Rebecca Lisi At-Large City Councilor

Where do I vote in Holyoke on November 8?

2011-11-07T08:52:00.010-05:00

Polling Places for each Ward

WARD ONE
Precinct A - Rosary Towers, 24 Bowers St.
Precinct B - Prospect Heights Community Room, 41 Chestnut Street

WARD TWO
Precinct A - Morgan School Gym

Precinct B - Falcetti Towers, 475 Maple Steet

WARD THREE
Precinct A - Elmwood Engine House, South Street

Precinct B - Metcalf School, 2019 Northampton Street

WARD FOUR
Precinct A - St. Paul's Church Parish, 485 Appleton Steet

Precinct B - St. Paul's Church Parish, 485 Appleton Street

WARD FIVE
Precinct A - Lt. Elmer J. McMahon School Gym
Precinct B - Maurice A. Donahue School Gym

WARD SIX
Precinct A - First Lutheran School

Precinct B - First Lutheran School

WARD SEVEN
Precinct A - E. N. White School, 1 Jefferson St
Precinct B - E. N. White School, 1 Jefferson St

Rebecca Lisi: Ideas, Energy, Action!

2011-11-03T22:45:00.003-04:00

The Future is Here!

2011-11-03T01:52:00.006-04:00

Rebecca Lisi has been building the foundation for a successful future Holyoke on a reinterpretation of its historic industrial past through:

Responsible Downtown Revitalization
Building Holyoke’s Reputation as a Leader in the Green Economy
Creating Local Jobs for Holyoke families
Strengthening Community

Vote LISI on November 8!

RE-ELECT REBECCA LISI
CITY COUNCILOR AT-LARGE

City Councilor at-Large Rebecca Lisi Receives Endorsements from Local Organizations

2011-11-02T10:17:00.010-04:00

City Councilor at-Large, Rebecca Lisi, received endorsements from the following local organizations:

Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council
Carpenters Local 108
IBEW Local 7
UAW 2322
UFCW 1459
Neighbor to Neighbor, MA

She is proud to have earned the trust and respect of these organizations and is honored to receive such amazing recognition and support.

Remember to vote LISI on November 8!!

RE-ELECT REBECCA LISI
CITY COUNCILOR at LARGE

Holyoke City Council begins planning in case Mount Tom coal plant shuts down

2011-10-19T11:09:00.003-04:00

Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 9:50 PM Updated: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 8:31

By Mike Plaisance, The Republican

Staff Photo by John SuchockiMount Tom Power Plant, in February

HOLYOKE – With a dozen sign-holding advocates looking on with approval, the City Council Tuesday took a step to begin planning for the reuse of the Mount Tom coal plant amid concerns it could be closing.

“We don’t need a dirty plant sitting (unused). We should have a plan,” said Daniel Perez, of Tokeneke Road.

“I hope that the city of Holyoke is pro-active,” said Jane Andresen, of Keefe Street.

They were among the advocates in City Council Chambers at City Hall with signs like “Protect No Toxic Mercury” and “Mount Tom coal plant will retire – let’s plan ahead. Action for a Healthy Holyoke.”

By unanimous voice vote, the council asked Mayor Elaine A. Pluta to form a committee of residents and officials to study how the Mount Tom Power Plant on Route 5 near the Easthampton line could be reused in an environmentally friendly way.

The committee of about a dozen would consist of at least one resident from each of the seven wards chosen by the mayor in consultation with other leaders and community groups.

Also on the committee would be representatives of the Board of Health, Board of Assessors, Planning Board and Conservation Commission.

The committee would hold regular public hearings and submit a written report to the City Council by October 2012, under the council order. It was filed by councilors Aaron M. Vega, Kevin A. Jourdain and Rebecca Lisi.

Labor union officials last week said the owner has said half the plant’s 60 employees will be laid off because the plant is not operating often enough to justify its present level of staffing.

The plant’s owners, FirstLight Power Resources and GDF Suez North America, declined to comment last week.

The plant was built in 1960 and can generate 146,000 kilowatts, or enough to meet the electrical demands of a city twice the size of Holyoke, according to First Light Power Resources and GDF Suez North America. The plant can burn 1,200 tons of coal daily.

From 2007 to 2009, First Light installed $55 million worth of air pollution-control equipment after the state determined it was the second largest polluter in the state.

In July, the owner reached a settlement with the state attorney general’s office and agreed to install air-monitoring equipment at the plant and take other steps to correct pollution problems.

Advocates represented at the council meeting were the Sierra Club, of Boston, Toxins Action Center, of Boston and West Hartford, Conn., Conservation Law Foundation, of Boston, and Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC VISITORS TOUR HOLYOKE

2011-07-14T12:40:00.005-04:00

Participants of a U.S. State Department program will meet with city officials and take a tour of Holyoke. Participants come from 18 different countries from every area of the world.

Academics participating in a State Department institute from 18 different countries spent time visiting with Holyoke city officials, toured various locations throughout the city, and lunched at a local restaurant. The international visit was coordinated by Rebecca Lisi, City Councilor at Large and a Political Science Doctoral student at UMass Amherst. The participants met with Mayor Elaine A. Pluta, City Solicitor Lisa Ball, and John Dyjach of the Office of Planning and Development.

Lisi said, "Each of us need to be helping to highlight Holyoke to our connections outside of the city. It's a great way to build a more positive public image of the city."

The participants are part of the U.S. Institute on American Politics and Political Thought funded by the U.S. State Department and implemented and managed by the University of Massachusetts Civic Initiative, a democracy education and research program of the UMass Donahue Institute. Participants came to Holyoke to discuss challenges facing American cities and see first hand attempts to deal with these problems.

According to the Program Director, Michael Hannahan, “These individuals are chosen to attend this program due to their engagement in the issues and problems of their home countries and communities. Giving them a chance to see first hand and talk with individuals in the United States that face similar problems is an outstanding opportunity for them to broaden their perspective and consult with colleagues facing issues much like their own.”

The group met at City Hall on Wednesday, July 13^th at 9:30am, talked with a panel of city officials followed by a driving and walking tour of the city. the visit ended with lunch at the Fernandez Family Restaurant.

CRUSH named Best Activist Organization in the Valley by the Valley Advocate 2011

2011-04-20T23:41:00.004-04:00

from The Advocate, Best on the Valley 2011
Best Activist Organization

C.R.U.S.H.
PO Box 6441
Holyoke, MA
(413) 340-1040

www.crushonholyoke.org

Founded two and a half years ago, C.R.U.S.H.—Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke—is a self-described "network of Holyokers who want to live, work and have fun in a healthy, successful and revitalized former industrial city." The group holds events ranging from Party With a Purpose, with themes of interest to residents, to an annual block party that takes over a downtown block for music, food and fun. Member Rory Casey says C.R.U.S.H. works hard to attract a diverse membership—city old-timers and newcomers; residents of all ethnic and economic backgrounds and political persuasions. "At the end of the day, we're just a group of people who love Holyoke and know the potential our city has," he says.

Councilor Lisi Donates Free Passes to Area Museums to Holyoke Public Library

2011-03-21T18:33:00.002-04:00

HOLYOKE- City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi donated free passes to area museums to the Holyoke Public Library this week. The passes to MASS MoCA and to the Norman Rockwell museum admit up to 2 adults and two children each. Holyoke residents are welcome to check out the free passes with their library cards at the Library Circulations desk.

Councilor Lisi donated the museum passes to the Library in honor of the graduation of her husband, Damian Cote, from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) with a Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking. Lisi also said that the gift seemed to be an appropriate addition to the Library’s collection given all the other work going into restoring and updating the Public Library building.

“Damian and I are real art enthusiasts and I wanted to make sure that the city’s residents could easily access and enjoy art to the extent that we do. Other area libraries carry free passes to these museums and it seemed to be the perfect time to gift them to the library,” said Lisi.

The Norman Rockwell Museum passes expire on November 1, 2011 and the MASS MoCA passes expire on February 12, 2012.

Holyoke city councilors call for more aggressive attempt to track down tax scofflaws before sewer fees are increased

2010-11-30T22:30:00.004-05:00

Published: Monday, November 29, 2010, 3:51 PM Updated: Monday, November 29, 2010, 3:57 PM

Mike Plaisance, The Republican

HOLYOKE – City councilors said they want more done to hunt down $600,000 in late bills before they will agree to increase the sewer rate, which would be unfair to those who pay bills on time.

“Essentially, they’re asking everyone to take on an added burden of those who owe fees into the system,” Councilor-at-Large Rebecca Lisi said on Nov. 18.

“We should go after these bills without raising a penny of the sewer fee,” Councilor-at-Large James M. Leahy said.

Leahy has proposed the city hire a collection agency to track down sewer bill delinquents.

Mayor Elaine A. Pluta said she was willing to discuss the hiring of such a collector with city Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra, provided councilors understand that such a hiring requires spending.

Councilors’ concerns come as Public Works Superintendent William D. Fuqua has outlined a proposal that would increase the sewer rate by 18.5 percent. That would be to avoid a $341,900 deficit in the sewer fund by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, he said.

Under the proposal, the average household’s yearly sewer bill would increase to $430 from the current $365.

That’s based on the current rate of $5.40 per 1,000 metered gallons used, increasing to $6.40 per 1,000 metered gallons used.

The setting of the sewer rate is a City Council decision.

Councilor Diosdado Lopez, chairman of the Ordinance Committee, said councilors want additional information that includes more effort on late bills. He was still hopeful about establishing a new sewer rate by late December, he said.

The sewer fund is about $8.7 million. Most of that is money the city is contractually bound to pay to United Water, the private company that manages the sewer system, Fuqua said.

United Water will be paid about $6.8 million this year, and the company gets an increase based on the rate of inflation, he said.

The problem that could result in a sewer-fund deficit is that revenue coming in from sewer customers isn’t keeping pace with the rate paid to United Water, he said.

Fuqua is working with Lumbra to issue letters to the overdue customers who collectively owe more than $600,000. That step precedes the city’s placement of a lien on the property. A lien is a legal step that assures that if the property is sold, the city is the first to get paid.

“That’s our only, most effective way to collect the money,” Fuqua said.

Lopez was among councilors seeking actions with more tangible results than liens. Sewer customers who owe money should be put on notice that permits or licenses they have from the city are at stake, he said.

“For example, a letter will go out on a specific date, and if you don’t pay by another date, you will lose the permit,” Lopez said.

Fairfield Avenue in Holyoke gets its own historical commission

2010-11-29T20:29:00.003-05:00

Published: Sunday, November 28, 2010, 2:39 AM
Mike Plaisance, The Republican Mike Plaisance, The Republican

2009 rebecca lisi fairfield avenueThe Republican file photoHolyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi on historic Fairfield Avenue.

HOLYOKE - A street in the Highlands neighborhood has become the only one in the city with its own historical commission.

The Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District Commission consists of seven members authorized to preserve its distinctive architecture and other significant details.

The street, which is perpendicular to Northampton Street, is lined with Victorians and old mansions that date to 1870, 1800 and 1891.

Mayor Elaine A. Pluta appointed the commission and the City Council confirmed the appointments last month.

“I think it’s wonderful. It’s been in process for” years, Olivia L. Mausel, a member of the new commission, said.

Mausel, who also is cochairwoman of the citywide Historical Commission, said Fairfield Avenue is the city’s only street with its own historical commission.

Establishment of the commission will provide protection from demolition and inappropriate remodeling as commissioners try to maintain the street’s historic nature, she said.

The commission is permitted to review only changes proposed to the exterior architecture visible from a public way. The commission’s existence doesn’t mean all changes are banned, Mausel said.

“The intent is to make changes and additions harmonious, and prevent the intrusion of incongruous elements that might detract from the aesthetic and historic values of the district,” Mausel said.

The commission will hold meetings, which will be posted and open to the public, to discuss changes residents want to make to Fairfield Avenue homes, she said.

Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi has pushed for several years to get a Fairfield Avenue commission appointed and was glad it is now in place.

“It’s an excellent example of citizens really taking revitalization of a community in their own hands,” Lisi said.

Support on Fairfield Avenue for such a commission wasn’t unanimous. Some residents have been wary of the street having such a designation.

The ordinance establishing the Fairfield Avenue Historic District says that in addition to residents, the commission must include one member from two nominees submitted by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and one member from two nominees submitted by the local Board of Realtors.

Besides Mausel, of 25 Briarwood Drive, the commission consists of residential members James Sutter, 30 Fairfield Ave., Sandra Parent, 347 Westfield Road, Wendy Weiss, Fairfield Avenue, and Matt Chenier, 20 Fairfield Ave., who is chairman.

Others on the commission are Realtor Charles Davignon, 167 Main St., and architect Peter Papineau, 42 Fairfield Ave.

© 2010 masslive.com. All rights reserved.

Holyoke councilors say no to responsible employer ordinance

2010-10-08T11:14:00.001-04:00

from The Republican,
Published: Thursday, October 07, 2010, 5:10 PM

HOLYOKE – The City Council has rejected a proposal for a so-called responsible employer ordinance because of concerns that requirements in the law would thwart big projects and invite a lawsuit.

Requirements that a certain number of jobs on a municipal building project go to city residents, unionized workers, women and minorities, could scare away contractors and undermine the intent to help the city, they said.

Another part of such an ordinance would require establishment of apprenticeship training in the building trades while projects are ongoing.

“It scares me,” Councilor at Large James M. Leahy said, on Tuesday at City Hall.

But Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi, who proposed the measure with Ward 4 Councilor Timothy W. Purington, said the city by dismissing the proposal has missed a chance to help Holyokers.

“I think it’s exactly because we have these new projects coming in that we should have this ordinance,” Lisi said.

The city is planning to build a new library for $15 million and a senior center for $8.1 million.

The largest project in the works here, a $168 million high performance computing center set for the canal area, is mostly private-funded and would fall outside such an ordinance.

The Ordinance Committee voted 3-2 to recommend the full council withdraw the proposal, and the City Council adopted that by voice vote.

Councilors said among their concerns was an Aug. 16 letter from a law firm representing the Utility Contractors Association of New England Inc., whose Web site says it is a Quincy-based trade association comprised of over 250 major contractors and associated business.

Lawyer Richard D. Wayne, of HinckleyAllenSnyder, of Boston, warned in the letter to City Solicitor Lisa A. Ball that the association has challenged responsible employer ordinances in other communities and would do so with Holyoke’s.

Kara Lamb Cunha, second assistant city solicitor, advised in a Sept. 28 opinion that the council avoid adopting a responsible employer ordinance. The Utility Contractors Association is challenging Fall River’s ordinance and resolution of that case might address issues with Holyoke’s proposal, she wrote.

Lisi said, “We shouldn’t allow this city to be bullied because of our reputation as one of the poorest cities in the commonwealth.”

“I just think it’s the wrong timing,” Councilor at Large Patricia C. Devine said.

Purington was absent.

Build Local, Hire Local

2010-08-24T13:58:00.004-04:00

Holyoke's proposed REO would require contractors to set aside jobs for residents
from The Valley Advocate, August 26, 2010
By Maureen Turner

The city of Holyoke is poised for somewhat of a building renaissance these days, points out at-large City Councilor Rebecca Lisi. There's the upcoming expansion and renovation of the city library, the new senior center, the long-awaited, yet-to-be-sited high-tech computing center.

"There are a lot of big projects coming our way," Lisi said. "There's a lot of positive attention on Holyoke these days, and we're doing a lot of work to prepare for the future."

And that, she added, makes it an opportune time for a new city policy that would ensure that Holyoke residents reap all the benefits they can from those projects. That's why she is co-sponsoring a proposed ordinance designed to guarantee city residents a certain percentage of jobs on publicly funded constriction projects. The "Responsible Employer Ordinance," or REO, would also require contractors to hire a set percentage of minority and women workers, to provide workers with decent wages and benefits, and to offer apprentice programs for city residents.

The proposed ordinance, which is still in draft form, was drawn up with local labor unions representing the building trades. Backers describe it as a way to keep local money in the local economy, and ensure that contractors give back, through employment and training, to the community paying for the projects. But critics in the industry say REOs actually have a hidden agenda: to steer public construction projects to union shops, at the expense of non-union shops, who often cannot meet the requirements of the ordinances as easily as union bidders.

*

According to a tally kept by Associated Builders and Contractors—a national organization of "merit shop," or non-union, construction firms, and a chief critic of responsible employer ordinances—REOs exist in almost 20 Massachusetts communities. They include Springfield, which passed an REO last summer.

Boston, Lawrence, Worcester and Somerville are among the cities that have REOs on their books. In Fall River, the City Council recently repealed that city's REO, which it had revised back in the spring. According to the Fall River Herald News, councilors made the move in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of employers who alleged that they would be discriminated against under the ordinance, which required 50 percent local hires.

In Holyoke, the proposed REO is sponsored by Lisi, Ward 2 Councilor Diosdado Lopez, Ward 4 Councilor Tim Purington, and at-large Councilor Aaron Vega. In its current draft form, its requirements would apply to construction contracts worth $100,000 or more that are at least partially funded with city money, or subcontracts of $25,000 or more.

The REO would require that at least 35 percent of jobs on a qualifying project go to Holyoke residents. Twenty percent would go to minorities, and 5 percent to women. Waivers from these requirements would be granted to contractors who demonstrate to a city monitoring committee that they could not find enough qualified workers in those categories, after making serious recruitment efforts.

The REO also calls for contractors to comply with existing state laws by paying prevailing wages and providing health benefits and workers' compensation coverage, and to maintain a pension plan for employees.

In addition, under the REO, contractors would have to set aside 5 percent of the jobs for apprentices learning the trade, and offer a state-approved apprentice training program for each trade in their workforce, graduating at least two apprentices a year per trade.

Contractors would be required to participate in a close tracking system to ensure their compliance with the REO. The program would be overseen by a monitoring committee, with members appointed by the City Council and mayor. Contractors who violate the REO would face a fine of $300 per day for each violation.

*

Too often, taxpayer-funded construction projects go to out-of-town, or even out-of-state, construction firms, which bring in workers from outside the area, says Dan D'Alma, president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council. The council represents union shops in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The workers commute in at the beginning of the workday, and head home at the end.

The economic spin-off for the host community? "Maybe a coffee on their way in in the morning; maybe a six-pack and a coffee on the way home," said D'Alma.

"They want to come in and do the project, and yet they're not giving anything back to the community," he said of the contractors. "They bid the job, bring in their people. The city taxpayers, not one of them has an opportunity to work on the project."

The Building Trades Council has more than 300 residents who live in Holyoke, D'Alma added. With big jobs like the computing center on the horizon, "they should be afforded the opportunity to work on the project. ...

"They're taxpayers," he added. "It's their city, and they're locked out of working."

REOs, D'Alma said, ensure that the communities paying for the projects reap at least part of the benefits. In particular, they help get work for people who've historically been under-represented in the industry, like women and racial minorities. And their apprenticeship requirements help get residents on the path to good-paying jobs with solid benefits—an especially crucial benefit in cities like Holyoke and Springfield, where un- and underemployment is high.

"To me, it's about making sure the benefits of the projects are distributed as evenly as possible," said Lisi, the city councilor.

"This is not something that's supposed to be confrontational," she added.

*

But it is controversial, at least in one large sector of the building industry.

"While promoting responsible contracting is certainly a worthy goal, a closer look at union-sponsored Responsible Employer Ordinances (REOs) shows they are really about controlling the marketplace and limiting competition from non-union or open shop firms," Greg Beeman, president of the Massachusetts chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, wrote in a recent opinion piece.

"At first glance, REOs seem reasonable. But a closer look shows that they are a wolf in sheep's clothing—much more about controlling the marketplace than promoting responsibility," Beeman wrote.

ABCMA has been tracking REOs around the commonwealth for years, Beeman told the Advocate; in recent years, he said, the trend has been toward stricter and stricter requirements. "The Holyoke one is the most extreme I've seen," he said.

ABCMA's 425 member construction firms support the general concepts of REOs, Beeman said. "They want to do the right thing. They want to have an industry that has high standards," Beeman said.

But REOs like Holyoke's, he contends, have a more specific agenda: slanting the playing field to give union contractors an unfair advantage over non-union shops—which, according to Beeman, account for about 80 percent of the industry in Massachusetts.

REOs, Beeman noted, don't just guarantee health care and retirement plans, for instance; they guarantee benefits equal to or better than that offered under union collective-bargaining agreements, which automatically puts union shops bidding for the jobs in a stronger position.

In addition, Beeman said, REOs' apprenticeship requirements are written so tightly as to ensure that union shops will be able to meet them easily, while non-union shops will not. Union contractors participate in group apprenticeship programs, which serve all members of the union. A non-union shop, however, would not only have to establish its own apprenticeship program—something, Beeman said, most already have—but also meet the specific graduation rates (in the case of the draft Holyoke REO, two graduates per year in each of the trades represented). For small shops that don't have a lot of employees, that number is just too high, Beeman said.

"If this was just about being a responsible employer, we'd have no problem with it," Beeman said. "I don't see this as responsible. I see this as setting very difficult terms that are difficult for non-union shops to meet. ... We would like them to be fairer to the majority of employers and contractors, who are not union."

REOs, Beeman also contends, add yet another layer of regulations—and paperwork—to an already heavily regulated industry. "It seems like a textbook example of how to kill a company with paperwork," Beeman said. "A lot of small businesses, they're just struggling to keep up."

And it's not just non-union firms that suffer under REOs, Beeman argued—so do taxpayers. When governments are hiring contractors for publicly funded jobs, it's important to attract as many qualified bidders as possible, to get the best deal possible. The sort of strict requirements REOs place on potential bidders limit the number of firms vying for the job, he said.

D'Alma, the union leader, rejected the criticisms made by ABC as "sour grapes."

REOs don't reduce competition for public building jobs, D'Alma responded; when the city of Springfield recently sought bids for a new Putnam High, he said, more than 80 subcontractors bid on the job.

D'Alma also dismissed arguments that REOs are unfair to smaller businesses, or drown firms in paperwork. The ordinances simply require that contractors put a certain percentage of local people to work, he said. "They want to bring in who they want, make their money, and go home."

"That cracks me up, when I hear 'it's a union thing,'" D'Alma added. "It's not a union thing. It's a residency thing."

The building trades council, D'Alma said, is in the early stages of a campaign to get an REO passed in Chicopee, and has its eyes on other communities, such as Greenfield, as well. "I think every city should have one," he said.

*

Holyoke's proposed REO, Lisi stressed, is still a work in progress. In Springfield, city officials spent about six months hashing out the details before passing that city's REO last August. Holyoke councilors will also take their time, listening to all the affected parties and tailoring the ordinance to best meet their city's needs, Lisi said.

That could mean reducing the percentage of local hires from 35 percent (the figure in Springfield's REO, and in Holyoke's draft) to 20 or 25 percent—although, Lisi added, "I would like to still see it aggressive, because that's where we get the big benefits from." It could also mean raising the contract threshold that triggers the REO requirements—currently, in the draft ordinance, $100,000—to a higher figure, or expanding the residency requirement to include neighboring communities as well as Holyoke.

The ordinance is "still being molded," said Lisi, who recently met with Beeman and other ABCMA officials about their concerns.

While ABCMA has made its objections to the REO clear, another major business group has yet to officially weigh in: the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Doris Ransford told the Advocate her group is still studying the draft ordinance and soliciting feedback from its members.

Some have expressed concerns that limiting the pool of potential bidders in a community as small as Holyoke would limit competition, and could end up costing the city more money, she said. Others have expressed concern about the amount of paperwork the REO would require, or questioned whether the $100,000 threshold in the draft ordinance is too low.

"There's a lot of questions and issues," Ransford said. "It's not something we would blanket say 'no' to, but it doesn't look very good to us at this point."

No chicken of due process

2010-07-07T18:29:00.005-04:00

~~Misleading the public~~
~~unpublished Letter to the Editor~~
(submitted to both The Sun and The Republican June 22, 2010)
from The Sun, July 16- 22, 2010

Dear Editor,

This letter is in response to City Councilor Patti Devine’s Letter to the Editor entitled “No thanks, chickens,” published in The Sun June 18, 2010. Councilor Devine’s letter contains several myths and untruths regarding the political process that citizens in favor of transparent and responsible government should be made aware of.

First, City Councilors use orders to bring new ideas forward to the public and their colleagues. Orders are generally sent to an appropriate committee to be discussed in an open meeting and typically, the council votes to bring in relevant departments or experts in the field to help inform the council on its decision. In the case of the “chicken order,” the majority of the residents who participated in the political process voiced their opposition and Councilor Purington and I respectfully acknowledged the will of the citizens at this point in time and decided to vote with the Ordinance Committee 5-0 to give the order “leave to with draw”.

Second, giving an order leave to withdraw simply means that the council is ending the discussion on that topic; it is neither a vote for nor against that issue and the issue may be taken up by the council again at a later time. For Councilor Devine to claim that Councilor Purington and I, along with the rest of the council, voted against the chicken order is overtly misleading. Considering the many years that Councilor Devine has served on the City Council, as well as the fact that several of her own orders through the Ordinance Committee (including rescinding the business overlay district on Northampton St.; attaching late fees to special permits that are not picked up from the clerk’s office; restricting the grant of special permits to residents who have lived in the city for at least a year; among others) have been given “leave to withdraw,” I would assume that she is well aware of the significance of the term and its implications.

Lastly, during the committee meeting Councilor Devine accused the “chicken order” proponents of being out of touch with the residents. I beg to differ; if Councilor Devine believes that Holyokers have an appetite for fear-mongering and manipulative political tactics, then it is clearly she who is “out of touch” with the community.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Lisi

Holyoke City Councilor At-Large

CRUSH and Mount Holyoke College hold economic summit on city’s future

2010-05-23T20:31:00.010-04:00

from The Sun; May 14-20, 2010

By Dennis P. Hohenberger
Turley Correspondent

HOLYOKE - The Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (CRUSH) and the Roosevelt Institute at Mount Holyoke College hosted “Revitalizing: Building Holyoke’s Future” at Heritage State Park May 7. The daylong economic summit brought together local officials, as well as regional and national experts on urban planning and development. As final site selection for the High-P e r f o r m a n c e Computer Center nears, organizers discussed ways Holyoke can best leverage its economic and natural resources.

“[The event is] a perfect example on how Holyoke can be smart and connected,” CRUSH member and Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi said. “It’s making use of the knowledge and energy resources that are in the five-college area.”

She said the economic summit is a first in a series of “Civic Learning Labs,” whereby residents come together and discuss what works in other communities, and how those lessons can be replicated in Holyoke. “It’s all about thinking big, about what is possible,” Lisi said. “We don’t have to put a lot of hard work into re-inventing the wheel. It’s really about figuring out how those other models can fit and work for Holyoke.”

Casey Maliszewski, of the Roosevelt Institute, said the Mount Holyoke chapter was founded a year ago. The chapter, along with CRUSH, formed the summit to “stimulate dialog” on the city’s future development. “I think one of the purposes of event, and a great opportunity, is to learn what other cities are doing, because everybody has a different approach,” she said. “These gateway cities in Massachusetts, in a way, need to be aligned with one another, to bridge some ideas.”

John Dyjach, of the Holyoke Economic Development Department, was part of a panel that examined Holyoke’s current economy. He was joined by Brian Beauregard, of Holyoke Gas and Electric (HGE), and Bob Forrant, a professor at UMass-Lowell.

Dyjach said the “day-to-day, down-and-dirty” work conducted by city departments barely gets noticed. He said his department has set priorities, which includes retaining current businesses. “Our effort to retain businesses starts with outreach and we want to meet with as many businesses that we can in town,” he said.

He said the outreach can be frustrating at times because of limited resources, as city businesses face a number of challenges. Dyjach spoke of Holyoke’s industrial past, when internationally recognized companies were the norm. Now, he said, family owned businesses are the dominant
economic model.

Attracting new business since the downturn in the economy, he said, has been difficult, but that Holyoke possesses significant supply of water, which is used primarily for power generation, a key factor in the future development of the High-P e r f o r m a n c e Computer Center. Though there are sizable parcels available for the commercial and industrial use in the Ingleside section of Holyoke, the city’s main focus will be in developing the newly named Arts & Innovation District downtown.

Dyjach said challenges exist with blighted and abandoned buildings. “The last thing we want to do is take down some of these buildings,” he said.

According to Dyjach, the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside is the city’s largest employer, as the mall employs more than 3,000 persons in the region. Holyoke’s unemployment rate, though, is over 12.2 percent, higher than the state average.

He said businesses, such as the Holyoke Health Center, have returned workers to city-center and brought back needed foot traffic. While the city has seen some growth, much is riding with the High-Performance Computer Center, which is scheduled to break ground in the fall.

Though the center will not generate many jobs, city planners feel high-tech and other companies will position their businesses nearby, which could generate high-paying jobs both in the city and region. In the next few years, a north-to-south passenger rail will return to the city, which could
spark more economic growth.

Holyoke’s future depends on theavailability of cheap energy, power generated by the dam and canal system and other green technologies. Beauregard said the HGE “keeps the lights on in the city of Holyoke.”

Since 1997, said Beauregard, HGE has not only focused on energy generation, but on telecommunications and has constructed a fiber optic network. The network connects 90 percent of medium and large size businesses to high-speed internet. Still, he said, energy generation will remain HGE’s major focus.

“We can’t forget our core business and we have to ensure that we meet our mission statement - Excellent rates, excellent customer service and reliable service,” he said.

Beauregard said the HGE is currently studying the viability of harnessing wind power from the top of Mt. Tom, hydrokinetic energy from the Connecticut River, and other sources, with the emphasis on low-emissions sources.

Mayor Elaine A. Pluta, spoke during a break. “People are here because they feel the momentum and energy in the city of Holyoke,” she said. “We are, indeed, on the brink of being revitalized and reenergized. There’s a renaissance coming to the city. Everybody feels that and wants to be part of it.”

She said despite the national economic downturn, the city continues to move forward powered by an infusion of state, private and educational money, dollars that will go toward future high-tech and other projects.

The last half of the summit was devoted to “Lessons from other cities: Challenges and Opportunities.” The panelist included Benjamin Forman, of MassInc.; Kelly Aikin, of the Regional Planning Board of Hampden County; Adam Baacke, from the city of Lowell; Thomas Deller, of Providence Economic Development; and Timothy McGourthy, city of Worcester.

Don’t be chicken

2010-04-24T22:44:00.005-04:00

from The Sun, April 23-29. 2010

To the Editor:

The recent proposal for an ordinance allowing citizens to raise chickens on their own property by councilors Tim Purington and Rebeca Lisi appears to have spurred a lively debate here in Holyoke. This is as it should be in a democracy. Ironically it is the humans rather than Chicken Little that seems to think the sky is falling!

This debate should be based on rational and evidence-based dialogue, not vague stories of days past when cupboards were lined with chicken wire.Emotional and knee-jerk reactions or epitaphs like “tree huggers” will not help further the dialogue. The urban farming movement and the interest in locally-produced food is growing stronger and has become a popular movement. It is not an ethnic or hippie ideology. It is based on sound ideas by intelligent individuals who strive to enrich their local community and protect their food sources. It is here whether the city of Holyoke accepts or rejects its philosophy.

Allowing citizens to raise chickens has many positive benefits. The nutritional quality of a fresh egg, free of antibiotic or hormone residues is not the least of these. The humane treatment of chickens allowed room to manifest normal behaviors such as walking and scratching in the earth is beyond compare to that of factory farm raised laying hens, the latter of which are raised on wire floors with just enough room to turn around, in a building where the light of day never shines. The educational benefit and sense of empowerment to families and their children in raising and controlling a food source is another obvious benefit. Additional benefits include discarded food to be eaten by the chickens instead of adding to over burdened landfills, and the composting of nutrient-rich chicken-manure for the family garden. Chickens are also very effective at removing insect pests, including ticks, from their immediate environment. Lastly, the pleasure and entertainment afforded by the observation of a clutch of hens can rival most midday soap-operas.

The negative aspects of chickens in Holyoke are few, and appear to be based on unsupported claims. First and foremost are sanitation and health concerns. Chickens produce manure, but as already mentioned this is a benefit to those with yards, and there is no odor if composted properly. The amount of excrement produced by three or four chickens pales in comparison to that of one 50 pound dog. Dog manure contains many more potential zoonotic pathogens (i.e. transmissible to humans) than that of chickens. As long as we are on the subject, you won’t ever see an emergency room victim of a chicken attack - I wish the same could be said for cats and dogs!

Salmonella (e.g. typhoid) and Avian Influenza (e.g. H1N1) are often thrown around as a perfectly logical reason to protect the public and ban chickens - except the argument doesn’t “fly” to those who understand infectious diseases. First, Salmonella is a species of enteric (gut) bacteria that inhabits chicken intestinal tracts and can be in excrement – but they also reside in your gut, your childrens’, your neighbor’s, your dog’s, cat’s, in fact most living vertebrates with an intestinal tract. The problem with salmonellosis as a disease is that it usually occurs in highly crowded, stressful environments (think factory farms) where virulent strains emerge. Additionally, the problem affects people when they handle raw, uncooked chicken products in an unsanitary manner – not in a small chicken coop on your neighbor’s property. The same science pertains to influenza of birds. A new strain of flu that affects humans will come from highly concentrated groups of birds in poorly ventilated, stressful environments (again, factory farms), not from a small flock of backyard fowl. Yes, wild fowl (especially ducks) could carry the virus, but it requires intimate close contact (beak to beak) or a really good fly-over duck poop to hit your chicken yard.

We have REAL problems to deal with people….The small diverse hobby farmer is a small scale solution to the problem of salmonella and influenza – not the cause! If you want to see how the treatment of animals has global health implications, pick up a copy of “Bird Flu” by Michael Greger M.D. Lastly I think anyone who has grown up with chickens understands how clean and quiet these animals are if given the proper environment. You don’t have to worry about noise or smell if your ordinance is clear and based on good husbandry practices. Mr. Purington has done his homework and is willing to work with experts to do just that. I applaud councilors Rebecca Lisi and Tim Purington in their attempt to allow citizens the right to live their lives in a healthier and enriching way. I heard someone say we have much greater problems to tackle in Holyoke –I couldn’t agree more. Let’s pass this ordinance and move on to more pressing issues facing this city.

Dr. John Perdrizet, DVM PhD

Shifting the Trash Burden: Holyoke takes the lead in a campaign to reduce waste at the source--manufacturers.

2010-02-17T10:41:00.002-05:00

from The Valley Advocate
by Maureen Turner
February 18, 2010

By Maureen Turner

Chart showing how waste has changed radically

First, the good news: recycling rates in the U.S. are higher than they've ever been. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2008, Americans recycled or composted 83 million tons of the waste they generated—an average of 1.5 pounds per person per day. About one-third of the waste generated in the U.S. each year is recycled, up from 16 percent in 1990 and 6.6 percent in 1970.

But that still leaves an enormous amount of waste heading to strained landfills, incinerators and other waste disposal sites—the 83 million tons of trash that get recycled each year is overshadowed by the remaining 167 million tons that don't. EPA figures show that the majority of waste generated by Americans is made up of packaging and containers (30.8 percent), durable goods (18.3 percent) and nondurable goods (23.5 percent)—items that can be difficult, if not impossible, for consumers to recycle through their municipal waste systems.

Public and political pressure is building for a new approach to handling this waste, one that shifts the burden from consumers and municipalities to manufacturers, who would be forced to take responsibility for what ultimately happens to the products they make. Called "Extended Producer Responsibility," or EPR, the approach requires manufacturers to absorb the cost of collecting and recycling their products—a shift, it's hoped, that would motivate them to make more environmentally friendly products in the first place.

The EPR model has been embraced by the European Union, which has taken a leadership role on the issue. In the U.S., it's catching on more slowly, with individual states adopting laws that address some, but not all, product categories. But as more and more regions face the prospect of running out of places to put their trash, momentum is building for a broader approach.

Earlier this month, the Holyoke City Council signaled its support for that effort, passing a resolution that calls for the state Legislature to pass a bill that would require electronics manufacturers to bear the cost of recycling their products. In addition, the resolution called for a broader statewide EPR program that would include many more products.

Holyoke is the first community in Massachusetts to call for a statewide EPR program.

"I thought the issue was tremendously appropriate for Holyoke," said City Councilor Rebecca Lisi, who sponsored the resolution. She sees it as an opportunity for the city to position itself to potential investors in the much-touted new "green economy"—and to save taxpayers money in the process.

Laws that hold manufacturers responsible for the "end life" of their products are not new. Perhaps the best-known examples are bottle laws, such as Massachusetts', that make beverage companies responsible for collecting and recycling used bottles. Massachusetts has a similar program for the disposal of products that contain mercury, such as thermometers and thermostats. Twenty states already have EPR laws for the disposal of electronics, or "e-waste."

Massachusetts is not one of them, which means towns and cities are responsible for the disposal of the roughly 300,000 computers, televisions and similar products disposed of in the state each year. Because TVs and computer monitors contain toxic metals, including lead, they've been banned from state landfills since 2000. Instead, municipalities hire private recyclers to handle those products. In total, Massachusetts communities spend about $2 million to $4 million a year to get rid of e-waste, the Boston Globe reported last year.

An e-waste bill is pending in the state Legislature. That bill, filed by state Rep. Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture last fall and is now sitting before the House Committee on Rules. Holyoke is one of about 180 municipalities in the state that have called for that bill to come to the floor for a vote. (Valley communities that have passed similar resolutions include Amherst, Belchertown, Chicopee and Greenfield. The environmental group Clean Water Action is also calling on supporters to write to House Speaker Robert DeLeo to ask that the bill be brought to a vote.)

In December, in a preview of a forthcoming Solid Waste Master Plan, the Patrick administration announced its support for several waste reduction efforts, including the e-waste bill and an expansion of the bottle law to include water and sports-drink bottles.

"[T]he Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to an aggressive agenda of recycling and waste reduction that gives cities and towns assistance to expand and improve their recycling efforts and requires greater responsibility from manufacturers for products—ranging from water bottles to televisions—that end up in our waste stream," read a Dec. 11 announcement from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

"Focusing on incineration and landfills is the wrong end of the waste equation," EOEEA Secretary Ian Bowles added.

Lynn Pledger of Clean Water Action is excited by those kinds of statements from state officials, which she sees as an acknowledgement that we need to focus on how to reduce waste in the first place, rather than simply on how to dispose of it. She's also encouraged by the Patrick administration's emphasis on manufacturers bearing responsibility for their products.

Pledger would like to see Massachusetts broaden those efforts by creating a "framework EPR" system, one that would authorize state officials (in this case, the Department of Environmental Protection) to add new product categories to the program, rather than the current lengthy, piecemeal process that relies on the Legislature to pass individual laws addressing individual products. A handful of states are already considering framework EPR bills, including Maine. These efforts would require manufacturers to cover the cost of collecting and recycling their products and would subject them to performance standards set by the state.

That, Pledger said, would have an immediate benefit for municipalities, by relieving them of the burden of handling products that are difficult or costly to recycle. They would also have a longer term environmental benefit, she added.

"Once you make producers responsible for the cost of what happens to their products when they're discarded, that's going to influence how they design their product," she said. "They're going to design it to make it easier to recycle. If it has a toxic component, for example, they're not going to want to pay to dispose of that toxic waste, so they're going to find a safer alternative."

The three Rs of environmentalism—reduce, reuse, recycle—represent a hierarchy, Pledger said, one in which the preferred option is to not create potential waste in the first place. Even products that can be recycled come with environmental costs, in their manufacture, in their packaging, in the recycling process. EPR, she said, helps create "long product chains. & And along the way, you're focusing first on reusing things that don't have to be ground up and remanufactured."

If the drawn-out, contentious history of the bottle law is any indication, broader EPR legislation will face opposition from manufacturers, who are loath to accept government restrictions on how they do business, and typically insist that such mandates would cause them to pass the cost on to consumers, lead to worker layoffs, or prompt them to move to a more "business-friendly" place.

Those were some of the arguments made against the Holyoke resolution. The Advocate contacted three of the five Holyoke city councilors who voted against the EPR resolution, including Patty Devine, chair of the Public Safety Committee, which had reported the resolution out without a recommendation; none responded to interview requests.

Rebecca Lisi described her colleagues' arguments against the resolution as based, in part, on concerns that the EPR movement would create "barriers for business" in a struggling city that could use more jobs and more tax revenue. In addition, some expressed concern that if manufacturers are forced to take on recycling costs, they'll pass it on to consumers by raising prices—a development that would be especially hard on poor people.

Pledger maintains that there are significant economic benefits that would come from EPR programs, including the creation of new jobs in the recycling and product repair sectors. They could also inspire companies to find smarter ways to make products, and to compete for the money of consumers who want safer products that won't just end up in a landfill.

"It stimulates innovations," she said. "Waste is basically inefficiency."

Lisi believes such a policy would lead to expanded recycling programs, which would create new employment opportunities. "That's where the big opportunity to create new jobs in the city comes from," she said.

As for poor people being unduly burdened by manufacturers passing on their costs, Lisi questioned whether those are the people buying high-end goods, like new televisions and computers. The working poor and other taxpayers, she added, are already picking up the cost for the city to handle disposed products.

"As a consumer, you can make a choice about which products to buy," Lisi said. "As a taxpayer, you're stuck in that community."

Last year, Holyoke was selected as the site of a new $100 million computing center, a partnership between UMass, MIT, EMC Corp. and Cisco Systems. The center is being hailed as a "green" project because it will rely on hydroelectric power from the Connecticut River.

"There's a lot of grassroots buzz about how Holyoke can be the home of an industrial green revolution," Lisi said. "Even if it's with small, symbolic steps like this resolution, we need to start signaling to the state and the other investors who are watching what happens with this new computer center that we're ready to think green, act green, that we're going to be welcoming all sorts of green investment&

"We need to be proactive about marketing ourselves as a green city," Lisi continued. The EPR resolution, she said, will help get that message out throughout the state and beyond.

Holyoke City Council passes EPR resolution to boost recycling, cut costs

2010-02-13T23:30:00.005-05:00

from The Sun, February 5- 11, 2010

HOLYOKE – Last night the Holyoke City Council passed a resolution supporting statewide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a new approach to reduce, reuse and recycle that shifts the financial cost of managing discarded products and packaging from the cities and towns to the brand owners who design and market the products.

“Holyoke taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay to dispose of toxic or hard-to-recycle products,” said Councilor Rebecca Lisi, who introduced the resolution. “The companies that put these products into the marketplace should be responsible for these costs.”

Recently MassDEP announced that EPR will be a key strategy in the coming decade to reduce the volume of products and packaging discarded in the commonwealth. By requiring producers to pay for the cost of recycling or disposal of their products, EPR provides brand owners a financial incentive to redesign their products to be less wasteful.

On Jan. 28, Lynne Pledger, from Clean Water Action, told the Public Safety Committee that EPR programs in other states have generated new businesses and jobs.

“Twenty states already have EPR programs for electronic waste. Maine has EPR programs that cover six product categories,” she said. “Cities in other states are already benefiting from costs saving and job generation; it’s time for Massachusetts to get on board.”

Holyoke had passed a resolution in 2002 calling for producers of electronics to pay for the costs of safely managing discarded computers and TVs. An e-waste bill was filed this year in the State Legislature and is expected to come to a vote in this legislative session.

“This new resolution calls for passage of the e-waste bill and for EPR Framework legislation to cover more product categories,” Pledger explained.

Holyoke is the first municipality in Massachusetts to pass a resolution calling for a statewide EPR program for multiple products. The council vote was eight to five.

“This initiative is in keeping with Holyoke’s plans to be known as a forward-looking, ‘green’ community,” Lisi said.

The Clean Water Action EPR presentation to the Public Safety Committee was attended by a group of Holyoke residents from Project GreenHolyoke.

Inforrmation about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

2010-02-02T15:35:00.004-05:00

Hello,

I am posting a transcript of my comments regarding the EPR resolution that the City Council considered this evening as well as the resolution itself and other informational materials.

Please contact me if you have questions or comments!

Best,
Rebecca

I would first like to thank Lynne Pledger of Clean Water Action for coming before the Public Safety Committee on two separate occasions to educate the council and members of the public on Extended Producer Responsibility and its principles.

EPR is simply a way to make manufacturers responsible for the recycling and management of their products and in effect, lift the burden of high costs associated with management and disposal off of the municipality and its taxpayers.

By shifting the responsibility for management and disposal onto the manufacturers, we incentivize product innovations that extend the life of the product or make a product easier to recycle or refurbish.

For example: electronic waste is difficult and costly for municipalities to manage- they are filled with toxic components and computers, televisions, printers and so on, typically end up in our curbside trash pick up.

We pay a lot of money per ton for curbside trash and once those products end up in a landfill they pollute our environment.

On the other hand, we make money on the amount that we are able to recycle.

So, by establishing a program that helps producers increase the both number of collection sites and types of products that we can recycle, we can dramatically decrease the amount of trash tonnage that costs the city money to dispose of while increasing the amount of tonnage going toward recycling efforts.

Not only do we save money on trash disposal, but we actually make more money for increased recycling.

The legislation that tonight's resolution supports will help reduce the amount of dumping happening on our city streets and alleyways.

It will also help create jobs by expanding existing recycling centers and creating a demand for new collections sites and recycling centers.

The Patrick Administration and the State DEP are fully supportive of comprehensive EPR legislation and since they have targeted Holyoke as the site of the near-coming Green High-Powered Computing Center, I believe that with this resolution we can continue to signal to the state that Holyoke is ready to think green, act green and ensure future green investments in the newly emerging green industrial economy.

I am fully in support of this resolution and I hope that my colleagues will join me in building Holyoke's reputation as a leader in the green economy.

Thank you.

/EPR%20overview%20pdf

/Resolution%20for%20Holyoke

/Patrick%20Administration%20press%20release

Holyoke City Council considers use of city-sanctioned e-mail system

2010-01-23T12:03:00.002-05:00

By Michael Plaisance

January 22, 2010, 4:03AM

HOLYOKE - If Holyoke is to be a center of computing technology, some city councilors say it makes sense for councilors to be accessible in a city-sanctioned e-mail system.

But other councilors say they would avoid using a city system because such correspondence is subject to public-disclosure laws, which could discourage constituents who want to discuss something in confidence.

The City Council on Jan. 5 referred the e-mail proposal to the Public Service Committee.

Councilors also will seek an opinion from the Law Department. They want advice about disclosure requirements of municipal e-mail systems and issues related to the Open Meeting Law if multiple councilors happen to exchange e-mails on an issue, said Councilor Rebecca Lisi, who filed the e-mail proposal.

“I think that constituents really want to be able to have that quick communication,” Lisi said on Tuesday.

The discussion comes as a regional task force has been discussing the potential benefits of an $80 million high performance computing center. A partnership consisting of the state, colleges and private companies plans to build the center along the canals in a project supporters say could make Holyoke a research hub.

Councilor Aaron Vega said it is important that people looking through the city Web site have access to councilors by e-mail. A councilor can always tell someone who wants to discuss a private matter that they can speak by phone, he said.

“Keep in mind if we are to (be) home to (a) high speed computer center and to an innovation district I believe we need to embrace new technologies and ideas that move us forward,” Vega wrote in an e-mail.

The Holyoke Gas and Electric Department operates the city’s Web site and e-mail services for department heads and others. Adding e-mail accounts for city councilors would be a minor adjustment, department Manager James M. Lavelle said.

Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain has a Web site and e-mail access, but it is a private account. He wants the public to feel free to contact him without worrying the discussion might have to be made public because it occurred on a municipal e-mail system, he said.

“This way, if a citizen e-mails me, if they want that confidence, they have that knowledge that they will have that confidence,” Jourdain said.

Courts have debated the disclosure requirements that public officials face regarding use of e-mail and other electronic communication. For example, according to Reuters news service, the U.S. Supreme Court said last month that it would decide in its current term whether privacy rights covered a worker’s personal text message on employer-owned equipment, hearing a case about an Ontario, Calif. police officer who sent sexually explicit messages from his department-issued pager.

Meanwhile, in West Virginia, the state Supreme Court ruled in November that private e-mail communication to and from government employees don’t qualify as a public record. The Associated Press had sued to gain access to the correspondence.

John P. O’Neill, who is the Ward 7 councilor here and a lawyer, said he believes city business that a councilor discusses in any forum should be subject to public disclosure.

“In other words, if we’re conducting public business on our private computers, I don’t think we can get around the Freedom of Information Act,” O’Neill said.

***

Councilor Vega and I filed this order at this year's first city council meeting. We will work to keep you informed about how the issues progresses through committee.

Historic victory feels 'awesome'

2009-11-16T21:16:00.003-05:00

By Mike Plaisance

mplaisance@repub.com

Source: Sunday Republican (Springfield)
Sunday,November 8, 2009

Being the first woman is important, but Holyoke's new mayor is not losing sight of the issues.

HOLYOKE - The woman who would be making history in less than an hour sat in her kitchen and pulled a black shawl around her.

"I shouldn't hug anyone tonight," said Elaine A. Pluta, who had been fighting a cold.

But supporters either didn't know about her cold or didn't care as they lined up to hug Pluta, a city councilor, shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday as precinct results poured in showing she had been elected the city's first female mayor.

She defeated Daniel C. Boyle, by a comfortable margin, 4,794-3,245.

Pluta, 66, will be sworn in in January to replace Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, who has been mayor since 2000 and didn't seek re-election.

Making such a historic mark obviously matters to Pluta, who described the feeling of becoming the first female mayor with words such as "fantastic" and "awesome," but she also was dwelling on concrete matters.

There's the large number of Holyokers in poverty, many of whom speak little or no English, who need jobs, she said.

"We have to get those people involved," Pluta said.

Another big issue is the new-horizon potential awaiting the city with the planned $80 million high-performance computer center, she said. The project is being planned for the canal area by Gov. Deval L. Patrick and a team that includes the University of Massachusetts, Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Prominent women and others here discussed the meaning of Pluta's election.

"Of course, she is an inspiration for many other women," School Committee member Gladys Lebron-Martinez said.

Lebron-Martinez listed Pluta's trajectory. She raised a family, spent 14 years on the City Council, worked four years as Management Assistance Program director in the 1990's, got a bachelor's degree in politics with a minor in urban studies from Mount Holyoke College and is on leave from her job as an aide to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst.

"It is, for those of us who know her, like me, it is an inspiration," Lebron-Martinez said.

Suzanne L. Parker is executive director of Girls Inc., a nonprofit here that offers programs for girls of ages 5 to 18. Pluta's election as mayor fits with the organization's vision to help girls be strong, smart and bold, she said.

"We're always looking for women out in the community that are doing things that you don't necessarily see women doing," Parker said.

Pluta and her husband of 46 years, Theodore A. Pluta, have two sons and a daughter, all grown, so she said she understands the importance of an adult setting an example for young eyes.

But she said she also gets it that becoming her native city's first female mayor makes her a role model.

"It is a big responsibility. You have to be better than average. You have to remember that you're a role model and you always want to put your best foot forward," Pluta said.

She was born on Columbus Avenue and her family moved to Dwight Street when she was 2. Now, she said she is preparing to meet on Monday with Sullivan and on Tuesday with Gov. Patrick and other newly elected mayors on Beacon Hill.

Vanquished campaign foeDaniel C. Boyle criticized Pluta for being unfriendly to new businesses looking to locate here.

Pluta said as a councilor she has voted in favor of more than two dozen businesses. They included the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside expansion, the Holyoke Crossing plaza that includes Barnes & Noble and purchasing the hydroelectric dam, the key being the business can't be more harmful than helpful, she said.

Pluta's ability to manage a budget will be tested soon into her term. Most of Holyoke's $119 million budget consists of state funding and Patrick has warned that massive cuts loom.

City Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi said the danger in assessing the election of the city's first female mayor is to dwell on that at the expense of positions Pluta has taken that matter to people, at least as much or more than her being a woman.

Examples include Pluta's emphasizing economic development that is "green," or environmentally friendly, and re-establishing a vibrant downtown, Lisi said.

"I don't think that her 'femaleness' was something that was driving voters toward her, but I do think that what it signifies for us, as a community, is we were open to sharing power among diverse groups," Lisi said.

Councilor at Large Kevin A. Jourdain said it is important that the city has its first female mayor. In Pluta, people can expect someone who is not only willing to listen and compromise, but will say no to someone if that's best for the city, he said.

At her home at 72 Berkshire St. on Tuesday, Pluta noted it was nearing 7:30 p.m. Polls would close - and results would become known - in a half hour.

"We should get going," Pluta said. "Time to face the music."

At her post-election party at the Wherehouse? restaurant on Lyman Street, Pluta's friend Helen F. Norris, a former city councilor, summed up the election.

"It's historic, and Elaine couldn't have been a better choice," Norris said. "She's cool and she's thoughtful."

Councilor Lisi wins re-election at-large and welcomes 2 newcomers to the council- Aaron Vega and Brenna Murphy

2009-11-04T08:43:00.003-05:00

Remember to VOTE! November 3, 2009

2009-10-30T22:42:00.006-04:00

Young Democrats endorse Councilor Lisi and four newcomers to Holyoke politics

2009-10-11T21:17:00.009-04:00

The Pioneer Valley Young Democrats endorsed five candidates running for elected positions in the city of Holyoke.

The candidates are (pictured left) City Councilor At-Large, Rebecca Lisi; Candidates for City Council At-Large , Rory Casey and Jason Ferreira; Candidate for Ward 5 School Committee , Devin Sheehan; and Candidate for Councilor At-Large, Brenna Murphy.

In July, the PVYD invited candidates to fill out an endorsement questionnaire and submit them for review by the organization's political committee. They received many responses from candidates throughout the area and were overwhelmingly struck by the number of young people that are running for elected office.

To view the applications submitted by the candidates click here.

Final conditions set for waste station

2009-10-11T21:00:00.002-04:00

from The Sun, October 2-8, 2009
By Aimee Henderson, Staff Writer
ahenderson@turley.com

HOLYOKE – The City Council voted 13-1 at its last regular meeting to accept conditions for a special permit recommended by the Ordinance Committee for a solid waste transfer station located at 686 Main St. Councilor Diosdado Lopez cast dissenting vote and Councilor James Leahy was absent.

The transfer station in question, to be set up and run by United Waste Management, Inc.
(UWM), has been seeking a special permit to operate in the city for nearly one year. The facility will consolidate garbage coming in from around the city and region to be transferred into larger units in the form of either trucks or trains.

The building itself is estimated to be 22,575 square feet, according to the company website, and take in as much as 500 tons of garbage per day. The facility will have a life span of up to 25 years.

Ward 5 City Councilor John Brunelle reminded the council of the several meetings regarding the transfer facility about the different aspects, and told them that the project would go forward “with or without” the council’s vote for the special permit conditions.

“This is our opportunity to put conditions on the special permit,” he said. “This is an opportunity for the city to earn tax revenue, to create jobs and hopefully relieve the burden we have on trash removal.”

The Ordinance Committee hosted 11 meetings regarding the transfer station, which totaled nearly 40 hours of public discussion. Since the project was approved, there have already been 42 conditions set by the city’s Boardof Health that the facility is to adhere by for operation. The council’s vote on Sept. 21 added eight more conditions.

City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi said it was important to include the additional eight conditions on the special permit to make sure residents are protected.

“I do believe we need to pass these special permit conditions for operation to make sure the living conditions for our residents are safe,” she said.

The additional conditions included: The conditions of the Board of Health Site Assignment Decision dated Feb. 26, 2009 are adopted and incorporated into the special permit and a copy of the decision shall be attached to the permit as exhibit A; The conditions set forth in the host community agreement dated May 13, 2009 are adopted and incorporated into the special permit and a copy of the agreement shall be attached to the permit as exhibit B; All signs at the property shall comply with the City of Holyoke zoning ordinance; The special permit is non-transferable; The 24-hour emergency contact phone number required under site assignment conditions #6 shall be answered by a person at all times and not have an answering machine; The notification required under site assignment condition #10 shall also be sent to the mayor and ward councilor; The correspondence required under site assignment condition #41 shall also be sent to the ward councilor; and The facility shall install a scanning device to screen incoming trucks for radioactive materials.

Environmental and health concerns are addressed in the conditions recommended by the Board of Health. Scott Lemay, an official with United Waste Management, insists that the facility will be a quarter mile from any residence and will itself be located close to an old incinerator and sewage treatment plant, and that the conditions proposed by the Board of Health would be sufficient in ensuring that the facility is run in a way that is clean and safe.

Lemay also said such a station would bring revenue to the city, create at least eight on sight jobs and provide work for others in the fields of maintenance and repairs, more infrastructure such as sewers, increase business to local restaurants and establishments, and offer a solution to the problem of trash disposal as dumps and landfills inch closer to reaching their full capacity.

Event: Meet and Greet at the home of Lori Belanger and Barbara Raines

2009-09-25T20:25:00.003-04:00

Sunday, September 27, from 2:00-4:00pm.

Lori Belanger and Barbara Raines are hosting a "Meet and Greet" event at their home at 16 Roland St, Holyoke.

This will be a multi-candidate event as Lori and Barb have invited At-Large Councilors, Rebecca Lisi and Kevin Joudain; Ward 5 City Council Candidate, Linda Vacon; and Candidate for Treasurer, Jon Lumbra may be participating as well.

Neighbors interested in learning about the different candidates' campaign platforms are invited to attend.

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Newly formed energy committee looks towards a ‘green’ future

2009-09-20T10:07:00.003-04:00

from The Sun, September18- September 24, 2009
by Dennis P. Hohenberger

HOLYOKE – On Tuesday Mayor Michael J. Sullivan introduced the newlyformed City of Holyoke Energy Committee that looks to make the city more energy efficient and be designated a “Green Community” by the state.

In July 2008, Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Green Communities Act, as cities and towns vie for the coveted “Green Community” designation that will allow communities, such as Holyoke, to tap into $10 million annually of available grants and assistance through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

Though better positioned than most communities in the Commonwealth, Holyoke must still meet five criteria set forth by the DOER to tap into those funds.

The criteria includes: Development of renewable energy or alternative energy facilities or research and development facilities, adopt an expedited application and permitting process for energy facilities, energy audits of municipal buildings, purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, and set new energy guidelines on residential and commercial construction or stretch codes.

Sullivan, along with Jim Barry, Western Mass. Region Coordinator of the Green Communities Division of the DOER, met with committee members at Holyoke City Hall Tuesday afternoon. Sullivan told those in attendance that the goal of the committee is to incorporate “good, sound policies” when it comes to energy consumption and conservation.

Sullivan produced a binder of energy reports and audits that the city conducted the past few years on municipal building and facilities. He said the city has benefited from the information as it strives for energy efficiency.

“We're really proud, in fact, Jim (Barry) said today we're one of the communities that's farthest along that he's seen in this planning process and we're happy to hear that,” said Sullivan. “A lot of that has to do with the expertise that we have at the Holyoke Gas & Electric.”

At this stage in the process, Holyoke meets or in the process of meeting the DOER's criteria, as the city adopted Chapter 43B in 2007, which allows for expedited permitting within a “priority development site.” Recently Holyoke received an energy block grant from the DOER that will be used to complete energy audits on all municipal buildings, street and stop lights.

Sullivan said Holyoke will hear this week whether the city has been awarded a Green Communities Technical Assistance Grant from the DOER. The grant will assist the city with completing those goals set by the Commonwealth.

He said the biggest challenge is getting funding for capital improvements. “It’s taking capital equipment, particularly in buildings, retrofitting them to be more energy efficient,” said Sullivan.

Kathleen Anderson, of the Office of Planning & Development, said that over the past few months the city has been collecting data and other information to support the Holyoke's drive to become a Green Community.

Besides mayoral approval, she said the city council must also adopt the five criteria before Holyoke can move forward, similar to the adoption of Chapter 43D. “Once that happens, it then goes to the state and we become a Green Community,” said Anderson.

City Councilors Rebecca Lisi and Elaine Pluta, who were present at the meeting, said they filed an order at the last city council meeting to have Barry and Mark Silvia of the DOER to give a presentation about the Green Communities Act.

“When we are asked to make a decision on the different criteria coming through the council, we can be prepared and be better informed before we make a decision,” said Lisi. She added that with the progress so far, the mayor and city council can meet the DOER's criteria.

“I also think there is an amazing amount of synergy between the different government offices, the council, and the public in working to market Holyoke as a green, friendly, industrial area,” she said.

As the meeting concluded, Sullivan introduced the ad hoc committee comprised of: William Fuqua, Superintendent of Public Works; James Lavelle, Director of Holyoke Gas & Electric; Kathleen Anderson, Office of Planning & Development; Fire Chief David LaFond; Melinda Lane, Police Department; and Whitney Anderson, Maintenance Administration Holyoke School Department.

Event: Meet and Greet at the Gilburg's, 110 Lincoln St.

2009-09-18T22:02:00.003-04:00

Sunday, September 20, from 4:00-6:00pm.

The Gilburg Family is hosting a "Meet and Greet" event at their home at 110 Lincoln St, Holyoke.

This will be a multi-candidate event as the Gilburg's have invited At-Large Candidates, Rebecca Lisi, Rory Casey, Jay Ferreira, and Aaron Vega, as well as Candidate for Treasurer, Jon Lumbra.

Neighbors interested in learning about the different candidates' campaign platforms are invited to attend.

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Historic Holyoke homes look for official oversight

2009-09-09T08:32:00.002-04:00

from The Republican
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

By MIKE PLAISANCE

mplaisance@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Stone walls frame the intersection. The road itself presents a median of trees and green grass bisecting a street lined with hulking Victorians, the old mansions standing on both sides of Fairfield Avenue like some heroic, hoary regiment.

Its median and houses of dusty elegance immediately show Fairfield Avenue to be different from most streets in the city.

Records from the Board of Assessors show at least two of the homes were built when the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was still a very recent memory.

Keeping Fairfield Avenue unique is presenting a challenge.

The City Council voted in December 2007 to designate Fairfield Avenue a historic district, which means exterior alterations must maintain the lane's historic integrity.

That means residents still can paint their homes any color they want. But permanent awnings are prohibited and utilities must remain in the back of homes.

Changes to siding must be approved, and residents are

urged to keep the shape of roofs, railings, porches and exterior door locations.

The issue is that the seven-member commission authorized to approve or reject proposed alterations of property on Fairfield Avenue has yet to be appointed.

The council on Aug. 4 referred to Mayor Michael J. Sullivan an order from Councilor Rebecca Lisi urging that he appoint the Fairfield Avenue Historic District.

"In the simplest terms, it's important because the city needs to do a better job with accountability and follow-through," Lisi said later.

Sullivan said the issue isn't simple. The ordinance establishing the Fairfield Avenue Historic District says that in addition to residents, the commission must include one member from two nominees submitted by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and one member from two nominees submitted by the local Board of Realtors.

City letters to both organizations seeking nominees have gone unanswered, and he is unlikely to appoint the panel until the organizations respond, Sullivan said.

Also, he said, while there was support from residents of Fairfield Avenue to make their street a historic district, there also was opposition.

"I was marginally supportive of it," Sullivan said.

A Republican story in February 2008 showed some residents embraced the historic designation but others weren't completely receptive.

In the meantime, Historian Kate N. Thibodeau said the city Historical Commission - which with the establishment of the Fairfield Avenue Historic Commission no longer has jurisdiction over Fairfield Avenue - nonetheless has been fielding questions as they arise about proposed alterations.

It is a myth, for example, that a homeowner cannot paint a house the color of his or her choice, she said.

Getting Fairfield Avenue declared a historic place was a yearslong and worthy effort, she said, hopeful that qualified commission members can be found.

The goal of preserving a community's historic nature is that such detail distinguishes the community, she said.

Some of the frames of Fairfield Avenue's homes are sagging and the siding on some is more chipped than whole. But most have a "look at that" quality, some with colors that pop like blue, yellow or aqua, others with two-toned detailing around windows.

Some have wrap-around porches and even a few turrets. Some were built as far back as 1870, 1880 and 1891.

"They're gorgeous houses," Thibodeau said. "They're close to what they looked like 100 years ago."

Chatter about a Charter Commission in Holyoke

2009-08-15T21:11:00.003-04:00

By Alex Ross, Turley Correspondent

HOLYOKE - Residents of the Paper City will soon know the candidates appearing on the ballot this November for seats on a Charter Commission, as the Sept. 22 deadline for nomination papers to be submitted inches ever closer.

In order to serve on the commission, that will be tasked with examining the structure and procedures as well as recommending changes to the city’s charter and government; one must be a registered Holyoke voter, acquire the signatures of at least 50 other fellow Holyoke voters, and have the necessary paper work and signatures handed into the city clerk by Sept. 22. The candidates will then be elected for membership in the upcoming November elections. Already some candidates have filed and submitted their papers.

“We have some people who have taken up nomination papers so far,” said Holyoke City Clerk Susan Eagan. “I’d say so far about 10 or 11.”

Holyoke has not had such a Commission since 1973, and support from Holyoke’s 15 member City Council, the legislative body of the city, has been far from unanimous. In January a measure to create such a body was rejected by the Council by a razor thin margin of 8-7. However just two to three months ago the measure was voted on again, passing by 8-7.

The margin in both cases of a single vote demonstrates the contrasting positions of within the council. Advocates of the measure say that such an examination and changes are necessary and important in ensuring that the city government be more efficient and useful to the public in the 21st century. That there needs to be an inventory of what operates the best in a municipal government and what is lacking.

“My experience in my first term as a city councilor is city government is not as efficient as it could be,” said Rebecca Lisi, a first term Councilor that supports a Charter Commission. “Specifically our power to hold our appointees accountable in their appointed positions is fairly limited. The process, by which we pass city ordinances in my opinion, could be opened up so there is a lot more dialogue and discussion.”

Lisi says that the council rules governing a meeting are too limiting and should have more opportunity for citizen input. However, fellow Councilor John Brunelle, who represents the city’s fifth ward, says that public meetings and hearings offer ample opportunity, and that meeting rules can be suspended and are flexible enough to allow citizens and councilor’s alike to voice their ideas and sentiments on public issues.

Brunelle also adds that there are some issues; among others possibly making the positions of tax collector and City treasurer appointed positions rather then elected ones, or proposals regarding the size of the City Council; among others are worthy of discussions and that he is not opposed to all efforts at reform.

However Brunelle states that a charter commission would be too costly, too slow of a process that could take years for any changes to go into affect, and that from what he has heard there is little demand for the establishment of such a commission.

“There are certain changes I think we could look at and need,” said Brunelle. “But I have not gotten one call in regard to anybody for a charter commission or against a charter commission.”

According to the city clerk’s office there have been citizens who have advocated such a measure and that in the event that it was not voted to be placed on the ballot through a council vote; citizens if they desired could do so themselves if they were able to obtain the signatures of 15 percent of the city’s registered voters.

Either way, the membership of a Charter Commission will be determined this November, when citizens head to the polls and cast a ballot deciding the membership of such an entity. The Commission will then examine the current charter and mechanisms of the city government, before putting forth a series of reforms that will be distributed to the public and voted on in the 2011 elections.

Council urges mayor to appoint historical review commission

2009-08-08T23:23:00.008-04:00

from The Sun, August 7-13, 2009
by Amiee Henderson, Staff Writer, ahenderson@turley.com

HOLYOKE – The City Council voted at Tuesday’s meeting to urge Mayor Michael J. Sullivan to appoint at least five people to serve on a review commission for the recently established historical district on Fairfield Avenue.

City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi said she filed the order after residents on the street expressed concern over the issue.

“They were getting no response from the mayor’s office,” said Lisi. “And, they were very concerned that building permits were being issued for that block with no historic review commission to look at them.”

Lisi said the residents spent a lot of time to see that the neighborhood became a historical district, and they don’t want to see that go to waste.

“There was a lot of work done to establish what the area would look like and what the flavor of the neighborhood would be historically speaking, and without a commission those are not being recognized,” said Lisi.

At Tuesday’s meeting Lisi explained to fellow councilors that after the establishment of the historical section on Fairfield Avenue a review commission should have been appointed according to Massachusetts General Laws (MGL).

“On December 18, 2007 we as a council unanimously voted to create a historical district, and under Massachusetts General Laws the mayor has to appoint at least five, but up to seven, to a serve on a review commission,” said Lisi. “I want to make sure the historical codes are being met because any permit that the building commissioner issues may be putting the city at risk of violation.”

Lisi cited multiple MGS chapters and sections which layout rules for historical districts, but MGL Chapter 40C: Section 4, “Study committees; commissions; establishment; membership; terms; vacancies; compensation; officers” discusses the appointment of said commission.

“Whenever an historic district is established as provided in section three an historic district commission shall be established,” reads the MGL. “An historic district commission shall be appointed in a city by the mayor…the members of the historic district commission shall include one or more residents of or owners of property in an historic district to be administered by the commission.”

At the council’s Dec. 18, 2007 meeting it voted unanimously on an ordinance granting the historical section on Fairfield Avenue. The ordinance states that the commission board would be composed of seven members, allowing two seats for outside professionals (an architect and a realtor). The remaining seats would be filled by residents. Councilor John J. O’Neill also made an amendment to the ordinance that night to include a clause under the “commission” section that read, “at all times no less than five members of the board be residents of Holyoke.”

Lisi said residents “feel slighted” for the lack of response from the mayor to appoint a board seeing historic preservation is something the community and residents are interested in.

“After receiving a blessing from the mayor and city council to go forward with the program, residents feel slighted that it hasn’t gone anywhere,” said Lisi.

As of press time, Mayor Sullivan was unavailable for comment.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING CONSIDERS EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY CAMPAIGN

2009-06-21T19:17:00.005-04:00

from The Sun, June 12- 18

HOLYOKE- Wednesday, June 10th the Public Safety Committee met at City Hall to hear information regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) an environmental policy approach in which producers assume responsibility for their products by financing the collection and responsible reuse, recycling or disposal of those products. Currently, taxpayers pay for the management of waste that is discarded.

"The taxpayers of Holyoke bear an unfair burden of costs associated with managing large and toxic trash items that cannot be broken down or recycled. We get hit twice; once for having to pay for handling such products and then again, when we cannot pull in revenues associated with recyclable products," said Lisi.

Councilor Lisi, along with Councilors Kevin Jordain, Diosdado Lopez, and Elaine Pluta filed the order at the April 21st City Council meeting for Lynne Pledger of Clean Water Action, an environmental advocacy group, to speak about EPR and bring how it could benefit the city. Ms. Pledger urged Holyoke to adopt a resolution supporting statewide EPR legislation and regulation. In the meeting, she explained that Massachusetts cities and towns collectively spend millions of dollars managing discarded items, many of which are toxic and/or designed for one-time use.

“Town government started paying for trash clean up more than a hundred years ago when waste was mostly coal ash. Now that trash is mostly products and packaging, we need a new system,” said Pledger.

Many Holyoke residents and members of Project GreenHolyoke, a subgroup of C.R.U.S.H. (Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke) attended the meeting in support of the EPR campaign and to speak in favor of the city’s efforts to adopt the resolution.

Carlos Vega of 51 Portland St. said, "By expanding recycling opportunities in the city, we would be able to cut costs associated with items such as computers and refrigerators that are extremely costly for the city to handle due to their large sizes and toxic parts".

The full Council will be voting on the EPR Resolution at their next meeting on June 16, 2009. For more information on the MA EPR campaign visit: http://holyoke.ning.com/group/greenholyoke/forum/topics/extended-producer

For an overview of the MA EPR campaign click on the link below:
/EPR%20overview%20w.%20LP%20contact%20outside%20pdf.pdf

Councilor Lisi’s Campaign Kick-Off: Bringing the Holyoke Community Together

2009-06-01T12:06:00.001-04:00

HOLYOKE- At-Large City Councilor Rebecca Lisi drew a large and diverse crowd of friends, neighbors and community stakeholders to celebrate her 2009 campaign kick-off at the Delaney House on Wednesday, May 27. At the event, Lisi shared her vision for a revitalized Holyoke that builds on a strong sense of community.

“The hard work before us is rebuilding a sense of community and an environment of trust that includes the entire city,” Lisi said.

In her platform, Lisi marked her commitment to Smart Growth principles and mixed use development downtown, claiming that these policies can increase job and business opportunities by attracting private sector investments and creating areas of clustered housing, workforce, and transportation options. She also stressed the importance of taking steps to ensure that our schools can provide quality education to our students, as well as developing collaborative relationships with non-profits and community organizations that can help leverage resources and cut costs throughout the city.

Lisi believes that the city is heading in the right direction as evidence by a renewed atmosphere of hope and political involvement. Lisi is excited by the number of young and new citizens who are actively attending public meetings, talking about downtown development, and running for political office. She credited these positive changes to the efforts of CRUSH (Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke) of which she is a founding member, as well as other community events that have been bringing residents from throughout the city together to talk about a shared vision for Holyoke’s future success.

Lisi said, “The plan for the future is clear. Residents from throughout the city continue to identify downtown development, preservation of historic buildings, attracting green business and industry to the city, and appreciating our community diversity as ways to improve our quality of life in Holyoke. To move forward on these initiatives the city will need support from dense and intricate networks of community member involvement”.

Lisi begins her door-to-door campaign on June 1. For more information, visit: www.votelisi.com.

Holyoke approves plan to address teen births

2009-05-06T23:06:00.001-04:00

from The Republican
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

By KEN ROSS

HOLYOKE - After two years of meetings, a unified plan to address the city's high teenage birthrate was finalized this week by city officials and community groups.

"This is great," said City Councilor Diosdado Lopez on Monday. "It's long overdue. It's an issue the city has been struggling with for years."

He chairs the City Council's Redevelopment Committee, which voted on Monday in favor of recommending a one-page document outlining a strategy for addressing the teenage birthrate. The recommendations will be forwarded to the council, which will meet on May 5 and must ultimately vote on the recommendations.

The panel has been studying the issue for more than two years, Lopez said. The council first referred the issue to it in March 2007.

Monday's document recommends the creation of a task force that will meet monthly and include representatives from the state, the mayor's office, the council, the Health and School departments, and religious community "in order to collaborate their time, effort, and resources in working to reduce the city's high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

According to the most recent statistics, Holyoke's teenage birthrate was 95.4 out of 1,000 births in 2007, making it the highest in the state.

Lesley J. Kayan, the senior community health educator at Planned Parenthood's Springfield office, praised the council for taking action.

"I just think it's wonderful the City Council cares about this issue," she said. "They're being proactive and caring about these children."

Sarah T. Dunton, director of youth development programs at Girls Inc., agreed. "I'm hopeful. We know the issues. Residents of Holyoke know the issues. To put energy at this level is really important."

City Councilor Elaine A. Pluta, who attended Monday's meeting, hoped that the committee's work results in the creation of a task force.

"These are just recommendations," she said. "Hopefully, they (residents) will take the ball and run with it."

Councilor Lisi announces candidacy for re-election

2009-04-24T23:28:00.010-04:00

from The Sun

April 24-30, 2009

Holyoke - After a successful first year serving the City of Holyoke as an at-large city councilor, Rebecca Lisi took out nomination papers for her re-election campaign for the position. , Councilor Lisi is committed to continuing to represent the diverse needs of the people and neighborhoods throughout the city with a strong and independent voice.

“I’ve worked very hard in this first term to learn about the different issues that have come through the Council and I have considered it my responsibility to publicly share that information with Holyoke residents, so that they can make educated decisions about how they would like to be represented on those issues,” said Lisi.

As in her last two runs for office, Councilor Lisi plans to pursue an extensive door-to-door campaign because she believes that good government requires reaching out and listening to the specific needs and concerns Holyoke residents. For several years, Lisi worked as a policy advocate and community organizer with Clean Water Action and understands that citizens need to be engaged in the democratic process for government to function efficiently and effectively. She is passionate about politics and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Councilor Lisi is excited about the upcoming campaign season and is energized by the number of new and young candidates who are following her lead and finding local politics a valuable way to make positive changes in the quality of life for residents throughout the city. She hopes that as a new generation of Holyokers begins to take leadership in city government and work together with new ideas and guidance from seasoned mentors, real progress can be made toward revitalizing the city.

Lisi commented, “Holyoke’s future success rests on our ability to come together as a community and share our ideas, resources, and skills. As a founding member of c.r.u.s.h. (Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke) I have seen that we in fact have that capacity and I am confident that we are already on the right path”.

Councilor Lisi will be discussing more of her platform at her upcoming campaign kick-off event on May 27 at ~~the Bungalow at the waterfront Tavern~~ The Delaney House. For more information about the campaign and opportunities to get involved, visit www.votelisi.com.

Councilor Lisi Enjoys the Parade!

2009-04-02T01:17:00.008-04:00

Hope that everyone had a wonderful day at the parade! It was great to see you all out there.

photo courtesy of Sweet Dog Photos

Action urged on Holyoke's teen birth rate

2009-03-15T13:39:00.002-04:00

from The Republican
Saturday March 14, 2009, 6:51 PM

By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Community organizations and the city need to have a unified strategy for combating teen pregnancy, according to city officials and community leaders.

"City bodies are realizing this is a problem, and we want to come to a consensus," said City Councilor Rebecca Lisi this week.

She spoke last week at a City Council Redevelopment Committee meeting at which members agreed to meet on April 6 to finalize recommendations for addressing the city's high teenage birthrate.

"We have to get started," said Councilor Elaine A. Pluta.

The panel has been studying the issue for more than two years, according to Chairman and City Councilor Diosdado Lopez. The council first referred the issue to the committee in March 2007, he said.

According to the most recent statistics, Holyoke's teenage birthrate was 95.4 out of 1,000 births in 2007, making it the highest of any community in the state.

At the meeting, councilors met with five health officials, some of whom work for the city or the School District, to discuss ways to address the issue. One possible solution suggested by several people was making sure that the district has a uniform sex education curriculum.

Terri Pudlo, a part-time health director in the district, said sex and health education lessons vary from school to school. Or, according to Mary Fago of the River Valley Counseling Center, the district's sex education curriculum "is not being implemented consistently."

She said the School District needs to decide "what is and is not appropriate to be taught" in sex education classes.

But Lopez insisted that the district cannot be blamed for the teen birthrate.

"I'm not pointing a finger at the school," he said. "I think as a whole community we have failed."

Lopez and others said they believe that a task force of city councilors and School Committee members needs to be formed to address the issue.

"I'm looking for some committee that will have some force to get this going," he said. "If we create a task force, we will just talk back and forth."

Councilor Peter R. Tallman agreed that school officials need to be involved in the process.

"That's a key part to this," he said.

But no matter who is involved in the process, all agreed that the city needs to do more to educate teenagers about the impact of having a child at such a young age.

"There needs to be more education," said City Councilor Anthony M. Keane.

Sandy Zieminski, the city's public health nurse, agreed, "We talk a lot, but I'd like to see action."

Other health officials who attended the meeting included Lesley Kayan, a senior community health educator from Planned Parenthood, and Laurie Beauchemin, a nurse at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

City Council votes to join Agawam in opposing gas tax

2009-02-27T15:00:00.007-05:00

By Aimee Henderson, Staff Writer

HOLYOKE – The City Council voted 12-2 in its last meeting to join Agawam in a resolution opposing the suggested increase in gasoline tax by Gov. Deval Patrick. Voting against the resolution were Councilors Rebecca Lisi and Timothy Purington. Councilor Anthony Keane was absent.

“I just want to go on record opposing any increase,” said Councilor Patricia C. Devine, who originally submitted the order which read, “Ordered, that the Holyoke City Council go on record as opposing any increase in the gas tax in Massachusetts and a resolution that mirrors the Agawam City Council resolution dated Feb. 2, 2009 be sent to Governor Patrick.”

Lisi said she did not agree with opposing an increase in gasoline tax. “We need to invest in our public transportation,” said Lisi, adding that to oppose an increase would be a “disincentive” for people to invest in public transportation and the environment.

She said as more people invest in public transportation there would be less investment in personal transportation, eventually saving on emissions, and therefore helping to heal the environment.

Lisi said she could understand why her colleagues opposed the increase, but just didn’t agree.

“I think the idea of the city council is to ease the burden of high prices, and I can understand that because everyone is stretching these days,” said Lisi.

The Agawam City Council met on Feb. 2 during which time the councilors voted unanimously to send Gov. Deval Patrick a resolution opposing any increase in the gas tax. Agawam then sent a letter to the Holyoke City Council asking if they would join them.

“Our intent is to send a clear message to Governor Deval L. Patrick that we are opposed to the addition of a gasoline tax as it is not in the best interests of the taxpayers of Massachusetts,” wrote Donald M. Rheault of the Agawam City Council. “It would be more beneficial to get this message sent from the majority of the communities here in Western Massachusetts.”

The resolution submitted by Agawam suggests increasing tolls instead of the gas tax “if an increase is indeed deemed necessary.”

[[What is your reaction to this story,specifically the proposed gas tax increase?
Send your responses to ahenderson@turley.com]]

Holyoke to demolish 'hazardous' building at 506 Maple St.

2009-01-23T17:13:00.002-05:00

by The Republican Newsroom

Friday January 23, 2009, 4:30 PM

By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - A building deemed hazardous by city officials will be torn down as early as June using $400,000 of city funds.

"We have this (project) on a fast track," David A. Martins, chief procurement officer for the city, said Wednesday.

City officials wish they did not have to use city funds to tear down a privately owned, Maple Street building, but they insist the city needs to do something soon for public safety reasons.

"I'd love to let it sit there and rot," City Councilor Todd A. McGee said Tuesday, adding, "This building is a hazard and the potential for harm is high."

On Tuesday, the council voted 11-3 to appropriate $400,000 in free cash to demolish the building at 506 Maple St. Councilors John B. Brunelle, Rebecca Lisi and Donald R. Welch cast the three dissenting votes.

Free cash is a term used by the state for unused appropriations from a previous fiscal year. The previous fiscal year ended on June 30.

Councilors were advised by the city's building inspector and Fire Department that the Maple Street building should be torn down. They were warned the building was in danger of collapse.

"You have a building held up by straps," McGee said. And in one corner, the building is "actually pitching out" and on the verge of falling over, according to Councilor John J. O'Neill.

Upon hearing about Tuesday's vote, Martins contacted Forbes & Wheeler of Holyoke that same night to discuss doing an asbestos survey of the building. A contract with the company has not been finalized, Martins said.

The asbestos survey will likely take two to four weeks. Bids will then be solicited to remove asbestos. The actual asbestos removal will then take three to six months. During that time, demolition bids will solicited. Based on this timeline, Martins said he hopes demolition work will begin in June and take 90 to 120 days to complete.

Some city officials strongly object to using city funds to demolish a privately owned building. "There's no way I'm going to invest $400,000 to tear down a private building," Lisi said. "We need to reclaim the land for the city and get it back on the tax rolls."

The city has been trying to do just that, McGee said. But McGee and other councilors noted that the city's attempts have been thwarted by the property owner, a New York-based company listed as S3W Realty, LLP, according to city records. State records list the business as having a Springfield address but no phone number or person associated with the business.

The city took the company to Housing Court in Springfield, which Mayor Michael J. Sullivan said ruled that property owner was responsible for making repairs to the building. But officials have been unable to reach the property owner, Sullivan said.

Some city councilors Tuesday questioned why police don't arrest the building's owner. But since the company's owner has not committed a criminal offense, that person can only be arrested in this state, Sullivan said. Finding the owners of such vacant buildings is also extremely difficult, Sullivan added.

And because the building is privately owned, the city cannot use federal Community Development Block Grant money to tear it down as suggested by some councilors, Councilor John P. Brunelle said.

Either way, many councilors agreed the city needs to develop a city-wide plan for dealing with vacant and decrepit buildings on the verge of collapsing. "We have to try and find a way to keep landlords responsible," City Councilor Anthony M. Keane said.

More than 200 vacant and decrepit buildings in the city need to be demolished for safety and economic reasons, Sullivan said.

Holyoke council rejects charter change board

2009-01-17T17:33:00.002-05:00

Friday, January 09, 2009
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Many city councilors support the idea of creating a charter commission to study possible ways to change the city's government structure.

But councilors are divided over who should initiate the drive to create such a commission, which would review issues like the size of city council and who should appoint certain city officials.

Some believe the council should initiate the process. But a majority of councilors Tuesday rejected a proposal to place a question on the November ballot. Instead, many of the councilors who voted against the proposal said they believe residents should initiate the drive.

"Let's get the people involved," City Councilor James M. Leahy said. "Let's just wait and see what the people have to say."

Others agreed. "If you're really serious about this, I think the people should be involved first," Councilor John P. Brunelle said.

The council voted 8-7 against placing the question on the ballot. The seven councilors who voted in favor were Anthony M. Keane, Rebecca Lisi, Joseph M. McGiverin, John J. O'Neill, Timothy Purington, Peter R. Tallman and Donald R. Welch.

O'Neill introduced the resolution to place the question the ballot. At Tuesday's meeting, O'Neill spoke at length about the importance of creating such a commission.

"There are many issues that are out there," he said. In particular, O'Neill cited proposals to review whether to reduce the size of the 15-member City Council and to review the city's management practices. In recent years, there has been much debate about who should appoint certain city officials: the council or the mayor.

"It makes sense to do these things together," he said. "Things have changed in 35 years and it's high time we looked at it again."

Tallman agreed. "I think it is important we do take a look at what's happening in our city," he said.

But like Leahy and Brunelle, City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said he believes residents need to initiate the process, not the council. Jourdain also noted that the process is a very long and expensive one. "To actually have an informed decision about this will require a lot of resources," Jourdain said.

In order to create a charter commission, 15 percent of the city's registered voters need to sign a petition requesting the creation of a charter commission, according to City Clerk Susan M. Egan. A question requesting the creation of a charter commission can then be placed on a ballot for residents to vote on.

The earliest such a question could appear on a ballot would be this November, Egan said. If approved, any changes recommended by the charter commission would not go into effect until 2013.

Zone-change presents unique opportunity for Holyoke

2009-01-04T23:39:00.002-05:00

Holyoke has a unique opportunity to leverage a development agreement with SK Properties Development Corporation to ensure that the proposed Lowe's project has real benefits for the residents of Holyoke. Unfortunately, the conversation regarding the City Council's vote to re-zone the 18-acre parcel of land on Whiting Farms Rd. has slipped into a divisive for-Lowe's or against-Lowe's argument. This has distracted our community from having a meaningful discussion about what is involved in the zone change process, and what is at stake.

This is not a simple, black-or-white issue. It is a serious decision that merits careful consideration by the city's leadership to be sure that we are doing what is in the best interest of all our constituents. SK Properties is currently petitioning the city for a zone-change from "Industrial use" to "General Business use" for the Whiting Farms Parcel. The new use should develop the land efficiently and avoid public costs associated with haphazard development.

If a zone change is approved by the City Council, the developer can contract to bring in a specific project, in this case the development of a Lowe's. The zone change grants the developer the "right to build," so any modifications must be deemed "reasonable" by the developer. At that point, the city must rely on the developer to implement the conditions set by the Planning Board. Any modification deemed "unreasonable" by the developer can actually be grounds for legal action against the city.

With this in mind and while we are now deliberating the zone-change the city has an opportunity to request concessions from SK Properties to ensure: (1) funding for the city to conduct an independent traffic study of the area; (2) bonding to ensure that traffic mitigation is completed along Whiting Farms Rd. from Northampton St. to Lower Westfield Rd.; (3) financial support for a downtown economic development fund; and (4) restrictions on the building's size and environmental footprint. In fact, many municipalities across the Commonwealth, including Danvers, North Attleboro, Woburn, Weymouth and Hadley have used "contract-zoning" to secure added benefits for their communities in negotiating contracts up-front with petitioning developers for Lowe's projects.

The Town of Hadley, for example was able to secure a package of $410,000 for farmland preservation, parks and recreation, and long-range planning. Other cities have negotiated packages that include extensive traffic mitigation, bonding to ensure that it is completed to the municipality's satisfaction, financial support for master plan assistance, wetlands protection, landscaping and more. These development agreements were secured up-front in exchange for the desired zone-change.

The city of Holyoke holds a lot of power in this process and should not sell itself short. We need to learn from the precedents set by our neighbors in order to understand how we can use these tools to our advantage. Lowe's has expressed interest in Holyoke. This interest is based on scouting a location which has convinced them that they will make a solid return on their investment. If they want to site a store in Holyoke, then we need to exercise our right to ask that they invest in our community in return.

As City Councilors, we are looking to work with the city’s leadership to take an active role in negotiating the terms of those concessions now, while we still can. The citizens of Holyoke should expect nothing less than the citizens of Danvers, North Attleboro, Woburn, Weymouth and Hadley.

City Councilors-At-Large
Rebecca Lisi and Elaine Pluta

Holyoke boosters organize CRUSH and New Year's gala

2008-12-10T16:51:00.003-05:00

from The Republican
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
By ELIZABETH R. LaFOND

HOLYOKE - It's no longer a secret: Some residents have a CRUSH on Holyoke.

CRUSH - Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke - is a growing nonpartisan group that started with three enthusiastic residents looking to bring the artistic, political and business communities together. They created CRUSH and, in less than five months, gathered more than 160 members.

"There is a lot of energy in Holyoke and we wanted to capture it," said Rebecca Lisi, city councilor at-large and doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts. "Our mission is to create positive change by facilitating connections between people, resources and ideas."

James A.G. Sutter, of Sutter's Jewelry, felt he was alone with his ideas to find ways for revitalizing and sustaining Holyoke. He and his wife, Rebecca, partnered with Lisi and merged their creative thoughts to form CRUSH.

"When we started telling our friends and acquaintances about our idea, they thought it was great," Sutter said. "We learned that there is a large amount of people who have great creative ideas and want to make a change."

Lisi and the Sutters joined Aaron M. Vega, of Vega Yoga, James N. Chevalier, Noel C. St. Jean, Craig Crouch, Brendan Ciecko, of One Minute Media, Laurie Landry and many others to lead monthly meetings. They also developed an electronic network online at www.crushonholyoke.org

"Our efforts are very much alive," Vega said.

St. Jean agreed, saying, "Our Web site allows everyone to see projects and events in progress."

Meetings take place the last Thursday of every month at the Waterfront Tavern. Membership is open to anyone interested in learning more about CRUSH or contributing ideas for future projects.

CRUSH also is planning an event, "Holyoke Unmasked, a New Year's Eve Gala" at the Wistariahurst Museum on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event, catered by the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, will include a cash bar and an array of entertainment.

Ticket reservations can be made at Sutter's Jewelry and Vega Yoga, or by calling (413) 332-5660. Tickets can also be reserved by visiting www.crushonholyoke.org or by e-mailing admin@wistariahurst.org. Tickets are $50.

"We hope to attract people of all ages across the city and to really celebrate Holyoke with great food, great conversations and music for New Year's," Vega said.

"We like it here and we want to do stuff here," Sutter said. "We're not going anywhere and we're totally committed to supporting Holyoke. We hope our New Year's event will bring many people together and be a kick-off to announce CRUSH's upcoming plans, including saving the Victory Theater."

Holyoke Needs to Engage in Plan for Economic Success

2008-12-08T23:25:00.013-05:00

Jobs and a robust tax base are essential to running a successful municipality. Holyoke is in need of comprehensive economic development. Citizens, along with government and business need to work together on determining how that tax base is developed. Holyoke needs to be an assertive player as opposed to a passive recipient, always desperate for proposals from outside the community.

The City Council has before it an order considering a spot-zone on a parcel of land on Whiting Farms Rd. The current zoning ordinances allow for residential and industrial business uses. “Spot zoning” unfairly favors the applicant of the zone change by giving preference to changes in access and traffic patterns that serve the applicant over those already established by the zoning in that area.

The Lowes proposal is “strip-mall” development not unlike the vacant and run-down area in the K-Mart Plaza which has proven not to produce promised benefits. Development in that area further disincentivizes development downtown, where it is needed most. A lack of investment in downtown is the source of our collapsing economy, as small businesses go under and Holyoke's building stock falls into disrepair.

The Lowes proposal is a project. It is neither a plan nor part of a plan for economic success in Holyoke. It is a stand-alone enterprise seemingly removed from any larger vision of what is best for the city as whole. An expansive vision of urban planning in Holyoke would look at many variables and ask whether this project is a contribution to the direction in which Holyoke residents want the city to move.

Holyoke was founded on a sophisticated and well thought-out plan for urban development that places the core of economic activity in the city center – downtown Holyoke. A new Lowes does not get us any closer to a revitalized and successful Holyoke. Any decision that diverts badly needed resources away from downtown is nothing more than a short sighted project going after short term dollars.

The Lowes project comes not only at the expense of the industrial and residential neighbors at Whiting Farms Rd., but also at the expense of small-business owners and the Latino community who have been holding a place for economic development downtown. Our city can no longer sustain decisions based on narrow and divisive self-interests.

The community needs to work together to forge a new plan for a new Holyoke. I hope that there are other residents, who like me, have greater expectations for what Holyoke can become. We need to see your support for a long term plan that will need a lot of help. Please call or email your City Councilors and urge them to vote against this zone change.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Lisi
Holyoke City Council At-Large

Council approves sewer rate increase

2008-12-05T19:39:00.003-05:00

from The Sun

by: Aimee Henderson
December 5, 2008

HOLYOKE – After months of discussion and disagreement, the City Council voted on Tuesday night to raise the city’s sewer rates by 15 percent from $4.66 per 1,000 gallons to $5.40 per gallons of water used.

The Council voted 8-6 in favor of the increase, with one councilor absent. Voting against the increase were Councilors John Whelihan, Kevin Jourdain, Rebecca Lisi, Diosdado Lopez, Elaine Pluta and Peter Tallman. Councilor Timothy Purington was absent.

The sewer rate increase had been tabled at the council’s last meeting after a 9-6 vote in favor of tabling the report. The council had previously voted on the rate increase at their Sept. 2 meeting in a 7-6 vote favoring the increase, but a two-thirds vote was needed to pass.

The increase is needed to pay construction costs, which will prevent sewage overflow into the Connecticut River totaling closeto $9 million. There are also costs from outstanding loans, interests and user fees, since the wastewater treatment plant has been privatized.

Councilor John O’Neill led the discussion in favor of the increase, saying, “We are mandated as a council to fully fund the budget we have approved.” He added, “The deficit continues to grow because we are not adequately funding it.”

For years the sewage fees have brought controversial conversations, starting when the city hired AOS Operating Company three years ago to run the wastewater treatment facility. Last year the council raised sewer rates by 139 percent, which wasn’t enough and so the most recent increase was brought forward.

O’Neill argued that the increase was the only way to fairly fund the budget, ensuring money from free cash or the stabilization fund wouldn’t be used.

“We have to (increase rates),” said O’Neill. “That enterprise budget is bleeding.”

Councilor Jourdain did not see eye-to-eye with O’Neill saying the 15 percent increase in unaffordable to the average Joe during these economic times.

“Even through the last fiscal crisis in 1991 we didn’t raise rates,” said Jourdain, adding that the increase would only be good for the next couple years.

“The City Council should be setting the rate, not using this ‘take it or leave it’ approach.”

An order filed by Jourdain which would modify how rates are set passed later in the meeting.

Council to set sewer rates

2008-12-04T10:19:00.002-05:00

from The Republican

Thursday, December 04, 2008
By JEANETTE DeFORGE
jdeforge@repub.com

HOLYOKE - For the first time in more than 50 years, the City Council will be able to adjust sewer rates instead of solely accepting or rejecting recommendations.

The council adopted the new ordinance in a 13-1 vote on Tuesday, shortly after deciding to accept a Board of Public Works recommendation to raise sewer rates by 15 percent to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons used.

Raising the rates has continually been controversial, even though the wastewater enterprise fund has a $250,000 deficit.

Most members agreed on Tuesday that some rate increase was needed, but argued against the 15-percent recommendation. It passed in a 8-6 vote.

Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said he could accept a 3- or 4-percent cost-of-living raise, but found 15 percent too high.

"If we don't have the power to dispute the rate, what is the point of approving it?" asked Councilor Rebecca Lisi.

The procedure for setting sewer rates was developed in 1961. It called for the three-member Board of Public Works to recommend changes, and then for the City Council to approve or reject them.

At the time, wastewater was not treated, and the rate was 89 cents for 1,000 gallons of water used. It was rarely boosted, and in the 1980s, it was still $1.95 for 1,000 gallons and the department still had a $3 million reserve, said Jourdain.

But about seven years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated that the wastewater treatment system be upgraded to prevent frequent overflows of untreated sewage into the Connecticut River.

The multi-million-dollar project has required the city to raise rates, and the Board of Public Works said it expects to have to continue recommending 15-percent increases every few years, said Jourdain.

"This way," he said, "we will have more control over the department and it will lead to more accountability and more transparency."

He argued that it is fairer to have 15 elected politicians set sewer rates than the three people appointees to the board.

Before rates are set, Jourdain said, public hearings will be called so that residents and the Board of Public Works can express opinions.

Public Works Superintendent William D. Fuqua said that he and the board will work with the council to make sure the wastewater treatment budget is funded adequately.

"It is a different procedure," he said. "We will have to work with them and provide the council any information to set the rates in the future."

An “All Holyoke” Wedding

2008-11-30T18:07:00.003-05:00

Rebecca Lisi Weds Damian Cote, October 25 2008

HOLYOKE- City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi and Damian J. Cote shared their nuptials on Saturday, October 25, 2008 with family and friends at Holyoke’s Wistariahust Museum followed by dinner and dancing at The Delaney House.

Councilor Lisi had many friends and relatives visiting Holyoke for the first time for the happy occasion and wanted to show her guests how proud she is of the home that she is making for herself in the Paper City.

“Holyoke has so many layers; it is a real challenge to explain to people just what all the excitement is, so we decided to take our guest around the city and show them first hand,” said Lisi.

Guests were given informational brochures about the history of the city and were taken on tours of the canals and mills downtown. Many people took advantage of the good weather and fall foliage and went on scenic hikes through Mt. Tom State Reservation. On the day of the wedding, early arrivals at The Wistariahurst were given a tour of the museum while they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Friends and family were all very impressed by the city’s the rich history and beautiful architecture. They could not stop amazing at how these venues were once family homes and prestigious mansions.

Lisi remarked, “Now they all want me to start having holidays at our house, so they can come back and visit again!”

Field redesign rejected

2008-11-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

from The Republican

Thursday, November 20, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - The City Council Tuesday rejected a $30,000 request to redesign Avery and Mitchell fields, saying they think such a project is too expensive to undertake amid the current economic downturn.

"Are we living in a dream world here," City Councilor John P. Brunelle said during Tuesday's meeting. "Right now, we should be tightening the belt as much as we can."

But other councilors insisted such a project is worth considering. "It's an area that deserves a look," City Councilor John J. O'Neill said. "That section of Hampden Street is really problematic."

Mayor Michael J. Sullivan agreed. "This is just to avert some safety concerns," he said Wednesday. He added he believes it's too soon for officials to judge whether the project is too expensive for the city to undertake.

"What's the project," Sullivan said. "I think it's well worth spending $30,000 to see if it's worth changing Avery and Mitchell field."

But since the council voted the request down, Sullivan said he does not plan to pursue it.

The council voted 8 - 7 in favor of appropriating the money to redesign the two fields. But the motion failed since it required a two-thirds majority vote.

The councilors who voted in favor of the appropriation were O'Neill, Elaine A. Pluta, Timothy Purington, Peter R. Tallman, Donald R. Welch, Kevin A. Jourdain, James M. Leahy and Todd A. McGee. The councilors who voted against the appropriation were Brunelle, Joseph M. McGiverin, John E. Whelihan, Patricia C. Devine, Anthony M. Keane, Rebecca Lisi and Diosdado Lopez.

The goal of the redesign project was to study the feasibility of combining the two parks, Purington said. He added the study would also examine whether to close the section of Hampden Street which intersects both parks.

An identical design request was considered last year by the council.

Sullivan said no decision has been made to close Hampden Street as part of the rejected request. That's why he insisted the design funding was requested - to decide whether closing the street to vehicle traffic made the most sense.

He also insisted no specific project had been predetermined. The design request was simply to study possible ways to redesign the two adjacent parks to determine if there was a better way to incorporate the two parks together.

Community Leaders Discuss Impacts of Question 1 on Paper City

2008-10-05T11:56:00.004-04:00

HOLYOKE- Last Thursday at The Waterfront Tavern, Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (C.R.U.S.H.) gathered for a chance to network with like-minded residents and hear community leaders discuss the impacts of ballot question 1 on life in the Paper City.

Question 1 is a referendum on the November 4 election ballot that if passed would by law eliminate the state income tax as of January 1, 2009. The Vote No on 1 campaign was invited to speak at the event and called the referendum a “reckless idea”.

Pamela C. Schwartz, Western MA Field Director for the statewide Coalition for Our Communities, said that without the state income tax we would see wide-ranging reductions in everything from public safety to education to funds for roads and bridges, libraries and parks.

“Question 1 would eliminate over 40 percent of the state’s budget. Times are hard enough and this is a lose-lose proposition” said Schwartz.

Holyoke community leaders John Kelley, President of the Holyoke Tax Payer’s Association; Attorney Jay Driscoll of The Government Affairs Committee for the Chamber of Commerce; and Caleb Snow, acting President of the Holyoke Teacher’s Association, each spoke in turn about how, from their perspectives, Question 1 would have devastating effects on the local economy and the city’s ability to provide many valuable services.

John Kelley emphasized the growing $1.5 billion state budget deficit. “Add to this an elimination of the state income tax and the results would be devastating to cities like ours. We would have to look to alternative sources of revenue that are anti-business and anti-consumer such as increases in sales tax, meals tax, user fees or potentially increases in property taxes”.

C.R.U.S.H. member City Councilor Rebecca Lisi said, “We need to look within city and highlight the experts and experiences that can illustrate how this referendum will affect the way we live in Holyoke”.

C.R.U.S.H. gave the Vote No on 1 campaign a venue to speak at because many city services, including large portions of both the city and public school budgets, rely on state funding. C.R.U.S.H. members are creating a place where residents can overcome race, class, or gender differences and begin using the talent and organization within Holyoke to talk about issues that have hard-hitting effects on the entire community.

C.R.U.S.H. on Holyoke can be found on-line at www.crushonholyoke.org

Confessing a C.R.U.S.H.: An Interview with Rebecca Lisi, Part I

2008-09-09T20:29:00.010-04:00

by Greg Saulmon
Tuesday September 09, 2008, 2:19 PM

On the last Thursday in August I went to the Waterfront Tavern to check out the first public event held by a group calling itself Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke -- or, more succinctly, C.R.U.S.H. At the event, there were snacks; there was a Duraflame in a fire bowl; there was a survey asking about the city's strengths, weaknesses, and most important priorities. There were also a lot of people discussing a lot of exciting ideas and visions for Holyoke. Last week, I caught up with one of those people -- Holyoke At-Large-Councilor Rebecca Lisi -- to learn more about C.R.U.S.H.

Tell me about the origins of C.R.U.S.H. -- who was involved in getting it off the ground, what was the inspiration, and what are the group's goals? The initial thought was that we were going to create a young professional society. James Sutter and I were running into each other often --

And James owns a jewelry store here in Holyoke --
Right. And he was always talking about the issues, and about the need to get people involved, and I told him I had the same ideas, the same feelings. He was talking a lot about how he'd tried to create a newsletter, and how everyone who talks to you talks the same way about the issues -- but nobody seemed to be able to follow through with action. I come from organizing experience, and I think one of the most important things you can do is to follow through on an idea.

So we sent out a mass e-mail to set a date to talk about forming a young professional society, which was the original model. We went to a young professional society meeting in Northampton -- the Wednesday before the first Sunday that we met -- and I took notes and asked questions: How did you guys get developed? Where did it come from? Who sponsors you? How did you organize? I presented that to the group that met on Sunday -- it was a lot of James and Becca Sutter's friends, as well as other folks who were interested in redeveloping the city -- and I explained what the original concept was. I told them I wasn't wed to it, that I wanted to hear what they thought would work, what they thought would help.

What we decided was that we didn't want to be exclusively young; we didn't want to be exclusively "professional". And, even more so, we couldn't afford to be exclusive in any way, shape or form, because the city is really lacking organization overall. So we wanted the group to be a place where people could come together, to get organized around ideas and vision, talent, energy. We really needed to throw the net wide and welcome everybody in. So that's why you saw the generational diversity, probably even class diversity.

It was a mix of artists and people from the business community, as well as people who've been around and who've been doing business in Holyoke for some time, like David Scher from the Canal Gallery.
He was really happy to be there.

And he sort of straddles the art and business communities. So it did seem to draw from a wide crowd.
And one of the things we decided is what we're not going to be -- we're still hammering out what the function and organization of this group is. The one thing I think is really important is that we're mostly a place where people can connect -- to the organizations, resources, the other people who will support the different ideas that you and your friends and your neighbors have about what needs to be done. So it's just a place, a space we're creating where all of that can happen.

If I'm remembering, when you spoke the other night you used "silos" as a metaphor for how people and organizations are separated or disconnected in the city. Can you talk more about the disconnect that exists in the city, and how you're trying to overcome it?
The idea of "silos" is very prominent in my mind, because the first way I started connecting with the city, being a newcomer, was through the youth-serving agencies, and the Holyoke Youth Task Force. The agencies had been struggling a lot with replication of efforts, really feeling that they're in silos due to funding restrictions, funding constraints, funding competition, and the Task Force was a place where they could network and share ideas.

And it really, in my eyes, permeates a lot of what's happening beyond just the social service agencies. The business community isn't talking to the artist community, and the artist community isn't talking to the community groups -- there are lots of things happening, but the word is not getting out. There are lots of people -- there's Friends of CanalWalk now, there's the Taxpayers' Association, the Chamber, all these social service agencies, that are all doing really good work -- but we're not getting a synergy so that you can see a measure of real difference in the city.

So James and I have both been talking to different groups, different people, and we're finding that there's a common theme; we're all focused on the same thing. We all want to see the city succeed. We all want downtown to be revitalized. We all want to see business come back. We want to see a revival of the middle class, of a working community here in Holyoke. We all have different talents, and we all have different ways of going about doing that. [...] You have your skills, your talents, and I need to connect you to the people who need those skills and talents. There's a nice exchange that can happen if you bring everybody to the table.

Since you'd originally envisioned a young professional society, it makes me wonder -- is Holyoke, as a city, getting younger? Is there a growing pool of young entrepreneurs and business people in the city, and is that an increasingly important force in city politics and in the city's business community?
I don't have actual statistics. My sense is that our generation -- people currently in their twenties and thirties -- I think they have a very entrepreneurial spirit. And there is so much potential, and so many available resources in this city that it's like a blank canvas. So I think that a lot of entrepreneurs and people who have brilliant ideas see this as a canvas, in a way. It gives a chance for individuals with ideas to express themselves.

I think there's a pull in the city, because of all its needs. People are stepping up and saying, "Well, the city has needs, but I have needs too." And there's a good match there.

It seems to me, as an observer, that in addition to having housing that people will find affordable, especially for a first-time homebuyer -- the city also has space, if you're looking to open a business, for people who may be priced out of a place like Northampton or Amherst. Especially if you're not doing something retail-oriented that will rely on foot traffic --
It seems like there's ample space, and it seems like the city is calling out for activity. So, you can really be a pioneer, in a way. And that's really the entrepreneurial spirit -- going into a place and creating something where there is nothing.

You talked the other night about having fun this fall, and then really hunkering down and creating sub-committees to work on different projects. Can you tell me more about how you see this group evolving over the next several months, and what the work of C.R.U.S.H. will be like starting in the new year?
There are two parts that I see as the foundations. One is the fun, the social networking part, which is what we drew from the young professional society. Because there needs to be an element of fun and lightheartedness, and to acknowledge that it's in our own interest to meet people in our community, and to create community and create social bonds. And there are new people mixing with people who've lived here a long time, young people mixing with older people, and they're interested in knowing who is in the city.

The other foundation is action. I feel like as far as I've lived in the area, I've heard people talking about Holyoke coming back. And while there are individual projects that have been successful, I feel like there hasn't been a real groundswell of movement to really signal that success. So we really need to focus on creating concrete and tangible goals and following through on them. That's really important to me, and to the other folks who we're working with. We expect more from the city, and we're not expecting anyone else to take care of it. And we feel like we have skills, we have talents, we have the energy, we have the vision to start implementing the things that we want to see.

It doesn't mean that it's only our vision. It's really about creating a space for everybody to say, "This is what I want to see, how can I connect to the people and resources who will help me realize that?"

Check back on Wednesday for Part II of our conversation.

Residents have 'crush' on Paper City

2008-09-07T19:47:00.013-04:00

from The Reminder; September 4, 2008

By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor

HOLYOKE- A group of Holyoke residents recently expressed having a crush on their hometown by launching a new organization, Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (CRUSH).

The group met for its first event on Thursday at the Bungalow of Waterfront tavern. With music playing in the background and about 20 mostly young people seated and talking in the outdoor area, it appeared to be a gathering one would find in Northampton.

One of the points CRUSH is hoping to make is to challenge the public's perceptions about Holyoke, according to CRUSH members Laurie Landry and Rebecca Sutter.

To help that effort all of the people attending the event were asked to fill out a survey that asked what the city's strengths and weaknesses are as well as what respondents would like to see as priorities for the city.

Both women are Holyoke natives and residents who said the organization's first meeting in July attracted not only natives, but people who have moved to the Paper City as well as those who just work in Holyoke.

The organization is a grassroots effort and Landry thanked the owner of the Waterfront tavern for donating the use of the bungalow for the meeting.

The plan for CRUSH is to sponsor one event a month culminating hopefully in a New Year's gala, Landry said.

Sutter said that some people don't realize the advantages Holyoke has in being located next to three major highways and having the river providing a green power source. She added that potential homebuyers could find affordable beautiful homes in the city as well.

The organization will be making announcements about future events on its Web site at http://www.crushonholyoke.org/.

Holyoke sewer fee increase fails

2008-09-03T08:45:00.002-04:00

from The Republican; Wednesday, September 03, 2008
By KEN ROSS

HOLYOKE - A City Council move to increase the fee for sewer service failed by a narrow vote Tuesday.

The council voted 7-6 in favor of the increase. But because the motion requires a two-thirds majority vote, the proposed rate increase was not approved.

Voting in favor of the increase were Councilors Diosdado Lopez, Joseph M. McGiverin, John J. O'Neill, John P. Brunelle, Patricia C. Devine, Anthony M. Keane and James M. Leahy. Voting against were Councilors Rebecca Lisi, Todd A. McGee, Elaine A. Pluta, Peter R. Tallman, John E. Whelihan and Timothy Purington. Councilors Kevin A. Jourdain and Donald R. Welch were absent.

If approved, the sewer use fee would have been raised by 74 cents or 15.8 percent from $4.66 per 1,000 gallons to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons.

The increase is needed mainly to help pay off $6 million in debt for the city's new sewage treatment plant and $3 million for a combined sewer overflow abatement project on Mosher Street, William D. Fuqua, Department of Public Works superintendent, has said.

Several councilors spoke in favor of the proposed rate increase. "I certainly don't want to see an increase but I think it would be short-sighted for us to vote against this," Keane said.

"I think we have to do the responsible, fiduciary thing," Leahy said.

But opponents to the defeated rate increase mainly noted the way the sewer system is currently managed through a contract with a private company, United Water.

"We do have the capacity to manage it on our own," Lisi said.

That's why Pluta said she believed the city should investigate the possibility of getting out of the contract with United Water.

"We have no oversight as to what's going on," Pluta said.

Last month, Fuqua said he hoped to implement the increase as soon as it was approved by the council. "It's important because we're losing about $150,000 a month in anticipated revenue," Fuqua said Aug. 6.

On May 19, the Board of Public Works voted 3-0 in favor of recommending the rate increase.
The proposed increase was not a big surprise because public works officials planned two years ago to review sewer rates every two years, Fuqua said in May.

As a result, Fuqua said he does not envision rates going up again in the near future.

Holyoke officials at odds over additional pay for retirees

2008-09-01T08:40:00.000-04:00

from The Republican, Sunday, August 31, 2008
By KEN ROSS

HOLYOKE - City officials are at odds over whether 61 retirees should receive additional money for last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

If the appropriation is approved, the increase will not affect all 61 retirees the same, according to records from the city's retirement board.

One retiree would receive $360 more. Another would receive $6,311 more. A third retiree would receive $17,014 more. And that's just for one fiscal year.

In the case of one retiree, due to similar adjustments made in years past, the retiree has received $513,921 extra on top of the regular retirement payments the retiree would have received if such adjustments had not been made each year in years past, according to city records.

Such statistics are the reason why Mayor Michael J. Sullivan has refused to approve an additional increase for 61 retirees last fiscal year.

"I don't think it can go any farther," Sullivan said earlier this month.

On Aug. 5, the Holyoke City Council voted 14-1 in favor of three separate agenda items related to the additional money for the 61 retirees. Councilor Rebecca Lisi cast the sole dissenting vote.

But there's confusion over whether the raises can go into effect. That's because a previous order signed by Sullivan contained the phrase "subject to appropriation," something Sullivan has said he will not do since he believes the appropriation would be financially disastrous to the city. Sullivan has not signed the Aug. 5 order.

But City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain speaking at an Aug. 14 retirement board meeting insisted

Sullivan cannot qualify his signature. Therefor, the additional raises for the 61 retirees can already go into effect.

"You can't put conditions on your signature," Jourdain said. "Either you sign it or you don't sign it."

The retirement board tabled a motion to grant the additional retirement benefit for the 61 retirees. Specifically, the board wanted a legal opinion from the city solicitor on whether Sullivan can qualify his signature on the appropriation for these retirees. The retirement board's next meeting will be held on Sept. 11.

Currently, there are 909 municipal retirees, Sullivan has said. All of them receive a cost-of-living increase each year. For last fiscal year, that would be a 3 percent increase.

But among the 909 retirees, 61 may be eligible for additional money for last fiscal year if the dispute over Sullivan's signature is resolved. Specifically, the 61 retirees would be paid 50 percent of the current salary for an employee performing the same job. Such retirees also had to have worked for the city for at least 25 years.

The additional money the 61 retirees would receive for last year varies from $47.04 to $17,014 for one year, totaling about $58,000.

Such figures are deceiving, though, since the additional money would be added to the base salary every year in the future for such retirees, according to Daniel R. Owens, executive director of the Holyoke Retirement Board.

So in the case of the person who stands to receive an additional $17,014 last fiscal year, that retiree would receive $17,014 extra every for the rest of their life, plus any additional cost of living increases or similar additional one year adjustments. The $17,014 is on top of $30,800 they would receive under the standard retirement benefit.

In another case, one employee stands to receive an additional $6,311 for last fiscal year on top of the $31,188 they would receive even without last fiscal year's added benefit. And the $31,188 already includes $3,630 in additional added benefits due to similar increases approved in years past.

Another retiree would receive an additional $1,800 next fiscal year on top of the $42,894 they would receive even without the added benefit. The $42,894 figure includes $26,098 in additional added benefits due to similar increases approved in years past. And since this person retired, they have received an extra $513,921 in retirement benefits on top of the $328,323 they would have received without the added benefit.

As a result of the recurring costs in future years due to a single increase, Owens said providing the additional funding for last fiscal year's proposed raise for the 61 retirees would cost the city a one-time set-aside of $580,000, Owens said.

That's because the city would need to set aside enough money to invest and pay for raises in future years due to the higher payments made to retirees.

If the city were to simply provide the necessary funding for last fiscal year and not future years, Owens has said that would be fiscally irresponsible and would simply add to the debt created by similar financial practices in the past.

"These costs are being pushed off to future generations," Owens said earlier this month.
Currently, the city has accumulated $94 million in debt due to similar retirement practices in the past. As a result, the city must pay $9.7 million extra this fiscal year out of its annual budget to pay for such so-called unfunded liabilities.

In contrast, the amount of money the city must appropriate for its normal retirement costs is $2.3 million this fiscal year.

Rebecca Lisi to wed Damian Cote

2008-08-22T15:35:00.003-04:00

HOLYOKE- City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi and fiancé, Damian Cote, announced this week their wedding planned for late October of this year.

Councilor Lisi is the daughter of Ellen and Joseph D. Lisi of West Hempstead, New York. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Binghamton University in New York and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Lisi has worked as a policy advocate and community organizer since she moved to the Pioneer Valley in 2002. In 2007, Lisi was elected to serve a 2-year term as an At-Large Councilor on the Holyoke City Council.

The future bridegroom, Damian Cote, is the son of Robert and Gail Cote of Granby, MA. Cote is a veteran who served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps. He received a bachelor’s degree Cum Laude in both psychology and fine art from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and will begin the Master’s of Fine Arts Printmaking program at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence this September. He has owned and managed a local business, Holyoke Carpentry, since 2003.

The couple will be married at The Wistariahurst Museum and the reception will follow at The Delaney House.

“Damian and I are very committed to supporting the local economy. We very consciously planned an event that could show-off many of Holyoke’s distinctive features to guests coming to visit our home for the first time,” commented Lisi.

They decided on a fall wedding because the peak New England foliage would serve as the perfect backdrop to showcase Holyoke to the many friends and relatives they have coming from out of town. It brings the couple great pleasure to celebrate their relationship and share their happiness with the community in which they are making their home.

Letter to Editor

2008-08-20T19:13:00.004-04:00

fom The Republican; August 20, 2008

Westfield Retirement vote shows fiscal responsibilityHolyoke Mayor Michael J. Sullivan and City Councilor Rebecca Lisi are correct to oppose extra increases in retirement benefits for 61 Holyoke retirees. ("Holyoke panel delays benefits increase ruling," The Republican, Aug. 15)

Sullivan has been fiscally responsible as mayor. In spite of severe budget shortfalls Holyoke has been able to avoid the fiscal fate of many struggling urban areas, such as Springfield's Finance Control Board. This is a significant accomplishment for any city in the current financial conditions; it is nothing short of miraculous for Holyoke.

Holyoke retirees automatically receive very generous cost-of-living adjustments. Historically Holyoke has been even more generous, by providing an extra increase based on 50 percent of the salary of the current person performing the job. This is an extra benefit that should only be offered when the city finances are in better shape. When the city has shut down two schools and still needs $400,000 for art and music programs, city officials should be more financially prudent!

It is politically brave of Sullivan and Lisi to commit to fiscal responsibility in light of the fact that city retirees are often politically connected and politically active in their communities. Residents of Holyoke support the fiscal responsibility of Sullivan and Lisi. We especially appreciate the principled commitment it represents.

If only the other 14 city councilors could be as politically brave and fiscally responsible.

HANS G. DESPAIN
Holyoke

Officials split on payments to 61 retirees

2008-08-11T20:18:00.002-04:00

from The Republican, Sunday, August 10, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - A proposal to provide additional money to 61 city retirees has strongly divided city officials.

On one side, city councilors support the additional appropriation, saying the retirees deserve the money since they have received it in years past.

"There's something not quite right here," City Councilor Patricia C. Devine said Tuesday. "These retirees need to be taken care of pronto."

On the other side, Mayor Michael J. Sullivan insists providing additional money for these retirees would cost $580,000. Otherwise, the city would not have the proper funding for future increases due to this raise, something that would be financially disastrous and add to the $9.7 million the city already appropriates each year to pay for similar increases in years past.

"I don't think it can go any farther," Sullivan said.

The City Council voted 14-1 on Tuesday in favor of three separate agenda items related to the additional money for the 61 retirees. Councilor Rebecca Lisi cast the sole dissenting vote.

Currently, there are 335 municipal retirees, Sullivan said. All of them receive a cost of living increase each year. A bill pending before the state Legislature would give these retirees an additional 4 percent.

But among the 335 retirees, 61 retirees are eligible for additional money since city officials voted to accept a state provision which pays city retirees 50 percent of the current salary for an employee performing the same job. Such retirees also had to have worked for the city for at least 25 years, according to the state provision.

One of the agenda items approved Tuesday by the council by a 14-1 vote was to accept this state provision for fiscal year 2008, which ended June 30.

But the raises will not go into effect until Sullivan appropriates the funding for them, according to Daniel R. Owens, executive director of the Holyoke Retirement Board.

Providing the necessary funding for the fiscal 2008 raises for the 61 retirees would cost the city a one-time payment of $580,000, Owens said. That's because the city would need to set aside enough money to invest and pay for raises in future years due to the higher payments made to retirees.

If the city were to simply provide the necessary funding for only fiscal 2008 and not future years, Owens said that would be fiscally irresponsible and would simply add to the debt created by similar financial practices in the past.

"These costs are being pushed off to future generations," Owens said.

Currently, the city has accumulated $94 million in debt due to similar retirement practices in the past. As a result, the city must pay $9.7 million extra this fiscal year in its annual budget to pay for such so-called unfunded liabilities. In contrast, the amount of money the city must appropriate for its normal retirement costs is $2.3 million this fiscal year.

"The pay as you go method is what has gotten us into this mess," Owens said. "It's fiscally naive to add to the unfunded liability of the city."

Owens met June 16 with the City Council's Finance Committee and explained these issues to them, he said Thursday.

Such issues were not discussed Tuesday before the council voted on the three related agenda items. Rather, several councilors stressed the importance of immediately approving the raises, citing numerous calls they have received from frustrated retirees who have not received the raises for last fiscal year.

"I don't understand this," Devine said. "We've never gone to this length to get the half pay. There's something really not quite right here."

City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain also expressed confusion about why retirees were not receiving the raises. According to Jourdain, the council had already approved the raises. Therefore, the 61 retirees should be receiving them.

City Councilors John P. Brunelle, James M. Leahy and John E. Whelihan agreed.

"Holyoke should be proud to take care of its retirees," Whelihan said. "They're entitled to the money. Pay them."

But providing additional money for the 61 retirees without properly funding such raises for future years would be disastrous, Sullivan said. "Our increases have outpaced what we could realistically expect to make," Sullivan said.

"The taxpayer has to know they're paying the difference," Sullivan added.

And while Sullivan acknowledged he has approved similar increases in years past, the city simply can no longer afford to do so, he insisted. "All of those (raises) have a cumulative effect," Sullivan said.

Land swap divides council

2008-08-09T21:15:00.000-04:00

from The Republican, Saturday, August 09, 2008
By KEN ROSS

HOLYOKE - A land swap necessary to build a gas station in the southern section of the city was approved Tuesday by the City Council.

But some councilors believe the gas station is not the right business for that location and would not help spur development in the neighborhood.

"I think this is the wrong location for this type of business," City Councilor Rebecca Lisi said Tuesday.

Lisi was one of four councilors who voted against the land transfer, which was approved 11-4.
The other three councilors who voted against the transfer were John E. Whelihan, Diosdado Lopez and Timothy Purington.

The transfer affects two parcels located on Main Street between Cabot and Spring streets. A 14,850-square-foot parcel owned by the city was given to Trak II, LLC, in exchange for a 16,335-square-foot parcel owned by the development company.

Many councilors spoke in favor of the transfer and praised the proposed gas station.

"To me, this is a home run for the city," City Councilor Todd A. McGee said.

The developer plans to spend $2.5 million on the business, which will create 15 to 25 new jobs and will have a new parking facility, McGee said.

The developer has also promised to beautify the block and operate a laundromat on the site, City Councilor James M. Leahy said.

"It's certainly going to beautify the area," City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said.

But others disagreed. "I have a problem with this deal," Lopez said, adding he believes the new gas station will make it harder to attract businesses to the neighborhood.

Purington also said the developer operates two other gas stations in the city and both of them are in "disrepair."

"I don't have a lot of faith in this development company," Purington said.

But the majority of councilors favored the project. "There's more pros than cons," Leahy said.

Councilor Lisi Catches Gov. Patrick's Ear

2008-07-19T12:23:00.003-04:00

Smart Growth District a welcome addition

2008-06-20T11:03:00.003-04:00

Letter to Editor
from The Sun, June 20-26

Dear Editor,

Your recent article on the decision of the City Council to approve a zoning change that allows the creation of a Smart Growth Overlay District in downtown Holyoke is welcome news. I was particularly pleased to learn that the change earned the unanimous approval of the Council since, in my view, sustained focus on revitalizing downtown Holyoke has been lacking among that body. Also encouraging were the sentiments of the Councilors quoted in your article that suggest such a focus may indeed become a more central priority for them. Insofar as that is true, Holyokers would be remiss in failing to note the contribution that Rebecca Lisi has made in bringing the matter of Smart Growth to the attention of the residents and political leadership of Holyoke. Her efforts to educate voters about the principles of Smart Growth, and to advocate for their implementation since her 2005 campaign for City Council, mark the beginning of a long-overdue public discussion about the most daunting (and, potentially, most promising) challenge facing the city. While Lisi does not appear in your article, her work should not go unnoticed.

Sincerely yours,

David Swiderski
Holyoke

HOLYOKE CITY COUNCILOR REBECCA LISI GRADUATES FROM POLITICAL TRAINING PROGRAM

2008-06-10T18:47:00.006-04:00

Emerge Massachusetts Trains Democratic Women to Run for and Succeed in Elective Office

HOLYOKE- Emerge Massachusetts today announced that Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi is one of 15 women graduating from its inaugural training program for Democratic women candidates and elected officials. The graduation ceremony took place on June 7th at the Democratic Party State Convention in Lowell. During the intensive program, Lisi received comprehensive instruction in the areas of Public Speaking, Fundraising, Campaign Strategy, Field, Labor & Endorsements, Networking, Media Skills and Messaging, and Ethics in Politics, all while expanding her policy background and making lasting connections with other local leaders.

“Being part of the inaugural class of Emerge Massachusetts was a privilege,” said Councilor Lisi. “It was truly inspiring to learn and network with so many diverse women from across the state. It is critical for women to make their voices heard in politics and civic life. With this training program, Emerge has enhanced my ability to do just that.”

Councilor Lisi won her first election in November 2007 and is the youngest member of the Holyoke City Council. She is currently one of four women holding elected office in Holyoke. Upon graduation from the Emerge Massachusetts program, Councilor Lisi will join Emerge’s Alumni Relations Committee and help on the board of directors’ Curriculum Committee.

Founded in 2007, Emerge Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization devoted to the identification, education and inspiration of Democratic women who are currently elected officials or who want to pursue elective office at the local and state level. The group is an affiliate of Emerge America, which has six other chapters that have had tremendous success getting women to run and win. Over 60% of Emerge alumnae are in public office and another 15% of its alumnae are running in 2007 and 2008.

Applications are available for the 2009 session at http://www.emergema.org/.

City Council Recognizes Non-Profit

2008-05-03T17:59:00.002-04:00

from The Sun, May 2-8, 2008

The Holyoke City Council voted to recognize local grassroots organization Nuestras Raices for the ways in which their community gardens have contributed to the quality of life in Holyoke, and also for the esteem and national recognition their work brings to the city.

This Proclamation will be presented at the next City Council Meeting on May 6th in the Council Chambers.

Nuestras Raices, which means “our roots” in Spanish, promotes economic, human and community development in Holyoke through projects relating to food, agriculture and the environment.

The motion for the proclamation was made by City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi and approved unanimously. Councilor Lisi cited the article, “A Papaya Grows in Holyoke” from the April Atlantic, a national magazine, as inspiring the proclamation. Nuestras Raíces volunteer and farmer Robert Chipman brought the article to Lisi’s attention.

Nuestras Raices originated in 1987 with the members of La Finquita Community Garden, on the corner of Cabot and South East Streets, and was later incorporated in 1992. From the community gardens have grown innovative programs. Nuestras Raíces helps community members to start small businesses and create jobs, trains beginning farmers, researches and educates community members about the urban environment, builds youth leadership, and fosters community-based coalitions.

Nuestras Raices now has ten gardens throughout the city, in which more than one hundred and twenty-five Holyoke families are participating. The gardeners have worked together to transform what were once vacant lots into flourishing green spaces where they produce fresh herbs, vegetables, berries and flowers. Low income families who have gardens with Nuestras Raices produce on average one thousand dollars in food.

On Nuestras Raíces Farm, Nuestras Raíces helps community members who were farmers in Puerto Rico and other countries of origin become commercial farmers in Massachusetts. The farm is on a thirty acre parcel of land, some of which the Sisters of Providence lease to the organization. The river-front site features walking trails, cultural festivals, a youth farm, petting zoo, farm stand, and paso fino horse stable, among other attractions.

Nuestras Raices has received recognition and support from numerous state and national institutions, bringing positive attention and funding into Holyoke. In 2007, Nuestras Raices was a leader in the Holyoke coalition that secured a $4.5 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to fight obesity. Most recently, on April 29, the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund granted $310,000 to Nuestras Raices' thirty acre farming project.

Protect health and safety of residents

2008-04-04T12:36:00.003-04:00

Letter to the Editor
from The Sun, April 4-10, 2008

Dear Editor,

I recently took a tour of a waste transfer facility in Suffield, CT with Scott Lemay, the proponent of a proposed waste transfer station at 686 Main St. I was happy to learn more about the details of the matter and see a transfer station in action. While I still have many concerns about the health impacts of such a facility on our community and the neighbors nearest to the site, I believe that with due diligence we can implement the proper, reasonable protections that would make the project worthwhile for all parties.

Mr. Lemay was remiss in submitting his MEPA proposal without first seeking input from community members or the ward councilor, Diosdado Lopez. The opposition to the project has forced Lemay to recognize that Holyoke is an Environmental Justice community with high concentrations of poverty and minority populations that deserves a process in which we are involved, informed, and able to conduct a candid conversation with the proponent. On our trip, Mr. Lemay mentioned several times that he is now eager to talk with community stakeholders and work to negotiate the scale and scope of his project to better suit the city’s needs.

I urge my colleagues, the opponents and other stakeholders to take up Mr. Lemay on his offer to engage in an open, meaningful dialogue that will impact this project. The city must do its part to protect the health and safety of all our residents and that responsibility should not be taken lightly. With citizen participation however, we can ensure a transparent process and a public-private partnership with long-term benefits for the entire Holyoke community.

If you would like to be involved in this process, please contact me at 413-535-2492 or visit me on the web at: www.votelisi.com.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Lisi
Holyoke City Councilor, At-Large

Lisi Marches in her 1st St. Pat's Parade

2008-03-31T22:20:00.002-04:00

The weather was beautiful and the march was fantastic. Thank you to all who came out to support the event!

Trash Talk- Does a proposed transfer station unfairly target one Holyoke neighborhood?

2008-02-20T22:47:00.002-05:00

from The Valley Advocate, Thursday, February 21, 2008
by Maureen Turner

Standing at the empty lot at 686 Main St. in Holyoke, it's easy enough to imagine a trash transfer station at the site.

The land, ringed by a chain-link fence, sits in the city's designated waste management district. On one side of the two-plus acre parcel is Holyoke's wastewater treatment facility; on another side, just across Berkshire Street, is the city's yard-waste drop-off site, where a pile of discarded Christmas trees awaits recycling. The immediate neighborhood is largely industrial in nature, dominated by oil companies, paper companies, printers.

But travel just beyond that ring of buildings and the nature of the neighborhood changes again, to include modest single-family homes, rental properties and the pride of the neighborhood, Springdale Park. Morgan Elementary School is half a mile from the site; Holyoke High and Dean Technical High are both within a mile and a half. It's a fragile neighborhood, one that struggles with high poverty rates, public health problems, language barriers (many residents speak Spanish as their primary language), ailing schools. The last thing it needs, many in the area say, is to add trash into the mix.

But that's what could happen, if a proposal to build a 22,575-square-foot trash transfer station at 686 Main St. succeeds. The project, proposed by United Waste Management, Inc., based in Bolton, Mass., would be a drop-off site for solid municipal waste, collected from neighboring communities, and for construction and demolition, or C&D, waste. The waste would be consolidated and then transported to landfills.

Angry residents are organizing against the project, citing worries about pollution, increased traffic and noise. Proponents of the project counter that the station would bring jobs and tax revenue to a city that could use more of both, and say fears about the project are off the mark.
And while neighbors have the backing of city councilors and a dedicated coalition of activists, they face an uphill battle: Right now, they have little legal standing in their fight to stop the project.

City Councilor Diosdado Lopez has represented Ward 2, which includes the proposed transfer station site, for 17 years. Like other opponents, he says the project snuck up on the neighborhood, with little public notification or opportunity for input.

"This whole project has been like a secret," Lopez says. "Even though I represent the area where the project is being proposed, I never got any information until I found out through the Planning Board. That usually never happens."

But once he got wind of the idea, Lopez lost no time trying to kill it. He and others opposed to the project see numerous potential problems: Pollution, generated by as many as 225 trucks a day, carrying up to 750 tons of trash to the transfer station, in a city where asthma rates are already higher than average. Noise created by the trucks and by train cars, running on tracks adjacent to the site, that would carry some of the trash from the transfer station. The wear and tear on the streets caused by the increased traffic, which they also worry could cause jams that would make it hard for emergency vehicles to get through. Declining property values for homeowners who suddenly find themselves neighbors to a trash drop-off site. Concerns about the materials at the site, including the potential for toxins like asbestos and mercury in the construction and demolition waste.

"It doesn't make sense to put something like this project in the neighborhood," Lopez says. "We don't deserve it, due to all the problems we have in the area."
Last fall, Lopez struck what looked to be a debilitating, if not fatal, blow against the transfer station project: In October, the City Council unanimously approved his proposal for a 12-month moratorium on any new waste processing or trash transfer facilities in the city.

Ginetta Candelario, a Smith College sociology professor who lives in Holyoke's Highlands neighborhood, was one of the residents who came to the council meeting that night, waving signs and wearing medical masks to symbolize their concerns about the health effects of the transfer station. "We left feeling very satisfied that we had managed to at least put the brakes on this project," Candelario recalls.

The victory was short-lived, however; within a week, the city's Law Department declared that the moratorium was not legally valid. In an Oct. 22 letter to Mayor Michael Sullivan, who had requested her opinion on the legality of the moratorium, City Solicitor Karen Betournay wrote that "the order as adopted was not in proper legal form." The moratorium, she wrote, amounted to an amendment of the city's zoning ordinance, but the Council had failed to follow the legal process, including public notice and a hearing, necessary to amend an ordinance. In addition, Betournay cited a Mass. General Law that prohibits municipalities from banning a waste disposal facility on a site already zoned for that use.

The city solicitor did note that the Council could vote to require a transfer station to obtain a special permit imposing conditions on the project. "[I]t is my opinion that a Court would not uphold the [moratorium] order, should United Waste challenge it in Court," Betournay wrote. "Rather than allowing this project to be forced upon the City through the Court system, the City should work with United Waste Management to address residents' concerns during the permitting process."

In light of Betournay's opinion, Sullivan did not sign the moratorium order, effectively vetoing it. Opponents, however, have not given up the fight: Lopez still hopes to legally impose a moratorium; barring that, he hopes to pass an order that would require United Waste Management—or any company looking to open a transfer station or recycling facility in the city—to apply for a special permit. Right now, UWM doesn't need a special permit, since the land is already zoned for waste management.

"If indeed it's going to go in, let it go in with some conditions," Lopez says. That might mean limiting the hours of operation (according to UWM documents about the project, the station would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for six major holidays a year) or reducing the maximum amount of trash allowed at the site. The permit could also require that the center, which is now pitched as a regional facility, only accept trash from within the city, Lopez suggests. "Holyoke shouldn't be a dump for any other cities or towns," he says.

Holyoke would not, in fact, serve as a dump for other communities; the project proposed for 686 Main St. would be a transfer station, where waste would be dropped off, consolidated, and then sent out to landfills.

But symbolically, opponents—who've formed a group called Holyoke Organized to Protect the Environment, or HOPE—see the project as dumping on an already beleaguered community. "We have not had a real conversation about any of this, and consequently it feels like they're trying to push something through," says Candelario.

A moratorium would create an opportunity for that conversation, she says. "What we basically want is a pause. We want to really assess the costs and benefits of a transfer station, and is this the best location. We don't think it is," she says.
"You're talking about hundreds of tons [of trash] coming in every day," Candelario says. "That's a huge amount of waste coming into the city and, sadly, coming into the ward that has the highest poverty rate, the highest asthma, high diabetes. You're talking about the most vulnerable population in Holyoke ... made even more vulnerable."

William Aponte is an environmental organizer with Nuestras Raices ("Our Roots"), a community organization focused on environmental issues and economic development in Holyoke. He's also co-director of an "environmental justice" grant Nuestras Raices received, with Mount Holyoke College, from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to assess the risks posed by toxins in the city and develop community partnerships to address the problem.

"We have many environmental problems here—diesel trucks and buses driving through the community, brownfields and abandoned buildings, the river is contaminated, the outdoor air pollution—you name it," says Aponte.

Adding a transfer station, Aponte says, runs counter to the work his organization is trying to do. "Why can't we focus on the problems we have here and try to find solutions to that, and bring healthy businesses to the community?" he asks. "Why bring a transfer station to a downtown community?"

Candelario agrees. She points to the city's ambitious Canal Walk project, which aims to revitalize the canal district with a pedestrian mall, an "arts corridor," retail and museums. "And three blocks south of there, you're going to have hundreds of dump trucks bringing trash in and out of the city?" she asks. "This is literally the gateway to Main Street." (The transfer station site sits three-quarters of a mile from the southernmost point of the Canal Walk project.)

"Holyoke has enormous potential," Candelario says. "It's a beautiful city. It's got character, architecture and history. And this just seems like a giant step backwards."

Scott Lemay, CEO of United Waste Management, says there are a lot of misconceptions about the transfer station project. That's not unusual; waste management projects tend to trigger people's worst fears, says Lemay, who's been in the industry for more than 20 years.

"People think there's pollution, and you're dumping on them," he says. But, he points out, a transfer station is not a dump or a landfill; it's a place where waste material is temporarily stored while loads brought in by smaller vehicles are consolidated to be carried out by larger trucks or by train. The material is not burned or processed, and it doesn't remain there long enough to decompose, he says.

"The reality is, you're dumping in a closed building," Lemay says. "Everything that goes into the building goes out of the building."

Lemay describes the project as having numerous benefits for the city of Holyoke. "For starters, it will create jobs, good-paying jobs," he says. Lemay estimates the facility would need about eight workers on site, such as heavy equipment and scale operators, in addition to office staff such as accounting personnel and the truck drivers and rail workers who would transport the material. "We definitely will give preference to Holyoke people," he adds.

Another benefit—one that's caught the attention of some in City Hall—is the tax revenue the project would bring to Holyoke. "You have an industrial piece of property there right now that is clearly distressed," Lemay said. Developing the property would bring in property taxes as well as excise taxes on the equipment; while the specifics of the building are still being sorted out, Lemay describes the station as a "multi-million dollar facility" that would yield "hundreds of thousands" in taxes. In addition, he says, United Waste Management is willing to negotiate a "royalty" payment to the city, which is not mandated by law but is standard in the industry for larger-scale projects.

"We're committed to making sure there are benefits to the city," he says.
Lemay contends that many of the community concerns are not as bad as opponents suggest. The facility would generate an average of 150 vehicles trips a day, with a maximum capped at 225. The site's proximity to I-391, he says, means the trucks would not be on city streets for long. And plans to move material from the facility by rail would mean fewer trucks on the road and would make it easier to move the trash to larger regional landfills, to relieve stress on already overburdened landfills in the area.

Lemay says it's unclear yet how many communities would be served by the transfer station, although he says it would serve "the immediate communities. ... People would not long-haul waste from far-away communities."

Lemay says he understands residents' fears about the transfer station, especially given the history of the site, which has, at times, hosted an incinerator and a composting site. A transfer station, he says, would not create the same odor and pollution issues.

"People need to realize that this isn't some toxic waste dump," he says. "We're talking about their trash, the surrounding communities' trash. It's no different than what you look at in your waste barrel or in a dumpster out in the city."

The concerns of residents who oppose the transfer station extend beyond environmental and traffic issues to include politics and public process. Some suggest that the project is being pushed through because it's in a heavily poor, mostly Latino neighborhood. "I believe it's like a racial project," says Nuestras Raices' Aponte, who notes that many affected residents speak Spanish as their primary language, which makes it harder for them to be engaged in the public process or to weed through technical documents that are available in English only.

And while the City Council unanimously passed the moratorium last fall, project opponents say that doesn't necessarily mean they've got city government on their side. "The mayor is basically selling this idea that he's neutral, which I don't believe," says Diosdado Lopez, who contends Sullivan is quietly backing the project.
Not so, counters Sullivan. "I really haven't taken any position one way or another," the mayor says. "I try and be fair about the advantages to the city and the disadvantages."

But, Sullivan adds, he also has to make sure the city doesn't overstep its legal rights. He didn't sign the moratorium, he says, because the Law Department made it clear it was not legally sound. He says he also has to keep in mind that, as things now stand, UWM has a legal right to build the transfer station, since the land is already zoned for that use.

"We also are very cognizant and very aware of people's land rights, and the process. This is privately held land. Taking a position one way or another would be imprudent, because that's how litigation starts," Sullivan says. "If United Waste thinks that it's unfair to them one way or another, or the residents do, it may lay the ground for a suit down the road."

While Sullivan says he's not taking a position on the project, he appears to consider its building a likely possibility and is already considering ways to mitigate potential problems. "Certainly, there are concerns," the mayor says, pointing, for instance, to increased traffic in the area. But, he says, the project might be an opportunity to get UWM to help improve traffic flow in the neighborhood, especially at I-391.

"The city engineer and I don't feel [the traffic concerns are] insurmountable, and we feel there probably would be a benefit for the greater good if we could make improvements in that area," says Sullivan. Plus, he adds, a local transfer station would mean fewer trucks heading through the city to the West Springfield facility where Holyoke now sends its trash—provided the city contracts with UWM to handle its trash.

After discussions with Lemay and with the city's DPW head, Sullivan feels many neighborhood fears about the project are unfounded. "From an environmental aspect, there's a lot of misinformation out there," he says. UWM would have control systems to handle dust and odor, he says, and the trash sorting would all take place within the building. "That's far better than what we had there before, which was an odorous nightmare," says Sullivan, referring to the former composting facility.

Sullivan objects to suggestions that Ward 2 is being treated unfairly, and that the project would never happen in a more affluent neighborhood. The fact is, he says, the project is targeting this community because it's already zoned for waste management.

"Every neighborhood has to put up with some aspect of quality of life," says Sullivan. People in the Ingleside area are bothered by mall traffic; residents of West Holyoke complain about snowmobilers; in the Highlands, they're unhappy about the coal-burning plant and the Mount Tom quarry. Given a choice, "they'd probably take the transfer station," Sullivan says.

"People don't like these things," he says of the transfer station. "They need them, but they don't like them."

One other thing Holyoke needs, the mayor adds, is revenue. While he doesn't yet know how much the transfer station would generate in taxes, he says, "I think it's safe to say it would be more than [the property] does now." The project could generate other income for the city, too, such as tipping fees.

"That money is going to go to our schools, our police, our fire. Like every community, we're starving to find new sources of revenue," Sullivan says. He even raises the specter of something that has caused much turmoil in Holyoke's biggest neighbor to the south: "I'm not saying it will, but this project may be the difference between Holyoke continuing to have free trash pick-up and having a fee like Springfield does."

Freshman City Councilor Rebecca Lisi wasn't in office when the moratorium was passed last fall. But she supports Lopez's new moratorium effort, to allow the city and residents time to evaluate the project and to make sure there's a fair process in place for evaluating such proposals in the future.

If the moratorium fails, Lisi supports requiring transfer stations to get a special permit from the City Council. "In the end, the special permit is a fallback. As a last resort, the special permitting process is there to make sure it's not interfering with the lives of the residents," she says. "It's reasonable to impose conditions about things like hours, noise control and traffic control."

Transfer stations can have positive benefits, such as encouraging recycling, says Lisi. But, she asks, "Is this the place to put it? ... No one puts a transfer station on Main Street USA."

She adds: "I definitely sympathize with [Lemay] on a few points—there's a lot of misunderstanding about what a transfer station is. But it's his responsibility to communicate with residents and make clear his proposal."

That, Lemay says, is what he was doing at a public hearing last month on the special permit and moratorium proposals. (That heavily attended hearing was continued to Feb 26, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.) At the hearing, Lemay spoke out against a special permit, which he says is redundant, given the numerous requirements already imposed at multiple levels: The state Department of Environmental Protection has an extensive review process for such projects, and UWM would also need the OK of several city bodies, including the Board of Health and the Building and Fire Departments. "There already is a very well-detailed, scrutinized process," Lemay says.

UWM, he adds, is willing to work with the city to address public concerns. "We want this project to create benefits for the community," Lemay says. "To the extent that an issue comes up that we feel needs to be compromised, we're open to discussion. ...

"We intend to have a very, very open process. We're proud of the things that we do. We want the people to have the information," adds Lemay, whose company details its proposal on a website: www.uwmholyoke.com.
Lemay believes city residents are starting to feel more comfortable with the project. "We're starting to open people's eyes," he says. "I think people that weren't that receptive in the past are starting to talk about the issues more, as opposed to just being against it."

But not everyone is ready to get on board with the project—starting with Diosdado Lopez. In addition to the special permit and moratorium proposals, he's also looking into other ways the city might stop the project, such as refusing UWM an easement to the property. He's also working with HOPE to consider other recourses, including raising money for a legal fight. "I'm hoping we don't let this guy go in without a fight to the end, even if we have to go to court," Lopez says. The group is also considering splashier tactics, such as picketing outside Lemay's home in eastern Mass., the councilor adds.

"This is a big project for the neighborhood, and I haven't found any support in the neighborhood," Lopez says. "With this project, we're going back 20 years."

—mturner@valleyadvocate.com

South Holyoke forum lists ways to improve

2008-02-06T10:11:00.000-05:00

/click to view redevelopment plan

Friday, February 01, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Removing vacant buildings, creating cleaner parks and reducing the amount of vandalism were just some of the issues raised by South Holyoke residents yesterday at a meeting about ways to improve the neighborhood.

"Hopefully, we'll develop a common vision," said Rudy Perkins, project manager for HAP Inc., a housing agency serving the region and one of the groups involved in the project.

The South Holyoke Revitalization Coordinating Committee organized the meeting, which was attended by more than 100 people at Morgan Elementary School. Similar meetings were held last year. A survey was also sent to residents in South Holyoke, which runs from Cabot Street to Interstate 391 and Race Street to the Connecticut River.

Now, such results will be compiled into a report by The Cecil Group, a Boston-based company hired to assist with gathering the information. The report is slated to be completed in March, according to Dale. H. Allen, director of institutional strategy at The Cecil Group.

But that's just the beginning. Once the report is completed, Allen said residents need to stay involved with the project. "You can't rely on the city to do all this," Allen said. "Many of you have to take an active role."

Last night and at past meetings, residents have stressed the importance of certain issues. Some of them include:

Removing vacant buildings.

Improving the neighborhood's street lighting and maintenance.

Increasing the police presence here.

Improving housing and parks.

Offering more youth programs.

Creating more opportunities for home ownership.

Before Allen's presentation, South Holyoke resident Ivette Ortiz said vandalism and illegal drug dealing are a problem in her neighborhood. She also said she wished there was a nearby laundromat.

"There's so many problems," Ortiz said.

But she added she was glad such meetings are being held.

Several city officials agreed. Four members of the City Council attended yesterday's meeting: Elaine A. Pluta, Rebecca Lisi, Diosdado Lopez and Timothy W. Purington.

"This is great," Lopez said. "I think it's good to come to the neighborhood and see what we can do."

©2008 The Republican
© 2008 MassLive.com All Rights Reserved.

/South%20Holyoke%20Revitalization%20Strategy%20013108%20final.pdf

Holyoke officials sworn in

2008-01-08T09:49:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, January 08, 2008
By KEN ROSS
kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - City Council President Joseph M. McGiverin was yesterday unanimously re-elected council president after elected city officials were sworn in for two-year terms.

"It's always a special day," McGiverin said, referring to inauguration day.

The City Council, School Committee and Mayor Michael J. Sullivan were sworn in yesterday at a ceremony in the Holyoke High School auditorium. Afterward, the City Council reconvened in the City Council chambers in City Hall to re-elect McGiverin as council president.

A large crowd of residents and some students attended yesterday's swearing in ceremony. Holyoke High School's Madrigal Choir sang several songs during the ceremony. Members of Dean Tech Air Force Jr. ROTC Color Guard also led officials down the aisle at the start of the ceremony and formed a reception line along the auditorium's aisle as people exited the building after the ceremony.

Including McGiverin, 12 incumbents and three newcomers were sworn into office by City Clerk Susan M. Egan. The three new Holyoke City Councilors are At-large member Rebecca Lisi, Ward 3 Councilor Anthony Martin Keane and Ward 4 Councilor Timothy W. Purington.

As for the School Committee, seven incumbents and one new member were sworn in on the 10 member board. The new member is At-large School Committee member Howard B. Greaney Jr.

Mayor Sullivan also serves on the committee. The other committee member - At-large School Committee member Mary S. Signet - was not up for re-election.

The three new City Councilors were enthusiastic about beginning their first terms on the council.

"It's very exciting," Purington said. "It's exciting to think I have more of a voice in the future of the city."

"It feels great right now," Keane said. "We'll see what the position brings."

"I think we have a good team on the council," Lisi said. "It's time to move forward on a lot of issues for the council."

McGiverin outlined some of the issues he hopes the council will address this year. In particular, McGiverin said he believes the council needs to address concerns raised in a recent state Department of Revenue report analyzing the city's financial management.

"We need to look at the current financial management particulars of the city," McGiverin said, adding, "We need to look at those recommendations ... without specific people in mind."

The council also needs to be concerned with the school district's budget for next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The School Committee decides the actual budget. But the council ultimately approves it as part of the entire city budget.

And next fiscal year, the school district will face budget constraints due to an anticipated drop in state aid related to a charter school in the city.

©2008 The Republican
© 2008 MassLive.com All Rights Reserved.

2 upsets mark Holyoke voting

2007-11-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

from The Republican; Wednesday, November 07, 2007
By KEN ROSS kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Political newcomer Timothy W. Purington defeated incumbent John P. Lecca, pulling off one of two upsets in yesterday's low-key municipal election.

"I'm thrilled by the results," Purington said.

The other upset was staged by Howard B. Greaney Jr., who defeated incumbent Michael J. Moriarty for an At-Large School Committee seat by a vote of 2,829 to 2,785.

"We just worked and worked and worked and we got our message out," Greaney said.

And the newest At-Large City Council member is Rebecca Lisi, who beat out three challengers for the seat vacated by Raymond H. Feyre, who did not run for re-election.

"I find it to be a great honor," Lisi said. "I'm glad the citizens of Holyoke are trusting me with this responsibility."

All the other political races were won by incumbents, including Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, who ran unopposed.Along with the political races, residents also favored a nonbinding ballot question to reduce the size of the 15-member City Council by a tally of 2,783 to 2,338.

Voter turnout was relatively low. A total of 31.8 percent or 6,147 of the city's 19,613 registered voters cast ballots in the election, according to City Clerk Susan M. Egan.

"I thought it (voter turnout) would be a little higher," Egan said yesterday. "I think this morning's rain really turned off a lot of people."

Along with Lisi, seven At-Large City Council members were re-elected. Elaine A. Pluta captured the most votes. The other six in order of the number of votes received were Joseph M. McGiverin, Peter R. Tallman, James M. Leahy, Patricia C. Devine, Kevin A. Jourdain and John E. Whelihan.

As for the ward City Council races, Purington pulled off the only upset, defeating Lecca by a vote of 365 to 301. Purington credited his win to his hard work as a campaigner.

"I feel like I really put a lot of work into understanding the ward," Purington said. "I worked really hard. I listened to people. My platform was really based on what constituents wanted and they rewarded me."

Lecca could not be reached yesterday for comment.

As for the other ward City Council races, Ward 1 incumbent Donald R. Welch defeated M. Jeanne R. Forget.

In the Ward 3 City Council race, Anthony Martin Keane outpaced Richard P. Purcell for the post currently held by Helen F. Norris, who did not seek re-election.

In Ward 5, incumbent John P. Brunelle defeated Linda L. Vacon.

There were also contested races for two, ward School Committee seats. In Ward 6, incumbent William R. Collamore beat Daniel C. Burns. In Ward 7, incumbent Margaret M. Boulais survived a challenge by Nicole S. Muller.

In the School Committee At Large race, Greaney, a retired teacher, ousted Moriarty. Greaney attributed his win to a strong grassroots campaign. He also referred to a Moriarty as a formidable candidate.

Moriarty thanked Greaney for a clean campaign. "We both made a case for why we should be on the School Committee. The results weren't what I wanted but it was the will of the voters," Moriarty said. Moriarty said he will ask for a recount since he lost by less than 1 percent of the vote.

©2007 The Republican

Lisi Wins At-Large Seat on Holyoke City Council!

2007-11-08T16:17:00.000-05:00

Voting on Election Day, November 6, 2007

2007-11-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

Polling Places for each Ward

Polls are open Tuesday, November 6, from 8:00am- 7:00pm.

WARD ONE

Precinct A - Kelly School, 216 West Street

Precinct B - Prospect Heights Community Room, 41 Chestnut Street

WARD TWO

Precinct A - Morgan School Gym

Precinct B - Falcetti Towers, 475 Maple St.

WARD THREE

Precinct A - Elmwood Engine House, South Street

Precinct B - Knights of Columbus Hall, Westfield Road

WARD FOUR

Precinct A - St. Paul's Church Parish House, Appleton Street

Precinct B - St. Paul's Church Parish House, Appleton Street

WARD FIVE

Precinct A - Lt. Elmer J. McMahon School Gym

Precinct B - Maurice A. Donahue School Gym

WARD SIX

Precinct A - Rodphey Sholom Synagogue, 1800 Northampton Street

Precinct B - Rodphey Sholom Synagogue, 1800 Northampton Street

WARD SEVEN

Precinct A - E.N. White School Gym, 1 Jefferson Street

Precinct B - E.N. White School Gym, 1 Jefferson Street

At-Large Candidate Lisi Gains Endorsements

2007-10-27T01:42:00.000-04:00

press release, October 26, 2007

HOLYOKE- Rebecca Lisi, City Council Candidate At-Large, gained endorsements from Clean Water Action Alliance of MA, Neighbor to Neighbor MA, as well as the Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

“It’s important and exciting to get these endorsements”, said Lisi. “I am grateful that each organization recognizes my leadership and that I am trusted to represent diverse issues with evenness and an open mind.”

Clean Water Action Alliance of MA is a national organization of diverse people and groups working together for clean water, protecting health, creating jobs, and making democracy work. Clean Water Action sent a questionnaire to the At-Large candidates regarding an number of environment issues concerning Holyoke such as, the Construction and Demolition Transfer Station sited for the Springdale neighborhood, the use of safer cleaning products in schools, and support for state funding to restore drinking water infrastructure.

“Clean Water Action is very excited to endorse Rebecca Lisi for Holyoke City Council At-Large", said Chris Bathurst, Political Director for CWA. "We know from first-hand experience that Rebecca Lisi will work hard to protect the health and environment for all the people in Holyoke".

The Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is a voluntary federation of 70 local labor unions with 35,000 members across the southern Pioneer Valley, whose mission is to organize within communities towards justice for working families. Lisi requested an interview with the PVCLC and asked to be considered for an endorsement.

“We believe that Rebecca will be a good fit for the Holyoke City Council,” said Rick Brown, President of the PVCLC, AFL-CIO. “She will be a strong voice for working families in Holyoke, and will put the needs of families before politics”.

Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts builds power in low-income and working class communities around economic justice issues. Their members held a candidates’ forum at Jarvis Heights Community Room earlier this month and made several endorsements based on the candidates’ responses to questions regarding jobs and job training, opportunities for youth, and Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reform. Neighbor to Neighbor is prioritizing Getting-Out-the-Vote for Lisi’s campaign.

"The population of Holyoke is young, and we need someone who will advocate for the needs of the youth," commented Veronica Bermudez, Neighbor to Neighbor member. “Rebecca has the energy to bring new ideas to the table and that will be necessary to make positive changes for Holyoke”.

For more information about Rebecca Lisi’s At-Large campaign for city council visit: www.votelisi.com

Upcoming Event: Municipal Candidates' Forum

2007-10-22T00:03:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, October 24 from 6:30- 9:00pm, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and the Holyoke Taxpayers Association are hosting a Municipal Candidates' Forum at Holyoke High School.

All are welcome.

Lisi Attends Candidates' Forum at COA

2007-10-21T23:52:00.000-04:00

Rebecca Lisi attended the Seniors Club Candidates' Forum at the Council on Aging, on Wednesday, October 17th.

Candidate Lisi Attends Youth Voice Candidates' Forum

2007-10-06T23:24:00.000-04:00

Rebecca Lisi attended the first Youth Voice Candidates' Forum on Wednesday, October 4th. Click below to view video clip.

Vote Lisi signs sweep Holyoke

2007-09-29T21:26:00.000-04:00

from The Sun, September 28, 2007

HOLYOKE- Residents and visitors alike cannot travel across the city for long without encountering one of the red, white, and blue signs advertizing Rebecca Lisi’s At-Large Campaign for City Council. Lisi, of 25 Reservation Rd., has been campaigning door-to-door since July of this year, making use of both the internet and personal contact with voters to deliver her campaign message. The lawn signs display her website (www.votelisi.com) so even a brief glimpse of the familiar colors can be enough of a lead for residents-on-the-go to learn more about her campaign goals.

“I understand that residents lead busy lives and cannot always make it to events or meetings where issues are being discussed. My campaign website allows people to ‘connect’ to local politics, despite time constraints, and provides access to ideas and information about improving our quality of life in Holyoke,” said Lisi.

Rebecca Lisi’s campaign focuses on three primary goals: strong schools that are supported by community members and organizations, downtown revitalization and zoning that directs development towards the city center, and creating more jobs in Holyoke by attracting new businesses to the city with creative incentives.

“Policies that help re-connect residents to opportunities downtown will help create investments that will ultimately serve and sustain the entire city,” said Lisi.
Lisi has gone door-to-door in Wards 3, 5, 6 and 7. She plans to continue canvassing until the election and anticipates covering most of the city. While knocking on doors, Lisi is communicating her campaign message while allowing residents the opportunity to share with her, their experiences and concerns. Rebecca Lisi is interested in an open and responsive city government. The blog component on her website is set up to collect feedback, comments, and questions that contribute to the dialogue as well.

Lisi remarks, “Going door-to door is very humbling. You realize that there is value in each person’s perspective or understanding of a situation, although they may be different. I intend on being a councilor who will utilize these distinctions and remain attentive to the diverse needs of all of Holyoke’s residents”.

Letter to the Editor, Vote Lisi

2007-09-29T01:22:00.000-04:00

from The Sun, September 28, 2007

Dear Editor:

Two years ago I answered a knock at the door and encountered Rebecca Lisa for the first time. We chatted about some local issues, some we agreed on and a few we didn’t. In all cases Rebecca had a considered and thoughtful point of view. I talked to some of my neighbors after that encounter and urged them to give her consideration…and was of course disappointed when she fell short of the vote total needed for election from Ward 7..

Since then Rebeccas has continued to stay abreast of local political issues, and once again is running for a council position…this time as a council(wo)man-at-large. Holyoke needs farsighted and thoughtful people like Rebecca in council…people who will sometimes take the lead, sometimes challenge, but always put the welfare of the community and effectiveness/efficiency of governement first. Rebecca is a person who establishes high expectations of herself and her work, and encourages others to do the same. I believe she would add a vibrant, effective energy to the city council if elected.

I urge you as well as my fellow citizens of Holyoke (both Anglo and Latino) to pay close attention to this young woman during the campaign. I believe you will conclude, as I have, that REBECCA LISI deserves both your newspaper’s endorsment and the votes of the citizens of Holyoke.
Sincerely,

Harry F Lavo
Holyoke

Event: Nuestras Raices Harvest Festival

2007-09-28T00:57:00.000-04:00

Candidate Lisi will be at the Harvest Festival this Saturday, September 29, from 12-3:30pm

Farmer Heriberto Santiago and the members of Nuestras Raices invite you to:
the 14th Annual Festival de la Cosecha/Harvest Festival

September 29th, 12pm-6pm

en La Finca - Nuestras Raices Farm
24 Jones Ferry Road, Holyoke, MA
Entrance Free

Don't miss - live bands playing traditional music, puerto rican-style pig roast (lechon asado) and other great food, demonstrations of Paso Fino Horses and pony rides, activities for children, nature walks by the Connecticut River

For more information, call Hilda Colon- (413) 535-1789

Sponsored by - Massachusetts Cultural Council, Mass Latino Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts, Holyoke Food & Fitness Policy Council, the Ford Foundation

Event: Meet and Greet, 18 Florence Ave.

2007-09-22T14:50:00.000-04:00

Saturday, September 29, from 4:00-6:00pm
Pat Duffy is hosting a "Meet and Greet" event at her home at 18 Florence Ave., Holyoke.

Neighbors interested in learning about Candidate Lisi's campaign focus are invited to attend.

View Larger Map

Event: Meet and Greet, 51 Portland St.

2007-09-16T13:55:00.000-04:00

Saturday, September 15, from 2:00-4:00pm
Carlos and Elaine Vega are hosting a "Meet and Greet" event at their home at 51 Portland St., Holyoke.

Neighbors interested in learning about Candidate Lisi's campaign focus are invited to attend.

View Larger Map

Video Clip from Kick-Off Event; June 13, 2007

2007-09-13T13:18:00.000-04:00

Press play to begin clip.

Rebecca Lisi Submits Nomination Papers for Open At-Large Seat

2007-08-25T14:19:00.000-04:00

from The Sun; August 31, 2007:

HOLYOKE- Rebecca Lisi of 25 Reservation Rd. submitted her nomination papers for At-Large City Councilor to the City Clerk with over 300 signatures from residents throughout the city- only 50 are required. Lisi is running an aggressive door-to-door campaign and started by talking with neighbors in several wards.

“Holyoke is changing and so is the way its residents interact with the city. It is important for a politician to listen to peoples’ experiences and bring those voices to the table, in order to get an accurate understanding of how we can work to enhance the quality of life here”.

Bill and Sandra Rigali of 42 Knollwood Cir. agree, “Going door-to-door demonstrates Rebecca’s willingness to meet people face-to-face and get their input about how to improve our wonderful city”.

Lisi is very familiar with door-to-door organizing. She directed Clean Water Action’s Canvass Operation for nearly 4 years, helping to mobilize constituents for clean air, clean water, and public health legislation. Rebecca also has experience coordinating grassroots election campaigns, including several aspects of Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial race in Western Massachusetts.

A strong proponent of Smart Growth, Rebecca Lisi will focus her campaign on downtown re-vitalization as a way to make Holyoke attractive to residents and investors alike. Smart Growth encourages mixed-use development in the city’s urban core to protect historic resources, preserve green spaces, and promote cultural diversity. These principles can increase job and business opportunities by attracting private sector investments to areas near clusters of housing, workforce, and transportation options.

Lisi remarks, “Holyoke has so many young people in the city who are yearning to live the American Dream. With increased job opportunities and affordable housing, young people will re-invest in the city, become productive tax paying citizens, increase the city’s ability to generate revenue, and support a community invested in success”.

Lisi’s Campaign Kick-Off; A Future Rooted in History

2007-08-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

press release; June 19, 2007

HOLYOKE- Wednesday, June 13, At-Large Candidate Rebecca Lisi of 25 Reservation Road celebrated her campaign kick-off at the Delaney House with friends, neighbors and community stakeholders. At the event, Lisi shared her vision for a re-vitalized Holyoke that makes use of the city’s historic past.

“We need to move forward with an appreciation and admiration for the work and the structures established thus far… Smart Growth Principles build upon the existing infrastructure of our industrially planned city,” Lisi said.

Smart Growth encourages compact development in a city’s urban core that protects historic resources, preserves green spaces, and promotes mixed industrial, commercial, and residential uses. These principles can increase job and business opportunities by attracting private sector investments to areas near clusters of housing, workforce, and transportation options.

Lisi said, “Directing development downtown makes economic avenues clear and predictable and develops a tax base that can help relieve the city of its massive subsidies. When we invest in… downtown, we create a Holyoke that is safe, attractive, and affordable for young people, families, and seniors to live”.

Lisi also mentioned the need for increased resident participation in city government and organizations. She stated that supportive partnerships and shared responsibility between the city, its residents, businesses and the numerous non-profits located in Holyoke can make our community more effective as a group.

“The people in Holyoke are this city’s greatest resource. We need to make use of their interest and commitment to this community. I am going door-to-door to connect with residents face-to-face so we can work on overcoming challenges together”.

Rebecca Lisi announces candidacy for At-Large City Council seat

2007-07-06T16:13:00.000-04:00

from The Sun, April 6, 2007:

HOLYOKE- Rebecca Lisi of 25 Reservation Rd. took out papers this week to run for an At-Large City Council seat. Lisi, who has lived in Holyoke since 2004, ran for Ward 7 City Council in 2005 and lost only marginally to Councilor Jay O’Neill. “When campaigning for the Ward 7 seat, many Holyoke citizens told me that the issues I want to take on are more appropriate for an At-Large Councilor. I am running with that momentum this year,” said Lisi.

Lisi will again focus on revitalizing the downtown as part of her campaign platform. She believes that Smart Growth strategies can help improve the quality of life throughout Holyoke by establishing clear and predictable avenues for economic development. Smart Growth concentrates urban redevelopment to compact areas downtown, where the infrastructure already exists, preserving our natural environment, and utilizing our community diversity.

Lisi works as a political organizer for Clean Water Action. She helps develop grassroots campaigns to protect public health and the environment. This past year she successfully led the organization’s endorsement efforts for Deval Patrick’s campaign for Governor. For her own 2005 campaign and also for Patrick’s, she knocked on many doors in the city and will continue to do so for this At-Large campaign. Lisi said, “Canvassing is really important to any political campaign. It’s where I get to listen and engage with the real issues and concerns of the people who live here”.

Rebecca Lisi is also very involved in many community organizations in Holyoke. She teaches yoga classes at the Holyoke YMCA. Lisi has volunteered with the Holyoke Youth Task Force since 2005 and recently took the position of Chair to the newly formed Advocacy Committee. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Nueva Esperanza.

Lisi said, “Holyoke is a special place and I’ve met so many people working hard to overcome the challenges we have to deal with here. I’d like to be in a position where I can support these efforts and help make the city safer and more vibrant”.