dps news
Sub-Meter Applications Available June 6, 2013 (6/6/2013)
Public Services Department to take over the application process for obtaining a sub-meter beginning June 6, 2013.
Applications are available on this site or the Public Services front desk.
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CITY CREWS WILL COLLECT TRASH & RECYCLING ON MEMORIAL DAY! (5/3/2013)
Beginning on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013, the City of Portland’s Solid Waste crews will collect trash and recycling on most holidays.
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Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan Tier III Update Final Report (5/2/2013)
The City of Portland has received DEP Approval for the Final CSO Control Plan for Tier III. We want to alert you to the fact that City Council will take up the Bond Authorization for implementing the CSO Tier III program at their May 6 and May 20 City Council meetings. An order will be before the City Council to authorize $170,000,000 in sewer bonds for the construction of the projects called for in the Tier III Plan. May 6 will serve as the first read but also a public hearing. May 20 will be the final read and vote on the authorization. To view the full document please
click here.
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Bulky Item Collection Program to begin April 1, 2013 (3/27/2013)
The City of Portland will continue the curbside Bulky Item Collection service for City residents beginning April 1, 2013.
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E-card Changes at Riverside Recycling Facility (6/16/2009)
Beginning July 1, 2009, there will be changes to the City e-card program at Riverside Recycling Facility. These include:
* E-card holders will have free disposal of up to 10 bulky items per year such as furniture, non-freon appliances, mattresses and box springs, gas grills and outdoor equipment as well as limited quantites of yard waste and hazardous waste
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Find Your Trash and Recycling Day (2/23/2007)
Have a question on when your trash or recycling is picked up?
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services
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The Forestry Division provides a wide range of arboricultural services
from tree planting, pruning and maintenance to tree and stump removal.
Our goal is to provide a healthy and safe community forest throughout
our city.
Program vs. Reactive Service
We strive to provide ‘programmed’ or planned tree maintenance
in neighborhoods or regions whenever possible. In this mode all
the trees in an area are pruned on a regular cycle. In the ‘reactive
mode’, treework is often generated by a resident request
for trees at a single address. Once the treework at that request
is completed it is often followed by requests from adjacent neighbors.
In the ‘reactive mode’ production is lost to travel,
mobilization and setup of the crew and equipment.
Utility Pruning
Central Maine Power Company conducts programmed utility line clearance
to its system on a regular pruning cycle throughout the Portland
District. Priority is given to distribution circuits and primary
lines that provide electrical service to streets and neighborhoods.
Utility pruning is contracted by the utility to commercial utility
arborist line clearance contractors.
Forestry Division Work Plan:
SPRING
Park treework, Street tree pruning, Tree planting begins in May,
Co-Op Tree Planting in June.
SUMMER
Landscape projects, resident requested treework.
FALL
Stump removal, tree removal, holiday decorations.
WINTER
Area-wide pruning, tree removal, Small-Tree Maintenance Program,
Park Pruning.
Problem Requests
Trees add many benefits to our city… however we often receive
requests concerning tree problems. These problems are not always
the fault of the tree, but associated with the tree growing near
sidewalks, utilities, and buildings.
Tree root / sewer lateral problems exists when old clay-tile
sewer laterals fail and advantageous tree roots clog the drain.
Requests are often made to remove the closest tree to the problem…
the solution ranges from auguring the drain to installing a new
PVC or plastic sewer lateral, this often can be sleeved through
the existing pipe. We recommend that residents with this problem
check with the Public Services Wastewater Division and consult a
plumber. Note: Trees are not removed to alleviate sewer drain
problems.
Sidewalk / tree root problems occur when surface tree roots contact
sidewalk causing lifting or cracking. The majority of these problems
exist in areas where large trees occupy small grow spaces and
in areas where there is clay or compacted soils. We recommend
residents to contact the Public Services Customer Service number
at 874-8461 to generate a work order and inspection of the sidewalk.
The Public Services District Crews will review the conditions and
review the solutions with the Forestry Division to provide a safe
walkway.
Insect & Disease Problems
Aphids and 'Sooty Mold' problems develop in certain species including
Lindens and Honeylocusts. Generally, aphid problems occur in June
and early July and cause only minor damage to the tree. The aphid
severity varies from year to year depending on a variety of conditions
– the city does not provide chemical control. Permission
may be been granted to residents to contract with a commercial
arborist company to provide control with dormant oil and soap.
This control has offered some relief to 'Sooty Mold' / aphid problems
in Lindens where surfaces below are sometimes coated with a sticky
film. Damage to Honeylocust is generally aesthetics and not the
long term health of the tree. Effected trees usually recover by
late July to mid-August.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is a serious threat to hemlock in Maine,
the pest has not been found in the Portland area, but has been
discovered on landscape stock brought into Maine, see Maine
Forest Service Insect & Disease site for more information.
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