Transparency in city government and protection of Elmwood Forest surfaced as connected concerns at the Holyoke bilingual candidate forum.

Ward 3 councilor David Bartley criticized omissions in a recent City Law Department communication and described efforts to pursue a tax-title action to recover delinquent taxes on a portion of Elmwood Forest. Bartley said a parcel owner’s taxes had not been paid “since the 1970s” and that a Land Court action to recover the property had not been adequately publicized. “They left out the land court action about Elmwood Forest,” Bartley said, and he filed an order asking the law department to correct the notice.

Anne Thalheimer, a Ward 3 candidate, and other candidates said they support public engagement and in-person meetings to give residents a clearer view of municipal actions; Thalheimer said she would hold monthly community meetings. Candidates credited local organizers for bringing the Elmwood Forest issue to the council’s attention and said they had secured commitments from city officials to appear at future open meetings on the topic.

Issues raised at the forum distinguished between public comment and formal council action: the forum recorded candidates urging greater public access, better distribution of legal notices and more opportunities for constituent participation. No formal council vote or decision on Elmwood Forest was made during the forum.