Frequently Asked Questions

The Department of Public Works Streets Division is open during all storms. Contact them at 978-674-1807.

The large snowplows used by the City have fixed-angle blades and are not adjustable. On dead end streets or one-way streets this causes the snow to only be plowed to one side of the street. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

The City has many miles of streets to take care of and in order to keep the City safe we focus on the main routes and feeder streets first and then the side streets after that. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

If the Department of Public Works is able to prevent a snow pack from forming on the streets we will be able to use less salt on the streets in the long run and it will also take less time for the department to clean up after the end of the storm. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

In other than the most extreme situations trash collection is not suspended due to a storm. If you are in doubt please contact the City’s solid waste contractor, Waste Management, directly at 800-972-4545. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

This situation in unavoidable. The plows strive to remove the snow from curb to curb for maximum clearance of the roadway. This is done to provide for drainage and public safety. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

Snow is pushed back at street intersections in order to preserve sight lines for drivers and pedestrians and for street drainage. Large snow mounds at street corners create a hazard for the driver and walker alike. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

No. This unsafe practice is against the City bylaws. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.

Sand and salt are located on the right in the parking lot at the Department of Public Works at 1365 Middlesex Street. Bring your own shovel and bucket. The sand and salt are for residential use only (up to 2, 5 gallon buckets). Contractors and residents are not allowed to fill up their truck or take more than 2 buckets full. For more information, please call 978-674-1807.