Administration
It is the goal of the Department of Public Works to provide citizens, boards, commissions, and other Town departments with superior service and support through the consistent, managed efforts of the Department. The Department of Public Works is made up of several working divisions: Administration, Engineering, Highway/Water/Sewer, Properties, and Natural Resources and has a staffing strength of 146 full-time personnel. The Department Public Works developed the following initiatives in 2002:
• Continuation of town-wide water main replacement program.
• Sanitary sewer system improvements at Grove Street and Brattle Court.
• Storm sewer system improvements study in the Alewife Brook watershed.
• Summer Street reconstruction plans approved for advertising in Fiscal Year 2003.
• Town-wide roadway and sidewalk improvement program.
• East Arlington Massachusetts Avenue corridor study brought to public review for implementation.
• Town Hall renovation initiative.
• Continued parks maintenance master plan implementation.
• Town-wide beautification program.
• Employee safety program.
• First application of recycled chemical product on streets for ice control.
• Continued efforts in household hazardous waste collection, mercury thermometer exchange program, CRT collection, and a new pay-as-you-throw commercial trash collection program.
• West Nile virus control program assistance to the Board of Health.
• Construction of new fieldstone masonry retaining wall at Hill’s Pond.
Engineering Division
The Engineering Division is a service_oriented department supporting various Town departments, commissions, contractors, public utilities, and providing services to the general public. The Engineering Division works closely with the Highway/Water/Sewer Division to upgrade and improve the infrastructure of the Town by providing surveys, engineering design, construction plans, field layouts, and field inspection services.
Major projects and initiatives in 2002
Water, Sewer, & Drainage
• Replacement of 10,490 linear feet of water pipe in the Phase 3 and Phase 4 area between Massachusetts Avenue and Gray Street which includes: Coleman Road, Moulton Road, Temple Street, Lockeland Avenue, Wildwood Avenue, Plymouth Street, Field Road, Bailey Road, School Street, Menotomy Road, Revere Street, Higgins Street, Howard Street, Farmer Road, and Benjamin Road.
• Replacement of 400 linear feet of water pipe on Village Lane.
• Replacement of 3,100 linear feet of water pipe on Summer Street and Reed Street.
• Replacement of 350 linear feet of sewer pipe on Summer Street and Grove Place.
• The design of the newest plans of Water Rehabilitation (Russell Street area) was begun in late 2002 and is ongoing at the present time. A contract to be put out to bid has been completed. The new phase consists of Russell Street, Russell Terrace, Prescott Street, Winslow Street, Water Street, Court Street, Central Street, and Bacon Street.
• Design and construction of the storm drain adjacent to the bike trail known as Mill Brook or Gerri’s Brook, was completed in the Spring of 2002 under the direction and inspection of the Engineering Division.
• Assisted the Planning Department with the Reeds Brook drainage project, which will alleviate flooding problems in the Thesda Street area by installing 6,100 linear feet of new drainpipe.
• Storm drain overflow piping was installed on Summer Street near Lexington town line.
• Drainage improvements, resurfacing, line striping, and landscaping of the 3.5 mile section of the Minuteman-Marquis Bike Trail in Arlington.
Transportation, Streets, & Sidewalks
• Provided support to the Transportation Advisory Committee for the purpose of solving traffic problems in the Town. These services included data collection, traffic counts, and geometric design improvements to intersections.
• Replaced 22,000 linear feet of sidewalk, 7,500 linear feet of granite curb, and 11,000 linear feet of asphalt berm.
• Striping of centerlines and crosswalks throughout the Town using the international layout for crosswalks.
• Sidewalk and curb renewal and paving was completed on Scituate Street and Newport Street.
• Resurfacing in conjunction with street paving of Newport Street Phase 1 water main replacement was completed in November.
• Provided support for the chip seal treatment program on 40 streets in August.
• Crack sealing was performed under the direction of the Engineering Division on over 50 streets using 9,200 gallons of material.
• Development of Finley Street was completed with the input of the Engineering Department on the design of the utility system and paved roadway.
• Assisted and advised other departments with issues such as traffic counts, handicap ramps, and crosswalks.
Planning & Design
• The Engineering Division was involved with site planning and utility design of the new Peirce School in 2002.
Highway/Water/Sewer Division
The Highway/Water/Sewer Division is responsible for the improvement and maintenance of the Town’s streets, sidewalks, storm drains, water distribution system, sewer collection system, and bridges. It is also responsible for maintaining the Town’s vehicles and equipment, overseeing solid waste and recycling collection, and responding to service and emergency calls regarding the water and sewer systems. This Division shares much of the credit for the accomplishments cited above and consists of approximately forty-seven full-time personnel.
Snow and ice fighting went from November 2001 to April 2002 and consisted of 22 storms with a total of 66 inches of snowfall. Crews worked for more than forty-five days on snow and ice removal and six of the storms required outside contractors to be hired by the Town for snow plowing. 7,400 tons of salt and 1,700 tons of sand were utilized in snow/ice fighting operations.
Highway/Water/Sewer Division Performance Measurements For 2002
Transportation, Streets, & Sidewalks
• Crack sealing program - 50 streets were completed in 2002.
• Chip seal program – 40 streets.
• Installed new cement concrete and bituminous concrete sidewalks throughout various sections of Town.
• Repaired frost heaves from April until October.
• Street sweeping of all sections of the Town from April to November.
Water & Sewer & Drainage
• Performed town-wide sewer main flushing (mains and services).
• Cleaned over 3,500 catch basins on town streets.
• Serviced 530 sewer blockages.
• Repaired water main leaks at 225 locations.
• Repaired water service leaks at 204 locations.
• Installed 99 new water services.
• Cleaned and repaired sewer mains and pump chambers.
• Worked with Fire Services to perform annual fire hydrant inspections.
• Replaced twelve fire hydrants.
• Installed new catch basin frames and covers.
• Continued cleaning Mill Brook to help prevent flooding.
Maintenance
• Maintained a fleet of 150 motor vehicles and equipment.
Waste Disposal
• Oversaw the disposal of 24,000 tons of solid waste.
• Oversaw the disposal of 1,600 tons of yard waste.
Properties Division
The mission of the Properties Division is to provide high quality maintenance, improvements, and custodial services for the Town’s public buildings and facilities. It maintains thirty-one public buildings, all of the public schools, Jarvis House, Robbins Library, Whittemore-Robbins House, the Grove Street complex, and the Fox Library. The following projects were completed and managed by this Division in 2002.
School Properties
Arlington High School
• Repaired flooring and sub floor and installed tile floor in the science area.
• Divided first floor classroom, installing two partition walls and two doorways and upgraded wiring.
• Installed partition walls and door for new office in Data Processing.
• Re-piped main roof drain to underground connection.
• Modify audio systems in two High School gyms.
• Painted interior classrooms and common areas.
• Installed twelve whiteboards in classrooms.
• Refurbished front lobby area and built new display cases.
• Performed extensive work on emergency lighting units.
• Installed ten new air conditioning units.
• Installed cabinet base and sink in teachers’ lounge.
• Repaired and replaced hardware throughout the building.
• Extensive painting of student lockers.
Ottoson Middle School
• Rebuilt four classrooms damaged by a broken pipe (removed and replaced sheetrock, rugs and ceiling tiles).
• Replaced broken 5” roof drain.
• Performed repairs done on gymnasium coil doors.
Bishop School
• Completed work on entrance foyer, covered columns, and added moldings.
• Refurbished gym floor
Brackett School
• Repaired tower clock.
• Refurbished gym floor.
• Made repairs to the roof.
Dallin School
• Made repairs to condensate return system.
Hardy School
• Insulated piping.
• Installed over twenty new maps and movie screens.
• Repaired and refurbished gym floor.
Peirce School
• Under construction during 2002.
Stratton School
• Installed landscape timbers and repaired concrete steps.
• Repaired kindergarten doors.
Thompson School
• Repaired classroom windowsill and door damaged by termites.
Town Properties
Town Hall
• Repaired roof drain.
• Removed and replaced paneling in Auditorium and balcony area; and replaced thirty feet‘ of 4” cast pipe.
• Replaced steam trap.
• Refurbished first and second floor lounges.
Jarvis House
• A comprehensive condition evaluation was performed. Findings indicated that significant renovations are required to the structure and HVAC systems.
Mt. Gilboa
• Replaced kitchen stove.
Skating Rink
• Installed new air conditioner in office area.
Reservoir
• Made repairs to roof of the snack shack.
Hurd Field
• Made repairs to lighting system (breakers and ballasts).
Cutter House
• Painted exterior – replaced 6 shutters.
Crosby School
• Replaced twenty feet of 2” underground condensate line.
Community Safety Building
• Built and installed shelving in various areas.
• Repaired underground parking garage.
Highland Fire Station
• Repaired roof leaks.
Park Circle Fire Station
• Built enclosure for fire apparatus.
Managed Projects And Maintenance Contracts (Private Contractors)
• Town Hall Renovations, Phase IV.
• Fire Alarm Inspections (High School, Ottoson, and Library).
• Inspections of fire sprinkler valves (High School, Ottoson, Brackett, Central, Gibbs, Crosby, Community Safety Building, Robbins House, and Robbins Library).
• Window cleaning various buildings.
• Boiler cleaning.
• Painting interior building at High School.
• New wall lockers in High School.
• Flame Proof stage curtains (Peirce, Town Hall, Dallin, and High School).
• Exhaust cleaning kitchen areas and cafeterias.
• Fire suppression system cafeterias and grille room (High School, Ottoson, Thompson, and Brackett).
• Roof work (Thompson, Stratton, Crosby, Dallin, and High School).
• Parking lot lines and fire lanes at the High School.
• Refractory work boilers.
• Key and core at the Peirce School.
• Chemical treatments in various building.
• General maintenance on flat roofs (Thompson, Dallin, Crosby, Stratton, & High School).
Natural Resources Division
The Natural Resources Division consists of the Forestry, Park, and Cemetery sections and its mission is to provide for the proper management, care, and maintenance of the Town’s 18,000 public trees, open space facilities, playgrounds, and athletic field infrastructure. The primary responsibilities of this Division are the management and operation of Mount Pleasant Cemetery, maintenance of nineteen athletic fields, twenty-five playgrounds and the maintenance of all open space facilities, including: Reservoir Beach facility, North Union Spray Pool, Menotomy Rocks Park, Town Hall Gardens, Minuteman Marquis Bikeway, Broadway Plaza, and Robbins House gardens.
Forestry Section
The Forestry Section removed 144 diseased, dead, or dangerous conditioned trees in 2002. This is slightly lower than in recent years, but it is feared that the drought conditions of 2001 and 2002 may have serious consequences soon. New driveways, curb installations, sidewalk replacements, and other factors seriously inhibit the ability of a plant to gather water and nutrients.
The planting of flower islands has generated a tremendous amount of positive responses from both Arlingtonians and from officials of other municipalities.
Cemetery Section
There were 326 interments and 67 cremations in 2002. The Old Burying Ground on Pleasant St. was unused but maintained as usual. The expansion of Lot GG in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery has been completed and is in use now. The expansion is rapidly being used up and planning for the future should be a priority now.
 Park Section
A continued increase in athletics is causing severe problems with park and field maintenance. Although sprinkler systems have been installed in several areas, the continuous usage of all fields from March through November leaves minimal time to overseed, aerate, and repair damage. In addition, many parks and fields are still experiencing major problems with Canada Geese which renders some areas unusable.
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