[{"_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",6467386,"mediaKeyId","5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305","parentId",5796903,"title","Holyoke council adopts resolution backing House bill to allow road safety cameras","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",7980000,"endMs",8364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305&start=7980&end=8364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305/thumbnail_7980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467386/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-adopts-resolution-backing-House-bill-to-allow-road-safety-cameras","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467386-b9c7da39e879894ad486214a1b73a5e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552585&Signature=N3X~sizZik21W6RRytbAzPqRHb7-VpnN3jkIZRJ2nGPxyfNshW~F9Otkg5gSNvqEJ7nf5itR5pfB1BtxgeI3Oj4UYsAswaQjgUioUYhoD-bzi0-C05YrlKIHOIXrPflKLhn59f~3FZARjoYi5UYr7cE-E1kYCe8FyluRjVVtAMdRR1kVZXOYMlvoZqgcOHW57B8xYG5~nKNORppqNaRYfcU23ZBxw4vlmiEu6-~Tp82tQVBAqCvagNOIBnFVsUDr0oGVfljd7nhqz~2cqE-T5ITO-h0-pJ8HP6YABL~2DHAQ6gyQ~sQO-iwEzRukm8T0bsV-ZIi95jqHGyuO6bvNuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke","date","2025-09-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday in support of House Bill 3,754, legislation at the state level that would allow municipalities to use road safety cameras for traffic enforcement.

Councilor Sullivan, who sponsored the resolution, told the council the bill is before the Massachusetts House and the resolution was intended to show municipal support before the legislative session ends. He said the sponsor’s language would allow local adoption later and that the council would have another opportunity for public discussion if the state law changes.

Councilor McGrath Smith and others expressed general support but asked for a technical edit: committee members removed one sentence in the draft that could be read as limiting the bill to red-light violations alone. The council then adopted an amended resolution that expresses local support for House Bill 3,754 as written.

Councilors emphasized the resolution is only a statement of support and does not authorize any local camera program; if state law changes, the bill requires a local adoption process before cameras could be used in Holyoke.

The council approved the amended resolution by voice vote and asked staff to send copies to the city’s state legislative delegation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 9/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted a resolution supporting state House Bill 3,754, which would permit municipalities to use road safety cameras (including red-light and other enumerated violations); the resolution was amended to remove an explanatory sentence and passed by voice vote.","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},6467391,"Holyoke council approves special tax assessment for AM Lithography's expansion",525,8011000,8536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305&start=8011&end=8536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305/thumbnail_8011000.jpg","/articles/6467391/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-approves-special-tax-assessment-for-AM-Lithographys-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467391-a2ef2f2e7d4f34b1721edd2e1786d2da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552585&Signature=EsWXibZEhB0BNQVonsO3AsU6OSezHO-lRlfU4n4zDo5-LSOZBOUYJJBtlFnecFEFS4zMAxDlQq4Q6afDoQLtD-cl8melI45kVeaAFur7US~J2jiENr3mbBUvaEcrQ7TusP7u6ivLrknbLeoQC3NnC-A0ShWCeptVC7FclWx2j-GNX9MjmS4oOKGTSbX7-6VJ~BMs17DQUfd8k4IY5xm9Iowmo6tTvjTtS2ePNFQ3YkJvrsuWHFkSFGFXRB5Bc~nHXSvAJKfQhE-33zFMuEHp8Tav996kkEUEjaBE~r9ZDwccNauKjf7NgtUc0t6ABWmkGDzJEUXP8CES4hHZXL6Ruw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing a special tax assessment (STA) agreement to support AM Lithography Corporation’s planned acquisition and expansion in Holyoke.

The council’s development and government relations committee recommended approval after AM Lithography presented an expansion plan that aims to consolidate operations in Holyoke. Councilors said the company has an established presence in the region and that the STA package is a common economic development tool used by the city to retain and grow employers.

Councilor Gibner said the company expects a five-year program and has previously used the STA tool successfully when it located in the city in 2007. Councilor Sullivan noted the company will occupy sites vacated by other manufacturers, and city staff told the committee AM Lithography also received state-level incentive credits to support the expansion.

The council adopted the order on a roll call vote (10 yeas, 1 absent). The vote authorizes the city to enter the STA and move forward with the acquisition and development process; final project permits and any associated building work will follow normal permitting and inspection procedures.

Councilors described the agreement as part of an effort to retain local manufacturing employment and put a large, previously underused parcel back into active industrial use.","The council approved a five-year special tax assessment agreement to support AM Lithography's property acquisition and expansion, part of an effort to retain and grow manufacturing jobs in Holyoke.",{"_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},6467395,"Council approves sale of small city parcel on Cabot Street to neighboring owner for $1,000",139,1346000,1485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305&start=1346&end=1485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305/thumbnail_1346000.jpg","/articles/6467395/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-sale-of-small-city-parcel-on-Cabot-Street-to-neighboring-owner-for-1000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467395-e23b3fa434b3c5e369dc968f75fea862/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552585&Signature=PN6IgQWrrFjnGrFrf1fvfqz68O~yFxzqnoBFqnqNNtzjWu406S3r~RrEv5pXPsOEzYzgtVED~Ud1H0owNnQvRjQC8-K6kPxEEevBSGciE9BuUNq9b1z8kbxnxTFW9Ie2nl~SgG1~1yO6GrXonxo7HJn2qpxuMO994YrdJiIWXbmkyANAFREW03mqh6BFCLR5bedvIyzojKwIdR~9vo-jqrZ9KQW2N5nLaVaoU7fS7Cy3uqHmzpPOpzU4TXocdIosbKGVyFPJ-ZWhuj77IowGj31oDGxZ3tlURbH-A~9CSDwk2TDQKL3YCPFnVxKZdlvr9J4cJzlCFOnZXV7BDXZqmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on Wednesday approved the sale of a surplus city-owned parcel on Cabot Street to an abutter, Jose A. Santos Suarez, for $1,000.

The council’s development and government relations committee recommended the sale after declaring the parcel surplus in 2020 and notifying abutters. Councilor Givner told the council that Santos Suarez was the only abutter who responded and that he explained the parcel sits between properties he and a relative own; he told councilors he and his family have maintained the parcel and want to install a fence and beautify the lot to prevent it from being used as a cut-through.

Committee materials noted the property was valued under the procurement threshold and the sale was recommended. On roll call the council approved the sale unanimously.

The sale will be handled under the city’s surplus property procedures; councilors recorded no objections during the meeting and said the buyer has maintained the lot for years.","The Holyoke City Council authorized the sale of a small surplus lot on Cabot Street to an abutter for $1,000 after finding the parcel under the procurement threshold; the buyer said he will fence and maintain the lot.",{"_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},6467400,"Council removes reverter requirement for 689 Main St., clearing path for self-storage project",449,1449000,1898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305&start=1449&end=1898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305/thumbnail_1449000.jpg","/articles/6467400/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-removes-reverter-requirement-for-689-Main-St-clearing-path-for-self-storage-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467400-744bd8190a8d32a09307a4866ce2dd01/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552585&Signature=NfHJFDEuKkfNKeXs0K9~q676LV8tUHVQWv77rQj8D3YzkSkqbtHc60GKdKVWwUvAJ-WqaEce4OU2BqoEEWaQB0y9MpjmSKl5Nq-d8823Ld5L5TvxdseiScPZsEH0pnoS6nL4gi~wLc9huZEH1cPRmCqgC8AN~mR~jzLa3gw7QY8PVXRd2X0YSf8DSYdpKUvYZVVzDkfN6-jBRwzPnNphlLU3gEw1~-JEIQ4MLAKlRL0oZR8Js-~ZFTozQ0213JvGSt0ZeiufcX4QRKwCR38SAUnlDoQmWjGJHIbjWheAsbe68tIf8rwHXLlYDXbTRQ4cWnOaOX45SzU9I1mBn8e3sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted 9 to 0 with one abstention on Wednesday to remove a reverter requirement tied to the prior transfer of 689 Main Street, a step the property owner and prospective buyer said was blocking financing for redevelopment.

Council members said the reverter clause — a condition that could force property to revert to the city under certain circumstances — had become a barrier to redevelopment for the lot. Councilor Anderson Burgos, who led committee discussion, said the current owner bought the parcel six to seven years ago and spent more than $60,000 to remove underground gasoline tanks and otherwise prepare the site for development, but repeatedly faced obstacles. He said the bank willing to finance the proposed buyer would not proceed with a loan while the reverter clause remained attached.

Attorney representation and the city law department reviewed the request and committee members said city staff including the law department, OPEB and other officials were present and comfortable with the proposed change. Councilor Gibner told the council DGR voted unanimously to recommend removing the reverter.

The order directs that the reverter requirement tied to the transfer from Jajahn (also transcribed as Jajuan/Jodh Juan) LLC to Richard Kolkowski (or his assignee) be removed so the planned purchaser may proceed with a self-storage project. Councilors discussed the owner’s history of holding and maintaining several local properties; some members noted uncertainty over the LLC spelling in the materials.

Roll call recorded nine ayes and one abstention; the council’s action does not itself approve any development project but removes the contractual limitation that staff and the attorney said had delayed redevelopment for years.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting included the owner’s prior environmental remediation cost (about $60,000) and committee testimony that the project’s lender required removal of the reverter clause before funding would be released.

The council noted the decision aims to facilitate private development on the parcel while city staff will continue to monitor compliance with any local permitting requirements.","The City Council voted to remove a reverter clause on property at 689 Main Street, a change supporters said is needed to secure financing for a proposed self-storage development.",{"_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},6467405,"Holyoke council approves bonding for three school roof replacements totaling about $26.1 million",595,470000,1065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305&start=470&end=1065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796903-17f9a0e4e37bd06d3904ba2524959305/thumbnail_470000.jpg","/articles/6467405/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-approves-bonding-for-three-school-roof-replacements-totaling-about-261-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467405-b1de76dfca5047d2f0acdb787cee8566/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552585&Signature=R4rzDSznXjxbKplPkcHQIic~JddJhqtsAQT31A7eL1-nwgno7i-axJjN7UnHK1sv5Oz1Pr9-Y0aYA~VIX3eN03eKybfUyhkt15EgvB8EhlB0E6jf~MrHSF0~~7fkUqDoEaW2uMZkhPqVdAK7KEyJNIVZmB9SKXdyoJh66MXBgCZw4RzJWzIRU0p4vKpm4phnhHFAgC2OIOmF7Y0SdgUF8EubsnrF3VxrIlyba-RrPnKWxq23cDQnBMCHfBjUqqe73Vnin1Q8UqFAn2KS9joQK5Fd2xp75iT-QINMFQQIY4D4KGv~z~IOqS2DNFiQcRo9Vt~qa-YIxu5z8Na~yI1OqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize bond appropriations for roof replacements at three city schools, approving separate orders to fund work at Kelly School, McMahon Elementary School and Holyoke High School.

The council approved appropriations of $8,691,405 for Kelly School, $4,498,497 for McMahon Elementary School and $12,945,697 for Holyoke High School. The measures passed on separate roll-call votes; each measure recorded 11 yeas and 0 nays.

Councilors said the work is part of the city’s capital improvement plan and that the school department and city staff expect the projects to be eligible for substantial state reimbursement. Councilor Dordain, speaking for the finance committee, said staff signaled a strong chance the city would receive an 80% reimbursement for eligible costs, and noted the projects include ADA improvements at several schools.

The council heard from “Sean,” a city staff member who presented the scope and rationale at a finance committee meeting; councilors described the Peck Middle School experience as coming in under budget and said the bond authorizations are sized to ensure the city can proceed competitively while seeking reimbursement.

Councilor Gibner highlighted that Kelly School’s approved ADA funding was identified as about $2,200,000 and McMahon’s ADA-related work was identified in committee as about $804,088. Councilors also discussed a likely timetable and said work is planned for the 2026 construction season.

Each appropriation will allow the city to advance procurement and, if needed, seek competitive bids. The council repeatedly noted that actual expenditures could be lower than the appropriations if projects come in under budget.

Votes at a glance
- Item 50 (Kelly School roof): Appropriation $8,691,405; motion adopted on roll call, 11 yeas, 0 nays; outcome: approved.
- Item 51 (McMahon Elementary roof): Appropriation $4,498,497; motion adopted on roll call, 11 yeas, 0 nays; outcome: approved.
- Item 52 (Holyoke High School roof): Appropriation $12,945,697; motion adopted on roll call, 11 yeas, 0 nays; outcome: approved.

The council’s action authorizes bonding for the projects; councilors said state reimbursement eligibility will be pursued before and during the procurement and construction process, and that final contract awards will follow normal competitive procurement procedures.","The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously to authorize bond appropriations for new roofs at Kelly School, McMahon Elementary and Holyoke High School, noting the projects may be largely reimbursed by the state.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holyoke council adopts resolution backing House bill to allow road safety cameras

Holyoke council approves special tax assessment for AM Lithography's expansion

Council approves sale of small city parcel on Cabot Street to neighboring owner for $1,000

Council removes reverter requirement for 689 Main St., clearing path for self-storage project

Holyoke council approves bonding for three school roof replacements totaling about $26.1 million