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HD 6144

An Act modernizing financial departments in the city of Holyoke

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Pat Duffy

Modernizes Holyoke's charter by annualizing and clarifying key financial oversight roles (audit director, tax assessor, water commissioner) with clear terms and removals.

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Bill Summary · HD 6144

Overview

This Massachusetts bill, HD 6144 from the 194th General Court, proposes changes to the City of Holyoke’s charter to modernize its financial and administrative oversight. It focuses on reorganizing and clarifying appointments for key city offices and updating terms and practices for stability and accountability within the city’s financial governance.

Main purpose and intent

  • Modernize the structure and terms of certain city officials to improve accountability, efficiency, and continuity in Holyoke’s financial administration.
  • Clarify appointment procedures for positions that affect financial management and oversight.
  • Repeal outdated provisions that conflict with the proposed framework.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Charter amendments to specified offices (all actions to occur in January and terms defined as provided):

    • Administrative Assistant to the City Council
    • Annually elect by ballot in January.
    • Term: two years, beginning the first Monday in February of election year, until successor is elected and qualified.
    • Director of Internal Audit
    • Appointed by the City Council in January, and every third year thereafter in January.
    • Term: three years, beginning the first Monday in February of election year, until successor is elected and qualified.
    • Assessor of Taxes
    • Annually elect by ballot in January.
    • Term: three years, beginning the first Monday in February of election year, until successor is elected and qualified.
    • Water Commissioner
    • Annually elect by ballot in January.
    • Term: three years, beginning the first Monday in February of election year, until successor is elected and qualified.
    • Removal and vacancies
    • Any of these officers may be removed by the City Council for sufficient cause.
    • Current assessors of taxes and water commissioners continue to hold for their three-year terms from the first Monday in February following their election, unless removed.
    • Vacancies filled by the same method as the predecessor; appointees serve the remainder of the term.

  • Section 2: Repeal of conflicting provisions

    • Repeals portions of Chapter 438 of the Acts of 1896 and Chapter 327 of the Acts of 1936 (and amendments/additions thereto) to the extent inconsistent with the act.

  • Section 3: Clerical/editorial changes

    • Allows the General Court to make non-substantive clerical or editorial changes to the bill unless the Mayor and City Council approve amendments within the scope of the public objectives.

  • Section 4: Effective date

    • Takes effect immediately upon passage.

Who would be affected

  • City of Holyoke officials and departments involved in municipal finance and oversight:
    • City Council (appointing and removing roles)
    • Administrative Assistant to the City Council
    • Director of Internal Audit
    • Assessor of Taxes
    • Water Commissioner
  • City residents and taxpayers may be affected indirectly through changes in governance, accountability, and management of financial functions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Appointments to listed offices would occur annually in January (with the Internal Audit Director appointment every third January).
  • Terms begin the first Monday in February following the January election/appointment.
  • The act is a charter amendment that would supersede prior conflicting statutes (to the extent of inconsistency).
  • Immediate effect upon passage, subject to the usual municipal approval processes for charter changes.

Notes for readers

  • The bill emphasizes cycle-based appointments and defined terms to promote regular oversight and continuity.
  • It preserves the ability of the City Council to remove officers for cause.
  • It repeals older statutory provisions that conflict with the updated framework, aligning Holyoke’s charter with modern governance needs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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