Holyoke Finance Committee Approves Transfers to Fund Flood Wall, Comptroller Role

HOLYOKE -- May 27, 2026, Holyoke Finance Committee approves $74,000 in transfers to close flood wall funding gap and advance finance modernization. The committee voted unanimously at its May 27 meeting on three separate $21,667 transfers from payroll surpluses in the outdoor works, fire, and police departments, pooling $65,001 to cover the city's share of a $770,000 state grant for a flood control wall at Stop Log No. 7 on the Connecticut River near Water Street. City Auditor Sharon, appearing by Zoom, explained that Mayor Joshua Garcia had asked department heads to identify available funds after the city came up $65,000 short. The committee also approved a $9,730.77 transfer to move Sharon into the comptroller role as of June 1, when permanent auditor Cheryl joins the city, accelerating a finance modernization transition originally planned for the start of FY27. A $13,300 no-match state Safe and Senior Safe grant for the fire department, administered by Lieutenant Paltrow for youth and senior fire safety programming, also passed unanimously.