[{"_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",6525242,"mediaKeyId","3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2","parentId",3633821,"title","Votes at a glance — Development & Governmental Relations Committee, June 2, 2025","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",45000,"endMs",170000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2&start=45&end=170","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2/thumbnail_45000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6525242/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Development-Governmental-Relations-Committee-June-2-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525242-ffd67c376f81baa00945bce2d6709b32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153639&Signature=O8vgu2LjAe6Osn2ZYyKTvq~7GpyjpbW00-c6GyfCtMXEiUiYakXL8qeVblNUd3an3eItX1zg1lv2y8fgtBAuiW1bIy4AYBf9Sz0NxKcpmjK8vcBTm6501r5MvZFs8SwDEQyAE-sV6iMZgrj9Ww0FHa~GZp7V1gVE6icWn5eD1RnkIKlSObF1-ffTnc61Z4Na7pD-mt5kD3YqaC1xTCixLjvzJzCxrW0l0Le6d77H-w8ahO5UD--zc~FhAuWFmnHfRhWAEkzCri~p5wO8PtmuzWglgm12iAfpFdtTEVdoOwX5LE196As0noAo~y3-iijO0ZDvlA2uyiHmQornlml74g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee took the following formal actions on June 2. This summary lists the motion text, the committee’s direction, and immediate next steps where specified.

1) Finney Family Cemetery (Item 1)
- Action: Motion to table public hearing for special permit application of Alan Finney to create the Finney Family Cemetery at 2 Finney Road.
- Outcome: Tabled to August 4 at 6:30 p.m.; applicants continuing soil sampling and permitting with MassDEP was noted. (Motion passed by voice vote.)

2) Holyoke Retail LLC (Item 2)
- Action: Motion to approve the special permit application for a drive-through accessory to a proposed retail bank at 1504 Northampton Street and forward recommendation to City Council.
- Outcome: Approved (committee recommendation forwarded to City Council for final action the next day).

3) City Council chambers renovation (Items 3 & 4)
- Action: Motion to move forward with Architecture E L sketch SK 1.2 and request updated sketches showing double‑tiered podiums retained, smaller movable desks, improved AV/lighting, and other façade/interior upgrades.
- Outcome: Approved; architect to provide revised drawings to committee before Council consideration.

4) Polling location consolidations (Item 5)
- Action: Motion to approve consolidation plan (combine double precincts to single locations as proposed) and forward to City Council, with clerk to notify affected voters and monitor turnout.
- Outcome: Approved and sent to City Council; clerk to mail bilingual postcards and include mail‑in voting information.

5) Chapter 61A Mountain Road parcel (Item 6)
- Action: Motion to table the notice of intent to sell 10.448 acres on Mountain Road until the City Attorney provides a legal memo and comparative options analysis (city acquisition, transfer to a land trust, partial acquisition or waiver).
- Outcome: Tabled; City Attorney to return with analysis in time for June 17 docket.

6) Saint Vincent’s lots (Item 7)
- Action: Communication received and referred to the mayor (committee asked the mayor’s office to consider next steps, including surveying and determining whether to declare surplus).
- Outcome: Referred to mayor for action.

7) Parcels on Cabot Street and East Hampton Road (Items 8 & 9)
- Action: Communications indicating prior surplus declarations; committee voted leave to withdraw the items from the docket (already declared surplus per law department memo).
- Outcome: Leave to withdraw granted.

8) Refuse pickup review (Item 10)
- Action: Request to invite DPW to discuss refuse pickup system; item left to withdraw because underlying issues were addressed.
- Outcome: Leave to withdraw granted.

9) Credit/debit card processing fees for water payments (Item 11)
- Action: Committee heard an explanation from the City Attorney that municipalities must pass on merchant/processing fees for card payments and cannot legally subsidize them.
- Outcome: Information received; no further action at this meeting.

10) Parking and other surplus/property communications (multiple items)
- Action: Several surplus/property communications were received or withdrawn; committee referred specific items to the mayor or the mayor’s designee for execution (for example, Saint Vincent’s matters to mayor; surplus parcels to appropriate departments).
- Outcome: Items received, withdrawn or referred as indicated.

Ending: The committee set deadlines for follow-up. Attorney Bissonnette will provide a memo on Chapter 61 options for the June 17 Council agenda; the architect will deliver revised chamber sketches before mid‑June; the City Clerk will prepare voter notification postcards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Development and Government Relations Committee 6/2/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal committee votes and procedural outcomes from the June 2 Development and Governmental Relations Committee meeting.","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},6525246,"Committee backs consolidation of some polling locations, sends plan to City Council",818,4782000,5600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2&start=4782&end=5600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2/thumbnail_4782000.jpg","/articles/6525246/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-backs-consolidation-of-some-polling-locations-sends-plan-to-City-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525246-6725eb2a1ad555fb5b33185d515d9357/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153639&Signature=hxCQ7KzO~em~f3yYGYXHz2KNF5fBrsjTGBlGQxp9vtqgx~VeuIya~g0DjS9yKDqFUi22wTmf-5isezIhRg0SL~SOLUhPH~pvcUMNcFhIhcIkmddedcs4-qGYKzgwou0z0aCpQOtKSUsvh56VWH6YHmXZLvmc~zVEb5XIHJxNMqcHFdclUcsQkDmtmN7UieEv0i4w~6ZEgmtMh4awiyQ-YvQYa8UZ0urdnxaEseLnfh5kWoaT4ZSYj4bKKfAWlmA6ejTAPUpO7sZhrzkXw6euKZa7FE-oDg4idLy1c0xt2YmsRGc9lxwKC5JrsJC9t-iIKimZVjPqdM37GXnTDMib0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee voted June 2 to approve an order sending a plan to the City Council that would consolidate several polling precincts into single locations for administrative efficiency and cost savings.

Councilor Jourdain described the proposal: move Ward 1A and 1B to City Hall (consolidating the double precinct), relocate 2A to Falsetti Towers to pair with 2B, and combine Ward 5 precincts at McMahon School. City Clerk Brenna Murphy told the committee consolidation would reduce the number of required wardens and police details on many election days, produce cost savings and ease logistics for election staffing and storage. She said some elections would still require two wardens for larger turnout (for example, presidential elections) but that several municipal elections do not.

Murphy emphasized voter notification and outreach: the clerk’s office would send bilingual postcards (English/Spanish) to affected voters listing new polling locations and upcoming election dates; the office would also include information about mail‑in voting and where to find applications. “We could put something along the lines of that this is, your new voting location going forward unless you hear otherwise,” Murphy said.

Several councilors voiced concern about accessibility and turnout for older or mobility‑limited voters if locations moved; committee members said consolidation could be tried as a pilot and reversed if turnout declined unacceptably. The committee approved sending the consolidation plan to the City Council and asked staff to monitor November turnout and report back.

Ending: The City Clerk’s office will prepare notifications and a timeline for implementation; the committee encouraged a trial period and suggested using pilot savings to consider modest poll worker pay increases.","The committee approved an order to consolidate several polling precincts (including moving double precincts to City Hall or other consolidated locations) and forwarded the proposal to the City Council; staff will notify affected voters by postcard and continue mail‑in voting options.",{"_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},6525252,"Committee tables decision on 10.448-acre Mountain Road parcel under Chapter 61; requests legal analysis before June 17",2347,4671000,7018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2&start=4671&end=7018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2/thumbnail_4671000.jpg","/articles/6525252/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-tables-decision-on-10448-acre-Mountain-Road-parcel-under-Chapter-61-requests-legal-analysis-before-June-17","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525252-4199ce8313730f9c160763fbb5cef06a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153639&Signature=UPfw7MleiLAIsTYgtwyjenrAwM7265~KMb6Tox1PQpp1GYwF5sz7b8P7AdD9HETa3w4WNokQ~jHNSRBCnpycOTgMK9EKVVBtGkd9-J30z4agsRbF2O1Mx~D5Ib17ORE5yhQPquSyZAACmV0nBVTw9Z5G4sTCW9gT9w06n47Xm2JxahtpTjbrmAJ8ZTl1kGHYjE-to4pUSnYXxiCBPClx94pMwpSr71yBLynqCC8yaOusPHF~bBXo28UVZr8raAUuX8whyjEQT8WibulDn3srckZvx1lpXKhA0uUx6inbAam3ywiqrcugS2EkeksP9NT7pKm1oic2utgJLgOuImuDQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee on June 2 tabled a decision on a 10.448‑acre parcel on Mountain Road that the owner has offered for sale after enrolling the land in Massachusetts Chapter 61A (agricultural/open‑space tax program). The parcel’s bona fide offer is $215,000. The committee asked City legal staff to review whether the city can (1) exercise its right of first refusal on the whole parcel, (2) transfer the right to a conservation organization, or (3) exercise the right only for a portion of the parcel and allow a different future use for the street‑front acreage.

Yoni (Conservation) summarized the item and said the Conservation Commission took up the matter on May 22 and recommended transferring the city’s right of first refusal to Kestrel Land Trust, which indicated it would be willing to accept the right and proposed either holding the land under a pilot payment agreement or reselling to a private conservation buyer. “They would be interested in purchasing the property,” Yoni said, citing conservation values including a section of Bridal Brook and the East Mountain ridge.

Bridget (Kestrel) told the committee Kestrel’s board had approved accepting the right of first refusal and that the land trust’s plan would be to act as an intermediary and sell to a private conservation buyer; Kestrel said it would explore interim pilot payments to the city and options for placing conservation restrictions on the back acreage while allowing developable frontage to be used differently.

Attorney Michael Bissonnette told the committee the Chapter 61 process gives the municipality 120 days from the owner’s notice to declare its intent to act (acquire, waive or transfer the right) and then an additional 90 days to close if it exercises the right. He said the council should move with care because the statute restricts how the right may be transferred and cited case law requiring careful structuring of partial acquisitions or restrictions.

Councilors asked for a side‑by‑side analysis showing the tax, conservation and legal outcomes for alternatives: (A) city acquisition and subsequent disposition, (B) transfer of the right to Kestrel with conditions, and (C) waiver of the right allowing private sale. Several councilors urged exploring an arrangement that would protect the most environmentally sensitive acreage while preserving developable street frontage for housing to boost tax rolls and residential capacity.

The committee voted to table the item and requested Attorney Bissonnette provide a legal memo and options analysis in time for City Council consideration on June 17 (the committee also noted the 120‑day statutory window).","Discussion centered on a notice of intent to sell 10.448 acres on Mountain Road that is enrolled in Chapter 61(a). The conservation commission recommended transferring the city's right of first refusal to Kestrel Land Trust; the committee tabled action and requested legal guidance on options and possible sale structures.",{"_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},6525257,"Committee chooses SK 1.2 for City Council chambers facelift; asks architect for revised sketches with smaller desks and podiums retained",2372,866000,3238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2&start=866&end=3238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2/thumbnail_866000.jpg","/articles/6525257/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-chooses-SK-12-for-City-Council-chambers-facelift-asks-architect-for-revised-sketches-with-smaller-desks-and-podiums-retained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525257-5804bd8e33ff4e05de8a2638a8a4ba30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153639&Signature=Y4TDV6qSJB-8KSYgPSmvhq30mFYPgRS3hwbEy-uGUDKNzIozd5PhdA0b0oTNMFb4d4IG69T4G56ieDSJPmK4CKr1Hc7r4oRcqC-NTFJ8H2G5pDx1GtKHe8cfBkU6EV6ryjBX4SDn8PEHGoZ0x2LIPT5FZ52oya6k9Y3zjvLTMUlP-lKpRvOAr81iJW26KgdNCX0JPOBILfwyA2dcbMlhYuF0nSKVvs~Jz1vkYJO2xGtUoK~6rHkBRvGko5xfqEIkOR1LPEXni9fdjIhlXy9uiw3Pw0tco0XkLIkMJ-lw9-qI39JrxEmrAB796EbRwyL-12pjNO3YOmHyaEd2yoLG8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee voted June 2 to move forward with a renovation plan for the City Council chambers based on sketch SK 1.2 from Architecture E L, directing the architect to produce updated drawings that retain the public rail and the double-tiered president and clerk podiums while showing smaller (approximately 30-inch) movable desks and improved AV, lighting and accessibility features.

Architect Marco (Architecture E L) presented earlier options and said the design team had developed four initial layouts and later produced variations after consultation with DPW and a historic consultant. Marco described SK 1.1 as a plan that reduced the footprint of two raised platforms but maintained sightlines and seating. He said the historic consultant concluded the raised platforms were not original to the room and could be removed, but the committee expressed a strong preference to keep the public rail and the dual podium arrangement.

“...we were you know, we had at that time, I think his preferences were not with the raised platforms and not with the public rail,” Marco said of early recommendations, but he added the designs were adaptable: “We're happy to do the project however we lay it out. … If you want to maintain the platform and maintain the rail… we'd end up with something very similar to what we have, which is what this layout on SK 1.1 shows.”

Committee members pressed for practical details: Councilor Anderson Burgos and others emphasized they did not want counselors to have their backs turned to constituents; councilors also raised the clerk’s operational needs on election nights and the value of preserving the chamber’s historic feel. Councilor Jourdain and others favored keeping the raised areas; Councilor Bacon warned about removing solid woodwork that, while not original, is substantial.

After discussion the committee passed a motion to advance SK 1.2 as the preferred layout and to request revised drawings that: (1) keep the public rail; (2) retain the double‑tiered president and clerk podiums; (3) specify smaller (about 30‑inch) movable desks configured to increase public seating; and (4) show proposed AV, lighting and ventilation improvements and options for temporary chambers during construction. The architect agreed to supply an updated color sketch for committee review and to circulate it to members before the next Council meeting.

Ending: Committee members said they hope to vote at the full council in mid‑June if the revised sketches are ready; the architect said construction start dates will depend on a more detailed consultant schedule and approvals.","After extensive discussion of multiple design options, the Development and Governmental Relations Committee directed Architecture E L to proceed with sketch SK 1.2 retaining the public rail and double-tiered podiums and to supply updated drawings with smaller, movable desks for council review.",{"_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},6525261,"Committee recommends special permit for drive-through at 1504 Northampton Street; sends approval to full council",633,172000,805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2&start=172&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633821-5006a3e9645a0b269408ea08cbe72aa2/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6525261/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Committee-recommends-special-permit-for-drive-through-at-1504-Northampton-Street-sends-approval-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525261-f4de903cefbbd0006ce0f8c63c97a9b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153639&Signature=Elku714oXCAwwovmTENOaqEQTatVRHg5K34MMs4L1ujfI86qUV7hJMELyuaEcwZvQVqnytBWwGtP6yktbujsCygnHuhLjCRMoj4XnK5aSpFakrNdBVBNW09-RfbsW1i4NnLuzURq31wYNUXCVKmOYsvm1u5OY63w1SgMK~BEHCKS2teiCvSn8~K46D-KDdiAHokMle8eAKEwA4wnjj0sTe0LAkZHFb8EX~F2DNdppbgpmGfeapfNOuLapHIJfn~mGMEOtLoJyosl6cgzSAZL0pB4GViNYyfn5qoRU6a2tYXcowCibZJgDgXJhyyswnBZJVzCJPO40bVJUdpWNpt3ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee voted June 2 to approve a special permit recommendation for Holyoke Retail LLC to construct a drive-through accessory to a proposed retail bank at 1504 Northampton Street and will send the matter to the City Council for final action.

Attorney Ellen Bridal, representing Holyoke Retail LLC, told the committee the project already has site-plan approval from the planning board and an approved stormwater permit. “We have previously appeared before the planning board. We got site plan approval. They also granted a special permit for multiple buildings on 1 property and for a temporary fence, construction fence. We also have our stormwater permit,” Bridal said.

Dana Steele, a professional engineer with JR Russo and Associates who prepared the site plan, described the 2-acre site as mostly paved and said the plan places a single building in the middle of the parking area, adds perimeter landscaping and trees, retains existing curb cuts and provides queuing space for the drive-through “so cars can be able to wait for their turn at the drive thru without congesting the parking lot.” Steele said the plan provides more parking than required: “71 required with 76 spaces.”

Committee members asked about the proposed tenant and potential tax value. Bridal identified the tenant as Lawrence Bank, which she said is new to Holyoke. When asked about added property tax revenue, Bridal said the assessor and city staff would determine an updated valuation after construction; she did not provide a specific tax estimate.

After questions from councilors about circulation, landscaping and compliance with planning and building conditions, the committee closed the public hearing and voted to approve the special permit recommendation. Chairperson (recorded as Councillor Devine) moved to approve; the motion carried with an affirmative voice vote. Committee members said the planning board’s conditions—site circulation, drive-through dimensions, curb cuts and ADA standards—were incorporated in the application.

The recommendation will be placed on the City Council agenda for final consideration.

Ending: The project team said they will appear before the council the next day only as a recommendation (the committee will not present formally), and the council’s vote will determine final approval and permit issuance.","The Development and Governmental Relations Committee voted to approve a special permit recommendation for Holyoke Retail LLC to construct a drive-through accessory to a proposed retail bank at 1504 Northampton Street and will forward the recommendation to the City Council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — Development & Governmental Relations Committee, June 2, 2025

Committee backs consolidation of some polling locations, sends plan to City Council

Committee tables decision on 10.448-acre Mountain Road parcel under Chapter 61; requests legal analysis before June 17

Committee chooses SK 1.2 for City Council chambers facelift; asks architect for revised sketches with smaller desks and podiums retained

Committee recommends special permit for drive-through at 1504 Northampton Street; sends approval to full council