Holyoke Council Approves $50,000 Police Grant Ahead of St. Patrick's Day Parade

HOLYOKE -- March 3, 2026, Holyoke City Council unanimously approves $50,000 state police grant to beat parade deadline. The 13-0 vote at Tuesday's regular meeting accepted a no-match fiscal year 2026 earmark from Gov. Maura Healey, advocated by state Sen. John Velis, splitting $30,000 for long-overdue police gym equipment and $20,000 for high-visibility traffic safety vests needed before the St. Patrick's Day parade. Sgt. Zurhid told the council the chief wanted a same-night vote so vests could be ordered in time. The council also passed a $50,000 transfer from the cannabis stabilization fund, which holds $2.6 million, to cover legal fees for outside cannabis litigation counsel KP Law and Blue Sky, though Councilor Josselin McGrath Smith reminded the public that the city stopped collecting cannabis community impact fees years ago after businesses sued municipalities and began winning. Three charter amendment orders tied to the recent Municipal Financial Improvement Act were tabled after Councilor Vacon warned that one may affect how the city fills an expected treasurer's office vacancy on March 31.