The Wellesley Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for a wide range of services that keeps the town running smoothly. Services include:
- Infrastructure maintenance: The Highway Division of the DPW maintains roads, bridges, sidewalks, street signs, and all surface and subsurface drainage systems to provide for safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- Water and sewer services: The Water and Sewer Division of the DPW provides clean water to residents and businesses, and collects and treats wastewater.
- Solid waste management: Trash and recyclables are brought by residents to the Recycling and Disposal Facility. (The town does not have a curbside collection program.)
- Parks and recreation: The Park and Tree Division of the DPW maintains parks, playgrounds, conservation land, and other open spaces.
DPW announcement—Weston Road improvement project
Jan. 17, 2025–The Department of Public Works is holding a virtual meeting on Zoom for Weston Road neighbors on Thursday, January 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to discuss the upcoming proposed Weston Road Improvement Project.
Meeting topics will include project information, key design decisions, construction schedules, impacts, and estimated costs. Public participation and feedback is encouraged.
Register in advance to take part in the Zoom. The meeting will also be live streamed and recorded for later viewing on Wellesley Media.
The proposed project and funding will be discussed at 2025 Annual Town Meeting in April. If approved, construction on Weston Road will begin this summer and last up to six months. The project will run from the Route 9 off ramps near Fells Market to the northern Town boundary at Weston, near Manor Avenue.
For questions or additional information, contact the DPW Engineering Division at 781-235-7600 ext. 3310 or email dpw@wellesleyma.gov
DPW announcement—adopt a fire hydrant
Dec. 6, 2024—The DPW and Wellesley Fire Rescue Department are asking for your assistance in clearing fire hydrants of snow in your neighborhood this winter season. There are over 1,400 hydrants in Wellesley and each one is potentially vital in the event of an emergency.
Adopt a hydrant in 4 easy steps:
- Visit the Wellesley Adopt a Hydrant map application.
- Pan and zoom to your neighborhood or search for an address using the search bar. In the search bar, start typing your address and matching results will begin to show. Click on the result that matches the address you’re looking for and the map will zoom to your neighborhood.
- Click on the Adopt a Hydrant tool in the top right corner and then select any RED hydrant to adopt it, the GREEN hydrants have already been adopted.
- Enter your information into the form and click SAVE. Changes may take up to 30 seconds to appear.
Please be careful and aware of roadway traffic and thank you for volunteering to keep our neighborhoods safe!
DPW update—water service line inventory
Nov. 15, 2024–The Department of Public Works (DPW) Water and Sewer Division is conducting a water service line inventory.
This work will help determine the material used for water lines and identify lines that may need to be replaced. As part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all water suppliers in Massachusetts are required to maintain a full inventory.
Wellesley has approximately 8,500 water service lines. After an initial review in October, the Water Department found there are approximately 6,000 missing or partial water line records for residential and commercial properties in Town.
The Water Department is asking for help filling in the gaps in these inventory records. In the coming weeks, homeowners will be receiving letters from the Water Department with information on how you can help by visually inspecting service lines, taking a photo, and submitting that information for review.
The Water Department believes there are NO lead service lines in Wellesley. The Town has required the use of copper service lines since 1962 and has been replacing old lead service lines since the early 1990’s.
Regular and robust lead and copper sampling programs show that, in Wellesley, the risk of lead exposure through drinking water is extremely low.
Visit the Water Department webpages for detailed information on this project, a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or to schedule an in-home visual inspection of your water service line.
DPW updates—water mains to be flushed, Oct. 21-25, 2024
The Water & Sewer Division of the Department of Public Works will be flushing water mains throughout the Town beginning Monday, Oct. 21-Friday, Oct. 25, between the hours of 8am and 5pm. The purpose of flushing is to remove sediment buildup in the mains and to verify the safe operation of hydrants and valves. The flushing may result in temporary discoloration of the water, caused by small particles dislodged during the flushing as well as possible reduction in pressure. Therefore, the Division recommends restricting water usage.
Discoloration of the water will be temporary and is not harmful. However, the discolored water might stain your laundry, especially white materials as well as the possible staining of plumbing fixtures. Therefore, please avoid doing laundry during the noted flushing period and certainly while such conditions exist.
Prior to washing clothes, including times after the hours stated in this notice, please check the cold water for possible discoloration. If discolored, let the cold water run for a minute or two to begin clearing. If it does not clear at that time, try again later. Unfortunately, the Town cannot fully guarantee the safety of doing laundry and/or the possibility of discoloration even during the evenings and other times of the day as the water system has been disturbed. Therefore, please check your water carefully prior to doing laundry and inspect the laundry before it is dried.
The Wellesley Water and Sewer Division appreciates your patience as we work to improve the quality of the drinking water. If you would like additional information, please call the Water Division at 235-7600 ext. 3355.
Replacement of underground storage tanks, fall 2024
The Town will replace three (3) 10,000-gallon underground storage tanks (USTs) and two (2) independent fuel islands located at the Department of Public Works (DPW) facility at 30 Municipal Way. Work has gone out to bid and will include, but is not limited to site preparation, demolition, removal and disposal of materials, backfill and compaction, concrete pad installations, tank installations, fuel island equipment installation site restoration, and paving.
Sidewalk project, fall 2024
Department of Public Works (DPW) contractors are extending the sidewalk on the westbound side of Washington Street across from Elm Bank to the Natick town line.
Work is expected to begin the week of Monday, September 16 and continue through late fall, weather permitting.
Crews will be working Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No weekend work is planned at this time.
The project includes reconstructing and extending the sidewalk, adding curbing and ADA wheelchair ramps, and installing a pedestrian crossing beacon on Washington Street at Cheney Drive (near the entrance to Elm Bank).
This work will impact traffic and parking in the area; drivers should expect detours and delays. Police details will be onsite to help with traffic.
Leak detection testing program, summer 2024
The Wellesley Water and Sewer Department is conducting routine leak detection testing on our town’s water distribution system. Two contracted professionals will be riding E-bikes and stopping at various hydrants throughout town to perform these tests.
This testing is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of our water supply system and ensure that any potential leaks are identified and repaired promptly. The testing will take place over an extended period of time, as thorough testing is essential. The individuals will be wearing identification and are authorized by the Wellesley Water and Sewer Department to carry out these inspections.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the Wellesley Water and Sewer Department
(781) 235-7600 ext. 3355
Work on crosswalks begins Sept. 3, 2024
Department of Public Works (DPW) Highway crews will replace the brick-like crosswalks at the Washington and Church Street intersection in Wellesley Square beginning on Tuesday, September 3.
The current crosswalks are rough and create noise when vehicles pass over them. The bricks, which are actually painted concrete pavers, will be removed and replaced with a smooth surface and a new design stamped on them at a later date.
Due to the complexity of this project and heavy traffic volume at this intersection, the work will impact drivers, business owners, and residents. Expected disruptions include noise, traffic detours or delays, and limited parking in the area.
Work will take place during the daytime on Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Night work is planned for Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The crosswalks will be divided into thirds or quarters to allow two lanes of traffic to pass through while the work is taking place. Wellesley Police Department officers will be onsite to help direct traffic.
The work is expected to be completed in three weeks, weather permitting.
Similar crosswalk work has been done on Linden Street.
For questions or concerns during this construction, please contact the Highway Division at 781-235-7600 ext. 3325 or email dpw@wellesleyma.gov
Roadwork Continues July 22 – August 1, 2024
The Department of Public Works will continue summer roadwork beginning on Monday, July 22 and continuing through August 1, 2024
Paving crews are scheduled for the following streets starting on July 22, weather permitting: Pond Road, Cedar Street (from Hunnewell Street to the town line), Harvard Street, Summit Road, and Dewing Path.
Please note: Forest Street will be paved during the overnight hours beginning at 7pm on Monday night and ending at 8am on Tuesday morning. Detours will be in place overnight.
Other crews will continue with Phase 2 of the cape sealing work that began earlier this month. This work involves micro-surfacing, which seals road where asphalt and stone chips were applied a few weeks ago in Phase 1 of this project.
This material requires about an hour to set before cars can drive on the new surface. Homeowners have been notified by the DPW about this work.
The specific roads to be treated, weather permitting, are:
Baystate Road, Damien Road, Edmunds Road, Fairbanks Road, Fiske Road, Kipling Road, Saunders Terrace, Tennyson Road, Beechwood Terrace, Berkley Road Garrison Road, Leewood Road, Nobscot Road, Shirley Road, Avon Road, Carlton Road, Elliot Street, Middlesex Road, Solon Street, Woodbine Road, Clifford Street, Cottonwood Road, Swarthmore Road, Wilson Street, and Berkshire
Questions? Please contact the DPW Highway Division at 781-235-7600 ext. 3325.
