- What is the function of the Department of Public Works?
Answer: The Department of Public Works is staffed by thirty-seven full time employees who carry out the following duties:
- Maintain 120 miles of roads - including snow plowing, snow removal, salting, sanding, grading, pothole patching, and sweeping
- Maintain a fleet of 80 vehicles - to include preventative maintenance, repair, diagnostics and fabrication
- Maintain 1,700 catch basins - to include cleaning, inspecting, and replacing
- Maintain 650 culverts - to include repairing and replacing
- Maintain 48 miles of roadside drainage - to include shoulders and ditch lines
- Maintain 40 miles of sidewalk - to include snow/ice removal; salting and sanding
- Maintain thousands of feet of guardrails
- Maintain 1,500 signs
- Maintain 70 miles of water distribution mains
- Maintain 2 water storage tanks
- Maintain 2 water pump stations
- Maintain 3 reservoirs
- Maintain hydrants - to include flushing and exercising gates
- Read and replace water meters
- Maintain 50 miles of sewer lines
- Maintain 1,130 manholes
- Maintain 6 sewer pump stations
- Provide cemetery maintenance and year round burials for 5 cemeteries
- Provide transfer station services two days per week
- Why is the Department of Public Works divided into two (2) divisions?
Answer: The department has (2) divisions - Highway and Utility.
- The Highway Division is funded completely by the taxpayer.
- The Utility Division, which is responsible for water and sewer services, is funded by users.
- When is the Transfer Station open, and how do I pay?
Answer: The Transfer Station, located at the
top of Newport Road, is open on Tuesday and Saturday between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The
attendants MAY NOT accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Users must purchase a dump ticket from the
City Clerk at City Hall, or from the office of Golden Cross Ambulance on Lincoln Heights. Tickets cost
$20.00 (each bag of disposable trash costs $3.00 which is deducted from the value of the ticket at the time
of use until the ticket is used up). There is no entrance fee nor is there a fee for recyclable items.
- How do I discard of my raked leaves?
Answer: The department picks up leaves/grass clippings in the spring and in the fall. All debris
must be bagged in thirty gallon lawn refuse bags that are biogradeable. These bags may be purchased at hardware,
grocery, and department stores.
- Who should I call if my sewer backs up?
Answer: All types of sewer related calls should be addressed to the Department of Public Works at 542-7020.
The phone message system will refer all "after hour" emergency calls to the Police Department.
The Utility Division of the Department of Public Works will respond to all sewer back-up calls and immediately
check the main service line. If the main is clear, the customer will be instructed to call a plumber or sewer contractor.
- What is a sewer backflow preventor?
Answer: Backflow preventors are devices with special valves that allow sewage to pass through to the main and
then close to prevent any type of sewer back-up into a basement. Sewer users should consult a plumber for more
information pertaining to the installation, maintenance, and cost.
- How do I avoid a sewer back-up?
Answer: Sewer users should strive to be aware of any changes in the system. They should never flush bulky waste such as
kitty litter, rags, paper towels, diapers, etc., into the system.
Users should never pour grease or toxic materials into the sewer system.
- When are water/sewer bills mailed?
- Bills for the first semi billing will be sent out in February with a payment due in March..
- Bills for the second semi billing will be sent out in August with a payment due in September.
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