The Holyoke City Council confirmed multiple appointments and reappointments on Jan. 6, addressing vacancies that had affected board quorums.

The council corrected the term date on a reappointment letter for Bernice Fuller and approved her reappointment to the Conservation Commission for a three-year term (corrected to 02/01/2029 on the agenda). Councilor Anderson Burgos moved to confirm the reappointment.

The council confirmed John Wellahan to the Board of Appeals to fill a vacancy; the appointment will run through July 1, 2027. Several councilors praised Wellahan’s long record of public service; Councilor Graney called his record “impeccable.”

To restore the Planning Board’s ability to hear applications after a quorum was lost, the council voted to remove Paul Burns Johnson’s appointment from committee and confirm him to a five-year term on the Planning Board, expiring June 30, 2030. Councilor Panitch said the move was intended to ensure the Planning Board can conduct site-plan reviews and avoid delays.

The council also discussed tabling a group of appointments (item 8) until the next meeting so new councilors could meet the nominees. The clerk read the appointments into the record and roll-call votes were taken where required.

Next steps: Confirmed appointees will be notified and administrative staff will post updated membership rosters for the relevant boards and commissions.