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Public Service Committee recommends multiple mayoral appointees to City Council

Holyoke City Public Service Committee · April 15, 2026

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Summary

The committee recommended mayoral appointees to the local historic district commission and Parks and Recreation, and approved fence-viewer committee appointments under state law; each nominee introduced themselves and the committee voted to forward the appointments to City Council for final approval.

The Holyoke City Public Service Committee on April 9 recommended several mayoral appointees to the full City Council.

Kevin Rice was introduced as the mayor’s appointee to the local historic district commission to finish a term through July 1, 2028. Rice described long experience in historic preservation and property restoration, including service on Altadena Heritage and work restoring multiple historic houses. The committee voted to recommend Rice’s appointment to City Council.

Susan Brulette of 179 Morgan Street was presented as a second nominee for the local historic district commission to finish a term expiring July 1, 2028. Brulette, a retired history teacher and neighborhood resident, said she is familiar with Fairfield Avenue and neighborhood park projects. Committee members moved, seconded and voted to recommend her appointment to the City Council.

The mayor also nominated Henry Martinez (self-identified as Henry Martinez Cortejena) to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission through June 30, 2027. Martinez described Holyoke roots, Holyoke High School graduation and current enrollment at Springfield Technical Community College; committee members welcomed the applicant and voted to recommend his appointment to the City Council.

Separately, under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 49 Section 1, the mayor appointed Jeff Burcotte (assistant director of planning) and David Pazek (zoning enforcement officer) to the fence viewer committee and asked the committee to grant them leave to withdraw; that motion passed.

All recommended appointments will go before the full City Council at an upcoming meeting for final confirmation.