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Council splits over use of remaining $2 million in ARPA; amendment to request portion for tax relief or city projects passes 8–4
Summary
A council resolution urging the mayor to use the remaining $2 million in ARPA funds for tax relief or city-sponsored capital projects failed on an initial vote but, after reconsideration and amendment, passed 8–4. Speakers disagreed over whether ARPA should be used to "pay bills" or preserved for future needs.
The Holyoke City Council debated how to spend the remaining roughly $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on Tuesday, ending with an amended order the council adopted 8–4 requesting the mayor consider using a portion of the funds for tax relief and/or city-sponsored capital projects.
Councilor Jourdain introduced the order, saying the city was not in a position to "give any of this $2,000,000 away" to outside projects while residents faced large tax-bill increases. "We're in no position to be giving any of this 2,000,000 away to anybody," Jourdain said.
The initial motion to send the unamended order to the…
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