Three residents and multiple speakers at the Jan. 21 Holyoke City Council meeting urged the council to take action after an outburst by Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley at the Jan. 8 ordinance committee meeting.

Joanne Chrysanti of 205 Bemis Road told the council she had watched video of the Jan. 8 meeting and described Councilor Bartley's conduct as "unprofessional, disrespectful, disruptive, and dare I say, unhinged," and urged the council to censure him or place him on leave until he seeks treatment. Anne Thalheimer of 97 Brown Ave said she was a constituent and said she had repeatedly observed what she called an unsuitable temperament and disrespectful remarks, particularly toward women and the law department.

"He had a temper tantrum ... he shot up out of his chair, cursed the chairperson, and while storming out of the chamber seemed to be arguing with some imaginary foe," Chrysanti said in public comment.

Several speakers also praised Councilor Israel Rivera for maintaining professional conduct during the earlier meeting. Elizabeth Grisanti of 205 Bemis Road told the council she appreciated Rivera's professionalism during the incident.

Following the public comments, Council President Tessa Murphy Rombaletti addressed the full council about decorum. She read section 6 of the council rules regarding respectful debate and reminded members they do not have the floor unless recognized and that members must not make references to other members, city employees, or the public in disrespectful terms.

"We all took an oath to uphold these rules, so do better," Murphy Rombaletti said. She told councilors the public is watching and that the council should model respectful behavior.

Ending: Council leadership and members acknowledged the public concern and said they would follow the council rules on decorum going forward. Some public commenters asked for formal censure; the transcript does not record any formal censure motion that evening.