[{"_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",6359914,"mediaKeyId","2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced","parentId",2175536,"title","Charter, ordinance changes on electronic notice tabled for revision after solicitor review","audioSeconds",1449,"startMs",284000,"endMs",1733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced&start=284&end=1733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced/thumbnail_284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359914/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Charter-ordinance-changes-on-electronic-notice-tabled-for-revision-after-solicitor-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359914-d9d8ae12d48f654a57f6c969de110172/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185291&Signature=NOCGF6SwIamdLupnC4q32UJ-MOZRm~LF5-~h48oWzlvQd8ai6fwX8kvGpCzxeoRJDprApcjPIGG32l4mLxs1KxCFJiVgdr~tHcgXVqfuJdV49zPsdspeeWjq1ylquifqroxSxBOMKolVoaAsqGRqUA19sZ8IcsP2fQfRZD9PBVMvy4Z8LHgZ7FFP--FT2SYFWE4MX8fsWJRVUPp0FCLBLNtozxCQMReVDvgsVb5IGuVBm9p22i3lDCxcYtI31htUdUWZ0OWlsC-8-bWq04PAoJ04aYxynSpz9ghEZpLx4IDGFvBJ2iHCuPPH2M8kYVtla2ZqEtXICVL4NC-LyLLMyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council Charter & Rules Committee on Jan. 27 discussed an order to update the city charter and ordinances to accept electronic transmission as sufficient notice for special meetings and to clarify alternate delivery methods for council members who do not use electronic communications.

Committee Chair Meg McGrath Smith said the orders (from Councilors Givner and Talman, filed Oct. 3, 2023) would change “special meetings of city council” language to permit electronic delivery in place of earlier, mail-focused wording. She asked Solicitor Bissonnette for advice on drafting language that will remain usable as technology changes.

Solicitor Bissonnette recommended substituting a broad “electronic communication” term for specific references to email so the charter would not be rendered anachronistic as technology evolves. He also proposed keeping alternatives for members who do not use electronic methods — for example, allowing an individual to elect hand delivery or first-class mail, or another locally defined alternate delivery method.

Councilors debated practical consequences. Councilor Bacon argued for keeping a rarely used backup option such as hand delivery to respond to short-notice special meetings, noting first-class mail can take several days and may not meet a 48-hour notice standard. Councilor Carmen Ocasio and other councilors said mailed agendas sometimes arrive after meetings, and that needs operational attention. Chair McGrath Smith and councilors expressed a preference to place finer implementation details into ordinance language so the charter amendment could remain general while the council could adjust delivery specifics by local ordinance.

City Council Assistant Jeffrey explained current practice: agendas are mailed for those who request them but mailing schedules depend on when chairs finalize agendas; he said three members currently receive mailed packets. Jeffrey and Bissonnette noted the open meeting requirements impose a 48-hour notice standard for special meetings and that any alternate method must still comport with the state open meeting law.

After discussion, the committee voted to table the orders for further revision. The committee asked Solicitor Bissonnette to redraft the charter language to use a broad “electronic communications” term, to develop companion ordinance language (section 2-58) specifying alternate delivery methods, and to meet with the maker and the city clerk for operational input. The motion to table passed unanimously.

What happens next: the solicitor will revise the language and the committee will reconvene the item with proposed ordinance language and clerical input before forwarding any charter change to the mayor and state as required.

Quote: “I would like to... devise a way for members who are not electronically inclined... to have their agenda and notices delivered hand delivered, or... mailed,” Solicitor Bissonnette said during the discussion.

Ending: The committee did not advance a charter amendment at this meeting; it instructed staff and the solicitor to return with revised language that places delivery specifics in ordinance and keeps the charter amendment broad so it endures future technological change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Charter and Rules Committee 1/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Holyoke City Council Charter & Rules Committee on Jan. 27 discussed an order to update the Holyoke City Charter and municipal code to accept electronic transmission as sufficient public notice for special meetings and to specify alternate delivery for members who do not use electronic communications.","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},6359895,"Committee approves several procedural housekeeping items; sends voting-specific guidance to legal for update",1207,3514000,4721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced&start=3514&end=4721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced/thumbnail_3514000.jpg","/articles/6359895/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-several-procedural-housekeeping-items-sends-voting-specific-guidance-to-legal-for-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359895-284447ee6a707706cb0a5085929f79a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185291&Signature=dUPXcK57i4KwdVmqi-9dI-swel6oo39vqDAOfgA2vlS8cKSbyN~pRfla4b9jz0JrBvMFucXy5z08TNcyE8CLhUooFkLV8k120XDRDve6SKVBatNLJ7y7Hz3fn0LfiLNwp7rBjKM0JCkmoj9760bP2~WQ2jLxyTQ-jWBIpqijeGjLz9AXNeP5arDqe~QmwBuOA41bl-GSvSjIXlklqqj9ijbqyXgjlcwpmrP8N2KSkOhpNeCxENGyycoNKq5eOg7l2O2aN~RkC6Vd3LbKHxTszcKqXnZjVUyUvmCiSaVwrTjTaGxpqrEEvJRAzopSlRm8gsJ61FU-0dFx13qmXJyf1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several procedural and housekeeping orders were considered and resolved at the Jan. 27 meeting of the Charter & Rules Committee.

Rule 9(j) cleanup: The committee voted to adopt amended language to Rule 9(j) that removes redundant lines and makes the provision read: \"If legal form is not provided 48 hours prior to the meeting, upon objection of any member of city council, the matter will be tabled until the next meeting.\" Councilors clarified that an objection means a member can request tabling when they lack time to review legal form.

Leave to withdraw: The committee granted leave to withdraw an order (filed November) that had sought to change the city treasurer from an elected to an appointed position and to combine treasurer and tax-collector offices. The maker requested withdrawal in light of an upcoming special election and potential consequences; the committee approved the leave to withdraw.

Voting specifics: The committee reviewed a document from Assistant City Solicitor Gene Manoleski titled \"city council voting specifics,\" which lists vote thresholds and related procedures. Members said portions likely need technical updates following the council’s recent ordinance change about two‑thirds thresholds. The committee voted to send the document back to legal for revision and to seek input from ordinance members before reintroducing.

Tabling rule item: An order to remove the automatic 45-day tabling provision (concern that items remain in jackets too long) was discussed at length and the maker agreed to give the order leave to withdraw; committee members discussed alternative tactics such as scheduling jacket-review meetings or cleaning the jacket by committee action.

Each of the foregoing motions passed by voice vote. The committee asked legal to provide updated, authoritative language where statutes or the city ordinance are implicated.

Ending: Legal staff will update the voting-specific guidance and return it to committee; withdrawn orders may be refiled later with revisions.","The committee adopted a cleanup to Rule 9(j), gave leave to withdraw on two orders (treasurer appointment and a tabling-sunset order), and voted to send a document on voting specifics back to legal for updating to reflect recent ordinance changes.",{"_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},6359902,"Committee agrees to develop chart assigning license types to committees, tables order",134,141000,275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced&start=141&end=275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6359902/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-agrees-to-develop-chart-assigning-license-types-to-committees-tables-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359902-c1df8d462e1819690440e50daa18f345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185291&Signature=gfktcEPN2T4NTDjSpz8cDcmaW-KOkskZ1T5KEGRg5KTmhbaojow4OL47etwUDin5a-Kq-Mdw4eeJX79c94zgD0F5TtBV-Pu9DDGMVqmH-epsrrwirnwu33VYbn14wF3YrLQIYEV446qXnN8q~exEBw0atzRQslDiDEp8XRkBM3sYbZXUrtG2CraZuatzt3X9CoCFDzawQWSIXlRZ-2Tgw-sv10GZXxZB5c6MO1vmhO8o8K7z8NNw8ZizuV3Nj7IU-M1xs-Ar7QOSAqOHunVsiK7RnYFvPUusNEGAVWsWJHcbYDnmp6d5AGw6~KcYHsUGgCYRd1QY3ccAPDYPcmUnng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reviewed an order to amend council rules to identify which council committees should consider certain license applications.

Chair Meg McGrath Smith read a list of licenses that the city council approves, including second‑hand dealers, street vendors, junk dealers, pawn brokers, billiards, livery, pool tables and bowling alleys. Committee members said applicants and staff would benefit from a clear “cheat sheet” or chart that specifies which committee handles which license so applicants know where their requests will be taken.

Councilor Bacon noted the rules already allow the council flexibility to send an order to a particular committee if a timing reason requires it, but said a chart would nevertheless give applicants clearer expectations. Chair McGrath Smith proposed tabling the order while staff prepare a proposed chart.

The committee voted to table the order and asked staff to develop a clear chart that maps license types to the appropriate committee. The motion passed by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will prepare the proposed chart for future committee review; the order remains tabled.","The committee read a proposed list of licenses the city council must approve (secondhand, street vendor, junk dealer, pawn broker, billiards, livery, pool tables and bowling alley) and voted to table an order to develop a clear chart directing where those licenses should be heard.",{"_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},6359906,"Committee backs 3‑minute speaking limit at a time; sends rule to full council with recommendation",858,1740000,2598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced&start=1740&end=2598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced/thumbnail_1740000.jpg","/articles/6359906/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-backs-3minute-speaking-limit-at-a-time-sends-rule-to-full-council-with-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359906-8af3bfbff6f859c16a759dfbb8333c3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185291&Signature=bxwSTAFaaiHYxA1Uk1cVlQYrYDPnFXRF5-yW210tghVcHXVawifk0MrlZSxz7omXuMjCeh7ugNaCQlwCaS-TQgVWE9-ypvUfGhfeNq17lXmfMTE~TwbuzQ~5M59vK2xtFV8OrHYArIK5g71QtPIXotc4BlmPlj2V9~ahlLs6QqMdDNc9rQ5ciaZG~FOJ0yzNkigW0FyP~DenfDxeiHm9SRSZFDmzDpmtGY~IC6jXWlYI8HZDgQXtss~Eex6H4fWP8Ea0Oxotr5P3TRTnalQNR884WvmGaUK0sCuuwrqzn0e9kNx~otWeyCYi1VHSMOMkvOXlM8DHXirtwWYXZun2sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted Jan. 27 to forward to the full City Council an amended decorum rule that would limit each speaking turn during debate to three minutes.

Councilor Patty Devine originally proposed adding a rule to Rule 6(c) that would have capped speaking at four minutes. Committee members discussed practicalities of timing, abuse concerns and whether the limit should apply per turn or as a cumulative cap across multiple turns. Councilor Macon offered an amendment to make the limit per speaking turn; the committee ultimately amended the proposal to three minutes per speaking turn.

Committee members and staff discussed timing logistics. City Council Assistant Jeffrey said he could provide a Bluetooth or phone-based timer that displays the countdown to the chamber while allowing the presiding officer to see remaining time; he also noted earlier clock-display issues where the president could not see the chamber-facing clock. Members suggested low‑profile options (an egg timer or a simple countdown) to avoid an unduly confrontational display.

The committee voted to send the amended rule to full council with the committee’s recommendation. The motion passed with the committee voting “Aye.” The committee also agreed that the council retains the ability to suspend rules to allow extra time where the body chooses.

Quote: “I think if people want to speak, you know, then you wanna have an opportunity... but let's make it as efficiently as possible,” Chair Meg McGrath Smith said during debate.

Ending: The committee will forward the amendment (no councilor shall speak more than three minutes at a time during debate) to the full council for consideration; staff will trial discrete timer options and report back.","Members amended a proposed decorum rule to limit councilors to three minutes per speaking turn and voted to send the revised rule to full council with the committee’s recommendation; staff will test timers so presidents and staff can track time discretely.",{"_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},6359909,"Committee seeks list of held executive-session minutes; solicitor to advise on process",861,2654000,3515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced&start=2654&end=3515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175536-a02defc4eb1e3ff6405ebefd79c5bced/thumbnail_2654000.jpg","/articles/6359909/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-seeks-list-of-held-executive-session-minutes-solicitor-to-advise-on-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359909-7e9c60a247911237c93d51133cd15887/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185291&Signature=cW4Lb4TMtWVxR-aWNTFdX7P1wu9Kb92Sq6BmrmXwCoJBD98UVLRS-K3IP2Acj8JBJKkSNqZA~8Sic-CLPupxcgVn9lQ1EO9dSx2rh~fpv96zArGF~G9UwwKOfp4Ehcm~5sVzDyo-m5u4sD0sOFuZAEWJiSlgsEPKYBi12~Jf0Keklmzkgqufxh4lkR~sfSFnO0JEqCddOMnJUZeOW-O1YB8aMatwCN6gqc4UBVtW0qW22sio5LVX425oPgXhYTJV9CwWZSUd0RC5Mv4uyf6S5bbsQ1F8TOysNdhtAeqig5~F3XyhzPhDThcbH3Bin~dz4CBs9PKI4UAVx2gEhKH~Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter & Rules Committee on Jan. 27 reviewed an order from Councilor Bartley asking the council to adopt a rule requiring regular public announcement and review of executive-session minutes that remain withheld or redacted.

Solicitor Bissonnette briefed the committee on the open meeting law’s requirements: minutes from executive sessions remain privileged until the basis for the exemption no longer applies, at which point the body should consider release or redaction. He said minutes must be approved (typically in executive session) before release, and independent public bodies (for example, the Board of Public Works) are responsible for their own compliance and may face civil penalties if they violate the law.

Committee members discussed options: a standing agenda item listing withheld executive-session minutes for the council’s own meetings; a rule or ordinance requiring other public boards to notify the council of held executive-session minutes; and whether the council should require a periodic report from the law department identifying minutes that are eligible for release.

Bissonnette cautioned that a detailed list of withheld executive-session minutes may itself be covered by executive session procedures unless the subject matter is public. He told the committee it is permissible to require public bodies to notify the city council but that imposing such a rule on independent boards may be better placed in ordinance language rather than in the council’s internal rules.

The committee asked the solicitor for an updated list of the council’s own executive-session minutes that remain withheld and requested legal feedback on whether to adopt a rule or an ordinance requiring other public bodies to provide notice. The committee voted to table the order pending that updated list and legal guidance and to pursue ordinance drafting as appropriate.

Quote: “Once that rationale for the exemption is gone, then, the protection no longer abides,” Solicitor Bissonnette said, describing when executive-session minutes should be released.

Ending: The committee instructed the solicitor to prepare an updated list of withheld executive-session minutes for the council and to advise whether a rule or an ordinance is the appropriate vehicle to require other public bodies to notify the council; the item was tabled for that follow-up.","The committee discussed a Council order to create a standing review of executive-session minutes that remain withheld or redacted; Solicitor Bissonnette explained legal constraints and the committee asked for an updated list and guidance on whether a rule or ordinance is required.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charter, ordinance changes on electronic notice tabled for revision after solicitor review

Committee approves several procedural housekeeping items; sends voting-specific guidance to legal for update

Committee agrees to develop chart assigning license types to committees, tables order

Committee backs 3‑minute speaking limit at a time; sends rule to full council with recommendation

Committee seeks list of held executive-session minutes; solicitor to advise on process