How City Services Support Storm Damage Cleanup in Worcester

Worcester 311: Your First Point of Contact

The City of Worcester has a variety of ways for you to report your concerns with 311, including via the Worcester 311 mobile app, email at 311@worcesterma.gov, online submissions via our website, or a simple phone call to 311.

These systems operate 24/7, even during storms, and allow for increased reporting and support to be provided to impacted properties throughout Central Massachusetts.

Once the issue is reported to 311, it is routed to the appropriate city department(s) depending upon the type and location of the issue. Issues related to public trees, street obstructions, and utilities are automatically routed for prompt response to public emergencies. Private property issues are documented and forwarded to the respective department for informational and resource purposes.

If a resident searches for “storm damage cleanup” assistance using 311, we will assist in connecting them with city-provided resources and/or information regarding private contractors that are licensed to perform residential and commercial cleanup services. We strive to provide residents with comprehensive information and assistance with respect to available support services during the recovery process.

Storm Damage Reporting Through 311 Generates Work Orders

All storm damage reports entered into the 311 system create a work order that tracks the progress of the city’s response and provides accountability for the city’s response to storm damage.

In addition to tracking the city’s response to storm damage, work orders also serve as documentation of the damage reported to the city and can be used for insurance and federal assistance purposes.

Work Order System Helps Identify Who Is Responsible for Property Repairs

The work order system identifies whether the property is private or public and who is responsible for repairing or cleaning up each type of property.

This identification assists residents in determining which issues the city will respond to and what they are expected to do themselves. This clarity of expectations can greatly ease stress for residents in the days immediately following a storm when they are trying to determine how to repair or clean up their property.

City Department of Public Works and Parks (DPW&P) Responds to Storm Damage

The Department of Public Works and Parks (DPW&P) is the primary city department responsible for responding to storm damage cleanup and repair in the City of Worcester.

The DPW&P responds to public infrastructure and roadways in the city, as well as city-owned properties. Additionally, the DPW&P supports private cleanup efforts by coordinating services and providing direction to private contractors.

Forestry Division Response to Downed Trees and Branches

Within the DPW&P, the Forestry Division is responsible for the removal of fallen public trees and branches in public rights-of-way during storm events. The Forestry Division works systematically through storm-damaged areas to remove trees and branches that pose a threat to public safety and obstruct roads and sidewalks.

As part of its storm response duties, the Forestry Division documents damage for insurance and federal disaster assistance purposes. The Forestry Division is responsible for the removal of only city-owned trees and vegetation in public rights-of-way.

Property owners are required to contact the Forestry Division to arrange for the removal of private trees that fall onto public property, although the city will typically clear the immediate path to restore road access while the owner arranges for complete tree removal and cleanup services.

Private storm damage cleanup contractors frequently work alongside Forestry Division personnel to safely and efficiently remove both public and private debris while minimizing conflicts regarding jurisdictions and responsibility for the different types of storm damage.

Support Provided by Streets Division

During storm events, the Streets Division plays a vital role in maintaining road access for emergency responders and cleanup crews.

The Streets Division provides temporary traffic control to facilitate the movement of emergency equipment and cleanup vehicles, removes debris from roadways to restore vehicular access, and coordinates with utility companies to restore damaged infrastructure.

Additionally, the Streets Division collaborates with private cleanup contractors to ensure safe access to storm-damaged properties while preserving traffic flow in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Given the dense nature of many of Worcester’s neighborhoods, this collaboration is especially important in facilitating efficient and safe cleanup operations.

Waste Management and Debris Disposal

Worcester provides specific guidelines and resources to support both city and private contractor cleanup efforts in storm debris disposal during the recovery period.

Drop Off Locations for Yard Waste

The city has established three yard waste drop-off locations where residents can dispose of storm debris generated from their private property cleanup efforts.

The locations are located at: Millbury Street (1065 Millbury Street), Chandler Street (across from Foley Stadium), and Clark Street (near East Mountain Street intersection).

Hours of operation for each of the locations vary, and the Millbury Street location has the longest operating hours and includes Sundays.

During severe storm events, the city may extend hours of operation or establish additional drop-off locations to accommodate the volume of debris from the storm event.

Private storm damage cleanup contractors use these facilities to dispose of debris from customer properties, reducing their costs and environmental footprint while helping the city achieve its waste management objectives.

Separating Public and Private Debris

Worcester requires the separation of private and public debris to ensure proper disposal and potentially qualify for reimbursement under federal disaster assistance programs.

Residents and contractors cannot place private tree debris in public rights-of-way, as this hinders the city’s ability to conduct cleanup efforts and could lead to enforcement action against the responsible parties.

To assist private contractors with understanding local regulations and ensuring compliance with federal disaster assistance programs, the city communicates the proper methods of separating and disposing of debris through various means, including the 311 system and public information systems.

Coordination Between City Services and Private Cleanup Contractors

Worcester emergency services work closely with private cleanup contractors during the recovery from a storm to ensure public safety while facilitating the cleanup effort throughout the affected areas.

Police and Fire Departments Provide Public Safety and Access Control

During cleanup operations, police and fire departments provide public safety services to maintain safe access to damaged properties for cleanup crews, protect workers and residents from ongoing hazards, and coordinate with utility companies to maintain power line safety.

Additionally, emergency services communicate with large cleanup contractors to coordinate response priorities and ensure that critical infrastructure receives sufficient attention during the recovery operations.

Communication facilitates coordination and maximizes overall efficiency in the cleanup and recovery process.

Utility Company Coordination and Support

The city cooperates with National Grid and other utility companies to coordinate restoration efforts with the cleanup efforts.

Utilities and the city prioritize the clearance of areas for debris removal based on the restoration schedules of the utilities and ensure that cleanup crews have the necessary knowledge to safely clear utility lines.

Through the coordination of the city and the utility companies, private storm damage cleanup contractors are able to work with city departments to meet the safety requirements for utility line clearing while continuing to provide cleanup services that support the restoration of damaged infrastructure throughout Worcester’s recovery process.

Public Education and Communication

The City of Worcester has developed comprehensive public education and communication systems to inform residents of available services, to help residents communicate with private cleanup contractors, and to provide residents with access to resources needed for effective storm recovery.

ALERTWorcester Emergency Notification System

The ALERTWorcester system provides real-time information to residents about the City’s response to storm events, service disruptions, and recovery resources available to residents.

The system provides real-time information to help coordinate the public and private cleanup efforts by providing residents with timely information about City services and contractor resources.

Residents can sign up to receive ALERTWorcester notifications by registering on the City’s website or by contacting 311.

The ALERTWorcester notification system can be accessed by residents with disabilities and provides multiple avenues of communication to reach all residents during an emergency.

Social Media and Website Resources

The City of Worcester utilizes social media and website resources to provide residents with updated information about the City’s storm response efforts, the City’s guidelines for cleanup, and available services.

These websites and social media platforms provide residents with up-to-date information about the coordination of City services and private contractor cleanup efforts during the recovery process.

The City’s 311 Facebook page is particularly useful in providing residents with real-time information during storm events and helps residents and contractors coordinate their cleanup efforts with City response activities and minimize risks to safety and health during cleanup operations.

Supporting Long-Term Recovery

Worcester’s storm recovery support extends beyond the initial cleanup phase to include planning and resource coordination to enable residents and businesses to recover and rebuild after a storm event while also improving preparedness for future weather events.

Coordinating Permits and Inspections for Repair

The City coordinates permits and inspections for repairs made to buildings and homes damaged in a storm event.

The City’s Building and Development Services Departments work with residents and contractors to expedite the permitting and inspection process to quickly get repairs completed while still adhering to City building codes and safety requirements.

Including Lessons Learned in Planning Efforts

The City integrates the experience gained from storm response efforts into the planning for future storm events to enhance coordination among public services and private contractor resources.

The City works with private contractor networks to better understand their capabilities and needs for major storm events impacting properties in Central Massachusetts.

Improving Coordination of Public Services and Private Contractor Cleanup

By integrating storm response experience into the City’s planning for future storm events, the City improves the coordination between City services and private contractor cleanup resources, enhancing the City’s overall ability to respond to and recover from severe weather events.

Worcester’s emergency management planning includes lessons learned from past storm responses, thus helping to improve coordination between public services and private contractor resources to prepare for future severe weather events that may affect Worcester area properties.

Worcester Tree Trim and Removal works closely with city departments during storm response situations, understanding municipal priorities and procedures while providing rapid, professional cleanup services that complement public recovery efforts throughout Central Massachusetts communities.