[{"_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",6546482,"mediaKeyId","3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078","parentId",3655847,"title","Holyoke City Council — key actions from June 3 meeting: streetscape ordinance, RFP eligibility rule, easements, parking and zoning permit","audioSeconds",2869,"startMs",316000,"endMs",3185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078&start=316&end=3185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078/thumbnail_316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546482/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-City-Council-key-actions-from-June-3-meeting-streetscape-ordinance-RFP-eligibility-rule-easements-parking-and-zoning-permit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546482-cb50709eaf6e4d8eea7f345480132be5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437915&Signature=boV3VK7Y9PYFvOntJLvBeUGLChrSia7dKwFL29guKDJpcW4tJJzBZJSY-iKvK3cR~MeYjtOJk0rtONNdCbFZ~94BUvuz6AxniiEciHNUBe4Qf-kd-Lmz6k3VbZeb627zb-c0CS063WuBD6yObWJbMqgVqEem791ptEVoRtVSora6j4zxYzlBFLhtSLm~zclUfSCBN21XzfwxY0n4-jz5Pu9iKmU2J~LI6U6I84iOGqalBbrq-wtPcNL6Sj03zkCdGIIOth~4pBcQ~2tHmFZqutxVyRy3cewk1Jqt5pvPbB99Kh3K1TVA2NUH4Ntg4FarnD~hV81fcZnJG~dDQHs3TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Holyoke City Council took a number of votes at its regular June 3 meeting, adopting several ordinances and orders, receiving committee reports, and referring a number of items for further review. The most consequential actions included streetscape and procurement rules, acceptance of new public ways, and approvals affecting parking and zoning.

Major actions and outcomes

- Hamden Street streetscape improvements (Item 4): The council adopted an order to codify streetscape improvements on Hamden Street from Waldo to Nonotuck. The committee on ordinance recommended adoption; the council passed the readings and adopted the order by roll call (unanimous).

- Ordinance on RFP eligibility (Item 7): The council adopted an ordinance to disqualify respondents to city RFPs if they have outstanding issues with city departments (board of health, building, etc.). The ordinance was passed by readings and adopted (unanimous).

- Acceptance of public ways (Item 8): The council accepted Richard Eager Drive and Lynn Ann Drive as public ways on the recommendation of the Board of Public Works; the vote approved adding the streets to the city’s records.

- VCARE loading/parking allocation (Item 14): The committee on ordinance recommended allocating an additional loading/unloading parking space on High Street to ease van operations for VCARE. The council adopted the order after committee discussion; the new space is limited by time restrictions (7 a.m.–3 p.m. noted in committee discussion).

- Handicap parking sign review (Item 17): The council adopted a committee recommendation to create a process to review and remove unused handicap parking signs, including a public notice period and follow‑up with the Department of Public Works for removal. The Disabilities Commission participated in committee discussion.

- Cabot Street and Ray Street easements and order of taking (Items 23 and 24): The council received committee reports and advanced orders related to permanent and temporary easements needed for resurfacing and related work on Cabot and Ray Streets, including proposed payments for damages to be made from Chapter 90 funds. The council passed readings and referred items to finance where required; the council conducted roll calls as required.

- Land use and zoning: The council gave leave to withdraw older proposed zoning amendments on short‑term rentals and tiny houses (Items 18–19) while planning board review continues. A special permit for a drive‑through accessory to a proposed retail bank at 1504 Northampton Street was granted after planning and site reviews.

Other items

- The council accepted several reappointments and mayoral appointments for boards and committees (e.g., recycling advisory committee) and referred some appointments to the public service committee for vetting.

- Finance referrals: An 11% proposed water rate increase for fiscal year 2026 was referred to the finance committee for public discussion; the council also approved a number of budget transfers and first readings on appropriation matters that will be finalized in committee or future meetings.

Procedural notes and next steps

Several items were taken off the table and adopted to clear the docket; others were sent to committee for additional analysis. The council also scheduled a public budget hearing and allowed a public comment period tied to the upcoming budget review. Where the council authorized transfers or takings, staff and the relevant departments were asked to follow up with documentation and procurement plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 6/3/20205","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 3 meeting the Holyoke City Council adopted multiple ordinances and orders, accepted public ways, approved parking and traffic measures, and advanced several budget and committee referrals. Several items passed unanimously; some were referred for further study.","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},6546486,"Holyoke council approves $45,525 transfer to contracted forestry; mayor previously pledged $150,000 from ARPA interest",62,3642000,3704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078&start=3642&end=3704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078/thumbnail_3642000.jpg","/articles/6546486/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-approves-45525-transfer-to-contracted-forestry-mayor-previously-pledged-150000-from-ARPA-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546486-4f7b757320448ce69cbd8e4d3c07a761/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437915&Signature=XDdoUHqO2RLZsd7pBrs~V3dz~UbA3986V~8Xrbk9XZDGwpT9yn~1hTeaK5njmDrkdv6YoFRkbanCWWmchRHMEdxk9QBFGepZCs8GG7FlIbIaM33KCaAujq2nVnyGtS29KYPNtYS~YEvX4xMMILYX2YKl3g~xZfqRFMcN88dAQMQDuy6-pRhG~1MtP7NWVU876IOFuxkRC5JKbcxjlo8xbwJ39A0Ks7wGYr7dwZXC-hgoYngvf5Ddm3Tc5KrmBm5GD7Cf~SnbmMFULXDxafZw94Q85jiuKOe21Xn-2LjwGdrc~T9QtB2JjIpZAjMNxhVxaOqX6DsdDRPEn7MUylBk4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council at its June 3 meeting approved a transfer of $45,525.58 to contracted forestry services, a step councilors said advances a broader effort to remove hazardous trees across the city.

Councilor Sullivan, speaking in finance committee and at the council meeting, said the mayor agreed to commit $150,000 from ARPA interest funds toward tree removal, and the transfer approved at the meeting would push the city closer to the previously recommended $200,000 target. Councilors described the combined funding as an effort to address a backlog of hazardous trees identified on a city list.

Councilor Sullivan said the action represented collaboration between the council and the mayor’s office. “I think it's a fantastic example of the collaboration we can achieve here between the mayor's office and the committee and the council. This is a win for the whole city,” Sullivan said.

Councilor Jourdain urged the city to put the identified trees out to bid as a package to increase accountability and secure better prices. “We need to have it like, here's the list… somebody gives us a bid that says, we will take down these hundred trees and it's gonna cost you x,” Jourdain said, urging competitive procurement and clear deliverables tied to the list of most dangerous trees.

Action taken: The council voted to pass the transfer request (first and second readings were approved and the clerk called the roll); the transfer was adopted that evening. Councilors said they expect administration staff to use the funds against a prioritized list of hazardous trees and to pursue competitive procurement that will maximize the number of trees removed for the available funds.

Context and next steps: Councilors noted the problem has been raised in prior meetings and that residents have repeatedly requested tree removal in many neighborhoods. Members requested clearer procurement planning and greater transparency about which trees will be removed and the expected schedule. Councilors said they will follow up with the administration and that a detailed bid process could recover greater value from the combined funds.","The council approved a $45,525.58 transfer to contracted forestry services and councilors said the mayor committed an additional $150,000 from ARPA interest, bringing the city's tree‑removal program close to the $200,000 target to remove dangerous trees.",{"_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},6546490,"Holyoke council approves $48,596 transfer to pay overdue pool water bill, clearing way to open pool",2470,1498000,3968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078&start=1498&end=3968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655847-f0de7200a313851f96d75e03a3f7d078/thumbnail_1498000.jpg","/articles/6546490/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-approves-48596-transfer-to-pay-overdue-pool-water-bill-clearing-way-to-open-pool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546490-f66dff952ed66d30e9b5d26bcfdf015b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437915&Signature=lQ3WR5bjKpqH3EOMOs8hJCL1sL6IN50w8H56NCb8sE-Vr8AWaVb5vN5Tyg34cK2qDeJidBSRD7R7Hexr0cJQYnCbk5Hy7VMxITXsVGsqdgG3y82VWhNYML1QMZgSdtUzm969eLV~2df8PTpdpKpKHANSyJZiDTwIayZ6MjCJ7u4ECX7XrXHIplHm8q59SqzrBCm5RCuxYFZI8XOzrO~1nHBS~FSW9JKT3wq9CZmlxMBYdkwi4yTgPfLbZFu7ZFaCh9hhxqzq62Mgw4eKy2-VCGKvpIXSQQmStwIjASjyjxb~qB3PEfydrLawJAbHOUh9ois1Nn0OHKoqj~0AW8NIUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on June 3 approved a $48,596.14 transfer from Pei Highway HMEO to parks, water and sewer to pay an outstanding water bill for the city pool, a step councilors and parks staff said was necessary to open the pool for summer operations.

The transfer request, filed by Councilor Devine and taken up out of order at the meeting, passed on a roll‑call vote. The city clerk read the order into the record as a transfer of $48,596.14; the council then voted to adopt the request.

Why it matters: Parks staff and councilors said the payment is needed immediately to allow pool staff to prepare and to avoid disrupting scheduled programming. Maura Shea, identified herself at the meeting as working with the parks department, told the council she had organized pool passes and asked members to “consider line 40 to move that budget over to open our pool.” Shea said the parks department hoped to open the pool by June 23 and that paying the outstanding charge was necessary to do so.

Councilor Jourdain, speaking during debate, confirmed the transfer addressed an overdue bill and said the council should expect a follow‑up review. “Why do we have to pay $48,000 to open the pool? … it turns out, as I understand it, the city hasn't been paying its water bill to the water department for the pool,” Jourdain said. He added the council would “have to do a post mortem later” to determine how the amount accumulated and to prevent a recurrence.

Council discussion and action: Councilors expressed support for paying the debt so pool operations and lifeguard hiring could proceed. The council first passed the first and second readings of the transfer and then adopted the order by roll call. The clerk announced the measure passed and the transfer was approved at the meeting.

Next steps: Councilors said they expect staff and relevant departments to provide additional details after the meeting about how the bill accrued and whether the amount reflects a single season or multiple years. The council did not set a formal deadline in the motion for that follow‑up report.

Votes at the meeting: The clerk conducted a roll call vote on item 40; the council approved the transfer. (See separate votes summary.)

Community context: Councilors emphasized the urgency for pool users and seasonal staff. Parks staff attending the meeting thanked the council after the vote, and several councilors encouraged a prompt review so similar issues do not delay service in future seasons.","At its June 3 meeting the Holyoke City Council approved a $48,596.14 transfer to the parks, water and sewer accounts to pay an outstanding pool water bill. Councilors framed the vote as a temporary fix to let the city open the pool while they seek a post‑mortem on how the bill went unpaid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holyoke City Council — key actions from June 3 meeting: streetscape ordinance, RFP eligibility rule, easements, parking and zoning permit

Holyoke council approves $45,525 transfer to contracted forestry; mayor previously pledged $150,000 from ARPA interest

Holyoke council approves $48,596 transfer to pay overdue pool water bill, clearing way to open pool