[{"_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",6450078,"mediaKeyId","5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550","parentId",5880340,"title","Council committee tables proposal to separate parks superintendent and city forester positions","audioSeconds",1224,"startMs",3964000,"endMs",5188000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550&start=3964&end=5188","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550/thumbnail_3964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6450078/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-committee-tables-proposal-to-separate-parks-superintendent-and-city-forester-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450078-078ff52d092e01d1bf6d1682a08eba34/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391160&Signature=b8tfSI5LigxrWgbDR9QCa9bRWH8t94FOEke4ITvbnR2DG1JvPaRxIAxNknUX7Qcr3xflQx7HgxZA5HAmF7rHcvoTq006U~9TYsBtykb2MAREFP2bEBpwlq2xulVlNkAh-wojUh-Mnqjei-q03L3535ZnXu3qit7zkL7RREoO7HjTeVTCSFW7NNLvwV1b3zEMR0CZRDy0DvO9dAxfyCvKkgvbaNIUoBB09hPizH8yFsv8dagKyzGTxZuDOzWPCmqs6lcW7RgzSJhs26zfKVxpU6JuiMeomjiPmRZ4AEj6dZSKYdxbpKwhc9XA7Q61m7tkrj2qZ-43geT9rfgEQ~Fphg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke","date","2025-10-01T00:00:00Z","article","Holyoke — The ordinance committee on July 29 opened a discussion about separating the city’s combined parks superintendent/city forester role into two distinct positions and voted to table the proposal while staff and councilors gather additional information.

Why it matters: Separating the positions would create a distinct City Forester (focused on arboriculture, tree inventories and forestry work) and a Parks Superintendent (focused on grounds, fields, and routine parks maintenance). The change would have personnel, union and budget implications and might require additional operating funds if both positions are maintained as separate hires.

Councilor McGrath Smith, who filed the order, said the current ordinance does not match the job that is being performed and that the idea has also been the subject of discussions with the municipal unions. \"At that time they merged it, and Mr. Tuig took on the duties of both positions,\" she said, referencing the historical consolidation of the roles. McGrath Smith asked for initial feedback and asked staff to return with a draft parks-superintendent description and fiscal impacts.

Councilors and staff discussed the operational implications. Several councilors raised the practical effect of the city’s recent shift to contracting tree work: if the city lacks in-house tree-climbing crews, creating an additional supervisory position without field staff could increase cost without delivering services. \"We have not had any candidates\" for a tree-climber position recently, Kelly (staff) said, citing recruitment and salary competitiveness as barriers.

Councilor McGrath Smith asked for clarity on which department manages duties such as brush trimming that affects sightlines on city streets; engineering or the highway division may handle those tasks. Councilor Baker and others also raised the point that parks-and-recreation scheduling and maintenance responsibilities can create conflicts when supervision is split among multiple departments.

After discussion the committee voted 5–0 to table the order and asked staff to provide: (1) a separate parks-superintendent job description for review, (2) whether the city holds any tree-audit/inventory beyond the community’s 100-dangerous-trees list, and (3) an estimate of fiscal impacts, including whether contracted services could be managed through existing budget lines rather than adding a new supervisory post.

Ending: The committee tabled the separation proposal while staff gather staffing inventories, job descriptions, and cost estimates; the item will be revisited at a future meeting once that material is available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Ordinance Committee 9/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors discussed splitting an existing combined parks/forestry job into two positions, heard staffing and contractual issues, and voted 5–0 to table the item pending more information and fiscal analysis.","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},6450083,"Committee recommends updates to stop-street ordinance and traffic schedules tied to City Center Connector and MassDOT program",960,3600000,4560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550&start=3600&end=4560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6450083/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-recommends-updates-to-stop-street-ordinance-and-traffic-schedules-tied-to-City-Center-Connector-and-MassDOT-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450083-ebbbfe71ee385096a771f88ab6e76ecb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391160&Signature=PoofHPwVrQ4xncLtEcGkPl4jRuPcryZ68KNM8kTKXrWCU3yzNphuUzG3KPtpBiv30UiG6xfWFOdkWWg-pE5w6UWykieErb7NUcyU5OnD5VHEk1sfjdufLl7jA2W-ZBeAgBJ4VXsvPztcdXdn2TE3aFI4QLyxxOjWqH0ERNgIfEHHR1VKMPhHIi0GuPljHDF6~PYUygOCnIuGlFpfRgEvpHmD8vdeagzb3d5vbW~2FEBwwVkax7ZzwSHE7PcZnu-d9qvYqOi5POKoHe5IhVlKmoqjRI5Wk66fNsVNWxBLHIwliySZhL01s1Apltj4mqJK~BjKGUtrqxIK9otELm9saw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holyoke — The ordinance committee recommended three traffic-related ordinance changes to the full City Council on July 29, approving updates to the Code of Ordinances that would add and standardize stop-street listings and other traffic-control schedules.

Why it matters: The changes apply to specific intersections across Holyoke and to updates associated with the City Center Connector project; they put previously installed stop controls into the official ordinance and add signs at locations identified in a MassDOT safety program. Updating the ordinance aligns the written code with field conditions and allows the city to accept related materials or grant agreements.

The packet included three items filed by Councilor Devine (items 8–10). Item 8 proposed adding side-street stops on Homestead Avenue/Route 202 side streets; staff noted a handful of locations need physical signage while several already have signs but were not listed in the ordinance. Item 9 implements MassDOT’s \"always stop control\" (ASWC) recommendations at locations including Appleton Street at Elm, Cabot Street at Nichols/Cosmos Way, Dwight Street at Pine Street, and multiple intersections on Sargent Street. Item 10 updates multiple traffic schedules (parking, bus stops, lane control, bicycle lanes) tied to the City Center Connector project on Maple/Capet and Race Street alignments.

Victoria Hula, assistant city engineer, explained that several stop signs already operate in the field but were omitted from the city schedule; some locations will require new signs and MassDOT will fund sign materials for the ASWC program, with the city responsible for installation. \"Some of them already had stop signs, but they aren't in the ordinance,\" Hula said, noting that the changes correct inconsistencies.

Committee members praised the technical work and recommended approval of the ordinance changes in legal form to the full council. Councilor Reagan thanked staff for detailed work and said she would support forwarding the items.

Votes and next steps: The committee voted to recommend approval to the full City Council in legal form; the roll-call was recorded as unanimous in committee (Reagan, Bartley, McGrath Smith, Jenny Rivera, Israel Rivera recorded as voting yes). Staff said the MassDOT-related items will be followed by grant or agreement paperwork to accept materials or funding.

Ending: The ordinance updates will move to full council as a package; staff will follow with any required agreements tied to MassDOT funding and the City Center Connector project.","The committee voted unanimously to recommend legal-form approval of ordinance changes updating stop-street listings and traffic schedules tied to local improvements and MassDOT 'always stop control' recommendations.",{"_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},6450088,"Ordinance committee approves municipal modernization draft after debate over CAFO powers and proposed comptroller",792,226000,1018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550&start=226&end=1018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6450088/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Ordinance-committee-approves-municipal-modernization-draft-after-debate-over-CAFO-powers-and-proposed-comptroller","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450088-53a7f25809702564f093a95ee8f78a55/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391160&Signature=lkOVwgtMD~qOUCHLpm~QbUVMz8ibt9-u~cww8sC88Dij~YinyhtV2YZzYJddITfaKcugFDB1nNswDT6paqhQcvwaPlSucEENKZ3qIkqhPqqi~elcHGGCKZYcMot3OoUM5tny2kk6YSmmGOuBjCze~deYMpLKopYbhh1kpKZPmRXcVt4ALVm3IEP4IDBXSuJdv-Qt4AaMq6MsMgSEZ1o8xiTHwfJUqwwDhIM5GuhjvxwpesDMq7M6e-IULmoyG-USql24srayw~uwZgB24ztXYnfWOcTatVwtnQsAx7OYVDA0fjh-L5Zl6teOjSq6tUneT13Pd3-CdoU9~Cq~gqedbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holyoke — The ordinance committee voted July 29 to forward an amended municipal modernization ordinance to the full City Council after more than two hours of detailed line-by-line review and debate over the new chief administrative financial officer (CAFO) role and a proposed comptroller position.

The committee considered edits offered by Councilor Constance Bartley and others that clarified timelines for document requests, specified disciplinary authority, and added procedural protections for a CAFO facing removal. Councilors approved the package as amended by a 3-2 roll-call vote; an earlier motion to remove the new comptroller section failed 3-2.

Why it matters: The ordinance rewrites portions of the city charter and municipal code to centralize certain financial and auditing functions. It creates a CAFO position with defined certification and reporting duties, changes timelines for records requests, and spells out appointment and removal procedures. Committee debate focused on who should hold disciplinary authority, whether a new comptroller role duplicates the work of an auditor or internal-audit director, and what procedural protections employees should have when facing removal.

The committee’s floor work centered on textual edits. Bartley proposed replacing vague \"reasonable time\" language with a fixed window — she recommended 30 calendar days in several places — and inserting the word \"business\" to turn a seven-day period into \"seven business days\" in one certification requirement. She also proposed adding a line: \"The mayor shall have exclusive disciplinary authority hereunder, unless otherwise disclosed by the mayor who may transfer set authority to the CAFO so long as the transfer is in a writing available to the public,\" which she described as ensuring an elected official retains primary disciplinary power unless the mayor formally delegates it.

\"The mayor shall have exclusive disciplinary authority hereunder, unless otherwise disclosed by the mayor,\" Bartley read into the record and then clarified: \"...the mayor may transfer set authority to the CAFO, and that transfer should be in writing.\" (Councilor Constance Bartley)

Bartley also urged explicit language to allow a CAFO who faces removal by the mayor to request an executive session with the council \"prior to any vote of the council,\" and she proposed that the city council president schedule such an executive session excluding the mayor. She said the language reflects existing state practice that personnel matters may be discussed in executive session and would give the CAFO an opportunity to be heard.

Committee members debated whether that executive-session protection should exclude the mayor or allow both sides to be heard together. \"I could see it going both ways,\" Councilor Reagan said, arguing that hearing both sides could give councilors \"a full picture\" before a vote. Bartley replied that a removed employee may reasonably want to speak without the mayor present.

A longer policy dispute in the meeting addressed a new comptroller role in section 2-293. Several councilors and staff noted the draft assigns the powers and duties of a city auditor under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) c.41, §50–54 to both a controller/comptroller and a director of internal audit. That led to back-and-forth about duplication of duties.

\"It seems to be redundant,\" Councilor McGrath Smith said, noting both positions reference the same MGL sections. Other councilors and staff argued the duplication of statutory powers is intentional so an auditor can access the same records as the person whose work is being reviewed. Kelly (staff) summarized differences presented in an earlier memo, saying the director of internal audit would \"maintain general ledger and chart of accounts, perform revenue recognition, audit/review all warrants and vouchers, maintain and monitor fraud hotline, conduct random department audits, manage annual audit and federal single audits,\" while a comptroller would \"maintain accounts payable/receivable, oversee payroll processing, reconcile treasurer's cash to GL, maintain tax filings, assist with budget transfers, close periods, prepare balance sheet schedules.\"

Councilor Bartley moved to remove the entire comptroller section (2-293); that motion failed on a roll-call vote (3 no, 2 yes). The committee then voted to approve the ordinance as amended — which kept the comptroller language in place — by a 3-2 roll-call vote (Councilors McGrath Smith, Jenny Rivera and Israel Rivera in favor; Councilors Reagan and Bartley opposed). The committee then voted down an effort to table the item for further legal review.

Actions recorded in committee included approval of line edits (including the 30-calendar-day and 7-business-day clarifications, wording about disciplinary authority, and language allowing a CAFO to request executive session), a failed motion to delete the comptroller section, and final approval to forward the amended ordinance to full council with the comptroller language intact.

The committee asked staff to confirm cross-references elsewhere in the draft so that removing one section would not leave orphaned references in other sections. Jeff (staff) said he would collect Bartley's marked edits and circulate a consolidated document for the full council packet.

What’s next: The amended ordinance will go to the full City Council for consideration. Committee members asked that the ordinance go to legal review and that staff provide a final consolidated list of edits for councilors before the full council meeting.

Ending: The committee acted on the ordinance after detailed line edits and split votes over structure and staffing; the full council will now receive the draft as amended for final consideration.","The Holyoke City Council ordinance committee voted to forward an amended municipal modernization ordinance that establishes a chief administrative financial officer (CAFO) role and retains a comptroller provision after a contentious debate over overlapping audit powers and personnel protections.",{"_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},6450073,"Votes at a glance: committee actions on appointments, job descriptions and handicap parking requests",1169,5199000,6368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550&start=5199&end=6368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880340-d244b83fbaedc0be205d362842625550/thumbnail_5199000.jpg","/articles/6450073/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-actions-on-appointments-job-descriptions-and-handicap-parking-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450073-fe9d901caae91b4b1e6110657dc252b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391160&Signature=nYpCGNy9q0CXzNQi1nfy5OXxLaLgDXxscKMysYQ7quI~0XsK2JAzIrR7WzW5Lcl8Nui0vmWFRGvbxeo3gBgRyQIWcE1q5j2i9u2il-dAdICGxrM39QEfW-xbAs7~UO-d3seBFdfX6TdbzPODe0c3EFBWl5OkhUw2SYZkjXfSAtUl0pUn6bsJC2ZD5D5tSYldf5MuZ-kJy0irY~3EJzACqfHp9K5zYKipfiXxOk1Bm0uxyWnJRY~K1QnN-voc2r1jdANSSZkD6Dsv3Kgk8AdZS5YQN9vL0KHLod4SLS6c5e8vl11awhQjlcUXZmNKHY~6RQ3Bk2lROp-pigPm6CQoig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holyoke — At its July 29 meeting the ordinance committee recorded several procedural and routine actions, including marking one item as complied with, tabling two related personnel items for additional documentation, and approving four street-level parking and signage requests.

Key actions
- Chief administrative financial officer (CAFO) position (item 2): Committee marked the CAFO position as \"complied with\" based on prior action in the municipal modernization package and asked staff to note the change for the full council record. Roll-call: unanimous yes on the committee.

- Order to establish minimum treasurer eligibility requirements (item 4) and related salary/grade item (item 6): The committee tabled these items to allow staff to circulate the proposed treasurer job description and a proposed salary scale ahead of the next meeting. Motion to table carried; staff will provide the job description and salary recommendation.

- Combined treasurer/tax-collector position (item 5): Committee recorded that the combined position order had been complied with earlier in the modernization act process and marked it as satisfied in committee records.

- Parliamentarian order (item 3): The sponsor requested leave to withdraw the order establishing a council parliamentarian; leave to withdraw was granted by committee (motion carried 3–2 on the recorded vote to leave to withdraw: Councilors Jenny Rivera and Israel Rivera voted yes with Councilors Vagan and McGrath Smith voting no; the chair recorded the counts accordingly). (Note: transcript roll-call alignment reflects the committee record.)

- Handicap parking sign requests (items 12 and 13): The committee approved two disability-parking-sign requests submitted by Councilors Jenny Rivera and Anderson Burgos; DPW will confirm measurements and schedule installation. The committee recorded a 4–0 committee vote on these items (Reagan, Bartley, Jenny Rivera, Israel Rivera recorded as yes; some committee members absent from that specific roll-call). The committee also approved removal of one unused handicap sign at 71 Waldo Street (item 14) by vote.

What’s next: Items marked complied with will be noted in committee records and forwarded as necessary; tabled personnel items will return when staff provide job descriptions and salary proposals; DPW will follow up on measurements and installation for approved handicap signs.

Ending: The committee completed several housekeeping votes and deferred personnel qualifications for further documentation.","The ordinance committee took several routine actions: marking the CAFO position as complied-with, tabling treasurer-qualification language, withdrawing a parliamentarian order, and approving handicap parking sign requests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council committee tables proposal to separate parks superintendent and city forester positions

Committee recommends updates to stop-street ordinance and traffic schedules tied to City Center Connector and MassDOT program

Ordinance committee approves municipal modernization draft after debate over CAFO powers and proposed comptroller

Votes at a glance: committee actions on appointments, job descriptions and handicap parking requests