The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court effectively settled a lingering question. Who really controls the government of the city of Springfield? The justices of the commonwealth’s highest court clearly, decisively and unanimously found in favor of the separation of powers. The City Council shares that power.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has received the briefs in Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s appeal of a decision that found he must appoint a Police Commission. On April 16, Hampden Superior Court Judge Francis Flannery found that the Springfield City Council was within its rights to revive the former police panel.
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission and executive power in the city. UPDATED 4/17/21 11:50AM: To note Sarno told other media he intends to appeal. A Hampden Superior Court judge dealt a massive blow to Springfield
A Mayor Called Sue(d) is an occasional series on litigation over the Springfield Police Commission The Springfield City Council’s suit against Mayor Domenic Sarno will reach a key point Tuesday when lawyers for both face off—virtually—before a judge. For years, the mayor had refused to
Following the body’s authorization, attorneys for the Springfield City Council initiated against Mayor Domenic Sarno to compel him to implement the Police Commission ordinance. In a 12-page complaint filed in Hampden Superior Court Friday, the Council’s pro bono lawyers, Thomas Lesser and Michael Aleo, lay
The Springfield City Council overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to authorize litigation against Mayor Domenic Sarno to compel implementation of the city’s Police Commission ordinance. The law passed over the mayor’s veto, has been in limbo since its passage four years ago. Despite this, Sarno has refused
Several months after accepting the pro bono representation from two Valley attorneys, the Springfield City Council appears ready to sue. Nearly four years after it passed an ordinance to revive the Police Commission—followed swiftly by Mayor Domenic Sarno’s promise to ignore a duly passed law—councilors
SPRINGFIELD—City Councilors voted Tuesday to accept legal counsel from a pair of Northampton-based lawyers in the ongoing dispute with the mayor over the Police Commission. Some 42 months after the body revived the Commission over Mayor Domenic Sarno’s veto, it remains in limbo. Sarno has