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Agenda

Item 1: Minutes of February 9, 2026 meeting.

Item 2: 1-18-22 GIVNER, DEVINE, J. RIVERA — That the city of Holyoke install storm warning lights much like those in neighboring communities. These would act to signal coming snow and other inclement weather storms, prompting residents to check our city web site as well as their preferred news sources. Storm warning lights would also act as a parking ban notification in an effort to assist our overextended police department.
*Tabled 1-24-22, 12-30-24, 12-15-25

Item 3: 2-1-22 BARTLEY, PUELLO, DEVINE, J. RIVERA — The city engineer review the signaling at the Maple St / South St. / Parenteau Dr intersection.  Multiple accidents and near-accidents have occurred there over the years as motorists from Maple St turn Left against oncoming traffic on South St (heading downtown). The intersection is proximate to the former Whole Donut and the Fitzpatrick Ice Rink.  Refer to Public Safety with copy to City Engineer.
*Referred back 6-4-24, Tabled 12-30-24, 3-13-25, 12-15-25

Item 4: 11-15-22 BARTLEY, DEVINE, J. RIVERA — City Engineer review options to improve road safety at Queen and Cherry St. Issue: trucks exiting Queen St. are seen driving over the median strip and making an illegal left-hand turn onto Cherry St. (Rt. 202-South)
*Tabled 12-30-24, 12-15-25

Item 5: 8-1-23 BARTLEY, DEVINE, J. RIVERA – Ordered, The City Engineer and/or VEOLIA suggest improvements to the sidewalk and catch basin near 5 Martin St. (at the corner of Westfield Rd and Martin). Owner’s contractor noted the sidewalk is too high and the design causes water to pool on parking lot; the catch basin is above-grade is not catching storm water. Owner very willing to confer with City Engineer on this matter. Refer to Public Safety Committee for a review hearing.
*Tabled 12-30-24, 3-31-25, 12-15-25

Item 6: 9-4-24 BARTLEY, J. RIVERA – (copy) The DPW install a protective wraparound barrier (lattice, wire) the Holyoke Railroad platform. Unfortunately people are using this for protection from the elements but it is a very dangerous location and I don’t want anyone to stumble onto the rail tracks as recently happened in Northampton.
*Tabled 12-30-24, 3-13-25, 12-15-25, 2-9-26

Item 7: 12-17-24 OCASIO, DEVINE, J. RIVERA – Ordered that the City install a few signs: “No Trucks”, “Slow Down, Children”, and “No Parking Anytime” on the block across from 320 Elm St.
*Tabled 3-20-25, 12-15-25

Item 8: 2-4-25 Vacon- ORDER: That installation of a crosswalk near #64 County Rd be evaluated for improved safety.
*Tabled 12-15-25

Item 9: 12-2-25 Bartley, Vacon – Constituent request (and 2d filing) – the condition of the sidewalk on Northampton St between West Glen and Clark streets is virtually unpassable especially for persons with disabilities. Refer to Public Safety and refer to DPW to request a written plan/solution to be sent to city council early in 2026.

Item 10: 1-6-26 Anderson-Burgos – Ordered that the City Engineer review Old Jarvis Ave to address traffic safety concerns of several residents, including vehicles traveling at high speeds and large trucks traveling on the street on a regular basis. Residents are asking for consideration of a truck exclusion, making it a one way, and/or barriers at one end making it a dead end. Residents have expressed that speed humps were installed 15 years ago, but they did not prevent speeding.

Item 11: 1-6-26 Thalheimer- The condition of the sidewalk on Northampton St between West Glen and Clark Streets is virtually impassable especially for persons with disabilities.

Item 12: 1-6-26 Thalheimer- The crosswalk and pedestrian signal on Homestead Ave at HCC’s main gate are an ongoing unresolved issue.  Even though there are flashing yellow lights, drivers do not stop for pedestrians in that crosswalk. Public Safety and the City Engineer review possibilities including 1) installation of a sign that says “state law, yield to pedestrians in crosswalk” at enough distance from crosswalk for drivers to see it and respond accordingly  2) a push-button flashing light that alerts drivers to a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk  3) reduced speed in the area of the crosswalk on Homestead at the HCC main entrance 4) redesigning or relocating the crosswalk to a safer and more visible location.

Item 13: 1-6-26 Thalheimer- The City Engineer review visual obstruction for drivers entering Westfield Road from both Woodland St and Hitchcock St. and consider mirrors for increased visibility and safety, especially as Westfield Road is used with great frequency. If mirrors are unsuitable, please provide other suggestions.

Item 14: 1-20-26 Thalheimer- Request for consideration of a DON’T BLOCK THE BOX designation at the intersection of Carlton Street and Russell Terrace to improve traffic flow due to increased congestion from increased traffic in the neighborhood and changes in traffic flow (i.e. Russell Terrace as a two-way street).

Item 15: 1-20-26 Thalheimer- Request to review possibility of installation of NO TRUCKS sign on Lorraine Street per Mass DOT Heavy Truck Exclusion procedure. Constituent request to lessen or end large trucks cutting through the neighborhood from Homestead Avenue to Westfield Road. Some streets in the neighborhood (Memorial, Edbert, Sheehan) are signed as NO TRUCKS, while others (Arden, Lorraine, Fenton) are not. Confusion ensues, lawns are run over, etc.

Item 16: 2-3-26 I. Rivera – Order that the appropriate department evaluate the street lighting conditions on Race Street between Spring Street and Cabot Street. A business owner in this area has reported repeated customer complaints regarding inadequate lighting and has raised concerns related to public safety for patrons entering and exiting the establishment.

LAID ON THE TABLE
(Items taken up at previous meeting(s) and laid on the table.

Item 17: 5-21-24 BARTLEY, I. RIVERA, J. RIVERA, SULLIVAN – DPW, Emergency Management, HPD and Mayor’s office determine a safety plan to better warn truckers traveling on Main St. of the iron R/R bridge at Lyman St. Yet another collision occurred last week. Consider checking out the flashing beacons and warning signs on East Mountain Rd, Westfield.
*Tabled 12-30-24, 3-31-25, 12-15-25

Item 18: 12-16-26 Magrath-Smith – Ordered that HPD and DPW develop a list of 10-15 points across the city which would benefit from permanent speed limit reminders to the public and present a plan for installing permanent speed radar signs at those points.
*Tabled 2-9-26

ADMINISTRATIVELY LAID ON THE TABLE
(Per City Council Rule 9P, “Any order not acted on within 45 days shall be deemed tabled.” Items within this section are laid on the table by virtue of being in the committee more than 45 days.)

Item 19: 9-5-23 JOURDAIN, VACON – Parks dept please install a motion sensor system and/or improved camera system and/or improved security plan at the Pouliot pool for use when the pool is in season.  After hours security needs to be dramatically improved.  Please let City Council and Mayor know if funding is required.

Item 20: 8-5-25 VACON – ORDER: that the conservation commission provide minutes of the process & summary of discussion & votes for the wetlands enforcement order at 77 Mayer Drive and provide any appeal process available to neighbors/abutters.

Item 21: 10-21-25 VACON – ORDER: That the Board of Health provide the City Council with an update on the effects of marijuana on the physical & mental health of residents use since “legalization in MA”. Please send to Public Safety Committee.

Item 22: 10-21-25 Magrath-Smith -ordered, that Animal Control present options for disposal of roadkill on sidewalks, streets, and city properties in general on weekends, including shifting the responsibility for picking up roadkill to a different city department, shifting the hours of workers, or hiring an on-call provider.

Item 23: 11-6-25 From Holyoke Residents-letter to Mayor Garcia regarding noise at Wyckoff Country Club

Item 24: 11-18-25 From Residents in Ward 7-Neighborhood Petition to Address Noise Complaints

Item 25: 11-18-25 From Tapestry, Holyoke quarterly report April 1 to Sept 30, 2025

Item 26: 12-16-25 Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that a monthly standing order be added to Public Safety meetings where the committee reviews the See-Click-Fix Report and the status of logged issues.

Item 27: 12-16-25 Magrath-Smith – Ordered, that a plan be presented to Public Safety concerning how See-Click-Fix can be effectively implemented through DPW, Engineering, and Council, including how it can be made prominent on the city website, how councilors can log issues from constituents, what communication structure can be used to respond to people who log issues, and how a public-facing report can be shared online showing the status of issues that were logged. Consider also if a “Driving Speed/Traffic Complaint” category can be added.