Public Works

2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Mark Ryan, Director of Public Works/Town Engineer
Ryan Manning, Assistant Director of Public Works
Christopher Casavant, General Foreman - Highway/Parks
Jay Fruci, General Foreman - Water/Sewer/Drain
Christina Mulvehill, Manager of DPW Administration

Massachusetts Drought Update
While Massachusetts is experiencing drought conditions, we are fortunate to be part of the MWRA water system where watering bans are not in effect. However, we should always do our part to conserve this pressure resource. Click on the Tips For Saving Water link below for some effective tips.
Tips For Saving Water

Construction Season Begins April 1, 2022

Water Main Cleaning and Lining projects continue. N. Granese and Sons, Inc. will be completing their contract this spring. Work starts on Irving Street and Forrest Avenue and shortly thereafter on Codman Avenue, Ellis Avenue, Margaret Street and David Terrace. Please use caution when driving in these neighborhoods and expect minor delays and or detours.

Additionally, Dewcon, Inc. will start the second Cleaning and Lining project by the end of April. There will be four areas of work – the first area includes Neponset Street, Earle Street, Eisenhower Road, Saint Catherines Road, Fales Avenue, Jefferson Drive, Pleasant Street (Route One to Railroad Avenue) and Rock Street (Neponset Street to Cambridge Road). The second area includes Holly Drive, Laurel Road, Woodbine Road, Mayflower Road, Valley Road, and Columbine Road. The third area includes the intersection of Walpole Street and Winter Street. The fourth area includes Route One at Sumner Street and Sumner Street from Route One to just past Commerce Way.

Food Scrap Program
The Town of Norwood now has a Residential Food Scrap Program in place. Please follow the link to get more information. Additionally, if you want your compost picked up and hauled away, Black Earth Compost has started pickup in Norwood. Follow the link to their website, click on residential, scroll down and enter your address to get more information.

Washington Street/Short Street Traffic Signals
The Town has contracted with M. Susi & Sons to install traffic signals on Washington St at Short St. The work will also involve some sidewalk work and repaving the roadways within the project limits. The majority of the work is expected to be completed by November 15th. The actual traffic signal equipment installation, including signals and poles, will be delayed to early spring due to equipment availability.
If you have any questions, please contact Mark Ryan in Public Works at mryan@norwoodma.gov

Hydrant Flushing

Hydrants provide a direct connection with the public water system.
The Water Division's Hydrant Flushing Program is conducted twice a year, in the Spring and early Fall. Before beginning the program, notices will be posted on social media (Twitter and Facebook) and as an announcement on our web site.

Hydrant flushing is a recommendation of the DEP to:
Clean all pipes in the system and to ensure chlorine residual to the ends of the system. It is also used to measure flows for fire protection and locate and repair maintenance problems.

What to expect:
It is expected that some discoloration and disturbance of the water in the area of the work will occur while the program is in progress and consumers should check the clarity of their water prior to use. In the event that rust or sediment is present, wait approximately 2 hours for any disturbance that was caused by the flushing to settle and run the cold water faucet nearest the water meter until clear. DO NOT RUN THE HOT WATER UNTIL THE COLD WATER IS CLEAR.
The Water Department apologizes for any inconvenience that may occur as a result of this program. Additional information including when we will be in a particular area can be obtained by contacting the Water Department at 781-762-1413.

2022 Town of Norwood Annual Road Resurfacing Contract Information

At the November 2021 Special Town Meeting (STM), Norwood residents voted to commence the infrastructure investment process by approving $2.8 million dollars for road repairs through the Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP). In Norwood, under almost every street are water and sewer pipes; in addition, most also have drain pipes and gas lines. Many residents have noticed that the majority of roads have asphalt patches and/or trenches. These trenches have been dug over the years in order to update underground pipes and lines: Norwood’s Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains water, sewer and drain lines; National Grid maintains gas lines. Over the past few years, DPW and National Grid have spent millions of dollars on updating underground utilities leaving roads which, through an ongoing process, must now be resurfaced. Bids have been opened and Lorusso, Corporation will be awarded the contract.

Please click here to see which streets will be resurfaced this calendar year.

2021 and 2022 Town of Norwood - Water Main Cleaning and Lining Project
At the November 12, 2020 Special Town Meeting (STM), Norwood residents voted to commence the infrastructure investment process by approving four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000) through the Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) for water improvements. The Water System Capital Improvements Planning was used to accelerate the cleaning and lining of water mains from 37 years to 10 years. So, in 10 years 100% of Norwood's water mains will be lined! Additionally, Norwood's water quality will improve and flow will increase 3 to 4 times the current capacity. Funding for this program is through water rates and borrowing using the MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP). If you scroll down on the MWRA's web site you can see photos of Norwood's Cleaning and Lining work and a chart showing each MWRA member lined and unlined water main by miles and percentage of system pipe.

Please follow the link below for more information on which roads N. Granese & Sons (the Town's contractor) will be either cleaning and lining the water pipes or replacing undersized pipes.
Town of Norwood - Water Main Cleaning & Lining - #NPW-21-05

Winter Street Recycling Center resumed regular operations on Saturday, July 18, 2020.
Hours: 8 am - 1:30 pm - Residential Sticker Required
Residents will be required to:

Social distance themselves
Wear face masks when out of their vehicle
Do not congregate - Leave area as soon as possible
Unload items into containers or front end loader bucket - Attendants are instructed to not unload items.

Household Hazardous Waste Day
See you at the next Household Hazardous Waste Day on May 7, 2022.

Winter Street Recycling Center
8:00 am - 1:30 pm
Open Every Saturday - All Year Long
Remember - Residential Sticker Required

If you would like to be notified of trash and recycling delays as well as emergencies click http://www.norwoodma.gov/residents/ems_swift_911/index.php

Please click Trash and Recycling Reduction Tips for nine easy and effective reduction tips.
Trash and Recycling collection and disposal costs are determined by the weighted amount we put into our respective carts. See how you can make a difference and reduce our costs and save the Town money so it can be used for more important things such as our schools, roadways and other important services.

Trash and Recycling Alert
Always make sure trash and recycling carts are out by 7 am!

Board of Selectman's Meeting Presentation on Recycling Right - Video

Mark Ryan talking to NCM about Recycling and Sustainability at 9:50 of this video.

The Norwood Department of Public Works is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Town's infrastructure of streets, sidewalks, sanitary sewers, storm drains, public shade trees, miscellaneous town owned buildings and land, various components of the town's motor fleet. DPW is also responsible for Highland Cemetery.