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Agenda

Item 1: Minutes of March 23, 2026 meeting.

Item 2: PUBLIC HEARING 1-21-25 Special Permit Application of Alan Fini for the creation of a Fini family cemetery at 2 Fini Road (179-00-003) per 9.3.
*Continued from 3-11-25, 4-8-25, 6-2-25, 8-4-25, 9-9-25, 11-17-25, 1-26-26
*Continued to April 27, 2026

Item 3: PUBLIC HEARING 3-3-26 Special permit application of Wrights Block LLC at 106-120 High St (013-01-006) to reconstruct a non-conforming structure to built two egress staircases at the rear for the commercial storefront units into the rear alleyway in footprint of existing staircases per 4.7.3.

Item 4: 4-7-26 Petition from William F. Sullivan and Co. Inc for a renewal of a Junk Dealer’s License at 107 Appleton St.

Item 5: 4-7-26 From Schermerhorn’s Restaurant-communications regarding re-construction, located at 224 Westfield Road, Holyoke.

Item 6: 2-3-26 Murphy-Romboletti-Ordered, that the City Council approve the Resolution for the Certified Housing Development Incentive Program Project including a Local Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreement with 103 Lyman LLC for the downtown market rate housing development at 103 – 105 Lyman Street (Assessors Map 037, Block 05, Parcel 007).
*Referred back to committee 4-7-26

Item 7: 3-17-26 Devine- That the City of Holyoke accept a parcel of land identified as a parcel located in the City of Holyoke as shown on a plan entitled, “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plan of Land in the City of Holyoke Hampden County showing the location of Land taken by the Department of Public Works for Public Recreational Facilities November 29, 1967 Scale 80 feet to the inch,” dated November 29, 1967 and recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 111-98-B. Such land was acquired by an order of taking recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Book 3307, Page 28, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and declare that such land is for recreation and conservation purposes under the protection of Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution.   In addition, the City Council adopt a resolution to submit to the State Legislature to adopt such a law statewide.  Draft resolution attached.

Item 8: 4-7-26 Magrath-Smith, Ordered – that the purchase price for the property located at Easthampton Road, Parcl No.144-00-057 be reduced from $7,500 and $4,500 in light of the survey costs incurred by the abutter since the agreed-upon price. See attached letters from the abutter and her lawyer.

Item 9: 4-7-26 Murphy-Romboletti – Ordered, that the City Council approve the Amendment to the Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Valley Malt LLC for the development that is occurring at their 4 North Bridge Street property.  The Special Tax Assessment Agreement was originally approved by the City Council on September 5, 2023.
(Amendment attached)

Item 10: 12-2-25 I. Rivera, et al – ORDER That the Kestrel Land Trust, the Conservation Department, and a representative from the Planning Board be invited to appear before the Development & Governmental Relations Committee (DGR) to provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the steps, requirements, and processes necessary to designate “Elmwood Forest” as conservation land.
Said presentation should include:
• Legal and regulatory requirements for conservation designation
• Any environmental assessments or studies needed
• Potential impacts on land use, zoning, and stewardship responsibilities
• Available conservation tools or partnerships
• Preliminary timelines and cost considerations

Item 11: 1-6-26 Panitch, Thalheimer-ORDERED, that HEDIC or its representatives provide the Council an update on the status of the two land parcels on Whiting Farms Road currently under contract to Cesar Ruiz and/or the USA International Sports Complex Group, including information about how long the litigation is likely to last, and how the parcel will be managed should the City acquire it.
*Tabled 3-23-26

LAID ON THE TABLE
(Items taken up at previous meeting(s) and laid on the table. Discussion may or may not take place)

Item 12: 3-18-25 I. Rivera – Order that the honorable city council develop a vision statement that outlines the council’s goals and aspirations for the community.
*Referred from Public Service 12-2-25

Item 13: 3-18-25 I. Rivera – Order that the honorable city council develop a list of core values that is developed and supported by all individual councilors.
*Referred from Public Service 12-2-25

Item 14: 3-18-25 I. Rivera -Order that the honorable city council develop a mission statement focused on key priorities such as:
Community focus: Prioritizing the needs and quality of life for all residents.
Inclusive decision-making: Ensuring representation and consideration of diverse perspectives.
Fiscal responsibility: Managing public funds wisely.
Transparency and accountability: Open communication with the public.
Sustainable development: Planning for the future with environmental considerations.
*Referred from Public Service 12-2-25

ADMINISTRATIVELY LAID ON THE TABLE
(Per City Council Rule 9P, “Any order not acted on within 45 business days shall be deemed tabled.” Items within this section are laid on the table by virtue of being in the committee more than 45 days. Discussion of these items is unlikely, but any item may be removed from the table upon motion of the committee.)

Item 15: 8-6-24 BARTLEY, VACON – With the washout of the water/sewer line at S. Elm St. (behind Fitzpatrick Skating Rink), the impact on the neighborhood needs to be addressed by the City leaders in terms of the timeline for repairs, alternate means for walkers to navigate this area and overall appearance. This is a constituent request. Refer to DGR, Parks Dept.

Item 16: 10-1-24 Bartley, Vacon-The city of Holyoke work with DCR to allow the state access to city property to plant trees at the top of the 391 interchange. Receive and refer to DGR.

Item 17: 3-4-25 From Assistant City Solicitor Jane Mantolesky- Notice of Sale – 285 Main

Item 18: 8-5-25 Givner, Devine – order that Ward 4 polling location switch to YMCA from St. Paul’s Church Parish, 485 Appleton St to improve accessibility.

Item 19: 10-21-25 Vacon- ORDER: Request our state delegation submit a bill similar to Senate Bill To Protect Floridians from Geoengineering and Weather Modification SB 56 by Senator Ileana Garcia prohibits chemical releases into the air, promotes public health.

Item 20: 12-16-25 Bartley, Ocasio, Sullivan, Greaney – The DGR committee invite Frank Martinez, Ex. Director, from Enlace de Familias to meet with the committee to hear updates from Enlace’s perspective relative to the two recent fires in Holyoke that displaced so many families and caused their lives to be upturned. Frank was contacted by the maker of this order and agreed to appear in committee as soon as the DGR chair can arrange a date/time and his email confirmation is attached to this order.

Item 21: 1-6-26 Thalheimer- Please evaluate the current level of noise pollution and resonance on Chapin St due to the combination of HVAC units on Holyoke Hospital and the new Peck school and recent tree clearing in the neighborhood. Residents are reporting pronounced humming, buzzing, and vibration ln their homes in the vicinity. What can be done to mitigate the noise from those HVAC units, given that the trees that had previously muffled the noise have been cleared?

Item 22: 1-20-26 Purcell, Thalheimer- Order: Request that City of Holyoke establish an Office of Tenants Rights.

Item 23: 1-20-26 Vacon- ORDER: that our State Delegation be requested to advocate for an expedited schedule for MA DOT to replace the 2 bridges on Appleton Street. This is a public safety issue.

Item 24: 2-3-26 Magrath-Smith, Ordered – that we invite in members of the Holyoke Equity Collective and Neighbor-to-Neighbor to discuss their seedling distribution, Dwight Street Community Garden, and composting programs.

Item 25: 2-17-26 I. Rivera, Anderson-Burgos, Purcell – That the City Council hereby invites local service providers, nonprofit organizations, municipal departments, faith-based institutions, and community-based agencies that work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness to attend and participate in a public hearing.
The purpose of this public hearing is to present and review existing initiatives, programs, and services currently serving the unhoused population within the city and region, to identify gaps in service delivery, and to explore opportunities for coordination, collaboration, and system-level improvements.
Be it further ordered, that representatives from these organizations be encouraged to provide testimony, data, and recommendations regarding current strategies, challenges, outcomes, and best practices in addressing homelessness and housing instability.