City Clerk
The City Clerk Office serves as a document and information resource to the Council, all City departments, and the citizens of our city. The City Clerk is elected every four years and is responsible for the due, proper and faithful performance of all operational matters of City Council.
As the official keeper of municipal records, the Clerk oversees various certificates and licenses, such as birth, death, or marriage. Businesses may register newly formed sole proprietorships and partnerships and renew previously granted licenses. Also, dog licenses are obtained here.
In Holyoke, the position of City Clerk has three additional duties; Clerk of the Council, Elections, and the Registrar of Voters.
As Clerk to the City Council, the clerk keeps records and recordings of all City Council meetings, prepares the agenda, and records all votes and roll call as well as performs special duties.
- The City Council meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.
- The agendas for City Council Meetings may be obtained via our on-line calendar or through the City Clerk's Office on the Friday before the meeting.
- The minutes of the City Council meetings may be obtained through the City Clerk's Office 10 days after approval by City Council and in order for the Mayor to sign the orders.
- Records of Legislation are kept in the City Clerk's Office.
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Are you looking for a copy of your birth certificate, marriage license or a death record? The City Clerk’s Office is the place to go.
The City Clerk records and preserves original birth, marriage and death records for the City of Holyoke, providing the basis for the Commonwealth’s Central Vital Registration System.
We now offer two options for ordering a copy of your vital record.
1. NEW – ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION!
If you would like to order a birth, death or marriage record, please click on the links below and fill out the form and payment area.
Birth Certificate – https://epay.cityhallsystems.com?key=holyoke.ma.us&type=BC
Death Certificate- https://epay.cityhallsystems.com?key=holyoke.ma.us&type=DC
Marriage Certificate- https://epay.cityhallsystems.com?key=holyoke.ma.us&type=MC
2. MAIL OPTION: DOWNLOAD FORM
If you need to request a birth, marriage or death record, please download the appropriate form or submit a request in writing to the office, do not request this via email. The address is City Clerk, 536 Dwight St., Holyoke, MA 01040.
Downloads:
Birth Certificate Request Form
Marriage Certificate Application
Instructions for requests:
The fee for birth, marriage and death records is $10.00. Download and fill out the form listed above, or submit a letter with your name (including birth name), date of birth and photocopy of your driver’s license or state issued id and the certificate will be mailed to you. Please note: we only accept checks over $25.
The City Clerk is responsible for providing licensing for:
Marriage
All persons who wish to be married in Massachusetts must have a marriage license issued within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The couple must apply in person at City Hall. There is a (3) three day waiting period to receive your license.
Junk
Licensing is required to be filed for anyone for the purchase, sale or barter of junk, old metals, or second-hand articles.
Download the Junk Dealer’s License Application
Secondhand Goods
Should your business be as a holder/seller/dealer of precious and second-hand articles, a valid license must be on-site. Application must be made through the Town Clerk’s office
Download the Secondhand License Application
Exhibition
Licensing is required for theatrical exhibitions, public shows, public amusements and exhibitions of every description, to be held upon weekdays only. Sunday events require a special license from the DPW.
Download Exhibition License Application
Downloadable documents and forms:
- Application to Conduct an Auction
- Business Certificate Application Packet
- Claim against the City of Holyoke
- Exhibition License Application
- Junk Dealer’s License Application
- Livery Services License Application
- Pawnbroker License Application
- Pool and Billiard Tables License Application
- Secondhand License Application
Please use the following application for all Special Permits.
Special Permit Application-City Council
Important Documents:
Special Permit Ordinance | 4.3 Table of Principal Uses |
5.2 Table of Dimensional Regulations | Table of Off-Street Parking Standards |
The Holyoke City Council approves the following Special Permits:
USE REGULATIONS:
DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS:
5.3.1 Height limitation |
GENERAL REGULATIONS:
6.1.8.1 Special permit for a driveway in a front yard |
SPECIAL REGULATIONS:
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES AND ANTENNAS:
7.8.4 Wireless Telecommunication facilities and antennas | 7.8.9 Alterations to Wireless Telecommunications Facilities |
7.8.5 Antenna on an existing wireless telecommunications | 7.9. Solar Facilities |
SPECIAL DISTRICTS:
Zone Change:
Other:
Genealogy is the number one hobby in America. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are often the first step in researching the family tree. For many American families who have ancestors who once lived in, or passed through Holyoke, the Archives is a mandatory stop on the research trail.
City Hall welcomes family members and relatives to research their archives!
Please feel free to stop in Tuesday – Thursday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Permit/ License |
Fee |
Auction Permit |
$15.00 Residential/ $10.00 Nonresidential |
Bowling Alley |
$10.00 per alley yearly |
Flea Market |
$500.00 |
Home Occupation As of Right Permit |
$100.00 Annually, $40.00 Business License |
Junk Sales license |
$50.00 Annually |
Junk Collector’s License |
$50.00 Annually |
Livery License |
$130.00 Annually |
Pawnbrokers License |
$50.00 Annually |
Pool/Billiards |
$10.00 per table annually |
Second Hand License |
$50.00 Annually |
Service (Gas) and Self-service Station |
$100.00 |
Taxi Cab Permits |
$130.00 per year per cab |
Zoning Change |
$100.00 if granted. |
Special Permits |
|
Advertising Blimps |
$100.00 permit |
Adult Entertainment |
$100.00 permit |
Auto Repair/Auto Body Shop |
$100.00 permit |
Banking, financial institutions in IP |
$100.00 permit |
Bed & Breakfast |
$100.00 permit |
Boarding House |
$100.00 permit |
Bulk Fuel/oil/gas/ etc Storage or Distribution |
$100.00 permit |
Car Wash |
$100.00 permit |
Cemetery |
$100.00 permit |
Commercial Storage Containers |
$100.00 permit |
Drive Thru |
$100.00 permit |
Dwelling Units in Accessory Structures |
$100.00 permit |
Excavation-Earth Removal |
$100.00 permit |
Fast food restaurant in BL, BG, and IG |
$100.00 permit |
Funeral Home |
$100.00 permit |
Home Occupation |
$100.00 permit |
Hotel |
$100.00 permit |
Motor Car Speedway, Race Track |
$100.00 permit |
Motor Vehicles, Boats, Trailer Sales |
$100.00 permit |
Outdoor Golf Driving Range |
$100.00 permit |
Planned Unit Development |
$100.00 permit |
Refuse Transfer Station |
$100.00 permit |
Retirement/Assisted Living |
$100.00 permit |
Sale of Motor Vehicles (all classes) |
$100.00 permit |
Wireless Communication |
$200.00 Existing/ $500.00 New |
The City Clerk also serves as the Registrar of Voters.
Please visit their page for information about special dates, absentee information, and more.
Announcements:
2018 MASSACHUSETTS STATE PRIMARY AND STATE ELECTION SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 4, 2018- State Primary
Wednesday, August 15, 2018-Last day to register to vote in the State Primary
Tuesday, November 6, 2018- State Election
Wednesday, October 17, 2018- Last day to register to vote in the State Election
*Early Voting will take place during this year’s state election. Details, dates and times will be available soon!
Past election results:
Municipal Election Official Results 11.7.17
Official Results Preliminary Election 9.26.17
State Election-Presidential-11-8-16 Official
State Primary Official Results 9.8.2016
Presidential Primary Official Results 3.1.2016
Preliminary Official Results 9.22.15
Official Results- State Election November 4, 2014
State Primary Election Results 2014
Register to vote online! https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
Not sure where you vote? Click here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx
The Municipal Code is a published compilation of City laws and their revisions organized according to subject matter (arranged by title, chapter and section). The Municipal Code is updated periodically as new ordinances are adopted by the City Council.
The City of Holyoke Ordinances are available for online viewing at Municode.
Please note: Several ordinances that have been approved by the City Council may not be included in this format. Additionally, some City Codes may have changed since the most recent update. These publications are made available for informational purposes only, and no action should be taken without first consulting with city officials. Also, any publication on the Municipal Code Corporation website may vary in format and in pagination from the code currently in use by the City of Holyoke.
In an effort to provide more up to date information we will be posting current ordinances as they are approved by City Council and approved by the Mayor. This page reflects the time period beginning January 1, 2017.
According to the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 55 – Campaign and Finance Reports; Campaign Finance Reports for the Mayor and City Councilors (both At-Large and District) are filed with the City Clerk’s Office.
Resources and links:
OCPF Special Edition Campaign Finance Law Changes
Office of Campaign and Political Finance
http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/
Blank forms for your reports are available for download
http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/forms.htm
For answers to frequently asked questions, see How Do I…?
http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/
Campaign Finance Reports
Year End Campaign Finance Reports were due January 20, 2017!
*Mayoral Candidates now are required to file with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Mayoral Candidate reports can be found on the website at www.ocpf.us.
8th Day Preceding Election 2017
8th Day Preceding Preliminary 2017
8th Day Preceding Election 2016
Licensing helps prevent against rabies outbreaks by requiring a certificate of vaccination for all dogs. Licensing your pet increases the chance that you will be reunited with your pet in the unfortunate event he or she is lost.
You can now license your dog online! Click the link below and follow the instructions. We will mail your license to you within 24 hours.
epay.cityhallsystems.com/selection
Download the Dog License Application
Making a request for Public Records
The Massachusetts Public Records Law (Law), found under Chapter 66, Section 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws, applies to records made or received by a Massachusetts governmental entity. Unless the requested records fall under an exemption to the Law, the responsive documents must be made available to the requester. A list of exemptions may be found under Chapter 4, Section 7(26) of the Massachusetts General Laws.
On June 3, 2016, Governor Baker signed An Act to Improve Public Records into law. Provisions in the new law will take effect on January 1, 2017.
- Coordinate the agency’s or municipality’s response to requests for access to public records;
- Assist individuals seeking public records in identifying the records requested;
- Assist the custodian of records in preserving public records; and
- Prepare guidelines that enable requestors to make informed requests.
Pursuant to the Public Records Law, the following person has been designated as the Records Access Officer (RAO) for the City of Holyoke. All public records requests should be directed to this person using the contact information below. Public records requests may be made in-person, via telephone, mail, or electronic mail.
Brenna Murphy McGee, Primary RAO
City Clerk
536 Dwight Street, Holyoke MA
413-322-5520
mcgeeb@holyoke.org
Making a Public Records Request
Public Records Request Form (pdf)
Public Records Request (Google Form)
Electronic Records
As of January 1, 2017, the Records Access Officer (RAO) must provide public records to a requestor in an electronic format unless the record is not available in an electronic format or the requestor does not have the ability to receive or access the records in a useable electronic format.
Additionally, as of January 1, 2017, agency RAOs will be required to provide on a searchable website electronic copies of commonly requested records, including: final opinions, annual reports, minutes of open meetings and agency budgets. Municipal RAOs will also be required to post commonly requested records on their municipal websites, to the extent feasible.
Response Time
Beginning January 1, 2017, a RAO must permit inspection or furnish a copy of a requested public record within 10 business days following receipt of the request. RAOs may petition the Supervisor of Records for an extension if they are unable to grant access to the requested public records in this time period.
While requests for records may be made verbally, in person, it is preferable to make the request in writing to reduce confusion. A copy of the written request is required to file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records.
Fees
The Supervisor of Records’ Public Access Regulations allowing records custodians to charge 5 cents for black and white paper copies or computer printouts of public records for both single and double-sided sheets was codified and will remain effective with the new law.
Beginning January 1, 2017, if a response to a public records request requires more than 2 hours of employee time, a municipal RAO may assess a fee of the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee with the skills necessary to search for, compile, segregate, redact or reproduce a requested record. However, the fee shall not exceed $25 an hour, unless approved by the Supervisor of Records. Municipalities with populations of 20,000 people or fewer will be permitted to charge for the first 2 hours of employee time.
Administrative Appeals
As of January 1, 2017, if an agency or municipality fails to comply with a requirement of the new law, the requestor may file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records who will then issue a determination on the public status of the records within 10 business days of receipt of the request for an appeal.
Attorney Fees
Under the new Public Records Law, if a requestor prevails in a court action against an agency or municipal RAO, the court may award the requestor attorney fees or costs.
Department Head
Office Address
City Hall
536 Dwight Street
Room 2
Holyoke,MA 01040 Map
Contact Info
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Posted on December 11, 2012 by CityClerk
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