The Bureau of Neighborhood Services provides a variety of services to the residents and non-residents of the City contingent upon seasonal weather conditions. For example, during the warmer months, efforts are concentrated on planned repairs and construction of city-owned streets. This includes general repair such as filling potholes, resurfacing and crack sealing of worn and deteriorating roadways and alleys. This Bureau repairs and maintains all city sewers and storm inlets. The sewer maintenance program involves over 130 miles of sewer lines that require video surveillance for potential problems or emergencies. Storm inlet repair is performed by first cleaning out the inlet with a vacuum truck, which removes lodged debris and opens the storm lines for proper roadway drainage, and by reconstructing collapsing or inadequate inlets. There are over 3,500 storm inlets in the City.During the winter months, the bureau is responsible for preparing and maintaining safe roadway conditions in times of snow and ice, either by pre-wetting the streets with calcium chloride or applying salt and anti-skid materials.
This bureau also performs organized neighborhood bulk cleanups, leaf collection in the fall and Christmas tree pick-up after Christmas. Street cleaning is performed year-round by crews that operate motorized street sweepers and flusher trucks that keep down the dust. Another project is the demolition of blighted and deteriorating properties. A four-man crew knocks down the property, hauls away all debris and backfills the foundation with dirt.
In summary, the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Neighborhood Services is responsible for many diverse duties and responsibilities, including:
- barricade distribution;
- bulk item collection;
- Christmas tree collection;
- demolition of unsafe structures;
- pothole and sinkhole repair;
- refuse and recycling collection;
- sanitary sewer cleaning and repair;
- snowplowing and street salting;
- storm inlet cleaning and repair;
- street cleaning, including leaf collection;
- installation, maintenance and removal of the downtown holiday lights;
- operation and maintenance of 93 signalized intersections and eight flashing/warning signals;
- Department of Public Works radio system;
- street name and traffic control signage;
- and, the electrical and sound systems in the City Parks System.
To report a pothole or sewer backup, call 717-236-4802.