Holyoke Taxpayers Association Inc

08/06/2026

Hello Friends: Debate Update

On Tuesday August 11, 2026, from 6:00-7:00 PM, The Holyoke Taxpayers' Association, OneHolyoke CDC and Holyoke Media will present an informational conversation with State Representative Patricia Duffy who is running for re-election. Our host for the conversation will be Anthony Cignoli.

This was originally scheduled to be a debate between Representative Duffy and challenger Dori Dean. In July candidate Dean informed HTA she would not be participating.

HTA is committed to good government by providing facts and information through education and advocacy initiatives including debates.

Of Importance:

The session will be streamed live on BoxCast.

https://www.google.com/search?q=boxcast+holyoke+video&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1123US1123&oq=boxcast+holyoke+video&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCDc4NzBqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8

Please note that Spanish translation services will not be available with the live stream. Translation services will be available to the feed that will be posted on Channel 15 by Holyoke Media on August 12.

The session is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 PM. There is limited seating. Please no food or drink inside the studio. Please no signs, banners, facial image signs, etc.

If you plan to attend the event and have a question for Representative Duffy please write your question out ahead of time. I will collect questions before we start and present them to Mr. Cignoli who will have final authority on all questioned posed to Ms. Pat Duffy.

We hope this session is helpful to the voters.

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers' Association

07/07/2026

Hello Friends;

Please read the release from State Senator Jo Comerford concerning PILOT Programs for municipalities.

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers’ Association

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From Senator Jo Comerford

PLEASE READ AND SHARE

This is a big moment for our region.

The Commonwealth owns more than half a million acres of land — and because it’s tax-exempt, state Payment-in-lieu of Taxes (PILOT) payments to municipalities are meant to compensate the communities that steward this land. Right now, that formula isn’t working fairly for many of our rural and small towns. And we NEED it to work so that our communities have the funds they need and deserve AND so that we can continue to preserve natural and working land.

We have a real opportunity to change that.

The Commission on PILOT for State-Owned Land (on which I am proud to serve) is holding listening sessions this July. You are warmly encouraged to show up, speak out, and be heard. Your input will directly shape recommendations to improve this program.

📍 Nearby sessions:
Franklin Regional Council of Governments — July 16, 5:30–7pm
Holyoke Community College — July 20, 10–11:30am
Orange Town Hall — TBD (likely week of July 20, more details soon)

Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fh2GPrdIDkqYBowE2Bt7Km7SNrpTTVdNr1hbSiw4rf1UMjYwM0tLNE5WV0kyRU5WSVZSRzIxVlJLUi4u&route=shorturl
You can also submit feedback if you can’t attend: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fh2GPrdIDkqYBowE2Bt7Km7SNrpTTVdNr1hbSiw4rf1URVNCOEFYTDgyNFNKOEkzV1E2U0tQOUJBMC4u&route=shorturl

Let’s make sure our communities are heard.

The Commonwealth owns more than half a million acres of land, including state parks and forests, wildlife management areas, beaches, and military training facilities. Because this property is exempt from local taxation, the state administers a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program that provides p...

07/01/2026

Hello Holyoke! 😎

Congratulations to Jackie Glasheen who takes over today as Holyoke’s new School Superintendent.

The Holyoke Taxpayers’ Association is excited to welcome Jackie as our September speaker for HTA’s Lunch and Learn program.

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers’ Association

06/12/2026

A Message to the Holyoke City Council:

The Holyoke Taxpayers Association respectfully urges the Holyoke City Council to apply
sound fiscal judgment as it reviews the proposed FY 2027 municipal budget. At a time
when residents and businesses face significant financial pressure, taxpayers deserve
confidence that every proposed expenditure is being considered with care, discipline, and
a realistic understanding of what Holyoke can afford.
Over the past several years, taxpayers have faced a growing financial burden. Families,
businesses, and seniors on fixed incomes have been required to absorb higher property
taxes while also managing sharp increases in nearly every essential household expense.
Utility bills and insurance premiums have risen, and the costs of food, gasoline, housing,
and necessities continue to strain workers and retirees alike. As a result, there is little
room left in household/business budgets for another increase, no matter how well it may
be justified on paper.
The same discipline that seniors, families, and businesses apply at the kitchen table
should guide this Council’s budget decisions. When costs rise faster than income, people
must focus on essentials, postpone nonessential spending, and make difficult choices to
stay financially stable. Taxpayers deserve that same restraint and prioritization in the
municipal budget process. Every proposed increase should be closely reviewed, every
department should justify its requests, and the Council should clearly separate core
services from discretionary spending.
The City Council is taxpayers’ last line of defense. Once a budget is approved, taxpayers
must absorb the consequences by stretching their paychecks, adjusting household
budgets, and cutting back elsewhere to cover higher taxes and fees. For that reason, the
Council’s review must be more than a formality. It should serve as a meaningful check on
unnecessary spending growth and on proposals that may be well intended but remain
unaffordable for the people who pay for them.
We respectfully ask the Council to examine not only proposed spending increases, but
also the long-term obligations they create. New programs, additional staff, expanded
benefits, and ongoing operating costs do not end after a single fiscal year. Caution is not
obstruction; it is responsible governance. A budget that grows beyond what residents and
businesses can sustain is not prudent, even if it appears balanced on paper. Fiscal
responsibility and strong public services are not competing goals; they should go hand in
hand.
As you consider the proposed FY 2027 budget, we urge you to keep in mind the working
families, tenants, seniors, retirees, and businesses already under financial strain. Please
review this budget with the seriousness it demands and reject unnecessary spending
increases. The people of Holyoke need a Council that will stand firm, exercise
independent judgment, ask tough questions, and protect taxpayers from a budget that
grows faster than they can afford.
Thank you for your time, your service, and your thoughtful consideration of this matter. We
respectfully ask you to remember that fiscal restraint is not only sound policy, but also a
matter of fairness to the taxpayers who support Holyoke and rely on you to be their final
line of defense.

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers’ Association

05/16/2026

Hello Friends;

I’m excited to announce that the Holyoke Taxpayers’ Association will host a debate between incumbent Patricia Duffy and challenger Dori Dean for State Representative-5th Hampden District.

The debate will be in studio at Holyoke Media on Tuesday August 11 from 6:00-7:30 PM. Primary Day is September 1.

Tony Cignoli will be our moderator.

Additional details will be coming soon.

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers Association

05/07/2026

Tonight is a continuation of the public hearing concerning the proposed zoning issues. Go to Chambers and be heard, offer your thoughts via Zoom, and or email your elected officials.

Good government requires education and involvement from all. 😎

Lori Belanger
Executive Director
Holyoke Taxpayers

Date and time: 2026-05-07 06:30 pmLocation: City Hall HolyokeDepartment: City Council Agenda City Council Holyoke Massachusetts Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25, and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on Ordinanc...

05/04/2026

HTA’s Annual Meeting last month was well attended at Wyckoff Country Club. Helene Florio received 4 citations for her 14 plus years of service as Executive Director and President.