Holyoke Council Adopts Charter Petition to Restructure Financial Department Appointments

HOLYOKE — April 21, 2026 — Holyoke City Council approves charter petition and $2 million EPA sewer grant but tables disputed treasurer appointment. The council voted 9-2 Tuesday to send a home rule petition to the Massachusetts Legislature that would revise the city charter to reflect new appointing authorities for financial department heads created under the Municipal Modernization Act, with Councilors Kevin Bacon and Patrick Graney dissenting. The council also unanimously accepted a $2 million federal EPA grant — with the 25 percent local match already waived — to fund sewer separation construction on River Terrace and a wastewater facility master plan. A parallel effort by Councilor Linda Vacon to appoint current Tax Collector Laura Wilson Shaw as treasurer was blocked after City Solicitor Michael Bissonette warned that proceeding without prior public notice "would be problematic" under the open meeting law; Vacon's amended order, pushing any effective appointment to June 1, was tabled. Human Resources Director Kelly Curran, appearing remotely, told the council the city needs the permanent auditor confirmed before the treasurer-collector transition can begin, with a candidate interview scheduled before the Public Service Committee on April 23.