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Category Archives: Springfield City Council

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A City Out from Under the Gun…

After  a year defined by piece-meal measures of debatable effect to rein in crime in the City of Springfield, two councilors are propsoing arguably the most comprehensive approach yet when compared to other efforts.  Early entertainment cessation and street closings have been the focus on

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Take My Council, Please: Cheers & Jeers…

Monday was a day of minor victories, but also grim financial news and schizophrenic behavior at the Springfield City Council.  With three members absent, councilors debated a host of resolutions, put off several measures to committee and even took some further steps on ordinances.  Prior

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Take My Council, Please: Pushing Paper…

Every now and then the Springfield City Council assembles and does little more than ministerial duties dressed up as discretionary acts.  For example, the city cannot accept a grant or money outside of its own tax base or consistent with a general state law unless

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Take My Council, Please: Financial Cobwebs…

(WMassP&I) Under normal circumstances, Monday’s meeting of the Springfield City Council would have been a quick one.  There were few controversial items and councilors seemed in agreement about the diciest issues before them.  Rather, since the council had not met since January, a huge amount

The Insight: An Eye To-Ward Greater Representation…

This post is the first in a series on the Hampden Senate District Race. Every individual who runs for office must have some ego.  While Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards is no different, it is quite obvious after only a few minutes with him

ZBA Burns/Incinerates Biomass Permit…

**This post has been updated with pictures and for grammar. This post has also been corrected to accurately reflect the comments of one speaker with regard to Massachusetts municipal waste incinerator ban.** As early as five thirty, a half hour before the zoning board of

The Outer Belt Comes Off, Lashes Council President…

 **The following is a follow-up to our Tuesday (1/10) bulletin about the Outer Belt Civic Association’s letter condemning Councilor Ferrera’s Council Committee Appointments.** The pressure on Springfield City Council President Jimmy Ferrera continues to mount, but Ferrera shows no sign of buckling after igniting one

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: Non-Resident Evils…

Fresh from the tension and consternation brewing up from the less than stellar appointments Council President Jimmy Ferrera gave to Ward 2 Councilor Mike Fenton and Ward 7 Councilor Tim Allen, the City Council met to face its first agenda of 2012.  Consequently, with a

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BREAKING: Outer Belt Rebels, Others May Follow…

Western Mass Politics & Insight has obtained a letter from the Outer Belt Civic Association condemning Council President Jimmy Ferrera’s appointments to the Springfield City Council committees.   The letter calls Ferrera’s appointments, which left Ward 7 Councilor Tim Allen (who represents the Outer Belt)

“I Am Not a Committee!”…

**This post has been updated to reflect additional reporting and council committee statistics and to replace broken links to pictures.** Inaugurating a new city council in Springfield is more than just one day. It is a process that in its way takes several days from