The Development and Government Relations Committee of Holyoke convened on June 2, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focused on the declaration of surplus properties and discussions regarding municipal fees.

The meeting began with a communication regarding the declaration of surplus property. Committee members expressed confusion over whether the property had been officially declared surplus, which is necessary before any sale can occur. Councilor Bartley was noted for advocating for the declaration process. After deliberation, the committee decided to refer the matter to the mayor for further action, allowing him to determine if the property should be declared surplus.

Following this, the committee addressed item number eight, which involved declaring a specific parcel on Cabot Street as surplus. The property, currently vacant and assessed at $135,000, has drawn interest from a neighboring property owner. The committee moved to withdraw the item, as it was confirmed that the property had already been declared surplus.

Item nine followed a similar trajectory, concerning another parcel on East Hampton Road, assessed at $8,500. The committee again opted to withdraw the item based on the same reasoning.

The discussion then shifted to item ten, which sought to invite the Director of the Department of Public Works to discuss the refuse pickup system. After noting that most issues had been resolved, the committee voted to withdraw this item as well.

Next, item eleven was introduced, which aimed to address concerns raised by constituents regarding processing fees associated with credit and debit card payments for water bills. Attorney Bissonnette clarified that municipalities are required to charge these fees to cover the costs imposed by credit card companies, emphasizing that the city does not profit from these charges. The committee acknowledged the importance of this discussion but did not take immediate action.

The meeting concluded with a brief mention of item twelve, which was deferred for future discussion, pending further consultation with Councilor Bartley.

Overall, the committee's session was marked by procedural clarifications and a focus on ensuring proper handling of surplus property declarations, alongside addressing community concerns regarding municipal fees. The next steps will involve further discussions with the mayor and continued evaluation of outstanding agenda items.