Holyoke CPA Committee Replaces Consultant, Approves New Staff Position 8-0

HOLYOKE -- December 10, 2025, Holyoke's Community Preservation Act Committee voted unanimously to replace its financial consultant and restructure its administrative staff at its December 10 meeting. The committee voted 8-0 to void the contract of its current consultant and approve Patty Kavanaugh in the role at half the previous rate, citing her experience with the city's Munis financial software. Members also voted 8-0 to create a new internal city employee position to handle purchase orders, capped at five hours per week and shared with the economic development office of Aaron Vega; the chair was separately authorized to make the hire in coordination with Vega's office. The most heated discussion centered on the Jones Point Park improvement project, which carries an estimated cost of roughly $400,000 and has been underway for three years. Resident Beth Bogle appeared during a public comment period the committee voted to allow and called for the project to be stopped, citing line items including $35,000 for a timber fence and $4,200 for a single picnic table. "In a city that doesn't have enough affordable housing," Bogle said, "we're going to spend $400,000 on a park, it does not seem right." The committee also created a subcommittee to address enforcement gaps in historic preservation restrictions and scheduled applicant presentations for January 14 and 21, 2026.