Councilor urges barrier at Holyoke railroad platform after reports of people sleeping underneath; committee tables order

Councilor David Bartley told the Public Safety Committee that the Holyoke railroad platform is being used by people seeking shelter and said he had seen remnants of tents and sleeping there, which he described as a serious safety hazard for anyone who might fall onto the tracks.

Bartley recommended installing a protective wraparound barrier — citing inexpensive lattice or stronger plastic barriers commonly used for crowd control — and asked Chair Jenny Rivera to add her name to the order to ensure it remains active. Rivera said she lives in Ward 1 and has observed tents and other evidence of people sleeping near the platform.

The committee voted to table the item until the city engineer provides a further evaluation and agreed to add Rivera as a co‑sponsor so the order will remain on the committee’s radar. No appropriation or installation schedule was set during the meeting.