[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",5948315,"mediaKeyId","3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922","parentId",3229391,"title","Holyoke council approves police spending after councilors describe years of neglected maintenance","audioSeconds",1064,"startMs",2115000,"endMs",3179000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922&start=2115&end=3179","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5948315/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-approves-police-spending-after-councilors-describe-years-of-neglected-maintenance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5948315-64b0b1dab8e52e45a2ea22741afba9d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179589&Signature=D16w640LL52-7ByNZftfQeXxq4qM7wnTNlzt8HTy0VPRJw3wZNao-I2azXqpFKRWBW5zNaBUNq~D7WGe796emEq5-Qq0OzaAi-9vjCBlpiJ7V9l2kisbCyOnoSLTxQle5q9k5zfm8yqtqdy~phvJbM7EJ1BoqJfgtNmt0HPYm9xp6UhW-jUnFPhFn3zNS1hP6o~AEPZl3F0aVgSu8aC0kGXU1ZS97DzUWzaj~7cWc91BxX2UNbrleZHw2jdlUVuGqGIfODzge~iA9rXM2LQQ~N28XXIHPnz0eU9OP4UjdjCH4VRf13CsUWOdYdTRxLobHWXnv9kPNAuloFKQ-vnbGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council on May 6 approved multiple finance transfers and purchases to address police department equipment and facility needs after councilors described years of deferred maintenance at police headquarters.

Councilors voted to authorize four items related to the police department: a $145,000 transfer for four used SUVs, a $30,000 transfer for personal protective equipment and defensive tools, a $52,000 transfer for building repairs and cleaning equipment, and a $20,000 transfer to cover ammunition for mandatory training. The items passed on voice and roll-call votes during the meeting.

Councilor Jourdain raised the tone of the discussion, saying the conditions at the department reflected deeper management issues. “At some point, when does a conversation happen so that we have to come in with power washers to do what we're paying people to do?” Jourdain said, citing images shown to the finance committee of filthy locker rooms and broken or nonfunctional equipment. Councilors and committee members repeatedly referenced a prior audit and long-running operational weaknesses at the department.

Councilor Devine, who chaired the finance committee discussion, said the transfers were intended to address immediate needs: the used SUVs will be for detective use and were described at the committee as low-mileage models still under warranty; the equipment package covers ballistic vests, tasers, shields and training gear; and the facilities money would pay for cleaning equipment, painting, lighting repairs and other maintenance revealed in committee testimony. Councilor Devine said the sheriff’s department teams assisted with initial cleanup work at the station.

Police staff also appeared by phone. Sergeant Zurheide explained why the department requests ammunition purchases rather than reusing confiscated rounds: “We cannot use confiscated ammo. The firearms are destroyed. After the case is resolved through the courts, any firearms we receive off the streets are destroyed, as well as the ammunition. So we cannot reuse those,” he said.

Votes and formal actions included:
- Item 32: Transfer of $145,000 to acquire four used SUVs (Marcotte Ford) — passed, 11 ayes, 1 nay (Councilor Rivera voted No).
- Item 33: Transfer of $30,000 for ballistic and defensive equipment — passed, 11 yeas, 1 nay (Councilor Rivera voted No).
- Item 34: Transfer of $52,000 for building repairs and cleaning equipment — passed unanimously.
- Item 35: Transfer of $20,000 for training ammunition — passed unanimously.

Councilors pressed for follow-up steps during the meeting. Several said the problems discussed reflected systemic issues and urged sustained oversight rather than one-time fixes. Councilor McGrath Smith asked whether janitorial responsibilities fall under DPW and suggested the council examine whether custodial supervision or job descriptions should be changed; she offered to help draft language for an order to ask Human Resources and DPW to review the matter. Other councilors urged support for the new police chief and cautioned that some issues would be addressed through collective bargaining or administrative reforms.

The council’s approvals provide short-term funding to replace aging fleet vehicles, buy equipment, and address the most urgent facility repairs and cleaning. Members said they expect further oversight and potential follow-up orders to clarify responsibilities for ongoing maintenance and janitorial staffing.

The council’s actions were taken as part of a series of finance committee recommendations and will be implemented by city departments as directed in the respective transfer orders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 05/06/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Holyoke City Council approved several finance transfers and purchases for the police department after councilors described long-term maintenance and cleanliness problems at police headquarters and discussed equipment needs.","taxTitle","Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",52807,"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},5948313,"Council allocates ARPA and CDBG reprogramming to sewer rehab and tree work, councilors say it saves tax dollars",488,3521000,4009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922&start=3521&end=4009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922/thumbnail_3521000.jpg","/articles/5948313/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-allocates-ARPA-and-CDBG-reprogramming-to-sewer-rehab-and-tree-work-councilors-say-it-saves-tax-dollars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5948313-116d8c8f819636b77f892fd2f2022fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179589&Signature=VVYkNimBh2LHSszTlwMQ5LbC7yxM0nWXWuq58co3cwkzja6nyueqGLsdOyigrsx3-g1pcR2amWHdPY8Ehs1cTvQqI91m45pQcb6CBd5t0fnOhcMJvpE3hTncf6d-uCQaHTZe2xKKUz6rFxK~AabaFLCWeZyVE69uqVtIXowtiJFD~69hF~ZYnwRNhH-zew4BsVk-Se9qmvTtMXhCKPL8bp-~i2d5c4nGZl1qU~OzQAxBkly3Tc~2AseDbjrep6w75I70IehSPOuAs-pKoppt~4oJZpM4CWc4FEQAT2w8qlpEvIkxW1J9MVqRsA29HT0N4nZ2i8VkxdGDiHDzyuONJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted May 6 to adopt recommendations from the Office of Community Development and the Development and Government Relations committee to reallocate remaining Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward sewer rehabilitation and tree work.

DGR recommended placing $1,300,000 of ARPA funds toward Holyoke sewer rehabilitation and $200,000 toward block pruning and tree removal. The council approved the ARPA recommendations by roll-call vote (11–1), with one councilor recorded as voting no on the ARPA allocation package. The council also adopted the CDBG reallocation recommendations unanimously.

Councilor Gibner, chairing the DGR discussion, said committee members prioritized infrastructure because sewer capacity and street trees are foundational to future development. “I personally, in my gut feel like I would like to just build more housing units everywhere, but if we have no sewage, it won't matter,” Gibner said during committee discussion that the council referenced when moving the item.

Councilor Sullivan recounted an earlier March 5 unanimous council recommendation urging the mayor to use remaining ARPA funds for DPW sewer projects and said the DGR recommendation aligned with that prior council request. Councilor Jourdain noted that using ARPA funds for sewer projects can prevent general-tax expenditures later, saving taxpayers money over time.

On the CDBG reallocation, DGR recommended allocations to multiple programs and infrastructure priorities; the committee emphasized infrastructure projects where census-tract eligibility and urgent needs converge. The council adopted the CDBG allocation recommendations unanimously.

The approved actions direct the mayor and relevant departments to execute the recommended uses of federal and ARPA funds. Councilors asked that any administrative fees or program administration requests be drawn from the ARPA allocations in a manner that preserves the funding for capital needs where possible.

The votes provide the mayor and the Office of Community Development with council-backed direction for using remaining federal program dollars and ARPA allocations to address sewer infrastructure and tree maintenance projects the committee identified as high priority.","The Holyoke City Council approved recommendations to reallocate ARPA and CDBG funds, prioritizing sewer rehabilitation and block tree pruning and removal; councilors said the moves avoid tapping general tax revenue for needed infrastructure.",{"_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},5948312,"Council grants Wayfinders temporary license to fence construction site and use part of library lot",175,3311000,3486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922&start=3311&end=3486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922/thumbnail_3311000.jpg","/articles/5948312/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-grants-Wayfinders-temporary-license-to-fence-construction-site-and-use-part-of-library-lot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5948312-9d3e066bfc381e9f0c554460955292a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179589&Signature=H0Xxub-D5fMPZ5yDM8~SMfD44wwVhp--XWk0c8VRjbLUMO6PuCN4hHDZPoBafw30CvZZ5Y5LGXTVcP2ecG8wbi2yrPNHPxTGz6jeCug95jdhIehm253wOidaCdB2IeE~3W~lOstggDD9-XB-tH4wwqRm~UMZGuoWtDUnxXDVZq2Z68q9-WFDVeMb--XEv6P-xo60QZJHYUHpcnZiTvBTub8aqw8bGy4SdHOsCYculLU14gNP5AtKQ03B5XIgG~-4PW2Bq10nGUzjCOkt7mbGKaORYjKdz7TiYyT-LdW-2b21jYhxUDDQ8qbYd81yFpLEUCl2BYZ1myZrAhY~2bTL3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on May 6 granted a temporary license to Wayfinders and its contractor to fence a historic building site across from the library and to use part of the library parking lot for staging and a mobile office.

The Development and Government Relations committee recommended the license unanimously after reviewing a plan that includes safety fencing, use of half the library lot for equipment storage and a temporary mobile office, and coordination on alleyway access. Committee members said Wayfinders obtained permission from the library and DPW and that the project team would continue to coordinate with adjacent property owners because ownership of the alley is split between neighbors.

Councilor Gibner, who reported the committee recommendation, said the project aims to rehabilitate a historic building and add apartment units. “They will...put a fence around the building that they're gonna be working on,” Gibner said, explaining that the fence is for public safety and that sidewalks and alleyway management were part of the approvals before DGR.

The council approved the license by roll-call vote and asked staff to ensure any required agreements with neighboring property owners are obtained before construction expands into shared alley space. The license allows Wayfinders to start initial site work, stage materials, and place a temporary work unit on the portion of the library lot that Wayfinders and the library agreed they could use.

The approval is limited to a temporary license for construction staging and does not substitute for required building permits or longer-term property or land-use approvals. The project team told the committee the end goal is a rehabilitated, occupied building with repaired sidewalks and site improvements.","The City Council granted a temporary license to Wayfinders to enclose a construction site on Cabot Street, including permission to use half of the library parking lot for staging and a mobile office; the license followed a unanimous DGR recommendation.",{"_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},5948311,"Council recommends limited loading/unloading spaces near VCare; ordinance committee to set hours",338,4124000,4462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922&start=4124&end=4462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229391-c5c7c9d3b2bdf3000acb4cc437483922/thumbnail_4124000.jpg","/articles/5948311/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-recommends-limited-loadingunloading-spaces-near-VCare-ordinance-committee-to-set-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5948311-77a7adc732e6f13b0813b16306754158/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179589&Signature=oekHz3EjtWQpI1sk96f5Di8JVPwlhi~OimcYSeSSt8iTXIAjpl9E31KAVbNb9J9dLhFJRJfZDpard5XDBj8OWLulad-CvKfdI4YB-NhjAceMFrdexLrmHNqICYo2jStgImq-DkeXVWiC4Ab5KDDoRjvEiJ9p9JiY8t7reMaB~Irdd-izYlWTXp46PnxJtGjCiqK3zkbwxEyjqbwDx2IkDNKRbZrLT5e0jq6RUC4xM4BRF2MWPQ~~MpfUpWzM4uZxEKGgTeo4n8-6RCZk2aEXR78DodLzPkPAIVmL1i8ARlJEnZTA9NKtii-wLrK2wfz9PP5xMDfJGl-QbgC-TF0QtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on May 6 accepted a Development and Government Relations committee recommendation to create limited loading and unloading spaces near VCare’s facility on High Street and referred the matter to the ordinance committee to craft final language on hours and policy.

Committee members heard from VCare representatives and local councilors who described frequent drop-off and pick-up activity by VCare vans and argued the organization needs additional public loading capacity. DGR recommended two loading/unloading spaces with limited hours — Monday through Friday, proposed 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. — and suggested ordinance language to allow public use while prioritizing service providers.

Councilor Devine and Councilor Gibner summarized the committee discussion and said the proposed spaces are meant for public loading and not a private allocation to a single company. Councilor Rivera clarified that the spaces would remain public and that the ordinance committee should decide exact parameters for eligibility and enforcement. “They provide a service to many seniors in the city,” DGR members said when explaining why the request merited accommodation.

The council approved the DGR recommendation that the order has been complied with and forwarded the matter to ordinance to spell out hours and any eligibility criteria. The committee advised that VCare already pays for parking for employees and that on-site parking behind the building is allocated to another agency; fleet vans do not fit in those spaces, the committee was told.

The ordinance committee will draft the exact hours and restrictions as part of a broader discussion about future requests for loading zones and how to apply a policy consistently across the city.","After Development and Government Relations heard from VCare and city staff, the council recommended adding limited loading/unloading spaces near VCare’s building; the matter moves to the ordinance committee to finalize hours and policy language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holyoke council approves police spending after councilors describe years of neglected maintenance

Council allocates ARPA and CDBG reprogramming to sewer rehab and tree work, councilors say it saves tax dollars

Council grants Wayfinders temporary license to fence construction site and use part of library lot

Council recommends limited loading/unloading spaces near VCare; ordinance committee to set hours