Public Works

Department Overview

Every day dedicated professionals across the Department of Public Works take pride in the jobs they do to protect the health, safety and well-being of everyone in the community. We are comprised of a team that designs, builds, refurbishes, replaces, oversees, and maintains a complex combination of above ground and below ground public infrastructure.

Department News

35% Design virtual public Meeting
Saxonville intersection improvements
                                                                                           10/29/20
Image of the Saxonville intersection. Text: Saxonville 35% Design Virtual Public Meeting

The City of Framingham Department of Public Works will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom on Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m. to discuss the 35% design plans for proposed transportation and pedestrian improvements in Saxonville.

City staff and the design consultant will present current design project plans including, new crosswalks at multiple locations, sidewalks with ADA improvements, traffic signals, revised roadway geometry, on-street parking, and enhancements to the Danforth Street parking lot.  

View the public meeting handout here. 

The public will have the opportunity to learn about the design plans and ask questions or make comments orally.

If people cannot attend the meeting and have questions or comments, please email ajewell@framinghamma.gov with the subject line: Saxonville Public Meeting. Click here for information on how to join the meeting. The meeting will be available live on the Framingham Government Channel on RCN channel 13, RCN HD channel 613, Verizon channel 42, and Comcast channel 99. A video recording of the Zoom and a copy of the presentation will be available on the City’s construction website Building Framingham following for those who cannot attend or watch.

Curbside brush and Leaf collection information

Orange graphic with leaves and the following text: Curbside Leaf & Brush Collection

Brush and leaves are collected separately and will be picked up on residents’ regular trash/recycling collection day:

FALL 2020 LEAF COLLECTION:

- Two (2) weeks of leaf collection: November 16-28, 2020

FALL 2020 BRUSH COLLECTION:

- One (1) week of leaf collection: November 30 - December 4, 2020

WHAT IS YARD WASTE AND BRUSH?

  • Yard waste is defined as leaves, grass, and non-woody organic garden waste only. Yard waste does not include sod, dirt, sand, gravel, or rocks.
  • Brush is wood waste from bushes and trees that is less than 4 inches in diameter, and no greater than 4 feet in length.

HOW SHOULD I DISPOSE OF YARD WASTE AND BRUSH AT THE CURB?

The Sanitation Division conducts an annual curbside collection of yard waste and brush during the spring and fall. All curbside yard waste and brush collections take place only on the weeks designated and only on your regular trash collection day for that week. A separate collection vehicle is dispatched to collect only yard waste and brush during the following designated collection weeks.

PREPARING YOUR YARD WASTE AND BRUSH FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP:

Leaves, grass clippings, plant waste, and light trimmings too small to bundle: use paper leaf bags or reusable containers marked "yard waste." Bags and containers cannot exceed 40 pounds and 35 gallons.

Brush (sticks, twigs, branches, and shrubs): Pieces cannot exceed 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length. Bundle and tie with string or twine (no wire), or place in a reusable container marked "yard waste." Bundles and any yard waste or brush not conforming to these guidelines will not be collected and will be left at the curb.

Note: Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.

Framingham Public Works to Deploy Two Pink Snow Plows to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness 
10/22/20
Two large yellow DPW trucks with pink snow plows with a pink ribbon and text: Plowing for a Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, to promote awareness, the Framingham Department of Public Works (DPW) will deploy two pink snow plows.

“Our DPW team typically starts painting and preparing snow plows for the winter in October,” said Blake Lukis, Director of Public Works. “This year, we are proud to promote awareness about the disease in a unique DPW flair by painting two of our plows pink. Our hope is people will see the plows in action this winter and be reminded of the importance of early detection and screening to save lives.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, approximately 250,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and 2,300 in men. Screening can help detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat.

Look for the pink snowplows around Framingham this winter, take a photo of the plows in action, and tag #FDPWPlowsPink on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to help spread awareness about breast cancer. Every photo of the plows tagged with the above hashtag will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to a local Framingham restaurant. Three winners will be selected at the end of the winter.

A pink plow will also be on display at the DPW Headquarters, 100 Western Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702.

View more information about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, here. 

Blake lukis wins paul f. howard award
10/08/20
Photo of Blake Lukis holding a plaque from MWWA near a yellow Framingham DPW Truck

Blake Lukis, Director of Public Works, receives the Paul F. Howard Award, known as the “Active” Member of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) for his knowledge, accomplishments, and contributions to the drinking water profession. 

The award was presented to Lukis at the Framingham Department at Public Works, and a virtual awards ceremony will be held by MWWA in early November.

“Blake is an integral part of Framingham’s leadership team, and I’m thrilled but not surprised to see his skills recognized by an outside organization,” said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer. “The City is fortunate to have him at the helm of its Public Works department.”

“Blake has been a member of our organization since 2007, and his contributions to the Massachusetts drinking water profession are immense,” said Executive Director of MWWA Jennifer Pederson. “He currently serves on the state’s Board of Certification for Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities and is our designee on the Safe Drinking Water Assessment Advisory Committee. He has also served in the past as MWWA’s President, on the Board of Directors, and co-chaired the Education Committee.” 

Framingham DPW to Reduce Curbside Leaf and Brush Collection  
9/24/20
Graphic of fall leaves and trees. Text:Framingham Public Works, Curbside Leaf Collection Nov. 16-28

The Framingham Department of Public Works (DPW) will reduce curbside leaf and brush collection due to a portion of funding for leaf and brush removal being eliminated from the Sanitation Division’s Operating Budget. 

Curbside leaf collection will occur November 16-28, 2020, and brush collection will occur November 30 – December 4, 2020. 

“Every fall, we typically offer five weeks of curbside leaf collection and two weeks of curbside brush collection,” said Blake Lukis, Director of Public Works. “This reduction in service is attributed to the combination of increased leaf disposal cost and budgetary reductions.” 

The reduction of this service was presented in DPW’s Operating Budget Presentation to the City Council Finance Subcommittee on May 7, 2020. 

Residents who plan to take advantage of curbside collection should reference the requirements for Curbside Leaf and Brush Collection.

Residents with a valid Recycling Drop-Off Center Permit can also utilize the Yard Waste Facility on Dudley Road, Friday, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Beaver Street bridge to reopen to vehicular traffic and pedestrians
9/9/20
Photo of the Beaver Street Bridge fully paved

The Framingham Department of Public Works (DPW) is pleased to announce that the Beaver Street Bridge will reopen to vehicular traffic and pedestrians this evening, Wednesday, September 9.

Construction for the bridge started in late April 2020. The existing bridge structure was demolished and replaced with a new concrete structure. Additional improvements include new water, sewer, and drainage utilities, sidewalks, guardrails, and pavement.

 “A project of this magnitude paired with a long duration road closure can be impactful,” said Blake Lukis, Director of Public Works. “The entire DPW team appreciates residents’ and businesses’ patience and cooperation throughout this process.”

Punch list items will continue to be addressed after the bridge’s opening.

Framingham Department of Public Works
Urban Street Sweeping Program to Resume Tuesday, July 21
                                                                                    07/08/20


Photo of a yellow DPW Street Sweeper cleaning the road

The City of Framingham Department of Public Works will resume the Urban Street Sweeping Program, starting with Area C, on Tuesday, July 21.

Each Tuesday, July 21 through December 1, a different set of streets will be swept from 9 a.m. - noon.

Streets will be grouped into four areas, Area A, Area B, Area C, and Area D, with each being swept a different Tuesday of the month.

Parking restrictions will be in effect. Vehicles parked on the street during the posted times will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Thank you for helping keep Framingham streets and waterways clean! Your cooperation is appreciated!

INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY'S MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS?

DID YOU KNOW?

About 50% of the City's roadways were built before World War II. 25% of the current stormwater, water and wastewater infrastructure put in place at that time is now over 70 years old.

The City of Framingham tripled in population during the 25 years after World War II and 50% of the stormwater, water and wastewater systems were installed.

In 2006, the city accelerated the Capital Improvement Program to remedy this situation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COMMUNITY