Residents urge Holyoke City Council to act on $1.2 million in opioid settlement funds

Dozens of residents, recovery advocates and people with lived experience urged the Holyoke City Council on Tuesday to begin using the city—s opioid settlement (abatement) funds, which speakers said currently total about $1,200,000.

The public comments came during the council—s allotted public-comment period before the evening—s business items, and speakers urged next week—s Finance Committee meeting and the mayor—s office to accelerate planning and include people directly affected by opioid use in decisions.

—Tonight, I—m here as a Holyoke resident to speak about the critical importance of our opioid settlement dollars,— Taylor McAndrew said. McAndrew identified themself as a public-health professional and said local government should "center lived experience" in deciding how to spend funds.

Speakers listed three recurring priorities: center…