Mayor leads all-boards meeting to reinforce onboarding, conduct and collaboration

Mayor (unnamed) opened the city’s second annual all-boards-and-commissions meeting to remind volunteer board members about their responsibilities, onboarding steps and the administration’s two citywide priorities: improving cross-department communication and strengthening internal controls. “City of Holyoke is dedicated to delivering high quality services to everyone who lives, work, and plays in Holyoke,” the mayor said when presenting the mission statement drafted from department feedback.

The session was presented as a practical refresher rather than a formal hearing. Attendees included chairs and members from DPW, Planning, Conservation, HEDIC, the Housing Authority and the Board of Health; the mayor stressed boards should coordinate with department heads on proposed budgets and operations. He urged board chairs to meet candidates during onboarding and to work with HR and the solicitor’s office when questions arise about appointments or conduct.

Kelly Curran, the city’s HR director, summarized personnel guidance relevant to boards: appointed members are expected to follow the city’s social media and anti-harassment policies; unlike elected officials, appointed members may be asked to step down for policy violations. Curran also noted timekeeping for employees is handled through employee self-service and typically approved by a board chair where applicable.

City Solicitor Lisa Ball and assistant Jane Mantileski reviewed legal responsibilities for public bodies. Ball said formal written legal opinions are usually requested through the mayor or city council but individual boards and department heads may contact the solicitor’s office for advice; she described a plan to publish legal opinions on the city website going back to 2022. The solicitor’s office reminded members that public records requests should route through the city clerk (named in the transcript as Bridal O'Leary) so the clerk can track responses and appeals.

Mayor and staff closed by asking boards to stay engaged ahead of budget season, promising a follow-up meeting in 3–4 months to review the draft budget and departmental priorities. The meeting ended with administrative reminders to sign attendance sheets and an offer to take a group photo.