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.

1. The City Council meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Death Record Request Form

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:

The Holyoke City Council approves the following Special Permits:

USE REGULATIONS:

DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS:

GENERAL REGULATIONS:

SPECIAL REGULATIONS:

 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES AND ANTENNAS:

SPECIAL DISTRICTS:

Zone Change:

Zone Change Application

Other:

As of Right Home Occupation Application

4.8.1 As of Right Home Occupation Ordinance

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.

The City Clerk also serves as the Registrar of Voters.

Please visit their page for information about special dates, absentee information, and more.

Announcements:

Sample Ballots for the Preliminary Election on September 26, 2017 can be viewed here.

Preliminary Sample Ballot Sept 26, 2017

Preliminary Sample Ballot Ward 3 Sept. 26, 2017

2017 City of Holyoke Municipal Election Calendar

Preliminary Election (if necessary): September 26, 2017

Last day to register for the Preliminary Election:  September 6, 2017

Municipal Election: November 7, 2017

Last day to register for the Municipal Election: October 18, 2017

Last day to turn in Nomination Papers: August 8, 2017

The list below is the final list of candidates who are certified for the 2017 Municipal Elections:

There will be a Preliminary Election on September 26, 2017 for the Office of Mayor and for City Councilor Ward 3.

*(i) incumbent

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

Past election results:

State Election-Presidential-11-8-16 Official

State Election-Presidential-11-8-16 Unofficial

State Primary Official Results 9.8.2016

State Primary Unofficial 9.8.2016

Presidential Primary Official Results 3.1.2016

Official Results 11.3.15

Preliminary Official Results 9.22.15

Official Results- State Election November 4, 2014

State Primary Election Results 2014

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.

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.

Year End 2016

8th Day Preceding Election 2016

Year End 2015

8th Day Preceding Election

Year End 2014

Year End 2013

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

Pet Waste Survey Flyer January 2017

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.

• https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2016/Chapter121

• 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. 

• http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preapp/appidx.htm