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 |
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If you prefer e-mail
to the telephone, you can make inquiries about,
and/or report all of the items described below (with
the exception of motor vehicle towing). You will
receive a response from our Operations Manager within
24 hours (M-F). |
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Rubbish
Disposal |
|
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• My
trash was not picked up even though it was scheduled
for pickup today. |
| |
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• Why
did I get a ticket for putting out my trash too
early…what is the rule? |
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• What
types of items can I put out for trash pickup? |
| |
|
•
How can I make my move or renovation project
easier? |
| |
|
• I
received a postcard about the new trash changes.
Do I have to buy a new trash barrel? |
| |
|
• I'm
aware that the new trash rules that require trash
barrels to have tight-fitting lids, but my lids
"disappeared" after trash collection.
|
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|
• I
have a disability and would like an exemption for
the time that I may place trash and recycling at
the curb. |
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Recycling |
|
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|
• What
types of items can I put out in my blue bin for
recycling collection? |
| |
|
• My
recycling was not picked up. |
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|
• How
do I get a blue bin for recycling? |
| |
|
• When
is yard waste collection? How do I prepare it? |
| |
|
• What
is accepted at the Recycling Drop-Off Center? |
| |
|
• I
would like to get rid of some furniture, what are
my options? |
| |
|
• What
should I do with appliances? |
| |
|
• There
are abandoned appliances in the street-- how can
we get them picked up? |
| |
|
• How
can I get rid of a computer or television? |
| |
|
• How
do I get rid of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? |
| |
|
• I
would like a full or partial recycling exemption. |
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|
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Street
Maintenance |
|
| |
|
• How
can I get a street or sidewalk repaired? |
| |
|
• Where
can I get information on street construction? |
| |
|
• How
do I get a street light that is not working repaired? |
| |
|
|
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|
Street
Cleaning |
|
| |
|
• When
is street sweeping scheduled for my area? |
| |
|
• My
car was towed, who do I call? What do I do? |
| |
|
• I
am reporting that there is a dead animal on the
street or sidewalk |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Sewer
Maintenance |
|
| |
|
• There
is a strong sewer odor in my area, what can I do? |
| |
|
• Who
should I call if I have sewage backup into my building? |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Stormwater
Management |
|
| |
|
• How
can I get a catch basin cleaned that appears blocked? |
| |
|
• Who
should I call if I see someone dumping into a catch
basin? |
| |
|
• Who
should I call if I notice an oily or dirty discharge
from a stormwater outfall? |
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|
|
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|
Park
Maintenance |
|
| |
|
• Whom
do I call if a park needs maintenance attention? |
| |
|
• What
parks does DPW care for? |
| |
|
• Who
manages the large reservations like Fresh Pond,
Danehy Park, and Magazine Beach? |
| |
|
• Where
can my dog run without a leash? |
| |
|
• What
can be done about dog owners who don’t follow
the rules about leashes and sanitation? |
| |
|
• Whom
do I call to reserve a field for sports and games? |
| |
|
• Do
I need a permit to have a picnic? |
| |
|
• Can
I use grills for cooking in parks? |
| |
|
• Whom
do I call to get a permit for a carnival or other
special event? |
| |
|
• What
parks have water play sprinklers? |
| |
|
• How
do I get a community garden plot? |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Urban
Forestry |
|
| |
|
• There
is a tree that needs trimming -- who do I speak
to? |
| |
|
• There
are tree limbs down-- how can we get them removed?
|
| |
|
• Whom
do I call if a tree needs work? |
| |
|
• What
trees does DPW care for? |
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• How
do I get a tree stump removed? |
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• I
think my tree should be cut down. Will DPW do that? |
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• What
can be done about the way the utility company prunes
trees? |
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• Will
DPW plant a tree in front of my house? |
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• What
can I do about tree roots in my sewer or water line? |
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• What
can I do about tree roots pushing up the sidewalk? |
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• I’m
afraid that the tree on my neighbor’s property
is going to fall on my house. Will DPW help? |
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• What
is done with the wood chips? |
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• I’m
tired of raking leaves and cleaning gutters. Why
won’t the City do something about its tree? |
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• Will
DPW pick up branches if I stack them on the curb? |
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Snow |
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• Has
a snow emergency been declared? |
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• Are
the schools open? |
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• My
street needs plowing/salting. |
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• Where
can I get salt? |
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• Where
can I park if a snow emergency is declared? |
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Rubbish
Disposal |
|
| |
|
• My
trash was not picked up even though it was scheduled
for pickup today. |
| |
|
Call
DPW Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or (617)
349-4846 and give the address of the missed pick
up. Always leave us your name and a return phone
number. DPW will try to pick it up the same day.
However, if this is not possible, we will schedule
the pick up for the following day. |
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|
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• I
received a postcard about the new trash changes.
Do I have to buy a new trash barrel? |
| |
|
Barrels
that are 50 gallons or less with a tight-fitting
lid are acceptable as long it does not weight more
than 50 pounds. City Ordinance limits the weight
of filled trash barrels to 50 pounds in order to
protect rubbish workers from injury.
Public Works will not accept trash barrels that
are larger than 50 gallons. |
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• I'm
aware that the new trash rules that require trash
barrels to have tight-fitting lids, but my lids
"disappeared" after trash collection.
|
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|
Public
Works Managers will continue to work with rubbish
workers to ensure that trash barrels and lids are
put back in front of the property where they were
set out.
You may also attach the handles of your lid and
barrel with a piece of rope. Local retailers also
sell trash barrels with attached lids. |
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|
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• Why
did I get a ticket for putting out my trash too
early…what is the rule? |
| |
|
Trash
in barrels with tight-fitting lids cannot be placed
on the curb until 6pm the night before collection.
Trash in plastic bags can only be placed at the
curb on collection day, no later than 7am. Only
heavy duty plastic bags are accepted. Emptied receptacles
need to be removed from the curb by 6pm on the day
of pickup. |
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• What
types of items can I put out for trash pickup? |
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All
household trash not presently being picked up at
curbside for recycling (recyclable items include
glass, metal, & plastic containers, paper, cardboard,
& yard waste). We also do not pick up household
hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs,
tires, car batteries). Alkaline batteries are safe
to dispose with household trash. Click
here for the Recycling and Trash Guidelines. |
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Recycling |
|
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• What
types of items can I put out in my blue bin for
recycling collection? |
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No
plastic bags or styrofoam. Papers and containers
must be kept separate. Click
here for the Recycling and Trash Guidelines.
Curbside recyclable items include:
- Paper
(newspaper, magazines, phone books, mixed paper,
beverage containers, drink boxes, paperboard
– place in a paper bags or bundle with
a string);
- Cardboard
(flattened and cut 3’ x 3’);
and
- Glass,
metal and plastic containers (foil,
aluminum pie trays, aerosol cans, all colors
of glass, milk, water and juice jugs, plastic
containers #1-#7 – rinse out containers).
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• My
recycling was not picked up. |
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Recycling
must be set out by 7am on your collection day,
or after 6pm the night before. If there is an
orange rejection sticker on your bin, take note
of why it was rejected and make sure that your
recycling is properly prepared for next week’s
pick up.
Feel free to call our office for more information.
If your recycling was missed, call DPW at (617)
349-4800 and give your address and a return phone
number. DPW will schedule pick up with our contractor
for the following day. Click
here for the Recycling and Trash Guidelines. |
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• How
do I get a blue bin for recycling? |
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|
Bins
can be picked up at DPW in the reception area Monday
8:30am-8pm, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am-5pm and Friday
8:30am-12 noon and at the Recycling Drop-Off Center
in the rear of 147 Hampshire Street on Tuesdays
& Thursday from 4:00pm – 7:30pm and on
Saturdays from 9:00am-4:00pm. For bin deliveries
to your residence, order
online and let us know your address,
phone number and number of bins requested. |
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• What
is accepted at the Recycling Drop-Off Center? |
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The Drop-off Center is
open Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm-7:30pm and on
Saturdays from 9am-4pm. When the Center is closed,
the public may not enter the yard. We are located
in the rear of the Public Works Yard at 147 Hampshire.
The following items are accepted from Cambridge
residents ONLY: books, cans & bottles, cardboard,
clothing, flags, mercury devices, flags, fluoescent
bulbs, motor oil, non-alkaline batteries, paper,
packaging peanuts, plastic bags, scrap metal and
small household appliances (no computer monitors,
TVs or large appliances). |
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|
• When
is yard waste collection? How do I prepare it? |
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|
Yard
waste is collected the first full week in April
through the second week in December on your regular
pick up day. Yard waste must be set out by 7am on
your collection day, or after 6pm the night before.
Place the following yard waste materials in 30-gallon
paper refuse bags or barrels labeled with yard waste
stickers: leaves, grass, plants, shrub prunings
and twigs – thinner than your thumb and shorter
than your arm. Do not include food, soil, rocks,
tree limbs, or trash. Yard waste is not
accepted in plastic bags and will not be picked
up by rubbish or recycling crews. Call
(617) 349-4800 for stickers. Click
here for the Recycling and Trash Guidelines. |
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|
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|
• I
would like to get rid of some furniture, what are
my options? |
| |
|
Help
us reduce waste and encourage reuse by donating
furniture in good condition. Click
here
for more information.
Public Works will pick up one piece of furniture
per week i.e. soft mattress and boxspring, wood
filing cabinet, chair, small sofa, carpet (must
be rolled up, tied and cut in 5’ lengths,
no more than 3 bundles per week) etc. on your regularly
scheduled trash day. |
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• What
should I do with appliances? |
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|
Help
us reduce waste and encourage reuse by donating
working appliances. Click
here
for more information.
The following items require a sticker for recycling
removal: dishwashers, washing machines, clothes
dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters,
refrigerators, metal desks and filing cabinets.
Stickers can be purchased for $20 ($15 for seniors)
at DPW, 147 Hampshire Street, Monday 8:30am-8pm,
Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am-5pm and Friday 8:30am-12
noon. |
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|
• There
are abandoned appliances in the street-- how can
we get them picked up? |
| |
|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or
(617) 349-4846 or email
us and report the location and type of appliance. |
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|
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|
• How
can I get rid of a computer or television? |
| |
|
Help
us reduce waste and encourage reuse by donating
working computers and televisions.
Click here for more
information. Monitors or televisions with a diagonal
screen length more than 20" require a sticker
for recycling removal. Stickers can be purchased
for $20 ($15 for seniors) at DPW, 147 Hampshire
Street, Monday 8:30am-8pm, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am-5pm
and Friday 8:30am-12 noon. Residents and City-served
trash customers may place one computer monitor or
television (with a diagonal screen length 20"
or smaller) per week at the curb for recycling on
the regular rubbish collection day. Hard drives
and keyboards are also accepted. |
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• How
do I get rid of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? |
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|
HHW
cannot be thrown away with your regular trash. Do
not pour chemicals down any drain. The City of Cambridge
sponsors several household hazardous waste collections
each year. Click
here for this year's dates and detailed
information. |
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|
Street
Maintenance |
|
| |
|
• How
can I get a street or sidewalk repaired? |
| |
|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or
(617) 349-4846 (or e-mail)
and leave your name, phone number and the address
of the sidewalk defect. |
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|
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|
• Where
can I get information on street construction? |
| |
|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800, (617)
349-4846,our Community Relations Manager at (617)
349-6948 (or send us e-mail)
or read the most recent construction
notices. |
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• How
do I get a street light that is not working repaired? |
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|
Report
the address of the light pole or the light pole
number (two or three digit number located on the
pole usually within 6-8 feet up from the base) to
the City’s Electrical Department at (617)
349-4925. They will report the information to N-Star
Electric. |
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Street
Cleaning |
|
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|
• I am
a new resident, when is street sweeping scheduled
for my area? |
| |
|
To
receive a copy of the schedule by mail, please call
the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or (617)
349-4846 and give us your address. You may also
view
the schedule on line. |
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|
• My
car was towed, who to call/what to do? |
| |
|
Call
Emergency Communications (617) 349-3300 and give
the dispatcher your license plate number. You will
then be directed to the towing company that has
your vehicle. |
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|
• I am
reporting that there is a dead animal on the street
or sidewalk |
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|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or
(617) 349-4846, and leave your name and phone number,
and state the type of animal (if possible) and location.
Please indicate whether the animal is located on
the street or sidewalk. The City is responsible
for the removal of dead animals from public property
only (roads, sidewalks, parks, etc). We are not
permitted to go onto private property for removal.
We will, however, pick up the animal if it is placed
in a trash bag or box and brought out to the curb. |
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|
Sewer
Maintenance |
|
| |
|
• There
is a strong sewer odor in my area |
| |
|
Sewer
odors at catch basins can be caused by rotting leaves,
low flow in an adjacent combined sewer and inappropriate
dumping of dog feces, oil, paint or other pollutants.
Residents can help alleviate these odors by never
dumping anything into a catch basin. Catch basins
are installed to collect rainwater only Please call
the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or (617)
349-4846 (or
e-mail us), or the Sewer Division at
(617) 349-6426 and leave your name, phone number
and nearest address or street intersection where
you smell the sewer odor. |
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• Who
should I call if I have sewage backup into my building? |
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|
Call
a plumber or drain cleaner to clean the pipe from
the building to the City sewer main. If the plumber
is unable to clear the pipe, call the Sewer Division
at (617) 349-6426, Monday- Friday 7:00 am to 3:00
pm or the Off-hours Division at (617) 349-4860 any
other time. Please provide your name and phone number
and the name and phone number of the plumber or
drain cleaner. |
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Stormwater
Management |
|
| |
|
• How
can I get a catch basin cleaned that appears blocked? |
| |
|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or
(617) 349-4846 (or
e-mail
us), or the Sewer Division at (617) 349-6426
and leave your name, phone number and nearest address
or street intersection of the catch basin. Catch
basins are normally cleaned on the same day street
sweeping occurs on a particular street. Catch basins
that are completely blocked are cleaned within 48
hours of notification of Pubic Works. Residents
can assist Public Works by clearing debris off of
catch basin grates, cleaning up debris along the
curb in front of their property, and by never putting
leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste into
a catch basin. |
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|
• Who
should I call if I see someone dumping into a catchbasin? |
| |
|
Call
theOperations Center at (617) 349-4800 or (617)
349-4846 and leave the nearest street intersection
of the catchbasin and, if known, the material that
was dumped. |
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|
| |
|
• Who
should I call if I notice an oily or dirty discharge
from a stormwater outfall? |
| |
|
Please
call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or
(617) 349-4846 and leave the nearest street or area
of the stormwater outfall. |
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Park
Maintenance |
|
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|
• Whom
do I call if a park needs maintenance attention? |
| |
|
There
are a variety of ways. If you know the district
in which the park is located, contact the District
Supervisor:
District 1 (East Cambridge,
Harrington, Area 4)—Donald
Down, (617) 349-6962
District
2 (Mid-Cambridge, Cambridgeport, Riverside, Harvard
Square)—Shawn
Headley, (617) 349-6960
District
3 (Agassiz, Peabody, North Cambridge, West Cambridge)—Bill
Renzi, (617) 349-6961
If you don’t know which district supervisor
to contact, you may call the Department of Public
Works Operations Center at (617) 349-4846 (or
e-mail
us) and your request will be forwarded
to the appropriate supervisor. Or, you may leave
a voice mail for the Parks and Forestry Division
at (617) 349-4880. Your call will receive prompt
attention, no matter what method you choose.
|
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|
• What
parks does DPW care for? |
| |
|
There
are over 100 parks, playgrounds, plazas, squares,
islands, and public building grounds within the
jurisdiction of DPW. The DPW also maintains large
boulevard medians along Binney Street and Aberdeen
Avenue. Lechmere Canal Park, off Land Boulevard,
is managed by a special partnership of Public Works
and the neighboring business and residential community.
The Cambridge Cemetery is managed by the Cemetery
Division of Public Works. There are several large
areas within the City, however, that are either
managed by other City agencies or by the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts (see answer to the next question). |
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|
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|
• Who
manages the large reservations like Fresh Pond,
Danehy Park, and Magazine Beach? |
| |
|
The
Fresh Pond Reservation is managed by the Cambridge
Water Department. The reservation manager may be
reached at (617) 349-4762. Danehy Park has its own
maintenance staff under the jurisdiction of the
Recreation Division of Human Services. The park
office number is (617) 349-4895. The Metropolitan
District Commission (a state agency) manages the
right-of-ways along Memorial Drive and Fresh Pond
Parkway, which includes Magazine Beach, John F.
Kennedy Park, Riverbend Park, and Hell’s Half
Acre. The MDC Community Relations office number
is (617) 727-7747, ext. 541. |
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|
• Where
can I allow my dog to run without a leash? |
| |
|
Dogs
may run without a leash at Fort Washington, located
on Waverly Street between Erie Street and Putnam
Avenue, and at Dog Park, at Mount Auburn and Hawthorne
Streets. There are also leash-free zones at Danehy
Park and at Fresh Pond Reservation. Please check
with the management of those sites for more information.
At all other parks, the City ordinance on leash
control applies. And of course, dog walkers are
required to pick up dog waste at all sites. |
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|
| |
|
• What
can be done about dog owners who don’t follow
the rules about leashes and sanitation? |
| |
|
You
may contact the Animal Commission at (617) 349-4376.
Although the number of Animal Control Officers is
limited, they may be able to place special patrol
emphasis at certain parks as needed, in an effort
to educate people on existing regulations. |
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|
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|
• Whom
do I call to reserve a field for sports and games? |
| |
|
You
may call the Recreation Division of Human Services
at (617) 349-6238. |
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|
| |
|
• Do
I need a permit to have a picnic? |
| |
|
It
depends upon the size and complexity of your event.
For a small family outing that does not involve
on-site cooking, no permit is required. If you have
something else in mind, contact the Operations Center
of Public Works at (617) 349-4846 (or e-mail
us), give us the details, and we’ll
advise you on what may be required. |
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|
| |
|
• Can
I use grills for cooking in parks? |
| |
|
City
regulations do not allow such open fires in parks,
unless you are issued a permit for a special event.
You will need to complete a permit application,
and may need to attend a hearing of the Special
Events Committee (see answer to next question).
Contact the Operations Center of Public Works at
(617) 349-4846. |
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|
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|
• Whom
do I call to get a permit for a carnival or other
special event? |
| |
|
You
may contact the Operations Center of Public Works
at (617) 349-4846. You will need to complete a permit
application, and may need to attend a hearing of
the Special Events Committee, featuring representatives
of the Police, Fire, Public Works, Traffic &
Parking, Licensing, Inspectional Services, Electrical,
and Human Services Departments. The Committee generally
meets only once per month, so please plan your event
well in advance! |
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|
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|
• What
parks have water play sprinklers? |
| |
|
The
play sprinklers at playgrounds throughout the City
are activated sometime between Memorial Day weekend
and the end of the school year, depending on the
weather conditions. They are generally available
through Labor Day weekend. Currently, there are
18 play sprinklers in the City. Please click
here for a waterplay map produced by
the Communtiy Development Department. |
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|
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|
• How
do I get a community garden plot? |
| |
|
You
may contact the Conservation Commission at (617)
349-4680. You likely will be placed on a waiting
list. |
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|
Urban
Forestry |
|
| |
|
• There
is a tree that needs trimming -- who do I speak
to? |
| |
|
The
City is responsible for the trimming of public trees
only. This includes all trees located on public
streets and City parks and open space. Please call
the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800 or (617)
349-4846 (or e-mail
us), or the Parks & Forestry Division
at (617) 349-4886 and leave your name, phone number
and location of the tree. If the tree is located
on private property, the owner of the property is
responsible for its maintenance. |
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|
|
| |
|
• There
are tree limbs down how can we get them removed?
|
| |
|
The
City is responsible for the removal of limbs from
public trees only. This includes all trees located
on public streets and City parks and open space.
Please call the Operations Center at (617) 349-4800
or (617) 349-4846 (or e-mail
us), or the Parks & Forestry Division
at (617) 349-4886 and leave your name, phone number
and location of downed limb. If the tree is located
on private property, the owner of the property is
responsible for its removal. Shrub prunings and
twigs, thinner than your thumb and shorter than
your arm are accepted in yard waste collection.
Check above for a detailed description of what is
and is not accepted in yard waste collection. For
large tree limbs we suggest you check your local
telephone directory under “landscape contractors”
or “tree services” to arrange pick up
with a private hauler. |
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• Whom
do I call if a tree needs work? |
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There
are a variety of ways. If your request is of a routine
nature, contact the Department of Public Works Operations
Center at (617) 349-4846. Your request will be entered
into our database, and the Urban Forestry staff
will prioritize and schedule the work. We receive
literally dozens of requests each day during peak
season, so the response to non-emergency tasks is
not necessarily immediate. If you wish to follow
up on a timetable for the work, leave a message
for the Forestry Supervisor at (617) 349-4886. If
you think a tree may need an evaluation by a certified
arborist, you may contact the City Arborist at (617)
349-6433. If you have a tree emergency, please contact
the Public Works main switchboard, 24 hours a day,
at (617) 349-4800. |
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• What
trees does DPW care for? |
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We
maintain trees within the City right-of-way (i.e.
the layout of a City street), in City parks, cemeteries,
public building grounds, and other City properties.
Trees along certain state highways within the City
are maintained by the Metropolitan District Commission
(a state agency); Memorial Drive, for example. Trees
along certain private ways within the City may be
the responsibility of the abutters. If you are not
sure whether or not a tree that needs attention
is a City tree, please contact us. We do not perform
tree work on private property, so for that, you
will need to hire an arborist. We may be able to
suggest a few companies to contact, without endorsing
anyone in particular. |
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• How
do I get a tree stump removed? |
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In
order for a tree stump to be safely removed the
following process takes place: Once a tree stump
has been identified for removal there needs to be
an careful assessment of any underground utilities
in the area. Once all underground utility safety
issues are cleared then the stump can be removed.
The process usually takes from 14 to 30 days from
the time of tree stump removal request to having
the stump removed by the Cambridge DPW Urban Forestry
Division. Tree stump removal requests can be called
into 617-349-4886 or 617-349-4660. |
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• I think
my tree should be cut down. Will DPW do that? |
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We
do not remove City trees without good reason. We
do not remove trees because they drop leaves or
acorns, because it has grown too large or shades
your lawn, or because it is not conveniently located.
We will remove trees that are hazardous. In the
context of state law, a hazard tree poses a threat
to persons and/or property. As defined by the International
Society of Arboriculture, a hazard tree must meet
three criteria:
· The tree
is sufficiently large enough to cause damage should
it fall;
· The tree has a
target (that would be damaged should it fall);
· The tree has a condition that
would make it likely to fall.
We will promptly inspect requests for removal. In
many cases, a tree may be developing a condition
that would ultimately make it a hazard, but not
imminently. The removal of such trees requires a
public hearing as prescribed by state law. In some
cases, the entire tree may not be hazardous, but
some maintenance work is required. We will enter
that work request into our database and schedule
the work within our priorities.
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• What
can be done about the way the utility companies
prune trees? |
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Line
clearance pruning, while unsightly to many people,
is necessary to ensure reliable service. The type
of pruning that is used by NStar contractors is
called directional pruning, and is the method that
provides the best balance of maintaining utility
air space as well as tree health. The best solution
to the problem is planting the right tree in the
right place. The City strives to limit the planting
of trees under transmission lines to those species
that will mature at a height of 25 feet or less.
For more information, see our Recommended
Species list. |
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• Will
DPW plant a tree in front of my house? |
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If
you have an empty City tree well in front of your
house and you want a replacement tree, we will plant
one during the next planting season at no cost to
you, as long as we determine that a tree is sustainable
at that location. (There may be a legitimate reason
why the previous tree did not survive.) If you wish
to have a tree planted where no tree well currently
exists, the City will share the cost with you under
its Client Tree Program. For $14 |
