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Agenda

Item 1: PUBLIC HEARING 4-21-26 Special permit application of Wayne Versace for a nonconforming structure to construct an attached deck and install a rear entry door at 5 Brightwood Ave per 4.7.5.

Item 2: PUBLIC HEARING 4-21-26 Special permit application of Cypress Acquisitions, LLC c/o MacDermid Reynolds & Glissman P.C for alteration of a nonconforming structure at 2201 Northampton Street per 4.7.3

Item 3: 4-21-26 Purcell-Ordered, that the Honorable City Council, in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 30B and the Holyoke Code of Ordinances procurement ordinance, declare 141 West Street (Assessors Map 033, Block 02, Parcel 008) as surplus property available for disposition. The property was acquired via a judgement in a tax lien case in 2023. It is approximately 6,534 square feet, zoned Downtown Residential and has an assessed value of $39,000.

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

Item 4: 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, 4-27-26 to 6-15-26

Item 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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

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.
*Tabled 4-29-26

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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 3-4-25 From Assistant City Solicitor Jane Mantolesky- Notice of Sale – 285 Main

Item 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: 1-20-26 Purcell, Thalheimer- Order: Request that City of Holyoke establish an Office of Tenants Rights.

Item 17: 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 18: 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 19: 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.

Item 20: 3-3-26 J. Rivera – ORDERED: That the Holyoke City Council authorize and approve a six­month pilot program allowing the temporary use of two on-street parking spaces directly in front of 267 High Street to operate as valet parking spaces during business hours.
FURTHER ORDERED: That this pilot program is intended to support accessibility for a senior wellness center providing direct primary care services to individuals aged 55 and older, many of whom experience mobility limitations or other health-related accessibility challenges.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the operation of said valet parking spaces be subject to review and oversight by the appropriate City department(s), including but not limited to the Parking Committee, and comply with any required signage, meter coverage, traffic management, insurance, permitting, or operational conditions deemed necessary by the City.
FURTHER ORDERED: That vehicles utilizing the valet service be parked in the municipal parking lot on Suffolk Street, with applicable parking fees paid, and that the pilot program be evaluated at the conclusion of the six-month period to determine its effectiveness and any impact on surrounding parking availability, traffic flow, and downtown activity.
FURTHER ORDERED: That this matter be referred to the appropriate committee for review and recommendation.