Public Works

Public Works Director – Jack Petkus, P.E.

Public Works Offices / Water Treatment Plant
397 Lowell Street
Phone: (978) 623-8350
Fax: (978) 623-8359
Email: dpw@andoverma.gov
Regular office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Other Public Works Contacts:

Sandra Gerraughty	Business Manager	(978) 623-8350 x515	dpw-business@andoverma.gov
Brian W. Moore	Town Engineer	(978) 623-8350 x520	dpw-engineering@andoverma.gov
Christopher M. Cronin	Highway Superintendent	(978) 623-8426	dpw-highway@andoverma.gov
John J. Pollano	Water Treatment Superintendent	(978) 623-8350 x527	dpw-water@andoverma.gov
Morris B. Gray, Jr.	Water Distribution & Sewer Collection Superintendent	(978) 623-8350 x518	dpw-sewer@andoverma.gov

The Department of Public works consists of the following seven divisions: Administration; Engineering; Highway; Street Lighting; Solid Waste & Recycling; Water; and Sewer. Each of the divisions are described below.

Administration

The Administration Division oversees the operations of the department and is responsible for all long range planning. The administrative staff coordinates the department's activities, develops and monitors the annual budget, assists in Capital Improvement Program development, prepares personnel and payroll records for fifty-five employees, coordinates the hiring of new employees, manages labor agreement issues, develops and implements departmental policies, oversees the production of the potable water supply, coordinates the administrative support for all divisions, and handles all public inquiries.

Engineering

The Engineering Division provides most project planning, "problem" study and resolution, and oversees most construction whether conducted by the Town or by contractor to ensure compliance with project plans. Oversees and inspects all subdivision construction to insure compliance with Town standards within areas that may be presented for acceptance and perpetual maintenance. Engineering also reviews all street openings and maintains liaison with State and County Public Works Departments on joint projects. The division handles citizen requests for information and provides service to other branches of Town Government, such as Community Development and Planning. The coordinating for meeting the new NPDES Phase II Stormwater Regulations will be handled by the Engineering Division.

Highway

The Highway Division is responsible for maintenance and construction of all the roadways (including curbs), sidewalks, guardrails, storm drains, culverts and catch basin structures. Highway is also responsible for snow and ice control during the wintertime with the assistance of the other DPW divisions and the Plant & Facilities Department. The Highway Division is also responsible for all street sign installations and repairs, and for all required street/parking lot markings.

Street Lighting

The Street Lighting Division oversees the street lighting in Town as provided per contract with National Grid, and includes any necessary wiring for new Town Owned lighting or repairs to existing Town Owned street lighting. All other street lighting repairs are the responsibility of National Grid, 978-725-1000.

Solid Waste & Recycling

The Solid Waste Division, with the assistance of the Plant & Facilities Department, operates and maintains the Town's compost site. The division is also responsible for managing the Town's Solid Waste contracts, which include the curbside collection of rubbish, leaves, recyclables including mixed residential paper, #1 thru #7 plastics, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, glass, and tin containers. The Town's rubbish is brought to the Wheelabrator waste-to-energy facility in North Andover. The division also manages the one-day collections for household hazardous waste (HHW) and the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) recycling events. Trash and recycling items are to be curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pick up day. Please keep in mind that the truck routes do not have specific times for pickups during the day and may vary from week to week. For more information, please refer to the Recycling and Trash Collection Guide

Water

The Water Division ensures the integrity of the water supplies and the surrounding water shed areas. It is also responsible for the treatment, quality control and distribution of the water in accordance with all federal and state regulations for delivery of the drinking water to the consumers. The division is accountable for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant, and distribution system, in addition to the customer services involving water meter installation, repair, meter reading, and resolving customer complaints.

Sewer

The Sewer Division maintains the Town's sewer infrastructure including the collection system, eleven current neighborhood sewer-pumping stations, Shawsheen Village Pumping Station, the force main and gravity line through Lawrence to the treatment plant in North Andover and the agreement with the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) for the treatment and disposal of our liquid wastes.

Publications

Salt Tolerant Shrubs (in the best order of tolerance):

Viburnum dentatum – Arrowhead Viburnum, 5 to 9 feet tall, dense multistemmed shrub, rounded shape, fast growing, good border or screen plant
Rosa rugosa – Rugosa Rose, (species tend to be invasive), 4 to 6 feet in height, equal spread, fast growth rate, good hedge plant, bankings
Hydrangea macrophylla –Bigleaf Hydrangea, 3 to 6 feet tall with equal spread, fast growth rate, very showy (pink, blue, white, purple) flowers, color dependent on soils P.H. (acid soil produces blue flowers, alkaline pink flowers). Good foundation or border plant.
Ilex glabra – Inkberry, 4 to 8 feet tall, an evergreen shrub dark green in color, likes acid soils, protect from harsh winter exposure, good foundation planting.