[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345537,"mediaKeyId","2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe","parentId",2249030,"title","Support and opposition surface as councilor re‑files backyard‑hen proposal; order sent to joint committee","audioSeconds",432,"startMs",625000,"endMs",1057000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe&start=625&end=1057","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe/thumbnail_625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345537/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Support-and-opposition-surface-as-councilor-refiles-backyardhen-proposal-order-sent-to-joint-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345537-f73eda254ee75e7937938e78ed4502ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775907944&Signature=ZfFVR55tCr98C6WmdRhaSJRbR8Jb8iF5uRdoLAfDRE8Ar8Pg-xEuwwn1aRdlUKSA-QWvOnyGk23cxm5JFgkDq3qA0rCJaWwENBTQ1Dyroa~e6nwvolkf0hccDOqSH0ET~9~1HVxihNmk84dnGhhez1R9A8l9PTMdx1jDe0g3RTE~GJSt9H78hQOnvQlMabD68PRucqZYMUkqcw9n2MKfwkQVtMXhY~JbJMUGRJO5XHOejlf4h4oTO5Rlgg~ktcoKAvuQsCDSkitualBxA-ktIXOMoL5TuRp1tySwS6y0uwn95sEzzjQw0uFPuYBZdlOEvhO6jWpcDSxb4lkBY-3C7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","Speakers at the Feb. 4 City Council meeting urged councilors to revisit a proposal to allow backyard hens in Holyoke, highlighting food security, sustainability and educational benefits. The council agreed to refer the order to the joint committee for further review and asked the Board of Health to be involved.

Libby Hernandez of 245 Walnut Street told the council she supported an ordinance to allow residents with small lots to keep backyard hens, saying eggs would help families facing rising grocery prices and that nearby cities such as Springfield and Northampton already allow hens. She noted a prior attempt in 2021 was voted down and said she hoped the Board of Health and new council leadership could move the measure forward.

Megha Hernandez, also of 245 Walnut Street (speaking by Zoom), said hens provide a steady, low‑cost supply of fresh food, reduce waste and teach children animal care skills. She told the council that with appropriate rules “concerns about noise and cleanliness wouldn’t be an issue.”

Jose Gonzalez of 139 Hillside also spoke in favor, but used language that he described as challenging a stereotype, saying he has heard complaints from some residents about “dirty chickens” and urged the council to rely on the Board of Health to manage any problems.

Councilor Patty Devine, who filed the order to reintroduce permission for backyard hens, asked that the measure be sent to the joint committee and suggested the Board of Health be included in discussions. The council suspended rules and took the item (listed as Item 8 and companion Item 35) up as a package and sent both to the joint committee for review.

Ending

The item will be discussed in the joint committee with input from the Board of Health; no ordinance was enacted at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke City Council 2/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged the council to allow backyard hens for food security and education, while one commenter invoked cultural bias in opposing views. Councilor Patty Devine reintroduced an order on backyard hens and the council sent the item to the joint committee for further review, with involvement from the Board of Health discussed.","taxTitle","Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",52807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345542,"Ward 3 residents press council for details on proposed USA International sports complex",439,144000,583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe&start=144&end=583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6345542/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Ward-3-residents-press-council-for-details-on-proposed-USA-International-sports-complex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345542-2560790becef0a23da47d69adeff3692/orig.mp4?Expires=1775907944&Signature=c4BX96bUtdeB0qmTKPSbpYr7tnyX6YkqjD3Xj0ZsTU6ONtp5RFhdsrUo~1BgnSNauN9B9iauFK2U5yliQUrYZueErMglWICONK7kt06Bi7Ks6L9DEJmJq9PCwPxCZHap2s0fBZ6a2Xgz4nWrMdsBbUAmKpeHfJaVV8-IGI~Ki~2re2ZTeLUliuSszF4Fvht1oi5FlV8rjF6e4ki1CBFMl6FxGAdBjBTYXiXuz8TDJEushTy1sDwPKtXRClOiCAdsp8hJA2Hpy73s1nTmRBc8eSvrdtYfd60KPIIV9QMabn1DBZwvJ-Q3Jas5mRuu6YIu3Tl6jJsBPwv3aX33iMcJlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Ward 3 residents used the Feb. 4 public comment period at the Holyoke City Council meeting to press for more information about a proposed USA International indoor sports complex and its possible impacts on the Woodland Street neighborhood.

Beth Strykars of 25 Woodland Street told councilors she and neighbors are “frustrated” by a lack of public information despite purchases and contracts tied to the project. Strykars said the developer purchased 1.85 acres abutting Woodland Street in September 2024 for $70,000 and has parcels under contract on Whiting Farms Road; she said she received a parcel plan from the developer but no feasibility study or site plans from planning staff. She asked whether the project funding would come from city tax incentives or private investors and expressed concern about a large unfinished 140,000‑square‑foot structure and the effect on an already dense residential neighborhood.

Jordana O’Connell, who listed her address as 56 Woodland Street, said the proposal appeared to be “backed by politically connected figures” and raised traffic, parking, noise and property‑value concerns. She also said Holyoke already has multiple sports complexes nearby in Northampton, Chicopee and Westfield and questioned whether an additional facility was appropriate for a densely residential ward.

Strykars raised a long‑standing neighborhood drainage problem on Woodland Street, saying the Department of Public Works was aware and that homeowners have invested in sump pumps — she said she personally spent about $7,000 upgrading a sump and drainage system. She asked the council to “do diligence” and investigate feasibility studies, site plans and funding sources for the project.

No formal council action was recorded during the meeting to require the developer or planning staff to produce additional documents. The matter was raised in public comment; councilors and staff did not take an immediate vote on the project at the meeting.","Multiple Ward 3 residents raised concerns during public comment about a proposed USA International indoor sports complex, citing lack of information, potential traffic/noise, drainage risks and funding uncertainty after land purchases in 2024.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345548,"Holyoke council creates municipal hearing officer, tightens vacant‑building fees and approves multiple transfers",994,2001000,2995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe&start=2001&end=2995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249030-24ce75e3a5f422627efa1118e8b9b7fe/thumbnail_2001000.jpg","/articles/6345548/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-council-creates-municipal-hearing-officer-tightens-vacantbuilding-fees-and-approves-multiple-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345548-fc2adb07613d832c849b33adefd1d7c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775907944&Signature=cSTQnlTJwNJjluLZM1T6O7lEwoteYvhfrDIu~CZLFwfvhsZqmqDX7ByZY~sdyxi714O2zm6FEnCk38JMrmLBClGeElKUkgU-9BmhfvsqzG0rX92LUuXSgDWJUdfaOlsHPOm2JCJ9XsxLRwp5vEaUxsx0KwcLS8kwbysfoIQ3N1kMfKbv03gCvrUa5RWufBa1gQmaMQpVfX5f~fxH~PuJtRb4zn-MiKxBX4ht4jEHJfWCyz5a1-spCPCmDXSOo2vHQDYByyUb0UDOre~weD36nnYrPURoR-i3yc~GxHR6l9Ixh96H8hhjbvcrFURystSVEhbvBwUOFmqwGujTz2eFoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holyoke City Council on Feb. 4 voted to create a part‑time municipal hearing officer position to hear certain local code appeals, adopted a tiered fee schedule for vacant properties, and approved several budget transfers and a small emergency management grant during its regular meeting at City Hall.

The council passed the municipal hearing officer ordinance after an amendment that added a maximum three‑year term for the officer. Council members described the position as a lower‑cost local alternative to repeated court hearings for code and nuisance disputes. Councilor Israel Rivera said the intent was to provide quicker, more affordable local resolution options for residents. Councilor Bacon said she would “be voting in favor of this tonight” after committee discussion that narrowed the stipend to $2,500 a year.

The council agreed to an amendment to the ordinance that set a maximum term of three years for the municipal hearing officer; that amendment passed 11–2. The ordinance itself then passed on final reading by unanimous roll call.

Council members discussed funding sources. Attorney Jeffrey Bissonnette told the panel that under state law fines collected by code enforcement can be used to fund the position’s stipend; the council also filed a related order asking the mayor and law department to examine permanent funding from the vacant‑building reserve.

On vacant buildings, the council adopted a tiered fee schedule intended to push property owners toward rehabilitation. Under the adopted framework cited in committee, properties vacant one to two years face a $1,500 annual assessment; for properties vacant two years or more the ordinance applies escalating annual assessments tied to building square footage (for example, buildings under 3,000 square feet were discussed with a $3,000 annual assessment, and the 3,001–8,000 square‑foot tier was discussed at $6,000). The ordinance also includes a path for owners to avoid higher fees by submitting an accepted rehabilitation plan. Councilor Israel Rivera said the tiers were designed to be “fair and equitable.”

The council also adopted an order requiring that the council be notified when entities apply to open group homes inside city limits; the language does not ban group homes but requires council notice so members and the public can be informed.

In other business the council accepted a $9,500 Fiscal Year 2024 emergency management grant from MEMA (50 percent in‑kind match), and approved a series of budget transfers, including a $350,000 transfer to the police overtime line to cover personnel shortfalls through June 30, 2025; and a $293,439.63 transfer from stabilization to highway capital outlay to fund replacement plow trucks. A transfer of $24,780 from the vacant‑building revolving fund to property maintenance (demo supervisor) also passed. A smaller transfer of $9,981.52 to cover three firefighters’ injured‑on‑duty costs passed under suspension of rules.

Votes at a glance

- Municipal hearing officer ordinance (Item 22): Amendment adding a maximum three‑year term — passed, 11 yes, 2 no; final ordinance adoption on second/third reading — passed by unanimous roll call. Stipend set at $2,500 (language in ordinance). Council also filed Item 47 to explore permanent funding from the vacant‑building reserve (referred to ordinance).

- Vacant‑building fee ordinance (Item 23): Adopted; establishes tiered annual assessments tied to vacancy duration and building square footage (examples discussed in committee: $1,500 for vacant 1–2 years; $3,000 for <3,000 sq ft; $6,000 for 3,001–8,000 sq ft). Forward‑looking only (not retroactive).

- Group‑home notice order (Item 24): Adopted; requires council notification when group‑home permits are filed (does not ban group homes).

- Police overtime transfer (Item 27): $350,000 transfer to cover overtime through June 30, 2025 — passed.

- Highway capital outlay / plow truck transfers (Items 29 and 58): $293,439.63 transfers from general/capital stabilization to highway capital outlay to replace plow trucks — passed.

- Vacant‑building revolving fund transfer (Item 30): $24,780 to property maintenance/demo supervisor — passed.

- MEMA emergency management grant (Item 28): Acceptance of $9,500 (with 50% in‑kind match) — passed.

- Injured‑on‑duty transfer (Item 53): $9,981.52 from captain/lieutenants to injured on duty (covers three firefighters) — passed under suspension of rules.

What happened next

Several orders were referred to committee for follow‑up, including the mayor’s proposal on funding and an auditor referral for certain finance items. Councilors also asked the auditor to provide up‑to‑date balances for the general and capital stabilization accounts and for the vacant‑building revolving fund to clarify any remaining available balances before additional transfers.

Ending

The City Council’s actions create a new local mechanism for resolving certain code disputes, increase financial penalties to encourage owners to remediate vacant properties, and moved forward a set of transfers largely aimed at equipment replacement and personnel coverage. The council referred a funding path for the municipal hearing officer to the ordinance committee for legal review and to the mayor for budget discussions.","The City Council on Feb. 4 approved an ordinance creating a part‑time municipal hearing officer, adopted a tiered vacant‑building fee schedule, passed a measure to notify council of group‑home applications, and approved several budget transfers and a small emergency management grant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Support and opposition surface as councilor re‑files backyard‑hen proposal; order sent to joint committee

Ward 3 residents press council for details on proposed USA International sports complex

Holyoke council creates municipal hearing officer, tightens vacant‑building fees and approves multiple transfers