Government in Holyoke, Massachusetts 

Under the enabling acts of the Massachusetts State Legislature, the Holyoke government is organized under a Plan "B" Charter. This Charter is characterized by a "strong" Mayor and a City Council. The Mayor and the members of the City Council are elected by popular vote every two years. The City has a significant amount of authority to respond on its own initiative to the needs of local residents and industry because Massachusetts is a "home-rule" state.

The Mayor is the City's chief executive, and appoints the remaining department heads, commissioners and municipal officials. He or she also formulates the yearly budget and submits the document to the City Council for its review. The Mayor represents the City to the public, the business community and other levels of government.

The City Council is the "legislature" of the Holyoke City government.

With a composition of 15 members, seven represent the residential wards of the City, while the remaining eight are elected at-large. The Council has a mandate to insure that Holyoke is run in an effective and efficient manner. Major duties include approving laws; appointing tax collectors, assessors and certain other municipal officers; and confirming Mayoral appointments.

Carefully reviewing and approving the annual municipal budget is another important responsibility of the Council.

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