Council approves $65,000 in transfers to cover shortfall on Connecticut River flood‑wall project

The Holyoke City Council approved three transfers totaling $65,001 (three separate motions recorded as $21,667 each) to move payroll funds into professional engineering and other contract services to cover an engineering shortfall on a Connecticut River flood‑wall project.

Auditor Sharon explained the city received a state grant for the project — reported in the meeting as $770,000 — but is "about $65,000 short." The mayor had asked department heads to check for available funds to cover the gap; the council approved transfers from three payroll lines (superintendent outdoor works; firefighters; patrol officers) to make up the shortfall.

One councilor noted the firefighter line could supply funds because recent hiring delays have reduced payroll expenditures; the chief said the department expects to have funds to carry through the rest of the fiscal year but did not have exact remaining balances on hand. Sharon also said she did not have the precise remaining balances during the discussion.

Each transfer motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The auditor and staff said the transfers fund professional engineering and contract services for work related to "stop log number seven" at the Connecticut River adjacent to Water Street; the engineer Matt Sokoup was expected to attend but was not present to speak at the meeting.

Councilors approved the transfers to permit the city to proceed with engineering work while the state grant remains the primary funding source.