3 seats open on city council
Three seats are open for four-year terms on Holyoke City Council, announced Kathy Olofson, city clerk, at the July 19 council meeting.
The open seats for the Nov. 8 election include those of Brian Akey, Gene Bittner and Cathy Edge; however, there are no term limits.
Olofson said paperwork can be picked up from her beginning Tuesday, Aug. 9, at which time petitions can be circulated. They must be turned in by Monday, Aug. 29.
To be eligible, candidates must be 18 years or older at the time of the election, a Holyoke resident for 12 consecutive months and a registered elector.
For more information, call 970-854-2266 or stop by 407 E. Denver St.
Police officer resigns
Officer Clara Sowa, who began working at Holyoke Police Department on May 10, has resigned.
HPD Chief Doug Bergstrom told the council that she could not find housing that met her needs.
Also in his report July 19, Bergstrom said there were two notable events in recent days. There was a man walking around town with a weapon, and Bergstrom said he was put on a mental health order. In another incident, HPD conducted a short pursuit of an individual in Holyoke, and Taser deployment was used.
Child care initiative asks for support
On behalf of the Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative, Trisha Herman and Tom Bennett attended the meeting to invite the council to an informative session July 25 about the fundraising process for a proposed child care facility.
“We’re still looking for your support to reapply for DOLA,” said Herman in regard to a Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact grant for $750,000.
She said HCCI still needs to fundraise about $1 million from the community, hoping to have pledge letters by Sept. 1.
“We could really break ground tomorrow if we had money in hand,” said Herman, noting that the design and land are already in place for the facility.
Herman, who is the Phillips County Economic Development director, also mentioned a few other projects that she’s been working on:
— Rural Jumpstart Zone incentive breaks for businesses that come to the area.
— Roadmap to Recovery grant.
— Low-income senior housing.
— City Park improvements, including conversations with city rec director Victoria Dunker.
Other business
In other business at the July 19 meeting, the council:
— Met Lance Talich, the city’s new building permit technician and code enforcement officer who started last week.
— Clarified that until superintendent Mark Brown’s retirement in November, Jeff Deselms has been hired as the superintendent in training and Jeremy Thompson is the assistant superintendent in training.
— Gave HPD permission to hire two people at $12.56 per hour to clean out old records.
— Approved resolution 7-2022 for annexation proceedings to be initiated upon a petition for annexation filed by Riley and DeeAnn Dubbert Trust for a piece of land just north of Holyoke on Highway 385. A hearing has been set for Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at the council chambers.
— Approved a motion to vote on the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program at the next meeting, Aug. 2.
— Approved renewal of the liquor license for First Dragon Chinese Restaurant.
— Appointed Ray Bahler to serve a five-year term on the Holyoke Housing Authority Board.
— Tabled discussion on communications center funding until after Aug. 10.