Bill > H4262

This bill authorizes the city of Holyoke to establish a program to enforce laws against illegal dumping, meaning the unlawful disposal of waste like trash, debris, or old furniture on public or private property within or near the city. The city can issue citations or pursue criminal or civil actions in court to enforce these rules, with designated agents from the Board of Health, Department of Public Works, or police department empowered to issue citations. Violators face significant penalties, including fines of $5,000 to $10,000, or up to seven days in jail, or both. For civil violations, individuals may be required to pay three times the cost of removing the dumped material, up to a maximum of $5,000. All collected fines and penalties will be deposited into a dedicated "Disposal Enforcement Fund" managed by the city treasurer, which will be used to finance enforcement efforts, clean up dumped materials, and support programs for waste collection and lawful disposal for Holyoke residents.