Holyoke council and mayor would control street layout decisions

The Holyoke city council, with the mayor’s approval, would decide whether to lay out, relocate, alter, or discontinue city streets and ways. This applies to all streets, ways, and highways within Holyoke and includes setting damages for people affected by those decisions. People who disagree with a damages assessment or another council action would keep the appeal rights allowed by law for appeals from town selectmen decisions. The section would take effect upon approval of the act.

The city council would need a majority vote of all members to approve an ordinance, order, resolution, or vote involving more than $1,000 in spending. The rule covers city council actions involving an appropriation or expenditure that may exceed $1,000. The measure would normally need two readings at least three days apart before final passage. The final vote would need to be a roll call. After the mayor gives a written recommendation, the council could act on the same day with a two-thirds recorded vote. These rules would take effect upon approval of the act and would apply to covered council actions after that point.