The mayor of Holyoke, MA is Joshua A. Garcia, who was elected on November 2, 2021 and sworn in on November 15 of that year. He serves a four-year term as the city’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and he was the first Latino elected to the office.1City of Holyoke. About the Mayor2City of Holyoke. Mayor’s Office
Who Is Joshua Garcia
Before taking office, Garcia spent three and a half years as Town Administrator of Blandford, Massachusetts.1City of Holyoke. About the Mayor His public service career began at the Holyoke Housing Authority as a property manager, followed by a stretch at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission working on community development. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Westfield State University and was named a BusinessWest Forty Under 40 honoree in 2015.2City of Holyoke. Mayor’s Office
What the Mayor Does
Holyoke runs on a “Plan B” form of government under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43.3General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43 Section 56 – Plan B That makes the mayor both the chief executive and the chief financial officer, responsible for running city departments and for the city’s fiscal health.2City of Holyoke. Mayor’s Office
Appointments
The mayor appoints department heads and members of municipal boards, subject to City Council confirmation. The school committee, officials appointed by the governor, and assessors elected by voters sit outside that power. Removing an appointee before the end of their term requires a majority vote of the full City Council.4General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43 – Section 61
Veto
Every ordinance, resolution, and vote passed by the City Council goes to the mayor, who has ten days to sign or reject it. A veto can be overridden only by a two-thirds vote of all council members within thirty days. If the mayor takes no action within the ten days, the measure takes effect as if signed.5General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43 – Section 63 and Section 55
Budget
The mayor prepares and submits the annual municipal budget, projecting revenue and allocating funds across public safety, education, infrastructure, and other departments. The City Council reviews and approves the final version.6City of Holyoke. City Council The council itself appoints the tax collector, assessors, and certain other fiscal officers, so fiscal authority is divided.
Term and Elections
The mayor serves four years.2City of Holyoke. Mayor’s Office Voters approved the current four-year term in a 2015 charter change; the office had carried a two-year term before that. Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the winner is sworn in shortly afterward. Garcia’s next regular election falls at the end of his current term.
If the Office Becomes Vacant
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43, Section 59A governs what happens if a Plan B mayor dies, resigns, or is removed. If the vacancy opens during the first year of the term, a special election fills it. If it opens later, the city council president or another designated official typically serves in an acting capacity until the next regular election.7General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43 Section 59A
Massachusetts has no statewide recall law for municipal officials. A bill (H3934) has been introduced to create a recall process specifically for Holyoke, requiring signatures from at least 15 percent of registered voters and limiting recalls to officials with more than 12 months left in their term. It has not been enacted.
Ethics Rules the Mayor Must Follow
The mayor, like every municipal official in Massachusetts, is bound by the state conflict-of-interest statute, Chapter 268A. The law bars municipal employees from using their position for personal financial benefit, accepting outside compensation connected to city business, or participating in decisions where they or a family member have a financial stake.8General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A The mayor also cannot hold a financial interest in any contract made by a city agency; if a violation is found, the city has two years from discovery to rescind the contract without liability.
Contacting the Mayor’s Office
The office is located at Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight Street. The constituent phone line is (413) 322-5510, and the city’s website at holyoke.org handles service requests and messages to staff.2City of Holyoke. Mayor’s Office