The Department of Public Works (250 Bedbrook) operates a wide range of construction and maintenance operations on our roads, buildings, sanitary systems, and parks. 

More specifically, the Department is responsible for the maintenance and operation of water services, sewer system, street network, town snow clearing activities, municipal buildings, public lighting, horticulture work, public tree management (including Ash tree vaccinations), and waste management.

Contact Public Works for more information on their sevices.

Emergency calls

Contact Public Works at 514-485-8597 during business hours and Dispatch at 514-630-1234 outside of business hours for all urgent requests.

Here is an example of a valid emergency call:

  • I see water flowing from below the pavement onto Ballantyne.” – Should this occur during office hours, please call Public Works at 514-485-8597. If it is after office hours, please call Public Security Dispatch at 514-630-1234.

Here are some examples of non-emergency situations to help you determine where to direct your call:

  • I am calling to report that the street light at the corner of Curzon and Strathearn is out.” – Call or email Public Works at 514-485-8597. If it is after hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned the next business day.
  • There is a pothole in front of my house that is becoming more of a problem.” – Call or email Public Works at 514-485-8597. If it is after hours,
    please leave a message and your call will be returned the next business day.
  • My garbage/recycling did not get picked up.” – Fill out our form online.

Frequently asked questions

Snow removal

The Town’s operations on the public roads and sidewalks take precedence over all private snow operations as it is the Town’s crews who have the responsibility of ensuring emergency response (fire and ambulance services) and accessibility to all residents in the Town.

During and after a snowstorm, our snow clearing crews are out in full force clearing all Town streets and eventually they will reach your street. As this is their first priority, calling Public Works during a snowfall or immediately after a storm to find out why your street has not yet been cleared will not result in faster snow clearing service on your street.

Please understand, and this is especially true for storms that have had a particularly strong wind component, that it may take up to 24 hours after the end of a storm to clear and treat both the roads and sidewalks. Exceptionally heavy snowfalls of over 25 cm (10 inches) or back-to-back storms can extend this cleanup period to up to 48 hours after the end of a storm before snow removal is even started.

The City is not responsible for damage to plants, driveway curbs, fences or other items that have been placed within the city’s setback. This setback distance varies from street to street but can be approximately sighted along either fire hydrants or your home front lawn water line valve. You can also get the setback for your street by calling or emailing Public Works.

Damage to Town owned trees, sod and pavement will be repaired in the spring. Contact Public Works to report damage as soon as it is visible and it will be evaluated on site in the spring.

In total, the Town clears over 19 kilometres of roads and 38 kilometres of sidewalks.

There are a number of things that all residents are asked to do:

  • Ensure that you are prepared if you know that there is a major snowfall forecasted.
  • Remove parked cars from the street prior to and during snow plowing or clearing operations even if you have a driveway contractor. If you have a driveway contractor and you can, we ask that you put your car in your garage.
  • Your contractor will come by again after the snowfall ends. Owners of vehicles not removed from Town streets during snow plowing operations risk receiving a parking fine and/or having their car towed. Please remember, Town snow clearing crews are ensuring access for emergency response teams and they have priority by law over all other snow operations.
  • Help others, especially seniors and disabled persons, to clear their driveways and walkways. Also, assistance with shopping may be appreciated since many elderly or disabled persons find it treacherous to walk to the store or bus stop because of snow and ice.
  • Do not place snow on the roadways and please take the time to advise your driveway snow contractor to do the same. Especially important is to not place any snow as to bury any fire hydrants. Hydrants are essential Civil Security infrastructure and must be accessible at all times.
  • Burying a fire hydrant or placing snow in the street or on a neighbour’s property could lead to a fine under the Town’s snow by-law which prohibits the placement of snow from private property onto the public right-of-way. Instead, place it on your property.
  • Keep children safe – don’t let them play in the snow along the side of the road or anywhere where a snow plow is likely to operate.

With the Town’s current comprehensive snow plan, the possibility of a street being missed is quite unlikely. What is more likely is that there has been a machine breakdown that has put a sector behind schedule and that we are in the process of catching up.

Waste

Recycling trucks are equipped with a mechanical arm. To safely lift the recycling bin:

  • Place the big wheels facing your house and the handle facing the street.
  • Place bin no more than 6 feet from the street, which means directly beside the sidewalk.
  • Leave at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) on either side of the blue bin.

Under no circumstance will plastic bags (including biodegradable, compostable or those made of cornstarch) be accepted in the organic waste collection. The accepted paper bags are made from all-natural materials and designed to decompose the organic waste completely into soil. They can be purchased at local grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, big box outlets or at the John A. Simms Community Centre.

Yes, residents may pick up free compost from the Hodgson Field from late May to September. Quantities are limited and vary from year to year on a first come, first serve basis.

Yes, Christmas trees will be picked up free of cost by Public Works during the month of January. Please place your Christmas tree out by the curb.

  1. Line your small kitchen bin with newspaper or a paper bag, and fill it with food waste and other organic materials.
  2. Wrap the newspaper into a secure bundle or close the paper bag tightly.
  3. Line the large brown bin with a large paper bag and transfer the secured bundle from the small kitchen bin to the large brown bin.
  4. Close the large brown bin tightly.

The use of newspapers or paper bags is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for sanitary reasons.

Odours

  • Use paper bags or line the bottom of your brown bin and your kitchen bin with newspaper
  • Rinse the bin with water and mild detergent or vinegar after each use
  • Sprinkle a bit of baking soda in the brown bin and the kitchen bin
  • Add a layer of green waster on top of food waste
  • Store your bin in a shady place out of the sun
  • Put your bin out for every collection, even if it contains only a small amount of waste
  • Keep the cover of the kitchen bin and of the wheeled brown bin well closed at all times
  • Place meat and bone scraps in bags/newspaper in the freezer until pickup day

Flies

  • Wrap your meat, chicken and fish leftovers in newspapers or a paper bag before putting them into the bin
  • Close the bag tightly after each use
  • Sprinkle some salt in the bin or spray with vinegar if needed

Frost

  • In winter, to prevent the waste from sticking, line the bottom of your brown bin with newspapers or a piece of cardboard
  • Avoid putting liquids in the wheeled bin

Animals

  • Apply a menthol cream around the cover
  • Secure your bin with the latch

Fill out the online form to report a damaged or missing bin or if you need a different size recycling bin.

Sewer

The property owner is responsible for the sewer line in its entirety all the way to the city main.

Ensure that your mandatory backflow valve is functioning properly. Also, be cautious as to what you put into your sewer system (e.g. do not put paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, mop heads, grease or any other items that will not dissolve).