UPDATED 8:56 PM: For, clarity, grammar, and inclusion of links. UPDATED 2/28/13 3:09PM: For accuracy. SPRINGFIELD—Among the powers of the City Council, few bring about more unpredictable results than the exercise of its permit-granting authority. For whatever reason, the special-permit granting authority of the city
SPRINGFIELD—As warming temperatures and city crews were finally and fully conquering last weekend’s snow fall, City Councilors were taking Department of Public Works officials to task for a recovery called inadequate and “dangerous.” DPW Chief Allan Chwalek faced withering criticism and probing questions even as
SPRINGFIELD—The order of items on the City Council’s agenda is defined by the Council’s rules. Items that fall under certain categories are grouped together and then listed in a certain order, each item assigned a number. The Council may, by unanimous consent take things out
UPDATED 2/12/13 2:38 PM: For grammar & accuracy and to include responses from the mayor’s office & councilors. NOTE: The original time stamp of this post was 2/11/2013 6:00 PM, but has been altered to bump this story on WMassP&I’s homepage. During the budget debate
UPDATED 1/19/13: For grammar and clarity. SPRINGFIELD—Defying the low expectations of many City Council watchers, Council President and at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera appointed the Council’s committees, but without the inequitable and punitive air that characterized last year’s appointments. Chairs of committees were spread among councilors,
UPDATED 1/11/13 4:56PM: For Clarity SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield City Council formally installed at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera for another year-long term as the body’s president before a chamber filled with department heads, supporters and family. The new term begins a year after Ferrera started his first term
UPDATED 11:51PM: For clarity, grammar and accuracy. Another year, and another raucous political era in the City of Homes. Everything from local politics at 36 Court Street to the Presidential election had their impacts upon Springfield. Petty politics reigned early on at the City Council,
Two potentially historic throw downs in the Springfield City Council chamber ended with barely a whimper Monday night. The Council selected its president for the 2013 term and approved the first step of changes to the fire commissioner’s qualifications. Both had the potential to get
UPDATED 12/13/12 3:32PM: An earlier version of this post identified the Patrolmen Union Lawyer as Kevin Boyle. His name is Kevin Coyle. SPRINGFIELD—Since the city’s convoluted residency ordinance has come into vogue at the City Council, the emotions of councilors and labor leaders alike have
UPDATED 12/5/12 2:47PM: For clarification of John Lysak’s political affiliation and grammar. Campaigns for the City Council Presidency in Springfield are quite unlike many of the city’s big political fights. While several important issues go by unnoticed at 36 Court Street, where there is a