Taking good care of streets, the water and sewer system, and other important infrastructure is one way the City of Holyoke maintains a quality community.

One of the larger City Departments, the Department of Public Works stays quite busy as they are responsible for providing many essential city services. These include :

• street and sidewalk maintenance
• repaving and repair
• engineering and design
• refuse
• recycling
• yard waste collection
• winter road salt application and snow removal
• forestry operations
• sewage treatment
• operation and maintenance and repair of City owned Parks and Public Buildings.

Told you we were busy!

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Lori J. Belanger,  term expires Feb. 1, 2015

Jose Garcia, term expires Feb. 1, 2013

David Moore, term expires Feb. 1, 2014 

The board of public works shall have cognizance, direction and control:

(a) of the construction, location, repair, care and lighting of streets, ways and sidewalks;

(b) of the construction, alteration, repair and care of public buildings;

(c) of the construction, alteration, repair and care of main drains or common sewers;

(d) of the construction, alteration, repair, care and maintenance of public bridges;

(e) of the care, superintendence and management of the public grounds, except public parks, belonging to said city, and of the shade and ornamental trees growing therein. 

The said board may require that no person or corporation authorized by the city council to dig up any public street or sidewalk in said city shall begin such digging before furnishing to such board of public works security satisfactory to them to restore such streets or sidewalks to their former condition.  The said board of public works, except as herein otherwise provided, shall have exclusively the powers and be subject to the liabilities and penalities imposed by law upon road commissioners of towns.  The general superintendent of public works under the direction of the said board of public works, shall supervise all work of the public works department and shall have sole charge of caryring out the orders and policies of said board. He shall perform such other duties, not inconsistent herewith, as the city council may prescribe.

MEMBERS MEETING LOCATION

David Moore, Chairman                              Conference Room

Lori Belanger, Vice Chairman                  Department of Public Works

Jose Garcia, Commissioner                       63 Canal Street, Holyoke, MA

Meeting Schedules: The Board of Public Works / Sewer Commission / Stormwater Authority Meeting Schedules are listed on the City Public Meetings and Hearings Calendar (Link)

Current Meeting Minutes can be accessed at the following (Links):

Board of Public Works            Minutes BPW 06.03.13

Sewer Commission                   Minutes Sewer 06.03.13

Stormwater Authority            Minutes Stormwater 06.03.13

NOTE: Minutes to previous meetings are available by calling the DPW at 322-5645

As a division of the DPW under the direction of the City Engineer, we provide support, assistance, and oversight for new development and redevelopment applicants to ensure compliance with City standards and local, state, and federal law. We also support internal customers for the operations and maintenance of city facilities. We also welcome public inquiries for traffic issues and other general information.

Our services include:

• New development planning and final engineering review
• Sewer connection and Driveway permit approval
• Subdivision map review and administration
• Construction Project inspection
• Driveway Permit application review and approval
• Speed and traffic volume surveys and record keeping
• Maintenance of citywide addresses
• Maintain citywide maps of infrastructure, including sewer, and drainage systems.
• Respond to public information requests 

City Maps

If you need to research information concerning these maps and records you can call the Department of Public Works at 322-5645.

Location

The Engineering Department is located at the City Hall Annex, 20 Korean Veterans Plaza, Room 300, Holyoke MA. 01040-5078. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Did you know that just one acre of trees can remove up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide from the air each year?

That is only one of many reasons why the City of Holyoke values its trees and forests because of the many benefits they provide to the community. 
 

The City Forester’s Office is responsible for the maintenance of all trees along the street within the public right-of-way, in parks and around City facilities. In general, street trees are located between the curb and sidewalk. Where there is not a sidewalk, the width of the right-of-way must be determined in order to know if a tree is maintained by the City’s or on private property.
 

The objectives of the City Forester’s Office are to:

• Preserve, protect and manage Holyoke’s urban forest through tree pruning and other preventative maintenance.
• Enhance public safety by removing dead, dying, hazardous and utility conflicted trees.
• Improve the quality of Holyoke’s urban forest areas by providing beautification to parks and neighborhoods.

Environmental Benefits of Trees

• Improved water quality — Trees reduce erosion and absorb pollutants before they enter streams.
• Stormwater management — Trees intercept rainfall, which slows storm water runoff and reduces flooding. 
• Improved air quality- — Trees absorb air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ozone and sulfur dioxide. Trees also produce oxygen and play an important role in carbon sequestration.
• Climate control — Trees cool in the summer by intercepting sunlight, and reducing the amount of heat absorbed by streets, parking lots and buildings. Trees also allow sunlight to warm in the winter.
• Shelter for wildlife.

Reporting Felled Trees and Branches

To report a felled tree or downed or hanging branches, call (413) 322-5645. If a tree or branch has caused electric utility wires to come down, call Holyoke Gas and Electric (HG&E) at (413) 536-9300

Services:

• Potholes
• Sidewalk maintenence
• Street Lights
• Traffic
• Paving

Frequently asked questions

The Division of Waste and Recycling strives to integrate the mission and vision of the Department of Public Works by providing high quality services with outstanding customer service to residents, schools, and businesses in Holyoke. By establishing comprehensive but attainable goals, we along with the, citizens of Holyoke, will continue to save resources, energy, and landfill space while reducing pollution and trash tonnage.

Recycling

Holyoke Gets Paid to Recycle! Did you know that the City of Holyoke received $56599.12  for our Recycling efforts during 2009, and $62606.20 in 2010, and $74530.56 in 2011. The tonnage recycled also equates to a cost savings in Refuse Fees. It pays us to Recycle!

Recycling Center Information - Earth911 provides information on hours, location, and helps you sort out the sometimes confusing world of recycling.
 

Frequently asked Questions – When will my trash be picked up? Where can I get a Recycling bin? Is there a fee to dump? And many more questions are answered here.
 

Curbside Recycling - Earth911 provides information for the residents of Holyoke about our Curbside Recycling Program
 

Curbside Acceptable/Unacceptable Information - Trying to figure out what to trash or recycle?  Learn more about which items are acceptable and which items are not.
 

Electronics Recycling - Unwanted consumer electronics – cell and smart phones, computers and monitors, televisions, DVD and MP3 players, pagers, PDAs and other devices – are the fastest-growing category of waste in Massachusetts. Learn about ways you can recycle or reuse these items.

Reduce and Reuse - The State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offers some great tips on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Recycling Partners - The Springfield Materials Recycling Facility exists to promote recycling and to advise the Department of Environmental Protection and the Materials Recycling Facility about enhancing and sustaining recycling in the region.

Additional Web Resources - Everything you need to know! Includes information on both recycling and hazardous waste. 

Waste

From yard waste to hazardous waster, Holyoke is committed to providing services that result in waste handling that is processed and disposed of in a proper and environmental friendly manner.

Yard Waste - Grass clippings, weeds, twigs and branches, oh my! We can help! Yard waste drop off site information is found here.
 

Composting - The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promotes residential, commercial and institutional composting, recycling and reuse of grass clippings, yard wastes, food materials and other organics. This is a great resource!
 

Hazardous Waste – Ever wonder how safe your common household items are? Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. Learn ways to properly dispose of them through waste management.

Web Resources

Recycling:

1. Recycle more at Earth 911: http://www.earth911.org/recycling
2. Keep America Beautiful: http://www.kab.org/
3. Massachusetts DEP: http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/
5. Plastic Bag Recycling: (Link)
6. Empty Aerosol Cans That CAN Be Accepted: (Link)

Hazardous Waste:

1. Household Hazardous Waste: (Link)
2. Handling and Management: http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/hazardous/hhwhome.htm
3. Mercury Recovery Program: http://www.keepmercuryfromrising.org/
4. Lamp Recycle.org Massachusetts: http://www.nema.org/lamprecycle/massachusetts.html
5. Toxic Home and Garden Products: www.turi.org/community
6. Homeowner Oil Spill Cleanup Guide (Link)

The Cit of Holyoke partners with United Water to provide complete water cycle solutions

United Water delivers more than just clean water they provide sustainable solutions for essential environmental services

• Drinking water treatment
• Wastewater treatment

In many places throughout the city, the sewer system still carries both sewage and stormwater. Many improvements are being made to separate these two different waste flows, but when it rains, the addition of stormwater to sewage flow in the system continues to overwhelm the capacities of wastewater treatment facilities. This causes polluting overflows into receiving water bodies such as the Connecticut River.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Outreach Education

1. Holyoke’s Stormwater Rebate Program Press Release
2. Holyoke’s Stormwater Rebate Program (Bilingual Brochure)
3. Connecticut River Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) Fact Sheet_CSO
4. Think Blue Massachusetts
   • Stormwater Information Sheet
   • Help Keep Our Waters Blue Brochure
   • Put Your Butt in the Trash Brochure
   • Fertilizer. Think more is Better? Brochure
5. Beautiful Home Landscapes that Protect Our Water Greenscapes.org

Wether you are a Homeowner or a Contractor, the City of Holyoke requires permitting for certain activities.

Did you know a permit is required to construct a new driveway or to repave, resurface or modify an existing driveway? Access City driveway  standards by downloading this pdf. 
 

Also, any resident or a contactor working for a resident of the City requires a permit for any road excavations for sewer line or water line connections, a new driveway or changes to an existing driveway. A permit is also required for sidewalk sales, block parties, demonstrations, parades or races, posting of signs, projections in or over a street or sidewalk, street or sidewalk occupancy.
 

See the “Permits and Fee Schedule” below or call the Department of Public Works at 322-5645 for more information.

Permit Applications

Additional Information for Contractors

As a Contractor in the City of Holyoke, we hope to provide you with all the necessary information and tools to perform your work. If you have any questions along the way, please give us a call.

• City Driveway  Standards (PDF)
• Trench Safety Regulations
• Grading and Soil Erosion Control Ordinance (PDF)
• Construction Activities and Stormwater Discharge (Link)
• Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (Link)
• Repairing a Street Paved 5 Years or Less after Trench Excavation (PDF)
• Infa-Red Pavement Repair Specifications (PDF)

Contractor Workplace Safety
 

Your safety is very important to us! The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) offers a free consultation service designed to help employers recognize and control potential safety and health hazards at their worksites, improve their safety and health program, assist in training employees, and possibly qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.

The City of Holyoke prepares year-round to ensure that residents are safe from snow and ice to allow motorists to travel safely within the City during winter weather. Each snowstorm is unique, and the snow or ice control operation changes depending on the amount, type and intensity of the precipitation. Motorists should always exercise caution and drive appropriately for the road conditions. 

Please follow the rules and guidelines on snow removal, parking and cold weather safety. And remember to help us out as the city is dependent upon its citizens for providing sidewalk snow removal.

As always, thank you for being patient as crews work in tough conditions to clear roads, ease traffic and collect trash and recycling. 

How will you be notified?

• Citizen Alert Notification System 
• Facebook
• Twitter 
• Masslive

Storm Action Plan

The DPW has a plan in place to clear City streets in a manner that provides the most mobility to the community as allowed by available resources. The level of storm intensity and duration dictate the frequency and type of treatment. Public safety is the number one priority when clearing snow and ice from Holyoke’s Streets. The primary mission of each operation is to clear snow and ice as expeditiously and economically as possible. Our goal is to restore safe motorist and pedestrian travel and facilitate Fire and Police responses to emergencies.

Street Priority

Since not all streets can be addressed at the same time; streets are salted and plowed in a specific order. Primary routes are the first to be addressed because they link the city’s police, fire, and emergency services. Secondary routes are next, to allow safe two-way traffic. Residential streets are the last to be attended to, however, in all situations, the DPW will work to address every residential street as soon as possible and as resources allow. Closely adhering to the Winter Parking Bans is of utmost importance as on street parking is one of the biggest obstacles to snow removal during snow plowing efforts.

Equipment Maintenance

The City of Holyoke Department of Public Works vehicle maintenance division prepares year round to handle the onslaught of winter weather that will affect more than 174 miles of roadways under its jurisdiction. Each fall, snow removal vehicles and equipment are inspected and put through an extensive maintenance check and repair program.

Winter Sand is Available

To assist in complying with City Ordinance for the removal of snow and ice from all city sidewalks, the DPW makes sand available for Holyoke Residents in the lot next to the Fitzpatrick Skating Ring on Maple Street. It’s located to the right of the rink near the swimming pool. If the sand has been depleted please call the DPW at 322-5645 and we will deliver more sand as soon as possible.