Informed Citizens

Property owners within Holyoke are required by the City to maintain their trees and shrubs — particularly so that they do not obstruct the clear view at any intersection.
Just what is a “clear view,” you ask? According to Holyoke Municipal Code, it’s defined as 150 feet in both directions of the intersecting road from a point of 10 feet from the beginning of the intersection.

Sec. 2.32.060. - Maintenance of trees and shrubs.

It shall be the duty of the owner of property abutting the right-of-way of any street, alley, sidewalk or other public place to maintain and care for all trees and shrubs on such abutting right-of-way. The city shall have the power to require any such property owner to perform such maintenance on any tree or shrub of the right-of-way abutting such owner’s property as may be necessary.
The city shall further have the power to require any property owner to trim, remove or protect any tree or shrub on such owner’s property which may project beyond the property line onto or over the right-of-way abutting the same.

Trees and shrubs must not obstruct the clear view at any intersection. A clear view is defined as 150 feet in both directions of the intersecting road from a point of ten feet from the beginning of the intersection. The city shall cause a notice requiring such work to be performed to be served upon the property owner in accordance herewith and such work shall be done within the reasonable time specified in the notice.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the owner of property to trim any trees or shrubs when such trimming is required on public ways because of city utilities lines, traffic control signs or devices and it shall be the duty of the city to do any trimming on public ways as required for such utilities or signs or traffic control devices.