Council refers clerk conflict claims to committee

Select Board · Meeting of June 22, 2026

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted to refer a $100,000 Brightwood School redevelopment grant to the General Government Committee after Councilor Hurst alleged City Clerk Gladys Lopez has an undisclosed conflict of interest. Hurst said Lopez is board president of New North Citizens Council, the project's nonprofit partner, and is listed as a manager of a related LLC, calling the arrangement something that "reeks of corruption." The city has already committed $400,000 in HOME funds and $500,000 in ARPA money to the group for the $39.6 million project. Councilor Davila pushed back, noting "nobody has used the word corruption" before that night, and Councilor Martin said he has "full confidence in her as a person and as a public servant." The referral passed 11-0 with two members recused.

Separately, the council approved $3,232,757 in fiscal year 2027 Community Preservation Act funding and split 11-2 on a $200,000 Mulberry House roof grant.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of June 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.