The Mail-in form for 2010-11 Stickers is now available, click here. Stickers will be on sale at Town Hall beginning Monday, May 17: Monday-Thursday 10:00am - 2:00pm, Friday 10:00am-12:00pm.
The next DPW drop-off day will be Saturday, Sept. 25th from 8-11am. For more information click here.
Notice
The Town of Rockport, pursuant to an Administrative Consent Order with MassDEP, has established a Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Management Program to help reduce the amount of FOG that is disposed of in our sewer system. Restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, homes, and apartments typically generate fats, oils, and grease. Most FOG results from cooking meats or using oil or grease to cook. Salad dressing, marinades, sauces, and other fat containing foods contribute to FOG. FOG gets into the sanitary sewer system by direct discharge or through the disposal of food waste containing FOG. FOG can buildup within municipal sewer systems and create sewer overflow problems.
Management of FOG starts with raising public awareness and reducing the incidence of direct disposal of FOG into the sewer system. Once in the sewer system, FOG can build up on the interior of the pipes, reduce pipe capacity, and increase blockages. Please click on the links to the FOG Message and FOG Fact Sheet to learn more on what you can do to help reduce the amount of FOG that enters our municipal sewer system.
New Trench Opening Regulations take effect 3/1/09. Click here to view the state regulations. Click here to view the town regulations. Click here for a permit application.
Table of Contents
Calendar
Forms
Reports
Notice
Main Office Address, Phone and Fax
Hours of Operation
DPW News
Water Info
Water and Sewer Permits
Mercury Recovery Program
General Information
- Transfer Station
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Division
- Water and Sewer Division
- Highway Division
- Park Beach and Cemetery Division
- Public Properties Division
- Tree Warden
- Park 'n Ride
- Technical Services Division
- Office Staff
- DPW Commisioners
Town Committees
- Watershed Protection Committee
Related Links
Contacts
DPW Website Contact
Town Hall Office Building
34 Broadway Rockport, MA 01966
Phone: (978) 546-3525
Fax: (978) 546-3562
Hours of Operation
Town Hall Office Building: Mon, Wed, Thur (8am - 4pm), Tue (8am - 6pm), Fri (8am - 1pm)
DPW Yard: Mon - Fri (7am - 3pm)
Transfer Station: Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat (7:00am - 2:45pm). Closed Sun, Mon, Thurs and Holidays
DPW News
A few plastic items, which had previously been accepted for recycling must now be deposited into the solid waste trailers: plastic toys, slides, pools, wraps, chairs, bags, pvc pipe, foam packaging, styrofoam, tarps and plant holders.
Water Info
Cape Pond Reservoir (110 Million Gallons MAX) : Currently 67% Full
Carlson’s Quarry (85 Million Gallons MAX) : Currently 65% Full
Total Reservoir System : Currently 66% Full
Current Water Restrictions: MANDATORY
Water Restriction Guidelines can be found here.
The 2009 Town of Rockport "Consumer Confidence Report" can be downloaded here. There are also copies available at Town Hall, the Water Filtration Plant, and Rockport Public Library. Information about a 2008 drinking water violation is available here.
Water and Sewer Permits
Water and Sewer Permits Are required whenever a new service to a house is to be installed or whenever an addition is to be built. Below is a list of items that may be required for any sewer or water connections.
A water or sewer permit
A Digsafe number
The contractor you are using is required to have his Insurance and or bond on file with the DPW office
Material Certification Form must be on file
Street and or Sidewalk opening permits may be required
Police Details may be required
24 notice is required before any work can begin
New water meters must be purchased through the town
The Water Connection Policy will be coming soon
The Sewer Connection Policy can be found under the "Reports" Section, or by clicking here
Mercury Recovery Program
Mercury is an element that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not managed properly. The town is collecting mercury devices, such as Thermostats, Thermometers, Mercury Switches, and Button Cell Batteries. We will exchange your mercury thermometers for a new digital thermometer (while supplies last). You can bring these devices to Town hall during normal operating hours. This Program is sponsored by Wheelabrator Saugus JVC.
General Information
The Town of Rockport Department of Public Works was created in 1961. The DPW was setup to help maintain basic services for public use. There are many different services within the DPW.
The Transfer Station is the town’s solid waste and recycling center. Residents are required to have a Transfer Station Sticker to use the facility. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are available. There are reduced rates for additional stickers within the same household. Non-residents can purchase a sticker to help an elderly resident with the Director's approval.
The Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities are responsible for the treatment of water for both consumption and treatment of wastewater material.
The Water & Sewer Division is responsible for the maintenance of the water and sewer systems outside of the plants, including pipes, hydrants and water meters. You can download the DPW Inspection Service Form
in the "Forms" Section, or by clicking here. You will need to bring this form to the DPW Main Office.
The Highway Division is responsible for the maintenance and reconstruction of public roads, the town’s drainage system, snow plowing and removal operation.
The Park, Beach, and Cemetery Division is responsible for mowing, cleaning and general upkeep of all parks, cemeteries, and town owned land as well as internments.
The Public Properties Division is responsible for the maintenance of town owned buildings, other than the school department buildings.
Due to budget constraints, the town does not currently have a Tree Warden. However, trees are an important part of the Rockport community. Not only do they help beautify the town, but have added health elements, such as helping to keep the community's air clean. Rockport's trees have tremendous economic value also, increasing property values throughout the town with their beauty and stateliness. In the Fall, their brilliant foliage draws many tourists to the area. For reasons such as these, the trees need protection, and perhaps more than ever, given Rockport's continued growth and all the new building.
Rockport conscientiously follows Massachusetts General Law 87, the most important law governing the protection of trees. The town also conducts a street tree-inventory program for purposes of tracking the present and future of its trees. We monitor the health of our trees, pruning when necessary, and cutting down and discarding old and diseased trees which pose a hazard. The town, in fact, has a long hazardous-tree program, public safety being a number-one priority.
Unfortunately, Rockport, like other growing communities, is losing many healthy trees to progress and development. It would be ideal if we could replace a new tree for every tree lost. However, this is not happening, at least not as a general rule. But with proper street-tree protection, street-tree inventories, community awareness and a budget allowing the purchase of new trees, Rockport should be able to maintain its standing as a place of beautiful trees.
The Park 'n Ride facility is on town land located next to the transfer facility. The main use of this parking lot is to provide additional parking for tourists and residents who want to avoid trying to park in the downtown area. You can find the Park 'n Ride Rules and Regulations under the "Reports" Section, or by clicking here.
The Technical Services Division maintains plans and records and oversees town projects. The Technical Services Division keeps records and plans of most town lots and building as well as stores Topographical maps, wetland, maps, water, sewerage and drainage plans, and as-builts on town projects. This division is reponsible for the town transportation fuel system as well as water level records.
The Office Staff is responsible for communications with the general public, billing operations, water meter records, payroll services, and other general office needs.
The DPW Commissioners oversee the operation and functions of the DPW and make decisions based on budget and legal aspects. The DPW Commission consists of three members and meets on a regular basis.
Town Committees
The Watershed Protection Committee is composed of Rockport residents who are professionals in the fields of hydrology, environmental science, fisheries, earth science, and resource management. The current committee members are Eric Hutchins, Julie McMahon, John Catena, Matt Collins, Tim Reilly, and Christine Millhouse. These individuals have many years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors working as technical staff, educators, and managers. Much of their experience has been focused in the Northeastern United States, specifically New England.
Most recently, the Watershed Protection Committee has focused their efforts on completing a Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) for Rockport’s Mill Brook Wellfield. This effort was funded by a grant obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Drinking Water Program. The WHPP focused on a variety of technical and regulatory issues including characterizing existing stormwater quality near the wellfield, identifying potential water quality threats, reviewing applicable town bylaws and making recommendations to strengthen them to protect water quality. The plan also includes a public outreach component. An electronic copy of the WHPP and the accompanying informational brochure can be found in the "REPORTS" section or by clicking the selected links below.
Well Head Protection Plan
WHPP Cover and Table of Contents
WHPP Main Body of the report
WHPP Appendices 1-3
WHPP Appendix 4 (Large File)
WHPP Appendix 5
WHPP Appendices 6-7
Mill Brook Watershed Maps
Map 1 Mill Brook Watershed Zones
Map 2 Mill Brook Watershed Study Area (Large File)
Map 3 Mill Brook Watershed Land Usage
Map 4 Mill Brook Watershed Stormwater Sampling Locations
Map 5 Mill Brook Watershed Threats
Related Links
DPW FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
MASS Highway Department
Environmental Protection Agency or EPA (Federal Government)
Department of Environmental Protection or DEP (State Agency)
If there is anything that you would like to see added to the DPW Website, please contact
Rebecca Wright at the DPW office or email rwright@town.rockport.ma.us
Last Updated: 9/7/10
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