Holyoke committee backs food truck permit after dispute

Other Committee · Meeting of October 5, 2026

Holyoke's Ordinance Committee splits on food truck permit amid equity concerns. The committee, chaired by Councilor Meg McGrath-Smith, voted 4-0, with one member absent, to recommend a street vendor license for a food truck at 1810 Northampton Street, after Councilor Ezra Rivera argued the business was being singled out: "I feel like we're moving the goal post right now." At-large Councilor Devine said the truck had blocked his sightline at a nearby intersection, prompting a stipulation that it stay clear of the corner. The panel also tabled, on 2-2 ties, an order letting HR hire above the salary midpoint and a revised structure for a proposed data-center study committee.

DPW Director Mike Gallagher's winter-parking rewrite, dropping the odd/even-year rule, heads to the Law Department for formal language. A zone-change request for 120 Pine Street was continued to November 16.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.