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AGENDA FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
7:00 PM

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

REGULAR AND PENDING EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

1. June 11, 2024, September 4, 2024, and April 15, 2025 Executive Session Minutes – Reviewed and ready for partial release as of September 17, 2025

2. December 9, 2024 Finance Committee Executive Session Minutes – Reviewed and withheld in entirety as of September 17, 2025

3. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos-meeting minutes from March 3, 2026

 

LAID ON THE TABLE

4. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos – October 7, 2025 meeting minutes

5. Vacon- ORDER: The city council requests City Councilor At-Large Israel Rivera to recuse himself on votes affecting the police department while on probation & ethics/conflicts of interest complaints are pending.

6. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order that the Honorable Holyoke City Council petition the Great and General Court of Massachusetts to amend Section 46 of the Holyoke Charter to reflect the residency clause set by ordinance.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

7. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order that the Honorable Holyoke City Council petition the Great and General Court of Massachusetts to amend Section 45 of the Holyoke Charter to reflect the residency clause set by ordinance.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

8. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order that the Honorable Holyoke City Council petition the Great and General Court of Massachusetts to amend Section 6 of the Holyoke Charter to remove all references to the city treasurer.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

9. From Mayor Joshua Garcia-communication regarding the Noise Ordinance

10. From Treasurer Rory Casey-2025 reports on top 100 salaries, top 100 salaries for the schools and salaries of elected officials.

11. From HR Director Kelly Curran, UFCW Contract

12. From Board of Health Director Tim Rivers-letter regarding cannabis use

13. From Board of Health Director Tim Rivers- HPS Curriculmn and Programs Addressing Substance Use Awareness

14. From Board of Health- Animal Control response to road kill order

15. City of Holyoke Health Benefit Meeting- meeting minutes 2.9.26

16. FY2026 General Fund Expense YTD Report

17. FY2026 Sewer Enterprise Fund Expense YTD Report

 

PETITIONS

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

18. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Review & amend the sign ordinance as needed to reduce the increased posting of a variety of signs on public property and other changes that may be offered.
Recommended that the Planning Board’s recommendation to not amend the ordinance be adopted.

19. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That Ordinance 2-421 regarding times when meetings are to be conducted be amended to add the elected multi-member bodies of city including the City Council and School Committee.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

20. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that any senior completing hours to be eligible for tax work off have their taxes reduced by 1/2 the value in the 3rd quarter & 1/2 in the 4th quarter. Some taxpayers have quarterly bills less than $1,000 & potentially risk losing the full work off benefit when it is all paid in the 4th quarter.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

21. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the Handicap Sign be removed from 894 Dwight St. Holyoke, MA. The resident no longer resides at that location.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

22. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred a Petition of Jonathan Nieves-Vidot for Livery Service at 131 Waldo Street
Recommended that the order be adopted.

23. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, TWENTY ONE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($21,000.00) as follows:
FROM
11381-51102 PAY-ASSISTANT C.P.O. $21,000.00
TOTAL $21,000.00
TO:
19202-57200 OUT OF STATE TRAVEL $21,000.00
TOTAL $21,000.00
Recommended that the order be denied.

24. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY26 RECYCLING DIVIDENDS PROGRAM $7,800.00, NO MATCH” grant and authorizes the establishment of a Fund or other method appropriate for the accounting of the receipts and expenditures of all resources associated with the administration of said grant.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant, generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

25. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order That the city of Holyoke install storm warning lights much like those in neighboring communities. These would act to signal coming snow and other inclement weather storms, prompting residents to check our city web site as well as their preferred news sources. Storm warning lights would also act as a parking ban notification in an effort to assist our overextended police department.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.

26. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order The city engineer review the signaling at the Maple St / South St. / Parenteau Dr intersection. Multiple accidents and near-accidents have occurred there over the years as motorists from Maple St turn Left against oncoming traffic on South St (heading downtown). The intersection is proximate to the former Whole Donut and the Fitzpatrick Ice Rink.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

27. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order City Engineer review options to improve road safety at Queen and Cherry St. Issue: trucks exiting Queen St. are seen driving over the median strip and making an illegal left-hand turn onto Cherry St. (Rt. 202-South)
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

28. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order that the City install a few signs: “No Trucks”, “Slow Down, Children”, and “No Parking Anytime” on the block across from 320 Elm St.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.

29. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order That installation of a crosswalk near #64 County Rd be evaluated for improved safety.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

30. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order Constituent request (and 2d filing) – the condition of the sidewalk on Northampton St between West Glen and Clark streets is virtually unpassable especially for persons with disabilities. Refer to Public Safety and refer to DPW to request a written plan/solution to be sent to city council early in 2026.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.

31. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order The crosswalk and pedestrian signal on Homestead Ave at HCC’s main gate are an ongoing unresolved issue. Even though there are flashing yellow lights, drivers do not stop for pedestrians in that crosswalk. Public Safety and the City Engineer review possibilities including 1) installation of a sign that says “state law, yield to pedestrians in crosswalk” at enough distance from crosswalk for drivers to see it and respond accordingly 2) a push-button flashing light that alerts drivers to a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk 3) reduced speed in the area of the crosswalk on Homestead at the HCC main entrance 4) redesigning or relocating the crosswalk to a safer and more visible location.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

32. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order The City Engineer review visual obstruction for drivers entering Westfield Road from both Woodland St and Hitchcock St. and consider mirrors for increased visibility and safety, especially as Westfield Road is used with great frequency. If mirrors are unsuitable, please provide other suggestions.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

33. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order Request for consideration of a DON’T BLOCK THE BOX designation at the intersection of Carlton Street and Russell Terrace to improve traffic flow due to increased congestion from increased traffic in the neighborhood and changes in traffic flow (i.e. Russell Terrace as a two-way street).
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

34. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order Request to review possibility of installation of NO TRUCKS sign on Lorraine Street per Mass DOT Heavy Truck Exclusion procedure. Constituent request to lessen or end large trucks cutting through the neighborhood from Homestead Avenue to Westfield Road. Some streets in the neighborhood (Memorial, Edbert, Sheehan) are signed as NO TRUCKS, while others (Arden, Lorraine, Fenton) are not. Confusion ensues, lawns are run over, etc.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

35. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order that the appropriate department evaluate the street lighting conditions on Race Street between Spring Street and Cabot Street. A business owner in this area has reported repeated customer complaints regarding inadequate lighting and has raised concerns related to public safety for patrons entering and exiting the establishment.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

36. The Committee on Joint Committee of City Council and School to whom was referred an order
MSBA Statement of Interest
RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee refer the Statement of Interest (SOI) for a core building project with the MSBA for the Lawrence School site to the full City Council for approval.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

37. The Committee on Joint Committee of City Council and School to whom was referred an order that the School Department be requested to provide an overview of the district’s current early literacy instructional model, including reasons for transitioning from phonics-based instruction to the use of sight words, and how student reading outcomes are being assessed.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

38. The Committee on Joint Committee of City Council and School to whom was referred an order filed by School Committee Member Lubold in the interest of student safety that the School Committee in coordination with the City Council consider adopting Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 71,” School Bus Violation Detection Monitoring Systems; Installation and Operation.”
Recommended that the order be referred to the Ordinance Committee.

 

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

39. Purcell, Murphy-Romboletti – Ordered that the project team involved in the chamber renovation project come into a Finance Committee meeting to discuss project scope and costs. This discussion is intended to provide an opportunity to brief councilors on the project, discuss questions and concerns, and gain insight ahead of the team submitting an appropriation request.

40. Thalheimer, Purcell — Invite Alianza to an upcoming Public Safety meeting for a conversation highlighting the work that they are doing in Holyoke to end domestic and intimate partner violence and to speak about their new prevention initiative, Basta Ya! Send to Public Safety.

41. Thalheimer- ORDER: Add STOP condition on Woodland St, westerly at Westfield Road to list of STOP streets in Holyoke code of Ordinances Sec 86-325. — Schedule IV: Stop streets. Refer to DPW and City Engineer.

42. Vacon- ORDER: That the temporary speed humps be installed on Upland Rd as indicated by the engineer evaluation

43. 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.

44. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED ELEVEN AND 56/100 Dollars ($25,911.56) as follows:
FROM
11511-51103 PAY-ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR $25,911.56
TOTAL $25,911.56
TO:
19412-57630 CLAIMS-GENERAL $25,911.56
TOTAL $25,911.56

45. Devine-Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “SFY26 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, $47,149.95, NO MATCH” grant, and authorizes the establishment of a Fund or other method appropriate for the accounting of the receipts and expenditures of all resources associated with the administration of said grant.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant, generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.

46. Devine-Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “SFY26 COMMONWEALTH PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, $13,900.00, NO MATCH” grant, and authorizes the establishment of a Fund or other method appropriate for the accounting of the receipts and expenditures of all resources associated with the administration of said grant.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant, generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.

47. Magrath-Smith-Ordered – that the Recycling Coordinator, DPW Director, and Recycling Committee Chair join the Finance Committee to share the amounts of funding currently in past and current recycling dividends funding lines, and the processes and purposes they plan to use for disbursement in FY27.

48. Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that the city adopt an ordinance that would prohibit the use of SGARs on City-owned properties.

49. Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that the City Council would adopt a resolution in support of Senate Bill 2721 and House Bill 965: An Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment.

50. Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that our ordinances be changed in order to allow the WW2 air raid siren at 109 Lyman Street to be sounded every Friday for up to two minutes at noon.

51. Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that the City Council adopt a Home Rule Petition petitioning for the right to locally prevent the sale and use of S-GARs despite state preemption

52. Murphy-Romboletti-Ordered that the public service committee invite recommended auditor candidate(s) for an interview

53. Murphy-Romboletti- Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on March 17, 2026 prior to the SOI submission closing date, the City Council of Holyoke, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated April 17, 2026 for the H.B. Lawrence School located at 156 Cabot Street, Holyoke, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements (Built in 1930–one of the district’s oldest buildings; doesn’t meet the school’s education needs due to undersized classrooms and gymnasium, no media center, and insufficient space for students with disabilities and students who are english learners; outdated building systems including failing plumbing, failing heat, no air conditioning, limited ventilation, an absence of accessible public bathrooms, interior doorways, exterior entrances and exits); and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City of Holyoke to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

54. Panitch, Devine: Ordered, that the Holyoke City Council petition the General Court to amend the residency requirement set forth in Section 45 of the Holyoke Charter as it relates to elected officials. The current provision requires that a candidate for elected office have been a resident of the city for the prior two years, and should be reviewed for both the desirability of the policy and its consistency with state law. Receive and refer to Charter and Rules.