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Charter and Rules Committee recommends full council reject expansion of conduct rule to out‑of‑chambers speech
Summary
After extensive debate on enforcement, vagueness, and free‑speech implications, the committee voted Feb. 4 to forward a proposed expansion of Rule 6(e) — which would bar councilors from making references to other members outside chambers — to the City Council with a recommendation that it not pass.
The Charter and Rules Committee voted Feb. 4 to forward to the full Holyoke City Council a proposed amendment to Rule 6(e) that would prohibit councilors from making references to other members outside the council chamber, including on social media, with a committee recommendation that the full council not adopt the change.
Proponents argued a formal code of conduct would reinforce respectful behavior. Councilor Bacon described the proposal as a modest code of conduct intended to set norms for elected officials. Opponents raised constitutional and practical concerns. Councilor Rick Purcell questioned who would enforce a restriction on out‑of‑chambers speech and warned that councilors sometimes violate existing decorum rules; multiple members noted that enforcement rests primarily with the council president in meetings and that policing speech outside chambers risks legal challenge.
After extended discussion the committee voted to forward the item to the City Council with a recommendation that it not pass; the chair said she "look[s] forward to the minority report." The action sends the proposal to the full council so members who support it can register their position as part of the public record.
