[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6534459,"mediaKeyId","3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e","parentId",3585438,"title","Finance committee receives McMillan Law request on community impact-fee refund and refers to law department","audioSeconds",129,"startMs",5760000,"endMs",5889000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e&start=5760&end=5889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e/thumbnail_5760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534459/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-receives-McMillan-Law-request-on-community-impact-fee-refund-and-refers-to-law-department","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534459-6a774b79403a77ee382e4166c47a1176/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178983&Signature=o93-9NhMUbveOgCiMbrVsetEOuAsLK~eBmz5xPcyXD4PpZuAhWlcicsrwkqFpjGeNJnJCGoWGY9J7gSFatvZJVzLWW57YIqqIMWzTNu86oCDWNj~G6SteN1uN8FeVMZi-z3RE-3tCS3hXwt65pRmvxTYEN4UdWfcJ8XlVtkGr2~d2TQTDV1G6PzyS0l2CTlPoZDpZ6Gv4jWfe2gvDfIZpSdyIiKia9~s37TA1iaT9em1l3DGs1NErZB9eWLJnOcoN7kOZAcxvPRDfA7bYeFQPoXy0OvbpKFNLeC97PZQvujUE-Fc2Uq3aTLRyP8X8Xjkkc6LqqssfFMWyseB3Xwi~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Finance Committee received a letter from McMillan Law requesting a refund of community impact fees paid pursuant to the Holyoke community code access (HCCA) on behalf of Holyoke 420 LLC and referred the matter to the law department for evaluation.

Committee members noted the item had been addressed to the law department in the first instance and that legal review would be the appropriate next step. The committee voted to receive the communication, have the law department review the letter and notify the committee if further committee action is required. No legal analysis or vote on the merits of the refund request was taken at the meeting.

Why it matters: A refund of community impact fees could affect city revenue and may involve contractual or ordinance interpretations; the committee left legal negotiation and any formal response to the law department.

Next steps: The committee’s action was limited to receiving the letter and directing that a copy be provided to the law department; if the law department requests further council action, the matter may return to the committee or full council with a recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Finance Committee 5/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A letter from McMillan Law seeking a refund of community impact fees paid on behalf of Holyoke 420 LLC was received by the Finance Committee and referred to the law department for review; the committee voted to receive the item and send a copy to the law department.","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},6534464,"Finance committee debates $45,525 transfer for contracted tree work and broader forestry plan",3006,2640000,5646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e&start=2640&end=5646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6534464/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-debates-45525-transfer-for-contracted-tree-work-and-broader-forestry-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534464-af4550f98b6263f3fcde4c4a413d542c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178983&Signature=T8mqiD6LQEg91b0eYTLNutYCFQJ0ol93Obg7zjhlilPuHaK8NPEnbzVJRFcSbprFRt3t20MqIzt6bqN6tNlhsA7jQWe~iWBGGu5As7AckNMEtc6t7tEwpJyKqVfFMbQLJNfiSpbkmh9texAcWBkNt1wvPMZaPm3lWvAP7UzVS3aWibgFr3U93NYj9CPp0oIzkFz05fr3VwuNXxrqULh5TzjiXqdxQfka1mAdXurDKTHyITjbGjpdj8AyYHPzHaBnJM02w5SZxnLktGec5A6Wj70AydYLPITrYoZ0ChFmKyBdXOdttnnQpdpQ8vWMLYb3xuS~uy7h6aXqgR5yusZ0ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holyoke City Finance Committee members discussed a fiscal-year 2025 transfer request to move $45,525.58 from a tree-climber line to contracted forestry services to remove dangerous trees citywide, but committee members asked for a broader plan and voted to table the transfer while they pursue a larger funding solution.

Why it matters: The transfer would fund immediate contracted removals tied to a department list of priority trees that city foresters said have produced property damage or pose hazards near parks and sidewalks. Members raised questions about procurement method, accountability to taxpayers, and whether the one-time transfer should be combined with a possible $200,000 allocation of previously approved ARPA funds to address a longer multi-year backlog.

Department brief and committee concerns: Interim DPW and the city forester described the list of roughly 100 priority trees (compiled largely from resident calls) and said the contractor could begin work in early June. The forester said in-house capacity is limited—there is effectively no standing tree crew—and that contractors incur additional costs (police details, disposal) that affect per-tree productivity. The forester estimated contractor minimums of roughly $8,000 per week, noting that the $45,000 transfer would cover about five weeks of contracted work; precise counts of trees removed per dollar vary by tree size, location and required safety measures.

Councilors pressed for clearer cost estimates and for a public procurement approach that provides accountability. Councilor Sullivan and others urged that the city put the 100-tree list out to bid and ask firms to price a time-and-materials contract covering the prioritized list, rather than attempt a per-tree fixed price that can be misleading. Several councilors also noted earlier city removals and asked for an accounting of removals performed in 2023–2025 and the associated costs.

Outcome and next steps: Committee members expressed support for addressing dangerous trees but differed on timing and funding. Several members urged combining the transfer with larger ARPA funds that council leadership has recommended; Councilor Sullivan said he would contact the mayor about the $200,000 ARPA allocation. The committee voted to table the $45,525.58 transfer so the council can consider the larger funding picture and to request a formal bid/plan for the 100-tree removal program. Councilors asked DPW to provide a report back showing which trees are removed if the transfer is later approved, and to meet individually with councilors who volunteered to flag specific low branches and sidewalk hazards for quicker action.","Committee members discussed a request to transfer $45,525.58 to contracted forestry services to address a prioritized list of dangerous trees, questioned scope and bidding approach, and ultimately tabled the transfer pending a comprehensive plan and possible use of $200,000 in ARPA funds.",{"_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},6534468,"Holyoke committee tables plan to divert handicap-parking fines to disabilities commission",2526,112000,2638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e&start=112&end=2638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585438-eb44f475298c9f308f307aae4a51281e/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6534468/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-committee-tables-plan-to-divert-handicap-parking-fines-to-disabilities-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534468-234d71b0d687a3ebb3319b003281c527/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178983&Signature=djEOzkMiJ6ZC96GrVZ96GXi3Aei7zlMuZ2aHeWiNGUJRl~dWJnzWIYcIqUgnHoFfLhR84V~wC4U9jrCrJWV3ZNWhfaa5bOAS1Qlwpd3sRAr48cRVosMAvEGeJTq0LTThpflCg-QVfQJcOAuOi1REz6kkfkrVScgGZlx7uFOj-uFnnuf~NotK0MYowmr3snKnGDktaLq0CggNox8kquA9ufjeXkyleXXZUyXTGQ6dTFSfkKjrL~uV0HD7LuPCwyKiCuzzYhZNiVMERGfUKUcPh3IihR1Fo3WmkxUn-xRY97Zgdzv1ool9Rr13TgjkMUSUZbQaPFxmUnAorTBGkURnYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holyoke City Finance Committee members on Tuesday discussed a request from the Commission on Disabilities to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 22G so that funds from handicap-parking fines could be deposited in an independent account for the commission, but the committee voted to table the matter until June 24 for further information.

The discussion centered on how much money the city currently collects from handicap-parking violations and whether adoption of the state statute would require depositing “all funds” from such fines into a separate commission account. Lynn Horan, chair of the Commission on Disabilities, told the committee the city’s tax collector reported roughly 850 handicap-parking tickets in the five-year period she reviewed and that the basic fine is $300, which she said equates “roughly” to $255,000 over five years. Horan and commission members said the commission seeks a $36,000 budget allocation for fiscal 2025 and described the separate account as a way to ensure a revolving, dedicated budget for disability services.

Why it matters: Chapter 40, Section 22G authorizes any city or town that has accepted the related provisions to deposit handicap-parking fine revenue in a separate account “to be used solely for the benefit of persons with disability,” and requires annual accounting. Committee members said they want clearer data on what “all funds” would mean in practice, how enforcement costs and staff time are presently covered, and how many fines are collected and actually paid before adopting a statutory change that could alter general-fund receipts.

Committee members pressed for details. Councilor Jourdain and others asked for the treasurer’s and tax collector’s itemized breakdowns by year and by issuing officer, and raised the possibility of offsetting enforcement time-on-task (payroll, vehicles, uniform costs) before transferring revenue away from the general fund. Councilor Izzy Rivera urged tracking “time on task” for officers who issue tickets so the city can estimate enforcement costs and sustainability. Kelly Curran, the city’s ADA officer and personnel director, said the council and mayor have supported a $36,000 allocation in the budget and urged the committee to consider whether future councils or mayors would maintain funding if a statutory change is not adopted.

The committee did not take final action on adopting the statute. Councilor Sullivan moved to table the item so staff could provide the requested accounting and enforcement-cost estimates; the motion passed. The committee set a target date of June 24 to reconvene the item, and members suggested inviting Jeffrey Dugan of the Massachusetts Office on Disability to brief the committee by phone or in person if his schedule allows.

The committee and the commission agreed to exchange the detailed ticket and revenue reports provided by the treasury and tax collector ahead of the June 24 meeting, including the list of handicap-parking tickets and the commission’s proposed line-item plan for the $36,000 request.","The Finance Committee discussed a state-authorized option to deposit handicap-parking fine revenue into a separate account for the Commission on Disabilities, heard revenue estimates and concerns about scope, and voted to table the matter to June 24 for more information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee receives McMillan Law request on community impact-fee refund and refers to law department

Finance committee debates $45,525 transfer for contracted tree work and broader forestry plan

Holyoke committee tables plan to divert handicap-parking fines to disabilities commission