Public Safety Committee Meeting December 9, 2020
6:30 pm Remote by Zoom
,
City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Notice of Committee Meeting
There will be a regular meeting of the committee on
Public Safety
1. Hernandez: Property owners for 287-291 Elm St, Carrie & Arthur Naatz have reached out to possible collaborate with the city, HPD, and other landlords such as Tony Visone who owns 294-298 Elm St and the buildings on Walnut St adjacent to 300 Walnut St, in the pursuit of installation of surveillance in an attempt to combat the overall criminal activity, drug, human trafficking in these areas. I have full contact information for them both and would like to set up a meeting amongst all departments including our mayor’s office to initiate a plan to carry out the goal.
2. Ordered that the public safety committee invite in Aumani Harris from Boston Medical, Healing Communities Study Coalition, in order to have a discussion about Naloxboxes as a way of reducing fatal opioid overdoses.
3. McGee, Sullivan: Ordered that the legal dept, police chief, fire chief, board of health, and state officials be invited to public safety committee to discuss and implement a plan or procedure to deal with negligent landlords in the city. Tabled 6/8/20.
4. Hernandez: Ordered, requesting to have Board of Health present a follow up discussion on the trash issue that occurred at 182 Oak St back in August 26 2020 when two private landlords were in disagreement of who’s trash it was, and refused to pick up, therefore causing a huge mess, nuisance to surrounding neighbors and overall population of this great city. Specifically would like to learn as to what ultimatum has been given to these property owners, fee that the city incurred for finalizing the task.
5. Lebron-Martinez, Valentin: Ordered our current illegal dumping ordinances be reviewed to determine ways in which the city can enforce them with more success. In addition, that the possibility of installing video cameras in alley “hot spots” is explored as a way to curb illegal dumping. Table 12/14/17.
6. Vacon/Bartley: Ordered that a traffic mirror be placed on a pole near 397 Mountain Road so the resident can see approaching traffic when exiting their driveway. The resident reports near misses due to limited line of sight and drivers traveling above the speed limit. Additionally, that mirrors be considered at the intersection of Westfield Road and Hitchcock Street to provide more visibility for traffic turning onto Westfield Road.
7. Vacon/Bartley: Ordered that the city engineer evaluate the area of Lower Westfield Road near the small bridge and make recommendations to improve safety for residents walking in that area.
8. Anderson-Burgos: Order a Study be done at the intersection of W Franklin and Linden St to see what can be done to improve safety. It’s a dangerous intersection where multiple accidents have occurred on many occasions.
9. Hernandez: Follow up questions from constituent Kocayne Givner regarding CC meeting 4/21/20 in which O’Connor Street was discussed and a traffic study is in order: “Lawler St has speed bumps. Would this be an option for O’Connor Ave in order to deter through traffic and speeding? Are there plans to continue single lane traffic with bike land and parking on both sides of the street?
10. Vacon: Ordered the Apremont/Rock Valley intersection remains problematic with near misses reported. A stop sign at Apremont takes a right turn up the hill has been requested. It was found not to be proper, but the sign that is there on Apremont is confusing to drivers as to which road has the right of way if a driver proceeding from Apremont on to Rock Valley Road. Another request is to make the intersection a T so traffic would need to stop from three directions. Refer to public safety and our engineer.
11. McGee: Ordered that the DPW give the public safety committee an update on the sidewalk repairs for Northampton Street around Hampton Knolls Road area.
Chair: Terrence Murphy