Holyoke City Council approves charter change, clears path for new treasurer appointment

Select Board · Meeting of April 21, 2026

Holyoke City Council votes 9-2 to update charter appointment authority and accepts a $2 million EPA wastewater grant. The April 21 meeting, presided over by Councilor Patricia Divine in the absence of Council President Tran-Hambler, centered on implementing the Municipal Modernization Act, with a contested roll-call vote advancing charter language that shifts treasurer and collector appointment powers; Councilors Anderson Burgos and Bacon voted no. Human Resources Director Kelly Curran confirmed Sharon Beren Williams as recommended controller and Laura Wilson Shaw as recommended collector, with a transition period running through June 30.

On the EPA grant, City Engineer Victoria Hill outlined three wastewater projects totaling $1.25 million in funded work, including a River Terrace sewer separation project already under construction with a May 2027 completion target. Outside auditors Clifton Larson Allen reported completing cash reconciliations for fiscal years 2023 through 2025, clearing more than $15 million in transfers across 60 bank accounts.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of April 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.