Holyoke City Council Elects McGrath Smith Vice President, Clears $14 Million in Transfers

HOLYOKE -- February 17, 2026, Holyoke City Council elects Megan McGrath Smith vice president and clears more than $14 million in fiscal year 2026 transfers in a single session. McGrath Smith, who chairs the ordinance committee, received nine of 13 votes on the first ballot over Councilor Patty Divine and Councilor Linda Vacon. The council voted 13-0 to correct a $13,421,739 health insurance trust accounting error, approved a $350,000 transfer to cover E911 dispatcher overtime, and unanimously accepted a $265,000 no-match state grant for sewer system upgrades. A proposed order by Councilor Vacon that would have stripped councilors charged with crimes of leadership roles failed 4-9 on referral and was ultimately given leave to withdraw, with City Solicitor Besonette warning the council it has "fairly little leeway in sanctioning its own members" under current rules. The council also passed an ordinance amendment requiring the Community Preservation Act committee to file an annual financial report with the council each March.