Charter review OK'd in Holyoke

HOLYOKE - Voters here overwhelming decided to form a commission to study the city charter and elected nine people, including a past city councilor and a former city solicitor, to serve on the panel.

The referendum question to establish a charter review commission was approved by a vote of 4,131-1,552; in all, 8,297 voters cast ballots in Tuesday's election.

"There is a lot of work ahead of us, and I hope there will be some good sit-down discussions to what needs to be done to our charter," said Helen F. Norris, a past city councilor, who received 2,878 votes to be elected to the commission.

The commission will have to begin meeting soon because it has 45 days to release a statement about its work. It must finish the study in 18 months and submit recommendations. Voters will then decide if they will accept the recommendations in the next municipal election in two years.

Norris said she believes there should be amendments to the charter but called one suggestion to eliminate the mayor and have an appointed city manager lead the city "undemocratic" because it would take away people's right to elect their leader.

Norris came in second in the field of 22 candidates. City health director Daniel B. Bresnahan was the top vote-getter, receiving 3,103 ballots. James Lavelle Sr., businessman and owner of the popular JP's restaurant, came in third with 2,802 ballots and John G. Whelihan, a city councilor who did not seek reelection, came in fourth with 2,793 votes.

The other members will be Carl Eger Jr., who received 2,479 votes, Harold F. Brunault, 2,192 votes, Sheryl Y. Quinn, 1,959 ballots, Christopher Kulig, 1,769 votes and Andrew L. Melendez 1,651 votes.

"It will be a tedious task. I'm actually looking forward to it," Whelihan said. "I think it should be done every decade."

The charter was created in 1896, and the last time it was reviewed was in the 1970s.

Whelihan said he also believes extending the term for mayor from the current two years to four years should be reviewed.

"The size of the city charter is actually quite short; it is only six or seven pages," said Brunault said. "It doesn't go into much detail."

Brunault, a former city solicitor, said friends convinced him to run because they felt the commission needed a lawyer among the group.

One issue the commission will study is the size of the City Council. Brunault said he has seen the council, and the Board of Aldermen before it, with 11 members and 21 members, as well as the current 15 members.

Voters interviewed at the polls said they agree it is time to take a look at the city charter.

"I think it is important they have that," said Albert Hersh, who said he voted for the charter review. "If you don't vote to review the whole charter, how do you know something is not working?"