Department of Public Works (DPW)

Mission

The Department of Public Works is staffed 20 full time employees and has a budget exceeding $1 million. The department is responsible for maintenance, repair and construction of the town’s infrastructure, public buildings and property including its parks, playgrounds, streetscapes, sewers, drainage systems, street lighting and 108 miles of roadways.

The Administrative division of the DPW is responsible for overseeing the operations of the department for long term planning. Administrative staff coordinate the department's activities, develop and monitor the annual budget, assist in the development of the Capital Improvements Plan, prepare personnel and payroll records for its staff, coordinate the hiring of new employees, manage collective bargaining agreements, develop and implement department policies, and handle all public inquiries.

The DPW is responsible for ensuring the overall safety of the town’s motoring public and pedestrians though the construction and maintenance of parks, public areas, tree belts and streetscapes; and the clearing of roads and selected sidewalk areas of snow and ice.

The DPW also manages the long term monitoring of the town’s former landfill and dumps including overseeing contracts with consulting engineers and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. Due to the broad mission, the DPW touches the lives of nearly all Town residents in some way, and supplies many of the visible services that residents receive. The Department is also responsible for supplying many of the support functions required by other Town departments.