Residents press council on bridge closures, speaker-address policy and ICE concerns during public comment
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Summary
At public comment, David Owen urged the council to act on bridge safety and accelerate repairs while Councilor Sullivan clarified MassDOT responsibility; Jose Adastra urged the city to stop asking public-commenters for addresses and called for protections against federal enforcement actions.
Several public-comment speakers used the council meeting to press officials on public-safety and procedural matters.
David Owen (12 Mason Road) raised concerns about bridge closures and the condition of multiple bridges crossing the canals. He asked how an infrastructure expected to be inspected every two years could deteriorate to the point of closure and asked for council assistance in expediting repairs.
Councilor Sullivan responded at the meeting, noting the bridges in question are under MassDOT jurisdiction and not maintained by Holyoke DPW. Sullivan said MassDOT had monitored the bridges and that damage accelerated more quickly than anticipated; he said the city’s DPW and state legislators are working with MassDOT to accelerate repairs.
Jose Adastra (139 Hillside) asked the council to stop requiring speakers to provide their street address during public comment, saying the requirement can put some people at risk and deter participation. He also asked the council to extend the speaking time by one minute for public commenters. During an otherwise general critique, Adastra made broader allegations about federal actors and enforcement that were not responded to during the meeting.
The president indicated the council would consider procedural issues and public-comment protocols moving forward. No formal policy change on addresses was adopted at the meeting; councilors asked staff to note the request.
Next steps: Council staff said they will note the request regarding public-comment addresses and the council may discuss any proposed changes at a future rules or administrative session. The DPW and state liaisons will continue coordination with MassDOT on bridge schedules and repairs.