Rivera, Jenny Rivera, Sullivan, Bacon, Anderson Burgos, Bartley, Devine, Graney, Jourdain, McGrath Smith, Ocasio) were all yes. The council president announced the petition approved by unanimous vote.

The council's approval authorizes the physical placement per the petition but does not alter public-right-of-way rules; the utility remains responsible for permitting and for coordination with city departments as required.","Holyoke City Council unanimously approved a Holyoke Gas & Electric petition to place a span-guy support pole on the corner of Courser and Isabella to support an adjacent pole on Courser Street.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118828,"City Council authorizes MSBA statements of interest for two elementary schools",430,1817000,2247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30&start=1817&end=2247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716147-3c7ba7fcd50fc2b70cd18c8178866c30/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","/articles/6118828/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/City-Council-authorizes-MSBA-statements-of-interest-for-two-elementary-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118828-4f65275169abd2eec72b82aa598e2aa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=bRKQxgFOxsI-AzRLGVyP4xdW3dcahE~szXPFljOu0CVkGrpPQ6jK-Hb8SUeRvoDp1HlSGlbfEHo7-SxCfuVd8ov9xbbKB6bJREidyYMtFFB3TDzAF3TefYUyg2zrpRj1DG7vnVa4teOR1nG-7mw970OTjlnjzeHFB2nPsOv8RwL9yomjwzRRMF2cZA4OYq7vmWwpJwlpAzIJaWB8K7nyvGTf27lrPCorYPPUNoPV0Gv7u6C3PMg4Psy~UpiHh9ckfUrEea8Z-P~bZ6A4wMXabuJKa1wTaTMqcJdrIoRzBRlWsoblHB~wWm8nnIITrOhP8qhWoxm70DU5NE2eV5suyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously March 18 to authorize school officials to submit statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for two elementary schools.

The votes let the superintendent submit MSBA statement-of-interest forms for Lieutenant Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School, 75 Kane Road, and Morris A. Donahue Elementary School, 210 Whiting Farms Road. Councilors heard from Sean Sheedy of the Holyoke School Department, who told the council the forms are nonfinancial steps required by the MSBA and that the city has already completed extensive application questions and obtained the mayor’s signatures.

Sheedy said the McMahon submission would list priority 5 deficiencies for “replacement of the windows and doors in the courtyard portion of the building.” The Donahue submission likewise listed priority 5 for replacement of exterior windows and related deficiencies. He said the MSBA’s statement-of-interest process does not guarantee acceptance, awarding of a grant, or an obligation to apply for funding.

The council took separate roll-call votes for the two items. In each recorded roll call, all members present voted yes; the clerk recorded the outcome as a unanimous approval.

The approvals allow the superintendent to upload the MSBA forms into the portal. Sheedy said the district has already completed the MSBA’s required questionnaire and file uploads and had mayoral and other signatures in hand.

Councilors framed the action as a procedural authorization to seek possible future funding rather than a commitment of local dollars. The MSBA evaluates SOIs before inviting full applications that would include cost estimates and, if invited, follow a multi-stage review process.

The council did not commit any local match during these votes; the MSBA language included in the council motion explicitly notes that submitting an SOI does not obligate the city to file a funding application or accept a grant.","The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously to authorize school officials to submit Massachusetts School Building Authority statements of interest for Lieutenant Elmer J. McMahon Elementary and Morris A. Donahue Elementary, noting submission does not guarantee grant awards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $661,595 in CPA awards for six local projects

Council approves Munis consulting transfers; separate DPW transfer denied after debate on staffing

Council accepts $84,458 grant to pair police with Roca for crisis intervention program

City Council renews home-occupation permit for West Franklin nail salon, reaffirms prior conditions

Council approves Holyoke Gas & Electric petition for new support pole at Courser and Isabella

City Council authorizes MSBA statements of interest for two elementary schools