[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6359903,"mediaKeyId","2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666","parentId",2175535,"title","Councilors approve $24,780 transfer to fund temporary demolition/property-maintenance supervisor; debate centers on scope and landlord accountability","audioSeconds",1717,"startMs",1722000,"endMs",4739,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666&start=1722&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359903/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-approve-24780-transfer-to-fund-temporary-demolitionproperty-maintenance-supervisor-debate-centers-on-scope-and-landlord-accountability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359903-9911348e691cfe4dce61111f1923944c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181997&Signature=bgM-tcTVIS22DsX8HEnYiOy~~pYkkF5z6Tk3nb9DjWWS8gpJ~NHq2FdSw7k3VEvPmIGyvtRfvV4O-kmbW48lW4uDMjK4g7FUZGXB0gaqVgTAMsdoVkloI3Uoo-1TG-cGF~IcsCsUX-duN97HWqhLolRec61nw3GI9S4Ot9Ll23b5c9WxFcCPh6Gc-5ksy54L~vgtDiphBcCr3vfk6QMB~8XyPF14YYHazzqDtDi3AN0biNT8P~0J0Smih~BX4MTAyequwBlo8lpJFfyZwSNNdmbiQ9nPH5FqKqTxkCOlKEBKHvUjcz5DMf7FktUhqijyU8aELpzZ0q7Wgp2OP-8PTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Finance Committee approved a transfer of $24,780 from the vacant-building revolving fund to pay, through the end of the fiscal year, for a property-maintenance/demolition supervisor position intended to reduce demolition costs and respond to dangerous, dilapidated buildings.

Councilors and City staff discussed an example property, identified in committee as 52 Main Street, where structural collapse has posed an immediate hazard. Leslie Ward, the city official who described the role and legal steps, said the city had conducted a survey board and exhausted legal remedies with the property owner; when owners refuse to act on dangerous buildings, the city at times must act to protect public safety.

Ward said a single demolition by contractor for a four‑story vacant building could be “in the neighborhood of… $300,000,” and estimated a salary range for the demolition/property-maintenance supervisor at “somewhere between 65,75,000 per year.” She said a commissioner’s office and DPW crew working together could cut typical contractor costs roughly in half for comparable projects.

Councilor Jordan urged caution, citing Holyoke’s prior experience with the Hotel Essex property, in which the city assumed responsibility and avoided full reimbursement for large demolition costs. Jordan said the city must use the position and demolition authority to hold property owners accountable and pursue legal remedies when appropriate rather than acting as a permanent backstop for private owners.

Councilors discussed whether the revolving fund is a sustainable source for a full-year position. Legal advice at a prior meeting was cited saying using the revolving fund for this purpose was permissible even if not best practice. Staff said the posting and hiring process would follow city rules: the position would be posted internally for seven days then to the public; if filled before June 30 the salary for the hire would be budgeted in the next fiscal process, and if not filled the unspent transfer would revert to free cash.

Committee members approved the transfer by voice vote and asked staff to post the position and to provide more detailed cost‑savings analysis and coordination plans with the Law Department and receivership/land‑court programs before the council floor vote.

Votes at a glance: Committee approved the $24,780 transfer to fund the demolition/property-maintenance supervisor through the fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Finance Committee 1/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee approved a $24,780 transfer to hire a temporary property-maintenance/demolition supervisor to address dangerous vacant buildings and reduce demolition costs.","taxTitle","Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",52807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359908,"Committee advances $293,439 transfer for three plow trucks, debates funding source",1241,1114000,2355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666&start=1114&end=2355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666/thumbnail_1114000.jpg","/articles/6359908/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-advances-293439-transfer-for-three-plow-trucks-debates-funding-source","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359908-2292548af3a56cb74a54a8df975ac946/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181997&Signature=W5Wk7t0sxTU7FcqfLh~q0IKIryNyfZs0OZJcxrUqFk-P98o4-LeXy-tVD5Orb3arM3LmbM8QDo3z1AVDZtIH0c-2F6fXdf3J6rQD5m4fHibGgsQWzG3ZZHTQ5eiKCKAdtKzYYwNBIdhPaBy2eEMF7ywOYqF1XRGuCuRKM5VPXgKxZtG96X~Pg6KxPP0b1x7F-9b0wLvZPrXAYE55eSrYeseAvqbg9dZYHjoqxynKq5fz4BPYGPUWy2RpI3AnYQOrPHwuMoT1T7WkZGkWkH0TOzLlLCSPTKp6yVt5VSA2sBJl284g1ZdwMi1Ik1GG~dKt1QDw9a8h8q~e~j5FZbrKVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted to report out a transfer request to purchase three smaller plow trucks and recommended the item be considered by the full city council; members debated whether the $293,439 transfer should come entirely from capital-stabilization funds rather than a mix that included general stabilization.

Carl, identified as director of the Department of Public Works, explained the order funds replacement of three plow trucks (including a decommissioned 2004 F-550, a 2007 F-550 and a 1994 International) and estimated lead time for the smaller trucks at up to six months. He said the smaller, non-CDL trucks would be usable next winter and could maximize the workforce because non-CDL drivers can operate them.

Councilors pressed about why the request used $186,000 from general stabilization rather than drawing entirely on capital-stabilization funds. Mayor Garcia said the administration’s funding strategy sought to preserve some capital capacity through June 30 and to maximize interest earned in stabilization accounts; several councilors said their preference was to fund the purchase from capital stabilization and replenish the general stabilization later if needed.

Because councilors were not unanimous on the funding source, the committee voted to report the order out of committee “without a recommendation” so the mayor can file an amended order for council consideration. The committee chair said the action would allow the council to consider an amendment on Tuesday to shift the funding source to capital stabilization if the mayor files an amended order.

Votes at a glance: Committee voted to report the transfer out without a recommendation to allow council floor debate on the funding source.","The Finance Committee reported out a transfer request to buy three smaller plow trucks; committee members debated using capital-stabilization funds rather than general stabilization and agreed to move the item to council without a recommendation so funding source can be amended.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359912,"Committee accepts $95,100 state emergency-management grant with 50% match",1202,853000,2055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666&start=853&end=2055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666/thumbnail_853000.jpg","/articles/6359912/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-accepts-95100-state-emergency-management-grant-with-50-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359912-9102f8ff2d18b38539c1cac38c96c5c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181997&Signature=XlGDPP5Gv9T8-KO2IT-uznVf2u0LEvyaJrljknEP6AA7reKEjgEeLNn92-Ovpuu~o5XUcmAWyD9u5O8YGKfg8yN7cwMAT~21~lzGqlxpD1~c5cbMVOr8QhFR-wjIA8baGbhDPv-VC5DCfBRAi8lyZ~sY4CnldDeX78tTOzqg7JQKGqKDF8fa-vTWWV5UOOCvBIZkBvXe~79G0rj2kg-vm6Z2ZUIDGa9JtKq7Gy59WZk00pAqm7LoCJkIbmeCTgIhGD4pUSTakSjWmI-of~~F4OqaX88IcLpE7rmIUZA2Qrs1MlJqehqPxJW~m4i1ejvLc5CepDLv~An8jUbNItgruA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee voted to accept a Massachusetts Emergency Management Program (MEMP) FY24 grant of approximately $95,100, with a 50% in-kind match, to support emergency-management operations in Holyoke.

Jeff Trask, identified in the meeting as emergency management director and fire commissioner, described prior uses of the grant for shelter equipment, portable traffic lights and upgrades to the city’s emergency operations center, including enhanced video-conferencing capability that allows hybrid or virtual operations. He said the grant has helped “rebuild the emergency management discipline” in the city and that the 50% match is met through existing budget line items such as the emergency management stipend and the emergency notification system.

Trask told the committee the grant is reimbursable and population-based; Holyoke’s award has fluctuated with census changes that shifted the city into a lower population bracket. He said the city uses the grant to close gaps municipal funding does not always cover.

Councilors moved and approved the acceptance of the grant by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Committee approved acceptance of the FY24 emergency-management grant with the stated 50% in-kind match.","The Finance Committee approved acceptance of an FY24 Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency grant (about $95,100) with a 50% in-kind match to support Holyoke's emergency operations center and community emergency-response activities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359917,"Finance panel approves $350,000 transfer to cover police overtime; chief cites vacancies and new tracking software",1080,244000,1324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666&start=244&end=1324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666/thumbnail_244000.jpg","/articles/6359917/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Finance-panel-approves-350000-transfer-to-cover-police-overtime-chief-cites-vacancies-and-new-tracking-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359917-6f3fd470c68382e2bf7b0795048b8c10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181997&Signature=AeRwLTeeUetAyzg1JTLHZ~oNcE7xyvfO-srOmtyNXhAvMG~vJpO5KzqTRFEjupp53vjqSRzWud30Z6auSJ~M2vD2x-mQtk~kx8x9SCGXDWP5anr4qNTpU0qfWChQz5mTy9YExvrdAe0KZtcg2-MxpixOdn~asx2ZaHRs~erAPliqcNZbdGqhEEEua5PP4FyxhoXbmQeDi~~~D7TzwKtVJXLm4ErwvNv8o2bJCGNiJQU2serxGY3KtNt5XpB96YtkzEjjUSKKwpkmxGdE2INYwQmA~IMfIZK2RN9W~IhPURoEOwC-iE1jdYd4EKqdd53K09-KgVYwiklK5ErYfpj7~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Finance Committee approved a transfer of $350,000 into the police overtime account to help the department manage staffing shortfalls and rising overtime costs.

Councilors voted to move $350,000 from patrolmen, sergeants and dispatch salary lines into overtime. The chief of the Holyoke Police Department told the committee the shift would “get us to 1.2 for the year” and help cover overtime pressures driven by vacancies, injured-on-duty officers and two full‑time military deployments.

The chief described several steps the department is taking: tighter overtime controls, a staffing-tracking software subscription to monitor overtime and staffing in real time, and an active recruiting push including civil-service hiring lists and lateral-transfer outreach. The chief said the software would be “phenomenal,” that “it'll save a ton of man hours” in payroll processing and allow staff to see “how much did you spend in overtime this weekend?” in real time.

During the discussion, Councilor Jordan asked how this year’s overtime forecast compared with last year; the chief said the department was “$100,000 ahead of where we were” at the same point last year. The chief also said current officer vacancies were “somewhere between 7 and 10, depending on what happens with pending disability retirements.”

Councilors raised concerns about collective-bargaining provisions that affect minimum manning and vacation scheduling. The chief said weeks off are selected by seniority under the current patrolmen contract and described contractual limits that allow multiple officers to be off simultaneously, increasing overtime when staffing is thin.

The committee approved the transfer by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Committee approved the $350,000 transfer into police overtime by voice vote.","The committee approved a $350,000 transfer into the police overtime account. Holyoke Police Department leaders said vacancies, injured-on-duty officers and mandated training have driven high overtime; the department plans a staffing-tracking software subscription and an aggressive recruiting campaign.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359919,"Finance Committee OKs small transfer to cover an extra Zoom account",328,8000,336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666&start=8&end=336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175535-4e72f9c9a3792c49260efd0739b5f666/thumbnail_8000.jpg","/articles/6359919/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Finance-Committee-OKs-small-transfer-to-cover-an-extra-Zoom-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359919-e6b45517563683c5ca44c6748dbb1d90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181997&Signature=EVepdE9eNIFMyXDA73hcxWQAcrZYtNdCFxt62910PHtsZeTBFUYzwZJy54GV0UGYdQGMOX4xWq4w8WOTphQTZ4Q6pZwAvmBXfoBfG8LX1Og7J8kWDFqHSUxZHZg2FjvvmiOVNwUBO3Wi4~0CukB8FolaEpnxBRYxzCK42IGiHj9-4goaZonycAiJw3xFrLDm1WF~wMiaR8gULcsBUGfKOwmmCMd1L6CGG-b8yIg4ltigFCFE60kVqk0vKxeDcSo~X183yaW8I2Ha8AgpHD9LwIPO7sW2XXYjmlobECKT122Nq3yCYSwjFhpf0muRTFvXg658D~NXUIT0VgjA-TF0QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Finance Committee voted to approve a small interdepartmental transfer to cover an additional Zoom account used by city departments.

The motion, moved and approved by voice vote, transferred funds from Board of Health line items into planning dues and subscriptions to pay for one of the three Zoom accounts managed by a city office, councilors said. Aaron Vega, a city staff member, described the request to the committee as an internal reallocation to reflect who pays for and uses a shared Zoom account.

Vega said his office currently pays for three Zoom accounts and that one is shared with the Board of Health. He described the transfer as “just being mindful that we're paying for his Zoom account,” referring to a colleague whose share the mayor and others are covering. Councilors moved and approved the item without objection.

The committee briefly discussed whether Zoom purchases should be centralized under the city’s purchasing function. A councilor suggested centralizing Zoom purchases to simplify billing and management across departments.

The transfer did not include broader changes to purchasing policy; councilors said staff could return with recommendations if centralization is pursued.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the transfer by voice vote.","The Holyoke Finance Committee approved an interdepartmental transfer to fund an additional Zoom account paid out of an existing city office budget; staff said the city is moving toward centralized Zoom purchasing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors approve $24,780 transfer to fund temporary demolition/property-maintenance supervisor; debate centers on scope and landlord accountability

Committee advances $293,439 transfer for three plow trucks, debates funding source

Committee accepts $95,100 state emergency-management grant with 50% match

Finance panel approves $350,000 transfer to cover police overtime; chief cites vacancies and new tracking software

Finance Committee OKs small transfer to cover an extra Zoom account