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Public Works - Streets

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1. How do I get a pothole fixed?

Call the Highway Division of DPW at 781-942-9092 or use the See ClickFixApp on the Town's website.

2. Will the Town reimburse me for damage done to my vehicle from running over a pothole?

The Town refers pothole damage claims to its insurer who makes a determination whether the Town is responsible for the claim due to negligence in responding to the notice of the pothole. Any appeals are handled by the claimant‚ insurer or by a judicial claim. Potholes are considered to be a normal consequence of the freezing / thaw cycle of New England weather.

3. What happens when I have an after hours emergency?

Contact the Reading Police Department: Emergency (Nights, Weekends, Holidays). Police Department 781-944-1212. The police will contact the on-call DPW personnel.

4. How do you decide to pave or re-pave a road?

We are constantly checking streets for safety issues and pavement conditions in order to plan‚ short term‚ and future paving projects. The Town conducts pavement condition inspections every 3 to 4 years to develop a plan to address some of the worst roads and extend the life of roads with limited deterioration.

5. How do I get my street swept?

Street sweeping normally begins in late March/early April each year after the danger of snow has passed and the weather gets mild. With only two sweepers and weather permitting it usually takes 8 to 10 weeks to complete the Town.

6. How do I report a missing street sign / stop sign?

Residents can call the Highway Division at 781-942-9092 or contact the Reading Police Department at 781-944-1212.

7. Can I push snow from my property onto the sidewalk or street?

No. A Town By-Law restricts this act. Additionally, such action may bring liability if an accident should occur. This also increases the Town's cost for snow operations.

8. Why is my street not plowed first?

The streets are plowed in a set order to maximize efficiency, expediency and our resources. The main roads are generally treated and plowed first, then the secondary roads and the neighborhoods.

9. How do I report property damage from a plow truck?

If the damage is not in the Town's, right-of-way, repairs will be made in the spring at a time when manpower and equipment are available. Please use the SeeClickFix App.

10. How can I get a street or sidewalk repaired?

Please call the DPW 781-942-9092 or 781-942-9077 and leave your name, phone number and the address of the sidewalk defect, or report the damage through our SeeClickFix App.

11. Where can I get information on street construction?

Please call the DPW at 781-942-9092 or 781-942-9077 or read the most recent construction notices under our Current Projects.

12. How do I get a street light that is not working repaired?

Report the address of the light pole or the light pole number (two or three digit number located on the pole usually within 6 to 8 feet up from the base) to the Reading Municipal Light Department.

13. How can I get a catch basin cleaned that appears blocked?

Please call the DPW at 781-942-9092 or 781-942-9077 and leave your name, phone number and nearest address or street intersection of the catch basin. 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.

14. Who should I call if I see someone dumping into a catch basin?

Call the Reading Police Department: 781-944-1212 with the location of the catch basin and, if known, the material that was dumped and other pertinent information. You may also contact the DPW at 781-942-9092 or 781-942-9077.

15. Who should I call if I notice an oily or dirty discharge from a stormwater outfall?

Please call the DPW at 781-942-9092 or 781-942-9077 and leave the nearest street or area of the stormwater outfall.

16. How can I help maintain the catch basin cover near my house?

With the fall season upon us and many trees already dropping their leaves, your help with maintenance is beneficial to all. If you have a town catch basin near your property it would be very helpful and benefit everyone if you could help maintain that catch basin by clearing all debris from around.

17. What is storm water?

Storm Water is water that falls from the sky as rain, hail, or melting snow and drains into the municipal drain system, such as catch basins or drainage swales that eventually lead to a wetland or body of water, such a as lake, stream, river or ocean.

18. What is a storm drainage system?

The Storm Drainage System is a series of catch basins, and drainage ditches that collect and channel run off from streets, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and vegetated land surfaces. This network of pipes and ditches flow into bodies of water such as lakes, streams, rivers and oceans. The Town of Reading's storm drainage system flows into three drainage areas, the Ipswich, Aberjona, and Saugus River basins. Reading is situated at the headwaters of these three rivers which, after flowing through several communities, eventually discharge into the Atlantic Ocean.

19. Why should we not pollute our storm drains?

Since the storm drains collect all the storm water that flow into Ipswich, Aberjona, and Saugus river basins, polluting our catch basins means we are directly polluting river basins and eventually the oceans. These pollutants can impact our groundwater, wetlands and waterways and contaminate our drinking water endangering people, fish, and wildlife. By keeping our catch basins and drainage swales uncontaminated we keep the environment of Town of Reading clean.

20. How to identify any possible pollutants into storm drainage system?

Just Remember C.O.P.

Color

White, Orange (Rust Color), Soap Suds, Oil Sheen, Paint or any unusual colors.

Odor

Any odors such as Ammonia, Sulfur (Rotten Egg), Gasoline, Paint Solvents, Sewerage, Chlorine, or Fertilizers emitting from catch basins, drainage ditches, outfalls or waterways.

Pollutants

Trash, Motor Oils, Antifreeze, Household Chemicals, Paints, Chlorine, Detergents, Soaps, Grass Clippings, Leaves, Sweeping, Construction Materials, Pet Excrement, or Insecticides.

If you identify any pollution call the 24 Hour Stormwater Hotline: 781-942-NOW1

21. What can a home owner do?

• Remove debris such as trash, leaves and grass clipping away from catch basins, drainage ditches and waterways.
• Whenever possible use environmentally friendly, biodegradable products when cleaning outside.
• Do not dump household waste such as paint, cleaning products, motor oils, antifreeze, pet excrement, yard waste or any other hazardous material into catch basins, drainage ditches and waterways.
• Dispose of hazardous waste properly with the town's Household Hazardous Materials Collection Program.
• Minimize the use of fertilizers near catch basins, drainage ditches and waterways.
• Dispose of pet waste in the trash.
• Do not drain chemically treated swimming pools into catch basins or drainage ditches. Pool water should be held until chlorine levels are acceptable enough to discharge to catch basins or drainage ditches.
• Do not dump anything into a storm drain.
• If you must wash your car at home, wash it on the lawn to encourage infiltration