In a Press Conference held at City Hall on October 29, 2025, Mayor Joshua García, Treasurer Rory Casey, City Council President, Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, City Council Finance Committee Chair, Patty Devine,and directors Alicia Zoeller of Community Development, Tim Rivers, Director of the Board of Health, Anthony Soto, Interim Superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools, and Laddy Rua, Director of Veteran Services, informed the public about two main topics: Municipal Finance and the SNAP/Federal Shutdown Response.

Regarding the financials, Mayor García stated “Holyoke is not running out of money. Our city treasurer has built a strong cash reserve, and I want to be clear: trash will still be picked up, schools will remain open, and all our employees will get paid. There are no missing funds, and no concerns of waste or fraud. The only issue is the timely filing of paperwork with the state, a matter we are actively addressing.

The Mayor cited a recent $30 million loan for school improvements, secured at the lowest interest rate in a decade, as proof of the city’s stability. However, the Mayor is now urging the City Council to take immediate, critical actions, by adopting the Division of Local Services recommendations included in the Municipal Modernization Financial Act, to address the long-term structural issues that have plagued the city of Holyoke for years.

The second urgent priority, is responding to the expected November 1st freeze on federal SNAP benefits.

With nearly 16,000 residents, almost half the city relying on this aid, the city is launching a full-scale community effort.

President Trump’s decision to withhold already-approved funds is unacceptable. This social crisis is being pushed to our local level, and Holyoke is stepping up.” said Mayor García.

The city has launched “No 1 Hungry Holyoke“, an online resource listing all available food services. The Mayor’s office is also launching a ten-week, citywide food drive at all municipal buildings, fire stations, and polling locations through December 31st.

Also, the City Treasurer, Rory Casey, stated the he and the mayor will introduce an order at the next City Council meeting to create a special emergency fund, starting with $100,000, to respond to these crises as they continue to arise.