[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6360893,"mediaKeyId","2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0","parentId",2172676,"title","Residents urge censure after Jan. 8 outburst; council president reminds members of decorum","audioSeconds",513,"startMs",289000,"endMs",802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0&start=289&end=802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0/thumbnail_289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360893/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Residents-urge-censure-after-Jan-8-outburst-council-president-reminds-members-of-decorum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360893-5c3bbc1e217da861f3913495f80053c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194678&Signature=UInue9vLysr6MOAd1CIKKnSJ2hZDNo-yd300Cn7FxA7OEYvGbHed4mTrV1CbWNk4riteg9CrG3sTlsoCXDd-CCYEyhKxgjqnjpqbbYGeW4PDZ60Dq24LjUQqfP6pNDQaL44LceTwbfusIemTQwuVp5c7gKPSDBPi5VMJU0cj0O2tDrTfB4yT6ure3doqvlAi2h12WGenBBUDbU3-SBUHlbGn299L2yGhpOmdwyojJpXUw0Q3fmfwyuH93TqRoxiv8J252hNALlsemVci35FhEMwSN3xnc6BXetRlxaClAP1i92DbcCsCcfB6YmaRdUlv7cJuBE8oCQ0m5VERz7izBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-01-25T00:00:00Z","article","Three residents and multiple speakers at the Jan. 21 Holyoke City Council meeting urged the council to take action after an outburst by Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley at the Jan. 8 ordinance committee meeting.

Joanne Chrysanti of 205 Bemis Road told the council she had watched video of the Jan. 8 meeting and described Councilor Bartley's conduct as \"unprofessional, disrespectful, disruptive, and dare I say, unhinged,\" and urged the council to censure him or place him on leave until he seeks treatment. Anne Thalheimer of 97 Brown Ave said she was a constituent and said she had repeatedly observed what she called an unsuitable temperament and disrespectful remarks, particularly toward women and the law department.

\"He had a temper tantrum ... he shot up out of his chair, cursed the chairperson, and while storming out of the chamber seemed to be arguing with some imaginary foe,\" Chrysanti said in public comment.

Several speakers also praised Councilor Israel Rivera for maintaining professional conduct during the earlier meeting. Elizabeth Grisanti of 205 Bemis Road told the council she appreciated Rivera's professionalism during the incident.

Following the public comments, Council President Tessa Murphy Rombaletti addressed the full council about decorum. She read section 6 of the council rules regarding respectful debate and reminded members they do not have the floor unless recognized and that members must not make references to other members, city employees, or the public in disrespectful terms.

\"We all took an oath to uphold these rules, so do better,\" Murphy Rombaletti said. She told councilors the public is watching and that the council should model respectful behavior.

Ending: Council leadership and members acknowledged the public concern and said they would follow the council rules on decorum going forward. Some public commenters asked for formal censure; the transcript does not record any formal censure motion that evening.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 1/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents called on the City Council to censure Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley for an outburst at an ordinance committee meeting; Council President Tessa Murphy Rombaletti publicly reminded members about council decorum and rules on respectful debate.","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},6360895,"Council splits over funding vacant demolition supervisor post; referral to finance after suspension vote fails",1898,2848000,4746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0&start=2848&end=4746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0/thumbnail_2848000.jpg","/articles/6360895/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-splits-over-funding-vacant-demolition-supervisor-post-referral-to-finance-after-suspension-vote-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360895-1fd3f7cfb24de635cd2d635b96e13ce6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194678&Signature=BRsBU1J-boTeZls1DiAlM~ZFpRevc9LcSiWjMOPx-PwgMAQQeY45-mSjLi598AUFZZiEvDmdYInblZVSiY1apnrlPfZJz7xSa6PzHOgfvmcV4yORakd19NQEcjJ36oEyjMxGr2Y3OGjfPpi28y687RFmSW7em8HGcgdxzA1ba-LUX-Hw2vgyp8CKq4j~7uK0up7MT73ZeCONlXry4KuoTEVe6MJlsjTq25z3lulVpLURaf0gjAzvdsn4-F7HwfnfGth2YNiX1o-vZ7vVANCwy4Z8tMQKh0BWkGpLwIDHBW3k0yDeacMpMScuUQptn8NPakbQ9swXzKsvkUT0qBo8Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors debated a late-file request on Jan. 21 to transfer $24,780 from the city's vacant building revolving fund to fund the property-maintenance and demolition supervisor position that has been vacant for more than three years.

Councilor Mike Sullivan filed the order and urged the council to take immediate action so the city could rehire a qualified demolition supervisor to reduce demolition costs and address blight and safety hazards, including partially collapsed buildings and unsecured vacant structures.

\"This position has been vacant for over 3 years now,\" Councilor Mike Sullivan said. \"...the city has gone backwards over the last 3 years with this position empty.\"

Supporters said the revolving fund has generated revenues from prior demolition and boarding activity and could be used midyear to fill the post. Opponents and procedural critics said the matter belongs in the finance committee to review long-term funding, pay grade, and where the position would appear in next fiscal year's budget.

The council voted on a motion to suspend the rules and take final action that evening. The motion failed on a roll-call vote and the clerk announced the outcome as eight in favor and five opposed; under council procedures the matter will now be considered by the finance committee. Council members asked the finance chair to place the item on the committee agenda so councilors could review job description, longer-term funding, and demolition financing options.

Ending: The finance committee will take up the transfer request at its next scheduled meeting and report back to the full council with recommendations.","A proposal to transfer $24,780 from the vacant building revolving fund to fund a demolition/property-maintenance supervisor for the remainder of the fiscal year prompted extended debate; a motion to suspend rules and take final action failed and the item was sent to the finance committee.",{"_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},6360898,"Council reappoints four local residents to boards and commissions",300,822000,1122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0&start=822&end=1122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0/thumbnail_822000.jpg","/articles/6360898/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Council-reappoints-four-local-residents-to-boards-and-commissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360898-a46599563fb90ccc73019e97ede53af1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194678&Signature=LMNbyc996XjSbxus9bZi-DHGVVRnTJ41rO~HDUjsZFYexHgWJ2inXRSuTTBPKECvmpFemiHzuw5CXrzP1C9v~dr8NmlFmzVm5XvngFOr9WlCbd7Y8Py8ZmFRoN23OAR9k3Y~8hF6OV~IGbGmyPcMZF3TkPMRQhohpQm50SuQNYm3v1sKpCbSFa5-H26i~3XqBXrM6So2LnyEKGqAiUeL0u59pI2cin8UzPPAz3nmkVWTkq83y~0TC8sB8PgZqCd30HInFzKnRVWXp~vf00V9dwhdcnaPIBo60ILgy8eKQNbj51FiC69GBbd8AbwH3UVDkWc9ff~sUrTrxFym2v7xRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on Jan. 21 reappointed four residents to city boards: Anthony De Lude as city assessor, Henry \"Butch\" Seidel as water commissioner, Maria Burke to the Whiting Street Fund, and Jason Ferreira to the Community Preservation Committee.

Councilors conducted roll-call first-ballot votes for each position. The clerk recorded that Anthony De Lude was appointed assessor by unanimous first-ballot vote (12 votes). Henry Seidel was appointed water commissioner on a unanimous first ballot (12 votes). Maria Burke and Jason Ferreira were each appointed to their respective positions on the first ballot with unanimous 12-vote tallies.

The appointments are routine reappointments and are for three-year terms expiring Jan. 31, 2028, where specified. Anthony De Lude's assessor appointment was announced as a three-year term; the water commissioner and Whiting Street Fund terms were reported as three years expiring Jan. 31, 2028; the Community Preservation Committee appointment is the council's at-large appointment. The council had no recorded objections during the votes.

Votes at a glance
- Anthony De Lude, Assessor (term through Jan. 31, 2028): appointed on first ballot, unanimous (12 yes).
- Henry \"Butch\" Seidel, Water Commissioner (term through Jan. 31, 2028): appointed on first ballot, unanimous (12 yes).
- Maria Burke, Whiting Street Fund (3-year term): appointed on first ballot, unanimous (12 yes).
- Jason Ferreira, Community Preservation Committee (council at-large appointment): appointed on first ballot, unanimous (12 yes).

Ending: The clerk will transmit appointment paperwork and updated contact information to relevant department staff for onboarding and term-record maintenance.","The City Council unanimously reappointed Anthony De Lude as assessor and Henry \"Butch\" Seidel as water commissioner and confirmed Maria Burke and Jason Ferreira to local boards; each appointment was decided on the first ballot.",{"_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},6360900,"City Council amends ordinance, approves raised crosswalk and exemption to help Boys & Girls Club crossing",1085,1727000,2812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0&start=1727&end=2812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172676-0080b07ef44739901c235205c6906aa0/thumbnail_1727000.jpg","/articles/6360900/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/City-Council-amends-ordinance-approves-raised-crosswalk-and-exemption-to-help-Boys-Girls-Club-crossing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360900-38d81db484d34f2ed8439f614726722b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194678&Signature=JYB0g8nmbrKFrD-bqZnTxKZuQHqxVBWbXfvqx~D9B-HTYZlXEGIbgBJSnYEwJc5nRMZIiHo2hh1-MXOqZbdNAPSBn8Eh7e6LMDQkCkfUGML-HT28tT2lOSXRteiYs8rwD-WR8-JqCIRxHTsEKwys7tsKMUjr1SCraF5XisBOrHdSlM85SRTBmbNFcfTdCALHYRj4AwFeYX8C6tTV1u81C2ZY9fSYI6i2NC~7R-s1jBsDqW6o~IZxtW88kKC7xTGMkKYhYKYMoCPWY2lViOLvDPGw9UgquPEL6YZoT9T2k9h6jMn0wPHchCZ5Q1X3fPeZ6wuPdcrmmv49Q8a7Q2a0Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on Jan. 21 approved an ordinance amendment and took final action to allow installation of a raised crosswalk or other traffic-calming measure on Nick Cosmos Way in front of the Boys & Girls Club and to amend the city's speed-hump ordinance to provide an exemption where there are no nearby residential homeowners or registered voters.

The ordinance committee had forwarded the order recommending adoption but members said the city's application rules did not clearly allow organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club to petition for a raised crosswalk because the existing process requires signatures from nearby registered voters. Councilor Israel Rivera said the council voted in support of the safety measure but that an accompanying amendment to the ordinance was needed to allow non-residential petitioners to be considered.

\"We all voted in favor of approving this,\" Councilor Israel Rivera said during committee discussion, \"but what was brought to my attention ... is that technically we don't actually have a process for the Boys and Girls Club to apply for a raised crosswalk.\" He told colleagues the committee would push written language to remove that procedural barrier.

Councilors suspended the rules to take final action that same night on item 18 and a late-file order (item 57) to amend the ordinance. The motion to pass and adopt the ordinance amendment carried on the council floor; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote to take final action and adopt the amendment.

Supporters said the measure addresses pedestrian safety at a frequently used crossing by children and staff. Engineering staff and DPW had told the committee that there is a traffic signal at the location that will be programmed to provide more protection when activated and that additional calming measures could help reduce vehicle speeds.

The council tabled one follow-up vote temporarily to allow staff to produce final drafting language and to make sure the amendment dovetails with the city's application procedures. Councilors asked that the proposed amendment be filed as a companion order so the council could formally adopt the ordinance language.

The ordinance change is effective upon publication according to standard city procedures; the council directed staff to prepare final text and administrative steps needed to implement the crosswalk and the exempted application route.

Votes and next steps: the council adopted the ordinance amendment (final action on item 18 and late-file item 57) and sent drafting and implementation details to staff for execution. The ordinance amendment explicitly creates an application exemption for places where the petition-signature rule prevents non-residential entities from applying, clearing the way for the Boys & Girls Club crossing request to proceed to design and installation work.

Ending: City staff and the ordinance committee will prepare the formal amendment text and follow up with DPW and the city engineer on implementation details and timing for the raised crosswalk.","The Holyoke City Council voted to allow a raised crosswalk on Nick Cosmos Way in front of the Boys & Girls Club and approved a late-file amendment exempting non-residential petition areas from the voter-signature requirement, after committee review and debate about the application process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge censure after Jan. 8 outburst; council president reminds members of decorum

Council splits over funding vacant demolition supervisor post; referral to finance after suspension vote fails

Council reappoints four local residents to boards and commissions

City Council amends ordinance, approves raised crosswalk and exemption to help Boys & Girls Club crossing