Finance committee split on $15,000 CPA small‑grants line; committee sends proposal to full council without recommendation

The Finance Committee on Sept. 8 considered a proposal from the Holyoke Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee to allocate $15,000 for a renewed small grants program and separately reviewed the CPA operating budget for fiscal 2026.

Jay Ferreira, chair of the Holyoke CPA Committee, said the small grants program would simplify the application process and make small awards more accessible to city projects and community groups. Under the proposal, the CPA would make awards up to $3,000 per grant with a maximum project size of $6,000; the committee emphasized that existing CPA restrictions (allowable uses for open space, historic preservation, community housing and recreation) would still apply.

Several councilors expressed procedural concerns about pre‑authorizing a $15,000 line without knowing specific projects. Councilor Jourdain and others preferred that projects be brought forward individually so the full council could see specific uses; Councilor Sullivan and other supporters noted the program’s past practice and that unused funds roll into subsequent years.

After debate, a motion to approve the $15,000 appropriation failed in committee. The committee then voted to send the item to the full City Council without a committee recommendation so the full council can decide. The CPA committee’s FY26 operating budget and revenue estimates were separately approved by the finance committee for referral to the full council.

CPA Committee chair Ferreira reviewed FY26 numbers: local surcharge revenue was listed as $704,804 and the state match at $105,544, a 14.97% match rate. A carryover balance from FY25 — partly due to investment income and closing older purchase orders — added about $108,007.64 to available funds, Ferreira said. Committee members said they will finalize the small grants process and may present projects to the council for approval under the revived small grants program if the council approves the budget line.