Public Works

The Town of North Haven Department of Public Works is responsible for providing many of the services residents come to rely on daily. The Department encompasses the offices of the Building Official, Engineering and Land Use Administration, Zoning Enforcement and the operating divisions of Field Operations, Parks, Equipment Maintenance, Sanitation and Recycling.

The Department of Public Works administers the Town’s sewer and water programs and assessments under the direction of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).

Water Pollution Control Authority

The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) oversees the Town’s sanitary sewage collection system, the extension of sewer mains, reviews and approves of the expense and capital budget items, establishes policy, procedures and regulations, authorizes expenditures, and approves of assessment and connection charges.

The WPCA also works with property developers in Town to establish new sewer collection systems and pump stations for proposed subdivisions and commercial developments in accordance with Town standards.

Water Pollution Control Division
The Water Pollution Control Division as contracted through Veolia Water North America, oversees the operations of the Town’s Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) and reports directly to the Director of the Department. The WPCF
includes preliminary, primary, and advanced secondary treatment of all sanitary sewage received at the plant. The treatment of sanitary sewage is subject to strict State of Connecticut and Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit regulations and discharge requirements.

WPCF personnel provide operation and maintenance of the facility, it’s nine (9) pumping stations, and preventative maintenance of the approximately one hundred ten (110) miles of sanitary sewer mains. WPCF personnel also
perform the marking of underground sewer utilities as outlined in the State of Connecticut’s “Call Before You Dig” program and performs inspections of all new and existing sanitary sewer connections to the Town’s collection system.

Preventative and corrective maintenance of all mechanical systems is also conducted by the WPCF personnel for the Town’s swimming pool and staff exercise each of the eight (8) emergency generators located throughout the
town on a monthly basis.

The latest improvements made to the WPCF by the Town, include the complete rehabilitation of the two (2) existing sludge digesting units and the repair and replacement of the ultra violet (UV) sewage effluent disinfection lighting
system. Upgrades are planned for two of the three primary clarifier units, new valves and piping to the Old Broadway Pump Station and the replacement of a variable frequency drive for the pumps.

Sanitation

Refuse is not collected on the following six (6) holidays, and is normally one (1) day late during these holiday weeks: New Year’s Day (Actual) Memorial Day (Actual or Observed) July 4th (Actual) Labor Day (Actual) Thanksgiving Day(Actual) Christmas Day (Actual) Refuse, recycling and bulk collection is not delayed for any other holiday.

The Sanitation Division is responsible for the weekly collection of municipal solid waste and recyclables. On average, this amounts to approximately 24,000 tons per year or 1.1 tons per resident annually.

Refuse, recycling and bulk collection is not delayed by any other holiday.

The Town will remove bulky waste items such as refrigerators (State law requires that the door(s) be removed), ranges and mattresses at no charge to the resident. However, residents are asked to contact the Department for notification of such pick-up. These items will be collected on your regular refuse day and must be placed at the curb
by 5:00 a.m. Please call Public Works at (203) 239- 5321, ext. 750 at least 48 hours in advance for the
aforementioned bulk pick-up.

Transfer Station

The Transfer Station is located on Universal Drive, approximately 500 feet south of the intersection with Sackett Point Road. Containers for normal household waste; metals; bulky waste, including brush, concrete, construction demolition materials and mattresses; tires and white goods are available for use by residents only. Hours of operation include 7:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (CLOSED SUNDAYS and MONDAYS).

 

Holidays:  The Transfer Station is CLOSED on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

To Obtain a Permit

All vehicles must obtain a permit to use the Transfer Station, including trailers for cars or trucks. Each year residents must bring their registration and driver’s license to the Public Works Office, Town Hall Annex, 5 Linsley Street, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Each resident is entitled to six (6) passes for the disposal of mixed solid waste, bulky wastes, tires and white goods. Passes are valid for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31).
Commercial vehicles, “Mason” dump trucks and vehicles larger than 3/4 ton pick-up trucks are not admitted into the Transfer Station due to space limitations.

Acceptable Refuse
Load your vehicle according to the following categories as you will have to unload your refuse into specified roll-off containers.

The containers include:
1. Wood & brush – cut into 3-4 foot lengths;
2. Leaves, grass and plant debris mixed with small twigs and branches;
3. Demolition material (sheet rock, cement, bricks);

4. Metal & white goods (stoves, refrigerators, washers, etc.);
5. Upholstered items (chairs, sofas, mattresses, box springs);
6. Household refuse (burnable only); and
7. Tires (2 tires without rims per visit).

Non-acceptable Refuse

1. All hazardous waste (pesticides, oil based paints, thinners, anti-freeze, gasoline, batteries, cleaning agents, medical waste, etc.) Hazardous waste must be taken to Hazwaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. Hazwaste Central is open Saturdays ONLY from May until October. (Call 203-401-2712 or visit  www.rwater.com/hazwaste)

2. Propane tanks (call Public Works concerning proper disposal OR contact local vendors).

3. Corrugated cardboard MUST be recycled. Residents can bring it to the Recycling Center on Elm     Street in reasonably sized pieces or broken down or cut into 4’ x 20” pieces, tied securely and placed in your ‘green’ recycling bin for curbside pick-up.

4. Yard waste such as grass clippings and/or leaves (no twigs or branches) MUST be brought to the Recycling Center.

5. Used 55-gallon drums and oil tanks

Please note that the Transfer Station attendant is not permitted to allow exceptionally large loads of refuse to be brought into the facility.  Use of the Transfer Station is by TRIP PASS only and solely for Town of North Haven residents.  The Transfer Station is not designed to accommodate vehicles other than ¾ ton or less pick-up trucks, passenger cars, vans or station wagons. 

Additional questions regarding the use of the Transfer Station may be directed to the Office of Field Operations at (203) 239-5321, extension 785.

Leaf Disposal
Leaves are a mandated recyclable item by the State of Connecticut and must be composted. They may be composted by residents in their backyard or through the Town’s efforts during its fall leaf collection. If the Town collects leaves then the leaves must be placed in “brown” paper biodegradable leaf bags or raked loosely to the
curb. Leaves should never be placed in the street for safety reasons. Look for further details on the Town’s leaf removal program in the early fall.

(NOTE: The Town does not collect leaves at any other time during the year.) However, residents may bring leaves (year round) to the Town’s Recycling Center on Elm Street.

Leaf Recycling Center Guidlines:

1. Leaves (only) or leaves mixed with grass clippings may be brought to the Recycling Center in bulk or in brown biodegradable brown bags.
   
2. Leaves in plastic bags must be emptied from the bags into the disposal area.
3. Leaves mixed with grass, twigs and branches will not be accepted. This yard waste must be taken to the Transfer Station on Universal Drive.

 

Grass Clippings
In accordance with State of Connecticut law, grass clippings may not be processed along with other nonrecyclable
solid waste. Residents are encouraged to consider alternatives such as backyard composting and recycling (mulching) mowers. A container for disposal of grass clippings is provided for residential use (only) at the Recycling Center.

Grass Clippings Guidlines:

1. Grass clippings and/or grass clippings mixed with leaves may be brought to the Recycling Center in bulk or in brown biodegradable bags.
2. Grass clippings in plastic bags must be emptied from the bags into the container.
3. Grass clippings mixed with twigs and branches will not be accepted at the Recycling Center. Residents must dispose of twigs and branches, cut to 3’ lengths as well as grass clippings mixed with twigs and branches at the Transfer Station.
   

The Transfer Station is located on Universal Drive and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 A.M - 12:45 P.M. Residents must exit the Recycling Center no later than 11:45 A.M. Call the Department of Public Works (203-239-5321, ext. 750) for information concerning the use of the Transfer Station.

 

Composting

Residents can purchase compost bins from the department in the Public Works Office at any time. These bins are made available through the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA). Residents are encouraged to call the Department for details (203) 239-5321, extension 750.

Recycling
The Town’s Recycling Program annually ranks in the top 10% of Connecticut cities and towns with a total of of over 1,100 pounds of recyclables generated per resident and processed annually. In addition, North Haven recycles over 50% of its municipal solid waste, far surpassing the State’s goal of 40%. This figure attests to North Haven’s
consistent ranking in the State’s top communities in percentage of recyclables.

Single-stream Recycling Information

 

Curbside Collection
The Sanitation Division provides curbside collection of State mandated recyclable items. These include: clear, green, and brown glass food and beverage containers; metal food and beverage containers, aluminum foil and pie plates; newspaper (including inserts) and corrugated cardboard (cut into pieces no larger than 4’ x 20” and securely bundled).

Please place all recyclables in your curbside ‘green’ recycling box. The recycling box must be at the curb by 5:00 a.m. In order to guarantee pick-up on the normally scheduled date of your curbside collection.

Recycling Center

The Recycling Center operates as a temporary drop-off site for residents and is open on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

Residents may bring items that are collected curbside as well as the following: mixed paper (clean magazines, junk mail); newspaper; corrugated cardboard; white office paper; plastic food and detergent containers coded #1 or #2 on the underside; glass; metal cans; and uncontaminated waste oil (crankcase oil). Scrap metal (another  recyclable) should be taken to the Transfer Station on Universal Drive.

Hazwaste Central
Household hazardous waste generated by all Town residents can be taken free of charge to Hazwaste Central located at the Regional Water Authority on 90 Sargent Drive in New Haven (Exit 46 Long Wharf). Household batteries, which are a State of Connecticut mandated recyclable, must be disposed of as a Hazardous waste and cannot be placed with regular trash or in the ‘green’ recycling containers. Also, Hazwaste Central accepts oil-based
paints, car fluids, pesticides, cleaning products, etc. Hazwaste Central is open Saturdays from mid-May through the last Saturday in October, 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Residents are asked to call (203) 401-2712 or visit  www.rwater.com/hazwaste. Please bring your drivers license with you when entering and dropping off materials at Hazwaste Central.

Snow Removal Policy PERSONAL SAFETY - Older residents and those with health problems are reminded to avoid the extreme physical activity connected with shoveling snow. Also, skiers, snowmobilers and A.T.V. operators are advised to keep vehicles off Town streets at all times. TRAVEL SAFETY - When traveling, exercise extreme caution. During winter storm events, limit travel to trips which are absolutely necessary. Please keep a minimum of 75 feet from snow control vehicles. PARKING - Residents are encouraged to refrain from parking on the street during and immediately after snowstorms. A ban may be declared by the Chief of Police as conditions warrant in accordance with Town Ordinance (Sec. 175). Stay tuned to local radio and television for updates. When in effect, the Parking Ban greatly improves the proper cleaning of snow and enhances both public and employee safety. SANDING/SALTING - In the event of a winter storm resulting in mixed or frozen precipitation or at the beginning of a snowstorm, all roads will be sanded/salted normally within the first three hours and as needed thereafter. SNOW PLOWING - During snowstorms (usually greater than two inches accumulation) town crews will plow based on established town priorities. Main roads are plowed first, followed by residential streets with one pass in either direction until the snowfall ceases. Then all roads are plowed to the curb. CUL DE SACS - Residents are encouraged to be patient with the removal of snow from these areas as necessary large snow removal equipment often prohibits the full clearing of some areas where there is insufficient room available. Alternate equipment may be dispatched when storm conditions have subsided. Priority is given to clearing access in the roadway first. PRIVATE PLOWING - Depositing of any snow from private driveways in the public streets that results in a hindrance to traffic is prohibited. This includes piles pushed across the street and the windows that are created in the street. Homeowners and plowing contractors should take notice that violators may be subject to a fine of $100 per offense. Homeowners may be held responsible for the actions of their contractors. DRIVEWAYS - The Town is not responsible for snow which is deposited in private driveways. Plow operators have very little discretion on where this snow can go. Residents should understand that the Town’s priority is to clear streets to ensure public safety. Residents should throw/shovel snow to the down traffic side of the driveway. This will minimize the amount of snow that will be pushed back into the driveway. SIDEWALKS - Property owners are responsible for clearing all snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of the snowfall or precipitation (Sec. 180-4). MAILBOXES - Residents should make certain that their mailboxes are at least 42” high and set back slightly from the road so that the postal carrier can reach it. In the event mailboxes are damaged from plowed snow, the Public Works Department may assist residents in making temporary repairs as resources allow to ensure continued mail delivery. FIRE HYDRANTS - Adopt the fire hydrant nearest your home and keep it clear of snow and ice. SELF-SERVE SAND/SALT - Small quantities of sand/salt mix is available to residents only at the Recycling Center on Elm Street on a self-service basis.

 

Sanitation regulations Refuse must be at the curb by 5:00 A.M. Containers must be in clear view, preferably at the curb. Refuse containers should be thirty(30) gallon containers with handles. Sanitation Division personnel will collect three(3) such containers. Refuse containers must NOT weigh more than seventy-five(75) pounds. If snow accumulation is two(2) inches or more, containers must be placed at the curb or a path from the curb to the containers must be cleared. Loose or carelessly placed refuse will not be collected. Cardboard boxes, grocery bags and/or wastepaper baskets are NOT to be used as refuse containers. Branches/wood must be cut into 3 to 4 foot lengths, bundled and securely tied. Two(2) bundles will be collected each week. Carpet must be rolled up, cut into 3 to 4 foot lengths, and securely tied. Carpet is NOT a bulk item. Pool covers must be cut, rolled up and securely tied. Pool covers are NOT a bulk item. Two (2) automobile tires, without rims, will be collected when placed at the curb. All hazardous waste, demolition materials, propane tanks, car and truck parts and truck/tractor tires, trees stumps, sand, dirt and sod will NOT be collected. Call Public Works for disposal instructions. Proper disposal of hypodermic syringes: The Quinnipiac Valley Health District advise that syringes should be placed in a clean, empty, wide mouthed, one gallon or smaller bleach container. When 2/3 full the container should be securely capped and discarded with the normal refuse or taken to QVHD at 1151 Hartford Turnpike.     15.   Trash containers must be returned to their storage location, not visible from the street, within 24 hours of              collection.