Amherst Public Works continues to operate throughout COVID-19 to provide essential services to the Town. DPW personnel are working daily to provide drinking water, treat wastewater, and keep public areas & roadways safe. Stay tuned for periodic DPW messages & updates. Click here to report issues online.
DPW Message on June 11th: Amherst Public Works Prepares for Phase 2 Reopening
With Massachusetts entering Phase 2 of the State’s reopening plan, Amherst Public Works has been hard at work to prepare and clean-up the parks, playing fields and pools. Currently, War Memorial Pool and Mill River Pool are being cleaned and painted as we look towards a June 27th opening. The spray park at Groff Park is finishing construction and should open this season. Further, tennis courts and playgrounds around Town have been opened.
Please note that the Town can not guarantee the cleanliness of the play structures, and you should use at your own risk. We ask that you do your part and follow the applicable safety measures such as wearing masks and proper social distancing. If you find a recreational area is too crowded and social distancing can not be followed, please find an alternate location to enjoy the outdoors.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on June 4th: Amherst Public Works Prepares for Downtown Openings
Amherst Public Works continues to operate throughout COVID-19 to provide essential services to the Town. DPW personnel are working daily to provide drinking water, treat wastewater, and keep public areas and roadways safe.
With many Amherst businesses preparing to reopen, Amherst Public Works has been hard at work to prepare and clean-up the downtown area. Staff have been weeding the planter boxes, cleaning the outside of the trash cans, and powerwashing and sealing the concrete sidewalks. Please be careful when using the downtown sidewalks, as the sealing product can take up to 8-hours to dry, and may be slippery until dried. This sealant will protect the concrete sidewalks from deterioration due to salting over the coming winters.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Thursday, May 27th:
Amherst Public Works continues to operate throughout COVID-19 to provide essential services to the Town. DPW personnel are working daily to provide drinking water, treat wastewater, and keep public areas and roadways safe.
Throughout the State of Emergency, the Amherst Transfer Station has continued operations by accepting household trash, compost, and recycled glass, plastic and paper. With Massachusetts in Phase 1 of the reopening plan last week, the Transfer Station reopened accepting all wastes previously (pre-COVID) accepted, with the exception of styrofoam. Some Transfer Station programs, such as the “Take It or Leave It”, the Book Shed, and the flower pot program are not in operations due to the high contact nature of processing these. Do your part to promote safety at the Transfer Station by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing while at the Transfer Station, organizing materials before you arrive to ensure a quick visit, and bring a check or correct change for any payments due.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Thursday, May 21st:
Amherst Public Works continues to operate throughout COVID-19 to provide essential services to the Town. DPW personnel are working daily to provide drinking water, treat wastewater, and keep public areas and roadways safe.
This week (May 17-23, 2020) is National Public Works Week, an annual time to recognize local Public Works teams and reflect on their critical role within the daily operations of the Town. This year, the theme is “the rhythm of Public Works”, which highlights the symphony of essential services that work in concert to create a great place to live. Let’s join together to recognize the essential public health role that Amherst Public Works provides, including keeping roadways safe, maintaining public spaces for outdoor activities, providing safe drinking water, treating wastewater, and processing trash and recycling at the Transfer Station.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Monday, May 18th:
The Water Department is starting its annual hydrant flushing program. Hydrant flushing is critical for proper maintenance of our water system, including flushing any mineral deposits from the water main. The Town’s water is always safe to drink, however, you may notice a brownish tint in your tap water during your area’s flushing. If this is the case, run the water for 2-3 minutes or until the water flows clear.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Wednesday, May 13th:
The Highway crews have started the annual line painting, including painting of cross walks, center lines, and other features in the roadway. Construction activity has also increased over the past few weeks. Highway staff have replaced a section of sewer main on East Pleasant Street and rebuilt a culvert on Southeast Street, as well as continued maintenance projects such as filling potholes, roadway sweeping and sewer flushing. Outside contractors continue their work on the East Hadley Road sidewalk and have completed paving of Pelham Road and Southeast Street.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Friday, May 8th:
This week (May 3-9, 2020) is Drinking Water Week, an annual time to reflect on the critical role that drinking water plays in our daily lives. This year, the theme is “there when you need it”, which highlights the work water professionals do every day to ensure high-quality drinking water is always available at your tap, right when you need it for handwashing, bathing, cooking, washing clothes, and drinking. Let’s join together to recognize the essential public health role that safe drinking water, and our water operators, play in our daily lives.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU
DPW Message on Friday, May 1st:
The Highway crews have been hard at work on the roads. Paving has started on Pelham Road, and will be followed by South East Street. Highway staff rebuild a culvert on Southeast Street earlier this week. They also continue to fill potholes, sweep the roadways, and flush the sewer collection system throughout Town.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Monday, April 27th:
The Grounds crew work includes maintenance of all the parks and commons within Town. They are busy daily, with mowing, trash collection and string trimming these public spaces. The playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts have all been closed, since they do not allow for social distancing. Please feel free to use the other areas of the Parks and Commons to enjoy the outdoors. We ask that you do your part and ensure that any trash produced be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle – for example, gloves and masks worn in common spaces should be thrown in the trash and not on the ground.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Tuesday, April 21st:
The Tree and Grounds crews have been active with continuing tree work as well as maintaining the parks and common areas. Trees, such as the one in the photo below, fell during last week’s rain and wind storm. Also, there is tree trimming that needs to be completed prior to the start of the upcoming paving repairs on Pelham Road and South East Street. Tree crews have been on-hand for both.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Wednesday, April 15th:
Monday’s rain increased the flow at the Wastewater Treatment Plant by nearly double, due to rain and groundwater into the collection system. You can do your part to reduce this flow by checking your basement to confirm that your sump pump doesn’t discharge into your sewer line. Also, if you’re around Town, alert the Town to any manholes that are broken or not seated properly.
Monday also saw a damaged sewer line on Red Gate Lane. Crews quickly mobilized to repair the sewer main and manhole in this area.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Monday, April 13th:
DPW crews continue to work to keep the community safe. Daily crews are working to fill potholes, sweep streets and trim hazardous trees. Wastewater crews hard working hard to maintain the sewer system and you can do your part by throwing “flushable wipes” in the trash can and not down the drain!
Highway crews are starting their summer construction projects.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
DPW Message on Thursday, April 9th:
We understand everyone’s heightened awareness regarding potential exposure routes to COVID-19. We want to reassure residents and businesses that the Amherst drinking water is safe to drink and use, as always. Our treatment and disinfection process kills viruses, including the coronavirus. The town staff continues to monitor and test the drinking water quality to ensure its safety. This regular monitoring includes testing that chlorine levels are adequate throughout the Town.
This is just another way that the Amherst Public Works Department is working for YOU.
