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

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.