Holyoke neighborhoods inspected for neglected properties

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Neighborhoods in Holyoke are being inspected to educate residents about city ordinances requiring properties to be kept clean and maintained.

Members of the Flex Squad have been inspecting properties in Holyoke to address unmaintained properties, overgrown vegetation, unregistered vehicles, and overflowing dumpsters. The enforcement has notified 246 property owners that they were in violation in the last six weeks. The amount of fines issued for violations varies however, a total of $5,300 was issued in June and July.

The Flex Squad was established in the fall of 2022 and consists of approximately 12 members from the Board of Health, Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Public Works. They look to help improve blighted properties by prohibiting litter, illegal dumping, graffiti, and other noncompliance issues.

Holyoke’s Board of Health Director Timothy Rivers said, “Our goal is not writing fines. Our goal is compliance. We achieve this by instilling accountability and respect for city ordinances, at all times, not just when someone is watching.”

Holyoke City Ordinances

Section 74-2 (f)(1): Property to be kept clean “All owners of commercial, professional, industrial, multifamily and residential property must maintain said property, and occupants and business tenants must keep the premises they occupy, as well as common areas, including adjacent sidewalks, grass strips, one-half of alley, and rights-of-way to the edge of the surface of the vehicular travel way of any public street, in a clean and litter-free manner. Rubbish, refuse or other litter on any property must be removed by the owner, occupants and/or business tenants.”

Section 74-98: Duty to maintain private property free of litter; duty to cut vegetation “The owner or person in control of any private property shall at all times maintain his premises, as well as the sidewalk in front of his premises, free of litter so that the same does not constitute a danger to the public health, safety and welfare. The owner or person in control of any private property shall maintain and cut all vegetation, to a maximum of six inches, which constitutes a rodent harborage area or a public health hazard.”

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