[{"_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",6512125,"mediaKeyId","5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291","parentId",5114259,"title","Council sends municipal-modernization and charter changes to committee; central finance budget returned to mayor for supplemental","audioSeconds",1002,"startMs",2498000,"endMs",3500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291&start=2498&end=3500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291/thumbnail_2498000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512125/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-sends-municipal-modernization-and-charter-changes-to-committee-central-finance-budget-returned-to-mayor-for-supplemental","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512125-fe23436f20586cbf08bd1b2feaea0f63/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170344&Signature=byHHSvaMaMoqrpakgkK5VOb3vHrFGaqUQqDMTSda~UfzfAlGXcTJO3fFFRil~a5FkDmmOJin~wohcp~HDVz9FNL9fIb7IbwBJtf9zXE61NZ5CnEZ344Lcu11w2nyzPriDm0iGBQJ8ml3TKxMMn-beWyyQ6XX3hZwqBctI8FSsbBasHb4lxyjTYdVVAcPcTKZkqzzLG-jsCurJg6e3fNZUSeUE168Odd--Nlp1lNDs6qrsAm2kkAx1ZF6-G84UI3tVwCDXH~TbBQTSX~4ZHTs-CzbmSziQ9no1BPFaUK~AaSFARvsDAp1fygweyqQWIVApXXQzUYVfl8IaGdKjaEArg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council used its June 30 special meeting to route an extensive municipal-modernization package and multiple charter and ordinance amendments to committee rather than taking final votes.

Councilors voted to suspend the rules to consider several charter items (14–16) as a package and to keep them in Charter & Rules. They also agreed to send a set of ordinance proposals (including a substitute municipal modernization ordinance, creation of a chief administrative and financial officer position, and updates to personnel/human resources ordinances) to the Ordinance Committee for amendment and public committee review (items 17–19, 25). Late-filed charter amendments (items 26–32) were also referred to Charter & Rules to allow legal review and public consideration before a final vote.

Councilor Jardine (Jourdain in parts of the record) and other councilors said the intent is to keep momentum on the reforms but give members and the public time to review substantial documents and proposed amendments. Councilor McGasssmith (McGrath Smith in parts of the record) and others asked for explicit circulation of the changed language and for committee meetings to be publicly posted so members of the public can see amendments and rationale.

Regarding the proposed central finance department (item 24) — a proposal to centralize some finance functions — councilors agreed to send the item back to the mayor. Councilors said the mayor intends to file a supplemental budget in August to fund any approved consolidation so the council can act after committee and public review.

Ending
Councilors said they expect committee meetings in July and to return to the full council in August with amended language and supplemental budgets as appropriate; the process is intended to be public and to allow time for legal review and amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council Special Meeting 6/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A broad municipal-modernization package — including proposed charter changes and ordinances to create administrative/finance positions and to modernize appointment processes — was sent to Charter & Rules and Ordinance committees for further review; the proposed central finance department budget was sent back to the mayor to await a supplemental.","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},6512130,"Council approves revised $1.5 million bond authorization; initial authorization sent back to auditor",388,1664000,2052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291&start=1664&end=2052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6512130/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-revised-15-million-bond-authorization-initial-authorization-sent-back-to-auditor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512130-c81a962d2132fe1ac482c426d30eb648/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170344&Signature=Zn3u7NpGuIlVRZnIsHYmD7EcD3Tgm3sj5yfnpqM78rg8H5xOme6OQ5DfOUuJtebbknitOiHzgbWe2taPr9nnKuQUdEy9TLSpo2Y06wm~XouFxpbBrVQTmVcLPqI-NYEYR5lQPoScqf~RTXPXuk2HwgN8y6s7aBOkxcSf5Be5iPY9EOss6WOJg9jxSpwwQeuWPBYFbZRQHszJ20z19TIIFsX~TsJmSQsgxP9Ftjq3hHq7FexAaYmIpl9cV~mB4qTWdCuHEAuHLMBra92IplT2A7ptmWCGyIk8cKQ6YPli0LdyB5WBrdL7sPaKqmuJLITucBS49CTbq6wfdiaJCWCv8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council addressed a pair of related bond-authority orders on June 30. Councilors determined the initial filing (item 11) should be returned to the auditor for correction because item 12 included updated language and a project list; the council then passed item 12, the revised $1.5 million authorization.

Per the item text read into the record, the revised order (item 12) appropriates $1,500,000 to finance demolition, remodeling, reconstruction, engineering, construction, equipping, or reequipping of various municipal facilities and to purchase municipal vehicles, including payment of related costs. The treasurer, with approval of the mayor, was authorized to borrow under and pursuant to MGL chapter 44, section 7 (or any other enabling authority) and to qualify bonds or notes under chapter 44A.

Councilor Jardine (speaking in committee report) and other councilors explained the authorization is designed as a temporary measure in case certified free cash is not available quickly. Councilors described potential uses that included DPW vehicles, police cruisers, fire station roof repairs, and funds to support the new Veterans Home communications tower. Several councilors said the city hopes to use free cash once certified so borrowed funds would not be needed.

Item 11 was identified in committee as duplicative and containing older language; the council voted to return item 11 to the auditor so the auditor could correct it. Item 12 passed on recorded roll-call votes with unanimous support.

Ending
Treasurer and mayor were authorized to pursue borrowing if required and to file bond qualification materials under chapter 44A; the council asked for follow-up reporting once borrowing actions or free-cash substitutions occur.","The council passed a revised $1.5 million bond authorization for municipal facilities, vehicles and related work (item 12) and directed that a duplicate/earlier version (item 11) be returned to the auditor for correction; the mayor and treasurer were authorized to borrow under MGL chapter 44 as necessary.",{"_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},6512132,"Holyoke council presses treasurer and auditor for free-cash certification as state aid remains delayed",411,2086000,2497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291&start=2086&end=2497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291/thumbnail_2086000.jpg","/articles/6512132/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-presses-treasurer-and-auditor-for-free-cash-certification-as-state-aid-remains-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512132-d87c997e1ce75f074934faf5a8d07bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170344&Signature=jb8b0p~AwYYSHDkJW8uZAUVW2SCLn8UWWxvD6I-f-BpeBjz3jTW911hCnDsBlg8fKbxY7~-uXgYrl4XXSkNqhNNjO8k3BKCtXjgUlPFkdpMtcJrwOeiHnYbqr22qSPZc2A-FqUMC0IC56kzkfolHjKVDbaAY6dVqasf~TMyXVVKa9IJPWTuAT0QayArWDyZEIlptLpperOrINsNz7KczNSKufekJMzr0Y4-HUgego9IJDmFhB2JL2rv3dimKWxccpp3B4ZCRfhFT8oQumrBvT7niJQSNNbDvOH1dSwVtKtYA-NSZ1A73hwiIJ5vBoO97X67nw9-8aNlQ7bfUud1BXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council pressed city finance officials on June 30 for a timeline to certify the city's free cash figure, which the council said has not yet been provided and has delayed the release of local aid.

Committee discussion reported that the treasurer submitted what he had but that the Schedule A remains unfiled; there are differences of opinion between the treasurer and the external auditor that are being worked through. Committee members said the state has been withholding local aid since February because Schedule A was not filed, though they were told local services may release aid even while Schedule A remains outstanding.

Councilor Bacon said the delay is “disappointing and upsetting,” noting the council had been promised free cash certification in June and that the delay removes the council’s ability to consider using free cash to reduce taxpayer burden in the current budget. Councilor Bacon said the withheld state money and lack of a certified free-cash number mean relief would be deferred to the next fiscal year.

Councilor McGrath Smith said structural finance changes are needed and that the council has been discussing options including combining positions, appointing rather than electing the treasurer, and ensuring minimum criteria for the position. Councilors complimented the treasurer for hard work but urged a timely resolution.

The Committee on Finance recorded its order as “complied with” but directed the treasurer and auditor to provide a timeline for certification and noted the city hopes to have a free-cash number by fall.

Ending
Councilors requested follow-up from the treasurer and auditor; several councilors signaled support for structural reforms to the finance office while urging a near-term fix so the council can consider free-cash uses before long-term decisions take effect.","Councilors were told the city's Schedule A has not been filed and that state local aid was being withheld; treasurer and auditor are working to resolve differences and hope to certify free cash this fall, but councilors said delays limit options to relieve taxpayer burden in the current fiscal year.",{"_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},6512137,"Holyoke council reviews FY26 paving program; engineers urge preventive maintenance to avoid higher future costs",520,1080000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291&start=1080&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6512137/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-reviews-FY26-paving-program-engineers-urge-preventive-maintenance-to-avoid-higher-future-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512137-0581cc9e539825f5b81a7904e16a79f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170344&Signature=CdW78z06N1pumMj7dOttBj9f9gT3hI1HlPTLkmicAvqnu2~2jScgFS~vtISjnlmWCcR1IRUpJwAuh2xDVueV6tVrbJVcJ9Tf1jUd263LyTIDeYgLQIG1OvLTnxpXBlBWPYBMV-Tkc8822htJlsp5Tb2SRBfb1RhfSxUXkL730ZqvWjTIAHcYD78Vk4b-n2ZCDMhPS89BFpAe5XPdWaXp45qwuVn0ISNUCX6cuxkbEib2SMjnb-zjJQOBRKzCWqhscFHytDM7m5Z4BeeOY1b~K5KEgtH7n5YFOOrE4ZQDg2RaPZpU9H5CJYQMvf2UMDGkDPMY2q6J1u22AGyU7a--gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 30 special meeting, the Holyoke City Council reviewed the fiscal year 2026 paving program memo and a presentation from the city engineer and Department of Public Works staff.

The engineering presentation — noted in council comments as including a ward-by-ward analysis and online materials — reported the city maintains roughly 130 miles of road and showed an average road-surface rating of 71.9. Councilors said the report lists candidate streets for resurfacing, and that ratings for streets slated this year include some in the 20s–40s.

Councilor Sullivan said a striking element of the report was that deferred preventive maintenance will raise costs later: “If we don't start spending more money on preventive maintenance, we're going to spend a lot more money in the future,” he said during committee discussion. Councilor McGrath Smith asked that the city publish the full ratings system and the sidewalk-rating data on the DPW website so constituents can see where their street stands relative to citywide needs.

Councilors also discussed preventive treatments: the engineering staff proposed dedicating $100,000 to crack sealing to preserve newly paved roads during years 1–5, and another $100,000 targeted at sidewalk work in non-CDBG areas. Councilor Bacon reminded residents that constituent resurfacing requests are evaluated each year against the ratings and available Chapter 90 and project funds, so a request does not guarantee immediate work.

The committee recorded the order as “complied with.” Councilors noted that paving projects use a mix of Chapter 90 funding and project-specific funds, and that some recent repavings (for example, work in the East Hampton/Anniversary Hill area and High Street) were financed with project money rather than Chapter 90.

Ending
DPW staff agreed to make the paving report and ratings publicly available so residents can track their street’s rating and likely place on future paving lists.","City engineers presented a ward-by-ward paving report showing Holyoke maintains about 130 miles of roadway with an average road-surface rating of 71.9; councilors discussed preventive crack sealing, sidewalk funding, and public access to the ratings.",{"_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},6512142,"Holyoke City Council approves multiple transfers, grants and procedural referrals in special June 30 meeting",1913,261000,2174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291&start=261&end=2174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114259-1860fc829dcfa1371c80d83480d91291/thumbnail_261000.jpg","/articles/6512142/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-City-Council-approves-multiple-transfers-grants-and-procedural-referrals-in-special-June-30-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512142-fbcffbf4b04b17a2054a7d0d79861038/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170344&Signature=geB68CvVhxc-Z0k2jR4OlrkBeVGylVmZnuTwSBByPaCbZlq7bvHqWPiF7GP-LUaxSgFPw~w8kEBtBRma2763Yn753EX7BKjrjwKi9m4jZLn8t~ZrvEiQbY0q624NszQoraEX-aA2chM2Bj0duvA0aI9OhMeDSiEAmUQy5WbLBMOaIz9PU4mFpmU3bEYoRx32BD6fKeZ-woOfDll2i2sU8T1Mg9BRMIAgzkQ~dQYNcDp9g~kYHzPIGtofTenO7D0ktltnvX1~Xz0O~FaWTSEvsB0hEfGx-TzPymqDe05zSZHLGNU~2wa8TS97nDX67CNr~BWyLNShIhuUFfqUU2ybmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council met in a special session June 30 and took votes on multiple finance and procedural items, approving several budget transfers and grants, referring several charter and ordinance proposals to committee, and moving one bond authorization forward while returning a parallel item to the auditor for revision.

Councilors approved transfers including a $2,074.96 transfer for police training-related stipend funding and a $353,221.95 transfer to cover injured-on-duty payouts, both adopted on voice or roll-call votes that were recorded as unanimous. The council also approved a $3,075 internal personnel transfer to meet payroll obligations, and a $24,000 transfer to pay an environmental assessment tied to a historical spill noted by the Department of Environmental Protection.

The council accepted a federal energy-related grant described in the file as “DOE energy efficient CDBG 76420, no match” to fund LED lighting upgrades in multiple municipal buildings, and it accepted a $9,799.85 Mass. Department of Fire Services “Safe and Senior Safe” grant to support fire education and related outreach. Both grants were adopted by unanimous vote.

On procedural items, the council gave leave to withdraw item 1 (a free-cash transfer request) pending certification of the free cash number; gave leave to withdraw an order about a standardized relocation bonus after staff raised potential collective-bargaining issues; and referred a package of charter/ordinance modernization items to the Charter & Rules and Ordinance committees for further review.

On bond authorization, the council recorded that one $1.5 million authorization (item 11) should be returned to the auditor for correction, while a revised $1.5 million authorization (item 12) that includes specific projects was passed on a recorded vote.

Several items were recorded as “complied with” by the Committee on Finance (for example, the report on the FY26 paving program and a request for information about police cash-seizure procedures). The council also recorded that the treasurer and auditor had been asked to provide a timeline and update for certification of free cash; that item was discussed at length (see separate article).

Votes at a glance (key items)
- Item 1 — Leave to withdraw (free cash transfer request): motion to give leave to withdraw — Passed (voice vote).
- Item 2 — Committee report on police cash-seizure procedures (Main Street matter): “order has been complied with” — Adopted (voice vote).
- Item 3 — Transfer of $2,074.96 (patrolman → post stipend): Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 4 — Transfer of $353,221.95 (patrolman → injured on duty): Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 5 — Standardized relocation bonus (leave to withdraw because of potential collective-bargaining issues): Motion to give leave to withdraw — Passed.
- Item 6 — Transfer of $3,075 (reference library assistant → custodian/financial manager/computer coordinator): Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 7 — Accept DOE energy-efficient CDBG 76420 grant (LED upgrades): Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 8 — Accept Mass. Dept. of Fire Services Safe & Senior Safe grant, $9,799.85: Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 9 — Paving program review (FY26 paving memo): Committee report “complied with” — Recorded as complied with.
- Item 10 — Transfer of $24,000 (hoisting operator → fuel depot) to pay DEP-required environmental assessment: Adopted (roll-call; unanimous).
- Item 11 — $1,500,000 bond authorization (initial language): Referred back to the auditor for correction.
- Item 12 — $1,500,000 bond authorization (revised language with project list): Passed first and second reading on recorded roll-call votes.
- Item 13 — Request for treasurer/auditor update on certification of free cash: Committee report recorded as “complied with”; detailed update provided and discussed (see full article).

Several other charter and ordinance items (14–25, late-filed 26–32) were suspended and sent to Charter & Rules or Ordinance committees for additional review and amendment; one late-filed item (24) addressing the proposed central finance department was sent back to the mayor as the mayor intends to submit a supplemental budget to fund any approved consolidation.

Ending
The council concluded the special meeting after completing the above actions and referring numerous charter and ordinance modernization proposals to committee for more detailed review. Multiple items will return to committee agendas before final votes in August.","At a June 30 special meeting, the Holyoke City Council approved a series of budget transfers, accepted two grants, moved multiple charter and ordinance items to committee, and took procedural votes on bond authorization and other items; several items were given leave to withdraw or referred for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council sends municipal-modernization and charter changes to committee; central finance budget returned to mayor for supplemental

Council approves revised $1.5 million bond authorization; initial authorization sent back to auditor

Holyoke council presses treasurer and auditor for free-cash certification as state aid remains delayed

Holyoke council reviews FY26 paving program; engineers urge preventive maintenance to avoid higher future costs

Holyoke City Council approves multiple transfers, grants and procedural referrals in special June 30 meeting