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Holyoke committee hears Board of Health on vacant-building fees, pushes for data integration and enforcement
Summary
Board of Health official Timothy Rivers told the DGR committee that fee increases and revised registry forms have generated more maintenance plans and that the city is pursuing data integration, liens and a revolving fund to address blight. Councilors pressed for stronger interdepartmental enforcement and clearer revenue estimates.
Timothy Rivers, a Board of Health representative, told the Holyoke City DGR committee on Feb. 23 that the office has implemented revised registry forms and mailed notices after an October ordinance increasing vacant-building fees.
Rivers said the office has received more maintenance plans than in prior cycles; under the ordinance, approved rehab or maintenance plans can reduce a fee by 50 percent and, when owners do not pay, the city records liens and may pursue enforcement or demolition. "We sent them out by ordinance Oct. 15," Rivers said,…
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