T O W N O F M IL T O N

Hydrant flushing was again performed in the months of October and November.Flushing is an important component in the commitment of the DPWto maintain the water system and help to insure water quality.Stepped-up attention was given to water meter replacements. There hadbeen many meters that had not been replaced as part of the last town-wide meterreplacement program. The Town took an aggressive position in moving themeter replacement plan forward. Aggressiveness included the need to issue severalfinal written warnings and threats of water service termination for noncompliance.This effort was successful and I am happy to report that 100% ofthese accounts have now been addressed.Sewer Operations – The DPW maintains 8 pumping stations and nearly100 miles of sewer mainline piping and several thousand manholes. Crews respondto approximately 5 back-ups per month, which occur or a rather continualbasis throughout the entire year. Four of the eight pumping stations are morethan 50 years old. Three of these four stations have been tapped for replacementunder the sewer capital improvement program. The fourth station is slated forsubstantial rehabilitation. During FY11 design and contract documents werecompleted for two of the pump station replacements; Upper Randolph Stationand Lower Randolph Station. The contract will be going out to bid in earlyFY2012.Through frequent and diligent maintenance, pumping station reliability hasgreatly improved. Diligent and regular maintenance of the Town’s sewer pumpstations result greatly in reducing the occurrence of sewer backups, which cancause system problems and considerable property damage and environmentalconcerns.Forestry and Tree Maintenance - Disease, age, wind storms and snowhave been major factors in the dwindling tree stock throughout town. The Towncontinues to lose more trees each year than we are able to replace. A total of 395work orders were opened for reported tree work. Of that total most trees weresimply pruned. However, 135 trees were sufficiently deteriorated and requiredremoval. Only 18 new trees were planted.Tree grants to cities and towns from the Federal and State level dried-upseveral years ago. The DPW has partnered with different organizationsthroughout the town and managed to plant in designated areas mandated bythese private grants and donation of trees. New sources of funding need to befound and a concentrated commitment to future tree planting must be maintainedto continue an important aspect of the character of the town.145