TOWN OF LUDLOW 2008 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT

ON THE COVER
This year’s cover features the Department of Public Works. On March 26, 1990 the voters of the Town of Ludlow
approved Question #1 which determined that the Town government changes from multiple commissions to a
consolidated and organized Department of Public Works.
This consolidated Department and Board of Public Works replaced the Cemetery Commission and Sewer
Commission. The Parks and Playground Commission were replaced with the elected Recreation Commission to
oversee recreation programs and the DPW Park Division for maintenance responsibilities. In addition, the positions
of Highway Surveyor and Tree Warden were eliminated and responsibilities for those positions were transferred to
individuals within the new department.
On March 26, 1991 the election of three Commissioners of Public Works created the Department of Public Works in
accordance with State Law. In 1996 a bill was passed by the legislature to allow the board to increase to five
members. In September of 2001 in an Organization Study of Town Government prepared by the MMA Consulting
Group, Inc., recommended in their findings that the Public Works Department authority be independent from the
Board of Selectmen
The Department of Public Works consists of various divisions to provide service to the community and operate and
maintain the public infrastructure as listed below.
Highway Division: The Highway Division is responsible for road improvements including road maintenance,
reconstruction projects and paving of streets including potholes, delineation of handicap crosswalks, pavement
markings, street sweeping, crack sealing, and emergency winter snow and ice maintenance and removal and many
other miscellaneous road projects.
Fleet Division: The Fleet Division is responsible for the maintenance of the some 60 DPW vehicles and equipment
units. The garage at the Sportsmen’s Road yard is a full service maintenance facility for heavy equipment and small
machinery.
Sanitary Sewer Division: The Sewer Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the sanitary
sewer collection system and two sewer lift stations. This division responds on a 24 hour basis for emergency service
calls from residents with system problems such as sewer backups and overflows. The DPW also provides capital
improvements to the collection system as well as inspection services for private developments.
Solid Waste Division: The Solid Waste Division is responsible for the collection and disposal of solid waste from
the residents. No commercial service is provided. The service is independently contracted and monitored by the
DPW.
Forestry Division: The Forestry Division is responsible for planting, trimming, pruning or removal of trees from
the town properties and the public ways. The DPW has developed an Urban Forestry Preservation Program to
provide a safe and healthy urban forest.
Parks and Playground Division: The Park and Playground Division maintain the playgrounds, parks and athletic
fields (Town and School District fields). DPW routinely prepares athletic fields for sporting events and activities.
DPW is currently rehabilitating the athletic fields with private organizations as funds allow. The DPW also assists
with events that occur during the year such as the Memorial Day Celebration, Celebrate Ludlow, Christmas Tree
Lighting and other town and/or organization sponsored events.
Cemetery Division: The Cemetery Division operates and maintains five town cemeteries. This year the largest
cemetery, Island Pond Cemetery, sold the last available gravesites. The DPW undertook an expansion project and
cleared a stand of trees and graded the remaining area of Island Pond Cemetery. The new section will be available
in the spring for purchase.
Building Division: The Building Division is responsible for the maintenance of the DPW building assets at the
Sportsmen’s Road yard and at the various parks and playgrounds. The DPW is relocating the Whitney Park
maintenance equipment to the main yard and converting the garage to a park pavilion.
Engineering Division: The Engineering Division is responsible for maintaining records of plans, plots and maps.
The Division prepares and updates the Town Street Map, Assessors’ Maps and Zoning and Precinct Maps.
Engineering is developing a Geographic Information System, GIS, of the town’s assets and infrastructure.
Engineering staff provides inspection of public and private development projects.