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Department of Public Works

Show All Answers

1. What day is trash/recycling picked up?

Trash and recycling is picked up every Thursday. In the event of a holiday, trash and recycling will be collected on Friday. Please view the 2020-2021 yard waste calendar for more details.

2. Do plastic bags go in the trash or recycle bin?

Plastic bags always go in the trash! Here is full list of what you can and cannot recycle.

3. How do I schedule a bulk item to be picked up?

All bulk pickup is scheduled with our trash company, Republic Services. Please call them at 1-800-442-9006. Some items are free and some have a cost associated with them. Please visit our trash and recycle calendar for more details. 

4. What is the process for when my trash isn't picked up?

Please make sure your trash is to the curb by 7am the day of pickup. You should call the DPW office (781-270-1670) the next business day before noon when your trash is missed. If you wait any longer to call the DPW, you will be directed to the trash company.

5. Where do I get the orange overflow bags?

You can get them at any local grocery store at the customer service desk. Due to COVID-19, we are no longer selling the bags at the Town Hall Annex.

6. Is there a town dump for my excess trash?

No. You can order a second trash barrel for $150 per year. 

7. Who do I call for down wires in front of my house?

That is in the jurisdiction of the police department. Please call them at 781-272-1212

8. A tree fell on my property, can you come pick it up?

For the most part, if a tree is on your property, you own the tree. We have a tree warden who can make a final decision.

9. Are private irrigation wells exempt from the water ban?

The Board of Health handles all private irrigation wells. In general, they require private well owners to adhere to the current water restrictions in the Town. Please call them for more information (781-270-1955).

10. Who do I call if my property was damaged by the Town?

If it was a plow/sander, call the Highway at 781-270-1677. If it was caused by paving, call Engineering at 781-270-1640.

11. How do I pay my water bill online?

Fill out your account number with no dash (ex. 12312345) in the “account number” field and the first few letters of your last name in the “customer name” field (Ex. SMI for Smith). If you do not know your account number and do not have a recent bill to reference, please call us at 781-270-1670. If you have any other issues paying bills, please call invoice cloud 866-342-9267.

12. Can I pay my bill over the phone?

No. You can only pay online or at the tax office. Final water bills must be paid in person at the tax office.

13. Why are we always on a water ban? Aren’t we connected to the MWRA now?

Please visit our Water Conservation page for all information regarding water restrictions. 

14. What is the Town's current water ban? Are there any exemptions?

Exemptions are given to those who are trying to establish new grass or plantings in April, May, September, and October. Exemptions are NEVER given in June, July, or August. You need written permission from the DPW for this exemption and can apply here. Please visit our Water Conservation page for more information on the current water ban.

15. How do I appeal my water ban violation/fine?

Please submit all appeals via letter to the Selectmen’s office within 21 days of the date on the restriction warning notice.

16. How do I sign up to get important notifications from the Town/DPW?

Please sign up for our code red program for all important alerts pertaining to your address.

17. How do I get rid of paint or hazardous materials?

You can put paint cans in the trash toter if you let the paint dry out. For all questions related to hazardous waste, please call the Board of Health at 781-270-1955.

18. Who do I call about a dead/stray/wild animal?

Please call the animal control officer at 781-270-1698.

19. How do I change the name on my water bill?

The DPW needs the name change request in writing. Please email dpwburlington@burlington.org with the request.

20. How much does a second water meter cost?

$325 . Click here to apply. 

21. When are the sidewalks plowed after a storm?

We plow the sidewalks when all the roads are completed. When doing the sidewalks the time it takes to do them determines on the amount of snow.  1-3 inches takes less time because we can plow them. If we have to snow blow the sidewalks, it takes much longer.

22. What is the plowing procedure for roads?

Please visit our snow plowing page for details and tips.

23. How do I report a broken or damaged trash/recycling toter?

Please call the DPW at 781-270-1670. You will be instructed to leave your trash toter to the curb after it is emptied on either the current or following Thursday. A different truck will come by later in the day to repair or replace your toter.

24. Are there any graves left in Town for future arrangements?

You may not pre-purchase any graves until an immediate need occurs; however, upon immediate need, graves are available for purchase by current residents of the Town, having lived in the Town for a minimum of one year. The purchase of graves is limited to (1) double deep grave for two burials (no single graves are available at this time).

Pine Haven Cemetery Columbarium niches are available for purchase pre-need and immediate need for the inurnment of ashes only. Each niche accommodates (2) standard size urns. A limit of (2) Niches per family may be purchased by current residents and former residents whom resided in the Town for more than five years.

25. What happens when the Town runs out of graves?

Prior to running out of graves, a plan will be made in order for the cemeteries to continue to operate and serve the Town.

26. What type of monument may I purchase to have set on my grave?

Single lots/graves:

(1) 2’x1’ monument and foundation, not to exceed 24 inches high (including its base) and one bronze Veterans’ marker and foundation are allowed for each single lot/grave.

Flat marker sections:

(1) flat monument not to exceed 2’x1’ and one bronze Veterans’ marker and foundation are allowed for each flat marker section lot/grave and double deep grave.

27. What type of plantings and flowers are permitted and when are they removed?

All unauthorized plantings and prohibited items may be removed or altered at any time with the Superintendent’s authorization and without notification. No schedule of removal will be posted due to the removal of unmaintained or unsightly items.

Single lots/graves:

Planting and flowers is limited to annual plants and flowers placed in an area in front of a monument that is not more than twelve inches deep by the width of the monument. Cut flowers and/or potted plants may be placed on a grave, but will be removed by cemetery personnel after two weeks, or sooner, if such flowers or plants have become unsightly or unattractive.

Flat marker sections:

No plantings of any kind are allowed. Flower Pot Dimensions: (1) flower pot per lot is allowed with dimensions not to exceed 6” wide (square or round) and overall height (with plantings) not to exceed 12” high. Flag Holders and/or Vigil Lights: (1) flag holder and/or one vigil standard vigil light per lot is allowed with flag dimensions not to exceed 12” by 18” with a maximum height of 24”. All other items and decorations will be removed on a weekly basis.

Columbarium:

Funeral Flowers may be placed in the Columbarium area at the time of inurnment and will be removed within twenty-four hours following the inurnment. No fastening or adhering of any objects including flower holders, solar lights, emblems, decorations, etc. on or around Columbarium, Niche panels, doors walls or surface.

28. Are decorations permitted and when are they removed?

No lot or grave shall have an enclosure of any type, such as a fence, hedge, ditch or curbing.

Decorations and ornaments, such as Christmas trees, pumpkins, balloons, and spin wheel toys, are not permitted in the cemeteries.

Anything that is hazardous to maintenance workers, cemetery employees, or machines, such as marble chips, gravel, rocks, wire pot holders, etc. is prohibited on lots and grave sites in the cemeteries.

All unauthorized plantings and prohibited items may be removed or altered at any time with the Superintendent’s authorization and without notification. The Town and its officials and employees shall not be liable for damage from any source to monuments, markers, or any other privately owned articles or materials within the cemeteries.

29. How do I find the location of someone buried in the cemeteries?

Please call our office at 781-270-1982 or email  cemetery@burlington.org  and we will be happy to assist you during cemetery business hours - Monday through Friday, 7am - 3:00pm.