Councilors approve $24,780 transfer to fund temporary demolition/property-maintenance supervisor; debate centers on scope and landlord accountability

The Finance Committee approved a transfer of $24,780 from the vacant-building revolving fund to pay, through the end of the fiscal year, for a property-maintenance/demolition supervisor position intended to reduce demolition costs and respond to dangerous, dilapidated buildings.

Councilors and City staff discussed an example property, identified in committee as 52 Main Street, where structural collapse has posed an immediate hazard. Leslie Ward, the city official who described the role and legal steps, said the city had conducted a survey board and exhausted legal remedies with the property owner; when owners refuse to act on dangerous buildings, the city at times must act to protect public safety.

Ward said a single demolition by contractor for a four‑story vacant building could be “in the neighborhood of… $300,000,” and estimated a salary range for the demolition/property-maintenance supervisor at “somewhere between 65,75,000 per year.” She said a commissioner’s office and DPW crew working together could cut typical contractor costs roughly in half for comparable projects.

Councilor Jordan urged caution, citing Holyoke’s prior experience with the Hotel Essex property, in which the city assumed responsibility and avoided full reimbursement for large demolition costs. Jordan said the city must use the position and demolition authority to hold property owners accountable and pursue legal remedies when appropriate rather than acting as a permanent backstop for private owners.

Councilors discussed whether the revolving fund is a sustainable source for a full-year position. Legal advice at a prior meeting was cited saying using the revolving fund for this purpose was permissible even if not best practice. Staff said the posting and hiring process would follow city rules: the position would be posted internally for seven days then to the public; if filled before June 30 the salary for the hire would be budgeted in the next fiscal process, and if not filled the unspent transfer would revert to free cash.

Committee members approved the transfer by voice vote and asked staff to post the position and to provide more detailed cost‑savings analysis and coordination plans with the Law Department and receivership/land‑court programs before the council floor vote.

Votes at a glance: Committee approved the $24,780 transfer to fund the demolition/property-maintenance supervisor through the fiscal year.