[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6478543,"mediaKeyId","5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21","parentId",5708762,"title","Committee forwards proposal to bar city employees from serving simultaneously on council; sends to full council with no recommendation","audioSeconds",820,"startMs",3872000,"endMs",4692000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21&start=3872&end=4692","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21/thumbnail_3872000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478543/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-forwards-proposal-to-bar-city-employees-from-serving-simultaneously-on-council-sends-to-full-council-with-no-recommendation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478543-c9eaaef4ea22870d13e9c2d35411e4ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078699&Signature=nxhjy6mtKIFq~4haC-kQR52XO0Ur0xbA-b1MIBy1Uv6b3TJIaZPDf4oZcIU018435qHVwHTcEcW2Fdd70IRRH4fPbZ76eQFw7Rxz4P~U3ptHSgfw2ke6CM9M92znTwk75XUoGVVTZP9h9twt4AacX7KFD32E8-IfBSoc7PKuwHBQF0wTWGbiIJkLrO3BmRtRTC40cRk69D~A5jVlj089IoShQPwUBJZcHBsBVq15Ovs-sbQ5VtAtbLPbSko2jZWNCoe9QK-wnPQ8tyVUbIYwm5cQ3B7zphJFWIjjJKt7WkcgQx1SfW-SH80eYfvDQX9F5VQ4gZbdxj88GMH-1g69dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Charter & Rules Committee discussed and forwarded to full council a proposed amendment to Charter Section 14 that would bar any city employee from simultaneously serving as a member of the city council while employed.

Proponents said the change would prevent conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety when councilors hold positions in executive departments that the council oversees. Councilor Jordain framed the change as a “crisp, crystal clear” prohibition intended to avoid situations in which an employee-councilor could influence departmental actions that affect their own employment or compensation.

Opponents urged caution and pointed to other municipalities (for example, Springfield) that permit certain school department employees to serve on a council under specific guardrails — for instance, abstention rules or forfeiture of dual pay. Councilor Bacon argued it would be “problematic” to single out one class of employees for an exemption and said carving out teachers but not other municipal employees could create fairness issues.

Because opinions differed and the topic raised policy choices beyond the committee’s two-person quorum, the committee moved the amendment to full council without a recommendation so the full body can debate possible exceptions, guardrails, or an outright prohibition.

The item will next be considered by the full council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Charter and Rules Committee 8/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed charter amendment that would prohibit city employees from concurrently serving on the Holyoke City Council was discussed and sent to full council with no committee recommendation so the larger body can consider carve-outs or alternative approaches.","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},6478549,"Committee clarifies charter language: financial transfers generally require two-thirds vote year-round",1385,5670000,7055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21&start=5670&end=7055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21/thumbnail_5670000.jpg","/articles/6478549/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-clarifies-charter-language-financial-transfers-generally-require-two-thirds-vote-year-round","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478549-b55db61b7642afbf6d649d680f5e921d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078699&Signature=OfAO5W8vhPW9uKFUzZ8oY~3vZJ7J~BeEqyQRs7--rzdtZkiRYxpq78gHQy1Rwt-yx3AENRgmYKnEFkHqelv-QP8UkLWaiLPE8x3SK-ySU0AvLMmhi9MRezluxY3CDZa-ovXjEUoJp8GwytacRtxG8b1pJF5MxA9ANmwQCwLqbV4qB0awWbgDMdn2lhPK~75sEys1DAmEVrI9aY62TVSDRkf4K7A-nB3eOYiT3rzyamVVk5nX-kvRX6lMVW7pmSx7bOf9e5bVPSRanSYpf2TO7etFkNeg8664Ox~1b14MkFRVzOOtqPN1dnxqeLkXCWiLCnLBGkDknf3FSAmen38o8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter & Rules Committee voted to forward an amendment to Charter Section 49 that clarifies the city’s rules for transfers and appropriations.

The proposed change updates archaic phrasing, confirms the fiscal year begins July 1, and states explicitly that no expenditure or liability shall be incurred until a sufficient appropriation or financial transfer has been voted by the city council. Importantly, the amendment restates that a two-thirds vote of all council members is required for transfers, and the committee added language saying that the provisions apply during all 12 months of the fiscal year.

Councilors and staff discussed recent Department of Revenue (DOR) guidance and legislative changes that allow some municipalities flexibility to permit majority votes in the last two months of a fiscal year. Committee members said they believe the DOR guidance does not override charter language unless the charter is changed, and the committee chose to keep the two-thirds requirement for transfers year-round while acknowledging that withdrawals from certain “special stabilization” funds may be governed by statute.

Councilor Durden, who sponsored the amendment language, said the change modernizes 19th-century language and avoids unintended interpretations that have arisen in practice. The committee approved the language and forwarded it to the full council with recommendation.","The Charter & Rules Committee moved amendments that modernize Section 49 (transfers and appropriations) and reaffirm that transfers between appropriations require a two-thirds vote of all council members throughout the fiscal year; it also reflects the July 1 fiscal-year start.",{"_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},6478555,"Committee refers treasurer/tax collector consolidation to law department for draft language",314,2681000,2995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21&start=2681&end=2995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21/thumbnail_2681000.jpg","/articles/6478555/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-refers-treasurertax-collector-consolidation-to-law-department-for-draft-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478555-5929eb1378c9cc4d5b12d19fbb6cf529/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078699&Signature=dIaLoPnxDefthZkitiFwNZEBe9tkJMZqOOzx47jt4VRU83NMFZy-j9ZTQpDA10fqGmSUj6OGB64rgQ2VoqPnuxgkXHOIfBXZgS4KpMS~UKoAxWV3lD9QhzAzv01ZEtyvdCUwt3GoplbCiIywI0E98Lk7kpmkDXsW2Ii8MMUsjJgjo4X8jkQ5E1fmr3RJ2ihNdyImxOAOVaUO1BaYtNJ796Y9-CmiObb92rHFpKAzncSXAsGVbfMJOCyYmPemb31hnmX8t4bhPUoXn-VvS~KaNoXHGKz0DzNWpSKzAMHBcEMcZY2kVrLUu6x7qisMHXqjR~jcdqN4-2pR6Rf~CoihuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An order to combine the city treasurer and tax collector into a single appointed treasurer/collector advanced in the Charter & Rules Committee on Aug. 27, but committee members referred the item to the law department for draft implementing language.

Councilor Bartley's order would amend the charter and ordinances to merge the two offices if voters and the Legislature approve a home rule petition. Committee members emphasized timing: the group discussed the need to meet a fall home rule petition deadline (committee members and staff cited Nov. 1 as a target) and asked the law department to produce draft language in time for the committee to consider before the council’s October/November schedule.

Committee members said the consolidation has been discussed for months as part of broader Municipal Modernization Act negotiations. City staff advised the committee that ordinance changes are typically needed alongside any charter change; the law department will prepare the specific charter and ordinance text and return to the committee for review.

The committee’s referral means no final charter change was adopted at this meeting; the item will return to Charter & Rules once the law department supplies a draft for committee review and council consideration.","Councilors agreed to pursue combining the treasurer and tax collector roles but referred the item to the law department for drafting implementing charter and ordinance language so the package can meet legislative deadlines.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":80,"_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},6478559,"Charter & Rules committee forwards multiple charter amendments, clarifies voting and transfer rules",6996,59000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21&start=59&end=7055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6478559/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Charter-Rules-committee-forwards-multiple-charter-amendments-clarifies-voting-and-transfer-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478559-62e041cf884d225ad8b1cda2022cc060/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078699&Signature=V4fa0-98ldKdrb2hQDOq4AjNbicdqAc6cWB5n7oGiFmDn-DvyeDq0SvktoIae1qUmQkjgrXzJDMk~ZLoSDFSPc89526eUACGNvH51e~noA9RSChdi3455uUL3PKhFoquXyrCFtz8oulvapyo9ThFsMcx5iLAG1V5hFAXt8KA5jvvzEf3y4KRjsB0OASNeihN7aILiAer7jTxFbHtF59acnZcSwn0UqvDCFsvzdPtrKSyER0EE245e~SNKYf-1oWPNlTiqKoDvlrmpVK0hqUOhY5K-eWUaoGrPVl-268~~txxAvUd2T3AuOGIyh3DoJQgOEv1OJJ3ZtqoifrTfMc1cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council Charter & Rules Committee on Aug. 27 considered a package of charter and rule changes and moved most items to the full council with recommendations. Key outcomes included forwarding amendments on the city solicitor’s duties, mayoral appointment with council confirmation for the Fire and Public Works commissions, changes to quorum and voting rules, and clarifications of appropriation and transfer procedures.

Votes at a glance (committee action):
- Charter Section 39 (city solicitor duties): Forwarded to full council with recommendation (voice vote; committee recorded “Aye”).
- Sections 19 and 34 (Fire Commission and Department of Public Works commission appointments): Committee voted to forward to council with recommendation; language changes would make these mayoral appointments subject to council confirmation.
- Section 13 (quorum and ordinance-reading votes; rule insertion): Committee forwarded an amendment specifying that a majority of all members (not merely those present) is required for certain ordinance readings; moved to council with recommendation.
- Section 22 and related Rule 8 amendments (ordinance readings and appropriation votes): Committee forwarded clarifying language that first and second readings both require a majority of all members and that a second-reading two-thirds threshold applies when the two readings occur within three days; moved to council with recommendation.
- Section 49 (transfers, appropriations, special stabilization funds): Committee voted to clarify that transfers generally require a two-thirds vote of all members year-round and to reflect the fiscal year start of July 1; moved to council with recommendation.
- Section 14 (prohibition on city employees simultaneously serving on council): The committee forwarded the proposed charter language to council with no recommendation to allow fuller council debate.
- Section 41 (city almoner): Committee approved deleting the obsolete section and forwarded it to council with recommendation.
- Section 53 (loans, bonds, notes): Committee clarified voting language to say two-thirds of all members; forwarded to council with recommendation.
- Item on creating an administrative/finance department and renaming treasurer role to treasurer/collector: Committee moved the item forward to council and asked the law department to draft implementing ordinance language for the consolidation and related charter edits; members discussed timing with a November 1 home rule petition deadline.

Several items were technical or ministerial and were received as copies or marked \"complied with\" when they were already addressed in the committee discussion. One order (combining the treasurer and tax collector) was referred to the law department for draft language and will return to the committee for review before final referral.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized two procedural points during consideration: that the body intends voting thresholds to be calculated against full council membership (13 members at present) rather than the number present at a meeting, and that the committee is spelling out language to avoid inconsistent interpretations that have arisen in recent years.","At its Aug. 27 meeting the committee moved several charter and rule changes to full council, including clarifications on vote thresholds, confirmation authority for certain commissions, and financial transfer rules; it also referred the treasurer/collector consolidation to the law department for draft language.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":103,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":105,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478564,"Holyoke committee backs charter change to let council set law department duties by ordinance",2116,2175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708762-b1293b05e73b2a8db61682add4889e21&start=59&end=2175","/articles/6478564/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-committee-backs-charter-change-to-let-council-set-law-department-duties-by-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478564-dcd1fcfc2ec63ff9d563334f639c387b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078699&Signature=W~lkYzVEdeNfLmrQIZ~tnHKI9CTD09~uUzdtm5TGw4uGMzDkKjxIYMXYk5nx5eyuIZiwMU~YnBskYry4xSq8g1YQozHjLDnqGIicSjLBmTLapMkmJ2O4fFz2oZzUIF7UhI~XItaoF4Er7~2GPuAqsUfQ-agZMzmc-rbND1dFqzlZ~EtFC~WXmZhlahJkblCcLsbmQs3guUfxmUjQQaNj713FB78K8sAbRaT6yB8kPW8wfypXlb193h7l8mGmT8SWbs8IQsRVnQn67qQdyQxcU5ngARtib8KF2cYCucCEmSdnd-HQRA8D-uWstC-AWasUMc1OD3kDpqcPD13ldsamCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter & Rules Committee of the Holyoke City Council voted to send to full council with recommendation a proposed amendment to Charter Section 39 that would replace the charter’s current expansive description of the city solicitor’s duties with language saying the city solicitor shall perform legal services as the city council establishes by ordinance.

The proposal, introduced by Councilor Jordain, would condense the first two sentences of Section 39 into a single line authorizing the council and mayor, by ordinance, to define the law department’s duties. Jordain told the committee the change is intended to remove ambiguity that has, at times, allowed the law department to assert sweeping authority that could block charter or ordinance changes. “All departments of the city, their duties and functions are set by ordinance and the law department shouldn’t be an exception,” Jordain said.

Proponents argued the change brings the law department in line with other municipal departments and prevents the department from claiming that the charter’s historical language immunizes it from ordinance-based changes. Councilor Jordain cited a 2012 Superior Court dispute in which the law department argued that the charter language conferred exclusive authority; a judge rejected that interpretation in that case, he said.

Opponents, including Solicitor Mike Bissonnette, warned the amendment could create operational problems in future administrations by constraining the law department’s ability to advise the mayor and city on emergent legal needs. “You may get a solicitor appointed by the mayor who says, ‘I’m not going to do anything unless it’s specifically in an ordinance,’” Bissonnette said, arguing that an exhaustive ordinance list could not anticipate every legal duty the city needs.

Other councilors sought middle ground. Some noted the mayor’s budget this year included funding for independent legal opinions for the council as part of a compromise during the Municipal Modernization Act negotiations, but Jordain said the ordinance mechanism is necessary if future administrations choose not to fund that service.

After discussion, the committee approved the proposed charter language and voted to move it forward to the full council with a recommendation. The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting record shows committee members voting “Aye.” The item will next be considered by the full council and, if approved there and by the mayor, would go to the Legislature as a home rule petition.

The committee debate made a point of distinguishing advisory legal opinions (which some speakers described as subject to change) from the charter’s structural authority; proponents framed the amendment as a modernization aligning 19th-century charter text with contemporary municipal practice.

The committee also noted that any subsequent changes to the law department’s scope would be implemented through ordinance and that separate provisions could specify council access to independent counsel in ordinance language.","The Charter & Rules Committee voted to forward a proposed amendment to Section 39 that would make the law department’s duties subject to ordinance, following a lengthy debate about separation of powers and the council’s need for access to independent counsel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee forwards proposal to bar city employees from serving simultaneously on council; sends to full council with no recommendation

Committee clarifies charter language: financial transfers generally require two-thirds vote year-round

Committee refers treasurer/tax collector consolidation to law department for draft language

Charter & Rules committee forwards multiple charter amendments, clarifies voting and transfer rules

Holyoke committee backs charter change to let council set law department duties by ordinance