The Inauguration of City Officials will take place on Monday, January 4, 2010.
The Schedule is:
9:00am Blessing Mass at Holy Cross Church
10:00am Inauguration Ceremony at City Hall
I hope that you can attend. You will enjoy this special ceremony very much as we celebrate the greatness of Holyoke and our democracy!
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Mayor-Elect Pluta announces Inaugural Ball Plans
The Honorable Mayor-Elect Elaine Pluta announced that she is hosting the 2010 Inaugural Ball on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 6pm to 11pm. The Ball will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House located at 500 Easthampton Rd, Holyoke, MA 01040. The event is Semi-Formal attire and a donation of $60 per person in requested.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Governor on hiring spree while cutting programs for Holyoke Soliders' Home
Critics slam Deval Patrick over hiring spree
1,300 jobs filled in ’09
By Joe Dwinell and Hillary Chabot
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
http://www.bostonherald.com
The Patrick administration filled more than 1,300 state jobs this year - including a librarian for cons, a painter for hospitals and a “game biologist” - in a hiring frenzy that has watchdogs questioning whether the governor has a tight grip on hiring in the face of a dire fiscal crisis.
A Herald payroll analysis also indicates scores of the lucky job-seekers also gave generously to Gov. Deval Patrick’s election campaign.
The hiring flurry is alarming state budget observers who slammed the governor for dishing out plum posts - including 20 that carry salaries of $100,000 or more - with no apparent rhyme or reason.
“In the middle of this fiscal meltdown there should be a close scrutiny of new hires, and that doesn’t seem to be reflected here,” said Michael Widmer, executive director of the business-based Massachusetts Taxpayers Association.
The list of new hires obtained by the Herald shows jobs spread out across executive offices:
A $78,000-a-year teacher and a $47,400-a-year librarian for the Department of Correction, two of 200 prison employees hired;
A $31,000-a-year painter for the Department of Public Health, which also added a physician specialist for $210,500 - the top-paid hire this year;
A $44,307-a-year game biologist for the Department of Fish and Game;
And a $206,000-a-year commissioner of higher education and a $117,000 elementary education administrator.
In all, the state has added $46 million in new hires from January to November, the Herald review shows.
The governor’s aides defended their actions, noting that the administration has since laid off 236 of the recent hires.
“The vast majority of new workers have been hired to backfill necessary or critical positions,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez in a statement.
He added the governor has cut his own staff by 15 and is working with unions on other concessions, including up to nine days of furloughs.
All told, Gonzalez said the governor has eliminated 1,930 positions, “far exceeding” his goal set last fall in response to a $600 million budget gap.
Still, critics say Patrick’s seemingly haphazard hiring process is flawed.
“It’s frustrating. The administration is slow to do what is being done in the private sector,” said House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R-North Reading).
“Where is the paper trail?” Jones added, saying new hires may be needed in some cases, but the process is not transparent.
The Herald review also shows that dozens of the new hires contributed to Patrick’s campaign, including six who have given $1,000 and more since 2006.
A Patrick aide told the Herald those who gave to the governor’s war chest and scored jobs share “a common vision for ways we can move the commonwealth forward.”
The DOC librarian, an aide argued, fills the “bare-minimum requirement” to educate cons to avoid being bounced back inside. And it comes as DOC must trim $6.7 million off its books.
Other department spokesmen argued yesterday the crime lab technicians, swine-flu investigators and guards just hired are all that’s keeping the germs and bad guys from gaining ground during a grim economy.
Mass. Taxpayers Association director Michael Widmer criticizes Patrick administration for hiring 1,300 new workers during budget crisis
By The Associated Press
December 15, 2009, 1:01PM
BOSTON – A government watchdog group is criticizing the administration of Gov. Deval L. Patrick for hiring more than 1,300 new state workers making a combined $46 million this year even as the state faces a $600 million budget gap.
Michael J. Widmer, executive director of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, told the Boston Herald there needs to be better scrutiny of new state hires during a financial crisis.
The Herald reported Tuesday that 20 of the new hires are making six-figure salaries, and six gave $1,000 or more to the Democratic governor’s campaign.
A Patrick aide defended the hires, saying most were made to fill critical positions and more than 230 have since been laid off. Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez says the governor has eliminated 1,930 state positions since last fall.
1,300 jobs filled in ’09
By Joe Dwinell and Hillary Chabot
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
http://www.bostonherald.com
The Patrick administration filled more than 1,300 state jobs this year - including a librarian for cons, a painter for hospitals and a “game biologist” - in a hiring frenzy that has watchdogs questioning whether the governor has a tight grip on hiring in the face of a dire fiscal crisis.
A Herald payroll analysis also indicates scores of the lucky job-seekers also gave generously to Gov. Deval Patrick’s election campaign.
The hiring flurry is alarming state budget observers who slammed the governor for dishing out plum posts - including 20 that carry salaries of $100,000 or more - with no apparent rhyme or reason.
“In the middle of this fiscal meltdown there should be a close scrutiny of new hires, and that doesn’t seem to be reflected here,” said Michael Widmer, executive director of the business-based Massachusetts Taxpayers Association.
The list of new hires obtained by the Herald shows jobs spread out across executive offices:
A $78,000-a-year teacher and a $47,400-a-year librarian for the Department of Correction, two of 200 prison employees hired;
A $31,000-a-year painter for the Department of Public Health, which also added a physician specialist for $210,500 - the top-paid hire this year;
A $44,307-a-year game biologist for the Department of Fish and Game;
And a $206,000-a-year commissioner of higher education and a $117,000 elementary education administrator.
In all, the state has added $46 million in new hires from January to November, the Herald review shows.
The governor’s aides defended their actions, noting that the administration has since laid off 236 of the recent hires.
“The vast majority of new workers have been hired to backfill necessary or critical positions,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez in a statement.
He added the governor has cut his own staff by 15 and is working with unions on other concessions, including up to nine days of furloughs.
All told, Gonzalez said the governor has eliminated 1,930 positions, “far exceeding” his goal set last fall in response to a $600 million budget gap.
Still, critics say Patrick’s seemingly haphazard hiring process is flawed.
“It’s frustrating. The administration is slow to do what is being done in the private sector,” said House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R-North Reading).
“Where is the paper trail?” Jones added, saying new hires may be needed in some cases, but the process is not transparent.
The Herald review also shows that dozens of the new hires contributed to Patrick’s campaign, including six who have given $1,000 and more since 2006.
A Patrick aide told the Herald those who gave to the governor’s war chest and scored jobs share “a common vision for ways we can move the commonwealth forward.”
The DOC librarian, an aide argued, fills the “bare-minimum requirement” to educate cons to avoid being bounced back inside. And it comes as DOC must trim $6.7 million off its books.
Other department spokesmen argued yesterday the crime lab technicians, swine-flu investigators and guards just hired are all that’s keeping the germs and bad guys from gaining ground during a grim economy.
Mass. Taxpayers Association director Michael Widmer criticizes Patrick administration for hiring 1,300 new workers during budget crisis
By The Associated Press
December 15, 2009, 1:01PM
BOSTON – A government watchdog group is criticizing the administration of Gov. Deval L. Patrick for hiring more than 1,300 new state workers making a combined $46 million this year even as the state faces a $600 million budget gap.
Michael J. Widmer, executive director of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, told the Boston Herald there needs to be better scrutiny of new state hires during a financial crisis.
The Herald reported Tuesday that 20 of the new hires are making six-figure salaries, and six gave $1,000 or more to the Democratic governor’s campaign.
A Patrick aide defended the hires, saying most were made to fill critical positions and more than 230 have since been laid off. Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez says the governor has eliminated 1,930 state positions since last fall.
December 15, 2009 City Council Meeting Notes
The City Council meet on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7:30pm and had the following important issues before it:
(1) There was a special dedication to our deceased colleague John E. Whelihan in recognition of his 32 years on the City Council with a special plaque presented to his wife, Mildred Whelihan and City Councilor John "Jay" G. Whelihan. Jay Whelihan served out the duration of his father's term and donated his entire salary to the Council on Aging. Jay is an exceptionally bright individual who the city is very lucky indeed to have now serving us on the Charter Commission.
(2) There was a special presentation and award presented to retiring Fire Chief David Lafond. Dave was joined by his beautiful family and received the well earned praise of a very long and distinguished career in the city's fire service. Dave served on the fire department for 31 years and 15 years as Fire Chief.
(3) Tax Classification and Rate Setting - There was a full discussion and a series of votes, here is how they broke down:
Starting with the lowest rate for homeowners, Councilor Whelihan and I made a motion for residential rate of 14.93 and commerical rate of 36.85. The vote was as follows:
Yes - Jourdain, Lopez, Pluta, Tallman, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Devine, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington, Welch
Councilor Devine offerred the rate pushed by the Chamber of Commerce which would have raised residential rates to 15.20 and commerical rate to 36.21. The votes was as follows:
Yes - Devine, Keane, Leahy, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington, Tallman
No - Brunelle, Jourdain, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Welch, Whelihan
Councilor O'Neill offered the highest rate on residential all night with the residential rate of 15.56 and a commerical rate of 35.35
Yes - Keane, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington
No - Brunelle, Devine, Jourdain, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
The final vote that was approved was one notch over what I originally proposed with a residential rate of 15.02 and Commerical Rate of 36.64.
Yes - Brunelle, Jourdain, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Whelihan
No - Devine, McGiverin, O'Neill, Welch
(4) The Council approved a Special Act drafted by Councilor Pluta creating new powers for the police to monitor and rid our streets of gangs by preventing gang loitering. This adopted Special Act requires the approval of the state legislature and it was forwarded to them after we adopted it. We also included an amendment that stated if they amended it, they need our prior approval before it can become law.
On adoption of the new tougher laws against gang loitering:
Yes - Jourdain, Keane, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Devine, Leahy
(5) The Council approved $110,000 for additional Special Counsel funds to be appropriated as follows:
$4393.70 for Real Time Court Reporting
$64,399.32 for Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn
$41,144.18 for Brodeur-McGan & Associates
I requested at the meeting that Atty. Lisa Brodeur-McGan provide to the Council the amount of costs related to her recent motion to withdraw the opposition counsel in the matter of Thomas Moriarty vs. City of Holyoke. Judge Sweeney wrote an opinion posted on Holyoke First in June 2009 that reported this motion was made in bad faith and she acted inappropriately representing the city. The judge awarded the opposition counsel for Mr. Moriarty legal fees because of her actions. This Friday, December 18, 2009, Judge Sweeney ultimately awarded $31,097 that Atty. Brodeur-McGan and/or the defendants (including the city, Mayor Sullivan, Attorney Proulx) must pay within 90 days. I have placed the most recent order also on the Holyoke First site.
Atty. Brodeur-McGan stated at the Council meeting that part of the money she was requesting was related to this motion. She was unsure how much and stated that she would have to get back to us. I made a motion to table the $110,000 request in order to obtain this information. The Council opposed my motion and decided to go forward and approve the entire package.
The vote to approve the $110,000 including the funds to Atty. Brodeur-McGan related to the motion she was admonished for by Judge Sweeney was as follows:
Yes - Devine, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Jourdain
(6) An application came in for a new Taco Bell to be located at 2199 Northampton Street. It was sent to the ordinance committee.
(7) A $5.5 million bond request for a new library and/or renovation came before the Council and it was sent to the Finance Committee for review.
(8) Numerous orders were sent to the Redevelopment Committee to discuss the recent HUD audit from the US Housing and Urban Development department. This 50 page report is linked to from the Holyoke First site.
(1) There was a special dedication to our deceased colleague John E. Whelihan in recognition of his 32 years on the City Council with a special plaque presented to his wife, Mildred Whelihan and City Councilor John "Jay" G. Whelihan. Jay Whelihan served out the duration of his father's term and donated his entire salary to the Council on Aging. Jay is an exceptionally bright individual who the city is very lucky indeed to have now serving us on the Charter Commission.
(2) There was a special presentation and award presented to retiring Fire Chief David Lafond. Dave was joined by his beautiful family and received the well earned praise of a very long and distinguished career in the city's fire service. Dave served on the fire department for 31 years and 15 years as Fire Chief.
(3) Tax Classification and Rate Setting - There was a full discussion and a series of votes, here is how they broke down:
Starting with the lowest rate for homeowners, Councilor Whelihan and I made a motion for residential rate of 14.93 and commerical rate of 36.85. The vote was as follows:
Yes - Jourdain, Lopez, Pluta, Tallman, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Devine, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington, Welch
Councilor Devine offerred the rate pushed by the Chamber of Commerce which would have raised residential rates to 15.20 and commerical rate to 36.21. The votes was as follows:
Yes - Devine, Keane, Leahy, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington, Tallman
No - Brunelle, Jourdain, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Welch, Whelihan
Councilor O'Neill offered the highest rate on residential all night with the residential rate of 15.56 and a commerical rate of 35.35
Yes - Keane, McGiverin, O'Neill, Purington
No - Brunelle, Devine, Jourdain, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
The final vote that was approved was one notch over what I originally proposed with a residential rate of 15.02 and Commerical Rate of 36.64.
Yes - Brunelle, Jourdain, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Whelihan
No - Devine, McGiverin, O'Neill, Welch
(4) The Council approved a Special Act drafted by Councilor Pluta creating new powers for the police to monitor and rid our streets of gangs by preventing gang loitering. This adopted Special Act requires the approval of the state legislature and it was forwarded to them after we adopted it. We also included an amendment that stated if they amended it, they need our prior approval before it can become law.
On adoption of the new tougher laws against gang loitering:
Yes - Jourdain, Keane, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Devine, Leahy
(5) The Council approved $110,000 for additional Special Counsel funds to be appropriated as follows:
$4393.70 for Real Time Court Reporting
$64,399.32 for Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn
$41,144.18 for Brodeur-McGan & Associates
I requested at the meeting that Atty. Lisa Brodeur-McGan provide to the Council the amount of costs related to her recent motion to withdraw the opposition counsel in the matter of Thomas Moriarty vs. City of Holyoke. Judge Sweeney wrote an opinion posted on Holyoke First in June 2009 that reported this motion was made in bad faith and she acted inappropriately representing the city. The judge awarded the opposition counsel for Mr. Moriarty legal fees because of her actions. This Friday, December 18, 2009, Judge Sweeney ultimately awarded $31,097 that Atty. Brodeur-McGan and/or the defendants (including the city, Mayor Sullivan, Attorney Proulx) must pay within 90 days. I have placed the most recent order also on the Holyoke First site.
Atty. Brodeur-McGan stated at the Council meeting that part of the money she was requesting was related to this motion. She was unsure how much and stated that she would have to get back to us. I made a motion to table the $110,000 request in order to obtain this information. The Council opposed my motion and decided to go forward and approve the entire package.
The vote to approve the $110,000 including the funds to Atty. Brodeur-McGan related to the motion she was admonished for by Judge Sweeney was as follows:
Yes - Devine, Keane, Leahy, Lisi, Lopez, McGee, McGiverin, O'Neill, Pluta, Purington, Tallman, Welch, Whelihan
No - Brunelle, Jourdain
(6) An application came in for a new Taco Bell to be located at 2199 Northampton Street. It was sent to the ordinance committee.
(7) A $5.5 million bond request for a new library and/or renovation came before the Council and it was sent to the Finance Committee for review.
(8) Numerous orders were sent to the Redevelopment Committee to discuss the recent HUD audit from the US Housing and Urban Development department. This 50 page report is linked to from the Holyoke First site.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
New HUD Audit Released: Holyoke told to repay hundreds of thousands in federal funds
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development released an audit of the city's use of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds two weeks ago and I was able to locate the link.
I have added the link to the report in the Link Sections of my site.
I have added the link to the report in the Link Sections of my site.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
December 1st Meeting Notes
At the City Council's Meeting of December 1st, the following noteworthy happenings occurred:
$50,000 to fund the Charter Commission
The Council approved $50,000 appropriation to fund the newly approved Charter Commission. The vote was 12-2 with Councilors Leahy and Brunelle voting no. Councilor Whelihan abstained from voting because he is a member of the Charter Commission. I voted for the Charter Commission money because the voters approved its creation. Charter Commission proponent Councilor Jay O'Neill stated that the Commission could cost as much as $200,000. $200,000 is alot of money and I will be watching to make sure that this number does not happen. I think this is on the very high end and I have complete confidence in Commission Chairman Carl Eger's commitment to control costs.
Council approves new convenience store to be located at 582 South St.
On a 10-5 vote, the City Council lead by the Ward 3 Councilor Tony Keane approved another convenience store on South St. The Council ignored the wishes of the Elmwood neighbors and the fact that would-be convenience store is poorly located with poor egress and parking on site. The store will be allowed to operate from 5am until 11pm. Numerous prior applicants have over promised in the past to clean up the location and make it a go but have never followed through. It is not surprising because the location is suited to be a gas station and repair shop and not a high traffic convenience store.
The owners in the past had the opportunity to expand the property to make it suitable for a convenience store when the house burned down behind the facility and the property came for sale. However, the other lot was not purchased and instead Peoples Bank purchased it and made a parking lot.
The 5 Councilors who voted against this bad idea were Kevin Jourdain, John Whelihan, Patti Devine, Jim Leahy and Donald Welch.
Request of Police Department
Councilor Todd McGee filed an order requesting that the Chief of Police return $132,000 of the $150,000 he received for overtime now that his department has been awarded a $132,000 grant. The Council adopted the order and referred to the Mayor and Chief Scott.
Other actions
Permits:
Approved a new telecommunication tower for Pocket Communications to be located on top of 48 Holy Family Rd
Renewed a Special Permit for a home office for Jorge Burgos located at 44 Gilman Street.
Budgetary:
Approved $10,000 for boarding up dangerous buildings
Approved $5,403 to repair City Hall Telephone System damaged in a lightening strike
Approved $52,000 for City Property & liability Insurance
Approved acceptance of $227000 federal grant for Holyoke Fire Department to be used for overtime needs.
Denied use of $200,000 of city funds for fire department overtime
Approved $1,150,000 to balance FY 2010 budget from certified free cash
Sent to Committee:
Request from Law Department for another $110,000 to pay for outside legal counsel; including, $41,000 for Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn and $27,000 for Lisa Brodeur-McGan. The request was placed in one order instead of broken down into separate orders for each firm. Lisa Brodeur-McGan's firm is under additional scrutiny from the City Council in light of the sanction she has been handed by Judge Constance Sweeney. (see prior post on this)
Request of Councilor Devine to start City Council Meetings at 7pm instead of 7:30pm. (please vote in Holyoke First poll)
$50,000 to fund the Charter Commission
The Council approved $50,000 appropriation to fund the newly approved Charter Commission. The vote was 12-2 with Councilors Leahy and Brunelle voting no. Councilor Whelihan abstained from voting because he is a member of the Charter Commission. I voted for the Charter Commission money because the voters approved its creation. Charter Commission proponent Councilor Jay O'Neill stated that the Commission could cost as much as $200,000. $200,000 is alot of money and I will be watching to make sure that this number does not happen. I think this is on the very high end and I have complete confidence in Commission Chairman Carl Eger's commitment to control costs.
Council approves new convenience store to be located at 582 South St.
On a 10-5 vote, the City Council lead by the Ward 3 Councilor Tony Keane approved another convenience store on South St. The Council ignored the wishes of the Elmwood neighbors and the fact that would-be convenience store is poorly located with poor egress and parking on site. The store will be allowed to operate from 5am until 11pm. Numerous prior applicants have over promised in the past to clean up the location and make it a go but have never followed through. It is not surprising because the location is suited to be a gas station and repair shop and not a high traffic convenience store.
The owners in the past had the opportunity to expand the property to make it suitable for a convenience store when the house burned down behind the facility and the property came for sale. However, the other lot was not purchased and instead Peoples Bank purchased it and made a parking lot.
The 5 Councilors who voted against this bad idea were Kevin Jourdain, John Whelihan, Patti Devine, Jim Leahy and Donald Welch.
Request of Police Department
Councilor Todd McGee filed an order requesting that the Chief of Police return $132,000 of the $150,000 he received for overtime now that his department has been awarded a $132,000 grant. The Council adopted the order and referred to the Mayor and Chief Scott.
Other actions
Permits:
Approved a new telecommunication tower for Pocket Communications to be located on top of 48 Holy Family Rd
Renewed a Special Permit for a home office for Jorge Burgos located at 44 Gilman Street.
Budgetary:
Approved $10,000 for boarding up dangerous buildings
Approved $5,403 to repair City Hall Telephone System damaged in a lightening strike
Approved $52,000 for City Property & liability Insurance
Approved acceptance of $227000 federal grant for Holyoke Fire Department to be used for overtime needs.
Denied use of $200,000 of city funds for fire department overtime
Approved $1,150,000 to balance FY 2010 budget from certified free cash
Sent to Committee:
Request from Law Department for another $110,000 to pay for outside legal counsel; including, $41,000 for Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn and $27,000 for Lisa Brodeur-McGan. The request was placed in one order instead of broken down into separate orders for each firm. Lisa Brodeur-McGan's firm is under additional scrutiny from the City Council in light of the sanction she has been handed by Judge Constance Sweeney. (see prior post on this)
Request of Councilor Devine to start City Council Meetings at 7pm instead of 7:30pm. (please vote in Holyoke First poll)
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