Holyoke council endorses notice for Jan. 28 special election on treasurer change, refers ordinance on minimum qualifications

The Holyoke City Council voted Wednesday to publish a short, neutral letter notifying residents that a special election on Jan. 28, 2025 will include a ballot question to change the city treasurer from an elected office to an appointed position, and it referred a separate ordinance that would set minimum qualifications for the office if voters approve the change.

The notice — filed as Item 96 by Councilor McGrath Smith — was read into the record and the council moved to receive and endorse the letter for public distribution. "I created this order based on feedback that I'd gotten from different folks as I'd reached out to them, and it was suggested in full council that someone draft a letter," Councilor McGrath Smith said. The council voted to receive and endorse the letter and to publish it on the city website and distribute it to local media.

Rory Casey, city treasurer, addressed the council during public comment and urged immediate publication so voters have time to learn about the special election. "I'm coming to you this evening to speak, specifically on item 96," Casey said, noting the vote will be held on Tuesday, January 28th and that he supported the ballot question despite being the sitting treasurer. "I fully endorse this question. This is something that's been a long time coming and it will be the first step in many steps to really get the city's financial house in order." Casey said he appreciated the clerk's steps to alert the public ahead of the special ballot.

Councilor Bacon asked that a companion ordinance creating minimum eligibility for an appointed treasurer be taken up at the same time. The council agreed and referred Item 103 (the ordinance) to the ordinance committee, human resources, and the mayor for draft language and further action. Councilor Bartley moved to receive and endorse Item 96 and to receive and refer Item 103; the motion passed on a voice/roll-call vote with no recorded opposition.

The council president also noted the city clerk had placed notice about the special election on census forms to raise awareness. The council did not adopt any implementing ordinance language Wednesday; the referral means staff and the ordinance committee will draft the eligibility language for later consideration.

Votes at a glance: The council voted to receive and endorse the public letter about the Jan. 28 special election (Item 96) and to receive and refer the proposed ordinance creating minimum eligibility for the treasurer (Item 103) to ordinance, human resources, and the mayor. Both actions passed on council motions to receive/endorse and to refer.

What happens next: The letter will be posted publicly and distributed to local media; the ordinance language on minimum qualifications will be drafted and returned to the ordinance and human-resources committees for review before any final ordinance vote.