Public Service Committee Meeting November 20, 2025

*Published November 14, 2025. 4:08 p.m.

City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Public Service

Thursday, November 20, 2025
6:30 PM

Meeting to take place at
Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St
and can be accessed remotely on Zoom Meetings
Per order of the Chair: Juan Anderson-Burgos
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88694228127?pwd=W0xvCnGQal8yUYCMsIiyhWRlvqvmwc.1
Meeting ID: 886 9422 8127 Meeting Passcode: 689489 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with the same Meeting ID and Passcode.

Live Spanish interpretation will be available on local access channel 15 using the television’s SAP option, through the live stream on the city website, as well as on the Zoom feed by clicking the interpretation option and choosing Spanish.

Agenda

Item 1: 9-2-25 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing Dr. David Owen to serve on the Local Historic District Commission.  Mr. Owen will serve a three-year term expiring July 1, 2028.

Item 2: 10-21-25 From Deb Brunelle, Chief Assessor, request to appoint Grant Schlosstein to Board of Assessors

Item 3: 9-2-25 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing Jeff Burkott and Davin Pasek as the Fence Viewer Committee.

Item 4: 3-18-25 I. Rivera – Order that the honorable city council develop a vision statement that outlines the council’s goals and aspirations for the community.
*Tabled 3-25-25

Item 5: 3-18-25 I. Rivera – Order that the honorable city council develop a list of core values that is developed and supported by all individual councilors.
*Tabled 3-25-25

Item 6: 3-18-25 I. Rivera -Order that the honorable city council develop a mission statement focused on key priorities such as:
Community focus: Prioritizing the needs and quality of life for all residents.
Inclusive decision-making: Ensuring representation and consideration of diverse perspectives.
Fiscal responsibility: Managing public funds wisely.
Transparency and accountability: Open communication with the public.
Sustainable development: Planning for the future with environmental considerations.
*Tabled 3-25-25

LAID ON THE TABLE
(Items taken up at previous meeting(s) and laid on the table. Discussion may or may not take place)

Item 7: 6-3-25 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing several members to serve on the Recycling Advisory Committee.  Members will serve a three-year term expiring August 2026.
*Clarified that only Cindy Koch is to be appointed for a three-year term expiring August 2028.

ADMINISTRATIVELY LAID ON THE TABLE
(Per City Council Rule 9P, “Any order not acted on within 45 days shall be deemed tabled.” Items within this section are laid on the table by virtue of being in the committee more than 45 days. Discussion of these items is unlikely, but any item may be removed from the table upon motion of the committee.)

Item 8: 3-7-23 From Citizens of Holyoke, petition to meet with City Council to discuss Mayor Joshua Garcia’s recent removal of The Chair of the Holyoke Historical Commission, Paola Ferrario.

Item 9: 1-22-24 From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing Mr. David Blood, 35 South Street, South Hadley, to serve as a member of the Tourism Advisory Committee. Mr. Blood will serve a three-year term; said term will expire January 1, 2027.
*Not subject to Council confirmation

Item 10: 2-6-24 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing Kayla Rodriguez of 14 Laurel St to service as a member of the Valley Opportunity Council.  Ms. Rodriguez will replace Jackie Watson and will serve a three-year term expiring December 31, 2027.
*Not subject to Council confirmation

Item 11: 8-6-24 From Personnel Director Kelly Curran- City of Holyoke Social Media Policy

Item 12: 2-4-25 From Mayor Garcia, letter appointing Mr. David P. Owen of 12 Mason Rd. to serve as a member of the Historical Commission.  Mr. David Owen will serve a three year term expiring January 2028.
*Not subject to Council confirmation

Item 13: 3-4-25 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing Ms. Patricia Normand of 36 Pleasant St to serve as a member of the Conservation Commission. Ms. Normand will serve a three year term expiring February 1, 2028.
*New letter later filed reappointing Ms. Normand, confirmed 3-18-25

Item 14: 5-20-25 Anderson-Burgos- Ordered, that we revisit a discussion about city councilors having Holyoke email addresses. Issues are coming up with some councilors having to delete emails because inboxes are full, and potentially losing emails that are subject to records requests.

Item 15: 8-5-25 From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter appointing Ms. Lauren Niles to serve as an Alternate of the Historical Commission.  Ms. Niles will serve a three-year term expiring on July 1, 2028.
*Not subject to Council confirmation

Item 16: 8-5-25 GREANEY — Ordered that the Board of Health Director come before the City Council ASAP to discuss the department’s operations.

Administrative Assistant: Jeffery Anderson-Burgos
The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.