Holyoke Council Refers $13M in School Roof Projects, Tables Salary Vote

HOLYOKE — December 16, 2025 — Holyoke City Council closes its term with $13 million in school roof referrals and a tabled salary ordinance. At the December 16 meeting, the council referred three Massachusetts School Building Authority roof replacement projects to Finance — covering Elmer J. McMahon Elementary ($636,812 additional, on top of $4.5 million already appropriated), Maurice A. Donahue Elementary ($5,753,481), and Clare Sullivan Middle School ($6,739,962) — after a school department representative noted bidding had come in well under budget. A salary schedule ordinance updating six city positions at a combined cost of $20,453 passed 6-5-1 on a roll-call vote before being immediately reconsidered and tabled, with Councilor Linda Vacon arguing the vote improperly bound an incoming council and was not the legal obstacle blocking the city from advertising a vacant treasurer position. The council also unanimously adopted a $250,000 Mass Clean Water Trust sewer separation grant and approved transfers covering police and fire injured-on-duty costs, vehicle purchases, and $7,712 for Valley Bike administrative fees. Departing Councilor Kevin Jordane noted in his final meeting that Holyoke's average single-family tax bill of $5,319 is 14 percent above Chicopee's and 20 percent above Springfield's, with the council sending the comparison to Finance for further review.