Holyoke Council Passes Finance Overhaul 11-2, Rivera Steps Down From Leadership

HOLYOKE -- February 3, 2026, Holyoke City Council adopted a sweeping municipal finance reorganization ordinance 11-2 and authorized a $3.5 million road and facilities bond at its February 3 meeting. The Municipal Finance Modernization Act creates a chief administrative and financial officer position to oversee a restructured Department of Finance, combining the treasurer and collector into a single appointed role, a change the state Division of Local Services has sought for years. City Treasurer Rory Casey's memo confirmed the city holds an A-plus bond rating from Standard and Poors, clarifying an inaccurate statement in a January 20 DLS letter that had raised alarm among councilors. Councilor Patricia Bacon raised procedural objections that the legal form had been drafted without a committee vote authorizing changes and that the ordinance conflicts with charter provisions on council appointing authority; Councilor Eileen Panage called any procedural error "harmless" given the urgency of reform. The council also unanimously approved an emergency snow storage lease at Water Street after DPW Director Michael Gallagher reported over 100 truckloads of snow already delivered and the snow removal budget already in deficit. Councilor Israel Rivera, who faced an OUI arrest, resigned his leadership posts as vice president and DGR committee chair but declared he would not leave his council seat.