Sidewalk, Driveway and Street Repairs/Improvements

The Engineering Division maintains a listing of all sidewalk, driveway and street defects and improvements. Said repairs are immediately inspected, made safe, and scheduled for permanent repairs either through capital improvement programs, or through projects funded within the yearly city budget and/or by city forces. Please contact the Engineering Division to report any such defects.

Existing Driveway Openings can be widened or new openings can be installed only upon approval from both the Engineering Division and the Inspectional Services Office. The entire cost for said improvements will be borne by the homeowner and must be constructed to City of Melrose's Standards.

Solid Waste, Yard Waste and Recycling

Solid Waste

Solid Waste Recycling and Collection Fee

How much is the fee?

The fee is as follows:

6 dwelling units or less

$50.00 per unit quarterly You will receive this fee on your water bill

Buildings with more than 6 dwelling units do not receive solid waste collection services from the City of Melrose.

For further information on the Solid Waste Collection Fee, contact the Water Department at 781-979-4175.

Collection Schedule

Trash is collected weekly and should be set out at curbside by 7:00 AM on your collection day, but not prior to 5:00 PM the day before scheduled collection.  If you are unsure of your collection day, contact Public Works at  781-979-4170.  

Collection on holiday weeks will be picked up one day late after the holiday, with Friday's collection on Saturday.  Empty containers should be removed from the sidewalk area within twelve hours after collection.  Please note:  city employees are forbidden to enter upon private property to pick up containers, including: driveways, cellars, garages or yards.

Type and Size of Containers for Trash

Plastic bags for trash are preferred.  Plastic or metal barrels are acceptable.  Rubbish will not be collected if set out in paper shopping bags or cardboard containers.  Every attempt should be made to keep trash from blowing around.  No more than four (4) barrels or bags plus one (1) bulky item per week will be picked up form each household.  Maximum weight to ensure collection is forty-five (45) pounds.

Items Requiring Special Preparation

Certain items require special preparation before being placed curbside for trash collection.

Broken Glass

To avoid accidental injuries, broken glass must be placed in an open barrel or open cardboard box so that it is visible to the collector.

Doors/Windows

A homeowner may place one (1) wooden door or one (1) set of wooden windows at curbside weekly with trash.

Garbage

To prevent animals from foraging, garbage and foodstuffs should be drained, wrapped in a plastic baggie, and then placed into the rubbish container on collection day.

Wood

Pieces of wood should be cut to a maximum of four (4) feet in length and  tied with strong twine or 1/8-inch clothesline.

Special Collections

Metal Items

Metal items such as refrigerators, stoves, dryers, iron sinks, pipes, storm doors, radiators, sleep sofas with metal frames, file cabinets, etc., are picked up curbside - by appointment only - on Tuesdays coinciding with the red recycling week.  Appointments are made at the Public Works Office in City Hall, and must be made by the Friday prior to collection.  There is a fee of $15 per item, payable by cash, check, or money order (no credit or debit cards, or third party checks) when the appointment is scheduled.

All items scheduled for pickup must be placed at the curb or edge of roadway no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled Tuesday.

All doors must be removed from refrigerators, freezers and other major appliances before these items are placed at curbside for collection.  The City of Melrose will not pick up items with doors still attached.  All glass must be removed from storm doors or other metal frames before the frames are set out for collection.

Empty propane tanks from barbeque grills may be brought to the City Yard for recycling at no cost.

If you have further questions, contact Public Works at 781-979-4170.

Household Hazardous Waste

Melrose holds an annual collection event for Household Hazardous Wastes, including but not limited to oil, paint, drain cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, oven cleaners, etc.  There is a nominal fee, and proof of residency is required.

The 2008 Household Hazardous Waste collection will be held at the City Yard at 72 Tremont St. on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  See the Melrose Free Press, Melrose Weekly News, MMTV, or the City of Melrose website for announcements.

For more information, contact Public Works at 781-979-4170 or the City Yard at 781-665-0142.

Property/Sale, Fire, Construction, or Renovation

Large scale cleaning/disposal due to ownership change, a sudden death or otherwise requires special arrangements.  Call the City Yard at 781-665-0142 for instructions. Failure to notify the city will result in trash not being picked up. 

Rubbish generated from construction, renovation, or fire damage (e.g. wood, plaster, masonry, etc.) will not be collected, and requires the property owner to rent a construction dumpster.

Special Drop-off Events

Public Works holds special drop-off events at the City Yard from time to time for the collection of tires, mercury-containing items (such as fever thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, etc.), cathode ray tubes (CRTs, primarily found in televisions and computer monitors),  and dried latex paint with lid off and stir stick to prove paint is hardened. These events take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and are held on the third Saturday of April, May, June, September, and November.  The dates for 2009 are April 18, May 16, June 20, September 19, and November 21.

There is a $2 charge for each car tire, and $8 charge for each truck tire, and a $7 charge for each CRT unit.  There is no charge for mercury-containing items.

Special Pick Up Fee

What constitutes a special pick up?

Call Public Works at 781-665-0142 for information regarding special pickups.

How do I get a special pick up?

Go to the Public Works Department in the basement of City Hall.  Schedule your pick up there.  Receive your slip and proceed to the Treasurer’s Office (on the first floor near the Essex St. door) and pay your fee. You will receive a sticker to place on your item.  The item should then be placed on the sidewalk by 7:00 A.M. on the day of the pick-up.

How much is the fee?

The fee is $15.00 per item.

You can pay with cash, money order, or with a check made out to the City of Melrose.  Credit cards, debit cards and third party checks will not be accepted.

Not Collected

Rubbish from commercial establishments and from apartment houses of more than six (6) units will not be collected.  Rubbish from churches, synagogues, and other like organizations will be collected; however, rubbish from any ancillary activities (such as a day care center operation, church school, fund raising activity, etc.) will not be collected.  Other items not collected includes (but is not limited to) the following:  earth, gravel, stones, concrete, asphalt shingles, asbestos materials, plaster, cement blocks, bricks, sand, or any refuse materials from building construction, demolition, or renovation.

For questionable items, contact Public Works at 781-979-4170 or the City Yard at 781-665-0142.

Yard Waste

Leaves, grass clippings, hedge clippings, brush branches, and other organic yard wastes are governed by regulations imposed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  These materials must be collected separately from other household wastes.

 

 Curbside Collection

 

Leaves, grass clippings, hedge clippings, brush, branches, and other organic yard wastes will be collected seasonally at the curb on your regular trash day on weeks coinciding with the green recycling collection week.  In general, collection takes place every green week in April, May, June, October , and November, and once per month during July, August, and September.  Consult the Recycling Schedule, available in the Public Works office in City Hall or at the City Yard, for specific details.  Curbside collection dates are also publicized on MMTV and in the Melrose Free Press.

 

Brush and branches up to one inch in diameter must be bundled and tied.  Leaves, grass clippings, hedge clippings, and other raked yard waste must be set out in paper leaf bags or in barrels, and all barrels and bags must weigh less than forty-five (45) pounds. No more then 10 bags/barrels for pick up. Yard waste set out in plastic bags will not be collected.  Barrels containing yard waste must be labeled with "yard waste" stickers to avoid confusion with regular household waste.  Yard waste stickers are available free of charge at the Public Works Office in City Hall.  Yard waste, by law, cannot be picked up with the trash.

 

The City will not pick up leaves raked or blown into the street or deposited in the gutter.  Yard waste debris in the street can cause clogged drains and flooded streets.

 

 

Drop-off Collection

 

Leaves, grass clippings, hedge clippings, brush, and other organic yard wastes may be dropped off at the City Yard during normal operating hours.  Yard waste may be dropped off loose or in paper leaf bags (no plastic bags).

 

 

Christmas Trees

 

During the first two weeks of January, Christmas trees are collected curbside or may be dropped off at Mt. Hood.  Remove the stand and all plastic bags, tinsel, twine, lights, ornaments, etc.  Trees in plastic bags cannot be collected.

 

Recycling

Curbside Collection

Curbside recycling is collected every other week on your regular trash collection day.  Depending on your address, you will either receive a red or a green bin and follow the schedule appropriate for that color.  Recycling is picked up every other week.  You should set out your bin near your curbside trash collection on the appropriate week. If you wish to begin recycling you may pick up your free red or green bin at the Melrose City Yard located at 72 Tremont St. You can also receive a schedule upon receipt of your bin or go to the Recycling Schedule for a printable version For questions please call Public Works at 781-979-4170.

Melrose Recycling Committee

The Melrose Recycling Committee is a group of citizens who have volunteered over the last 15 years to educate and encourage Melrose Citizens to recycle.  These volunteers assist at the City Yard six Saturdays throughout the year, and are available to answer your questions.

Bob Costa is the head of this committee.  You can reach him at 781-665-7876 or at melroserecycles@comcast.net.

Recycling Bins

Recycling bins and detailed information on what the city recycles and does not recycle are available at the Melrose City Yard located at 72 Tremont St.  Red and green bins are picked up at different times depending on the Recycling Schedule.

Items Collected

Paper Products

• Newspapers with inserts

• Magazines

• Catalogs

• Office paper

• Phonebooks

• Junk mail

• Paperboard (cereal boxes)

• Corrugated cardboard (cut 2’ x 2’ tied in bundles)

• Stickies

• Notebooks

NO soiled paper or plastic bags

NO waxed paper, milk or juice containers

Containers

• Glass bottles and jars

NO broken glass or other glass such as light bulbs, window or auto glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex, etc.

• Tin, steel and aluminum food cans and lids

• Deposit and non-deposit beverage cans (may be flattened)

NO cans containing hazardous materials, paint or aerosols
NO aluminum foil

• Plastic containers labeled with the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (usually on the bottom)

NO motor oil or chemical containers
NO plastic bags

 

Yard Waste

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are collected curbside from a few days after Christmas through the first 2 week in January.  NO plastic bags and remove all tinsel, twine, lights ornaments, and tree stand.

City Yard

Hours:     Monday-Friday:      7:30 AM-2:45 PM
Saturday:                 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (seasonally)
Sunday:                   9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (seasonally)

The City Yard is located at 72 Tremont St.

 

Items Collected

The City Yard collects the following items:

Paper products

• Newspapers (with inserts)

• Magazines

• Catalogs

• Office Paper

• Phone books

• Junk mail

• Paperboard (cereal boxes)

• No soiled paper.  No plastic bags.

• No waxed paper, milk or juice containers

Corrugated cardboard

Please flatten cardboard before disposing.

Clothing & Textiles

Please place in the Planet Aid container.  (No toys, etc., please:  take such items to the Route 1 Salvation Army Drop-off site).

Yard Waste

• Small branches (1” in diameter)

• Brush

• Raked yard waste may be brought to the drop-off

  • in barrels and dumped

  • in plastic bags and dumped

  • in cardboard boxes

  • in paper leaf bags

No trash mixed in please.

Be sure to follow the signs about where to place items as each yard waste category gets processed differently. Melrose residents only; NO commercial landscapers.

Mercury Items

• Rechargeable and button batteries

• Fluorescent bulbs

• CFLs

• Thermometers

• Thermostats

These items may be dropped off between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

CRT’s & TV’s

• Computer monitors and associated electronics

• Televisions

These items may be dropped off at the City Yard any day between 8:00AM-2:30PM.  The fee for disposal is $7.00 per item. Proof of residency is required.

Household Hazardous Products

Collected October 17, 2009.
There is a fee for this program.
Proof of residency is required.
For information on items that may be disposed and associated fees, please contact :

City Yard Office:  781-665-0142
Public Works Office:  781-979-4170

Trees

Tree Planting
Tree Trimming
Evaluation of Health of Tree

Contact the Public Works Office:
781-979-4170

Variances

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40A, is the governing legislation that controls land uses. Part of the law is a fundamental requirement that variances of dimensional regulations may only be granted to parcels that meet specific conditions.

During the process of application for a building permit, a review and determination by the Building Commissioner is performed for verification of zoning compliance of the lot and any existing structures and proposed new construction.

If the existing structure does not fully comply with the present zoning regulations then the legal definition of the property is titled non-conforming. As a non-conforming structure rights such as a change of use or altering the building lines may require a finding of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

When the proposed construction does not comply with the local zoning regulations, a building permit may not be issued.

The City of Melrose, having recognized that a major percentage of the structures in the City are pre-existing non-conforming, passed an ordinance that relieves some dimensional deficiencies.

Water/Sewer

Water Bills

FY2009 Water & Sewer Rates

$4.82 water residential
$5.90 water commercial
$8.24 sewer both residential and commercial
these rates are per 100 cubic feet.

How do I pay my water bill?

You can pay with cash, money order, or with a check made out to the City of Melrose.  Credit cards, debit cards and third party checks will not be accepted.

Does everyone in the City of Melrose get his or her water bills at the same time?

No.  Melrose bills quarterly.  The City is broken up into sections. Usually two sections of the City are billed at the same time.  There are four billings approximately three months apart. 

You can find out the amount you owe or find out whether your payment has been received by calling the Collector’s Office at 781-979-4120

When is my water bill due?

The bill is due 30 days from the “Bill Date”.  It must be received on or before that date or a $5.00 late fee will be added and interest will accrue.

Can I make monthly payments on my water bill?

You can make as many payments of any amount to your bill.  However, if there is a balance still due on the due date of that bill then interest will accrue on any unpaid balance.

Can I pay my water bill ahead if I am going on vacation?

Yes, but if there is not a bill in the system we cannot guarantee the amount that will be due.  You may choose to pay the amount of your last bill, however if the new bill is more than the prior bill demand and interest will be charged for the unpaid amount.  You may choose to make a larger payment and the difference will be credited to your account.

What happens if I do not pay my water bill?

Any bill due June 30th and unpaid by November 15th will go to lien on the real estate property tax on the next tax bill (3rd quarter).

Any questions on consumption or questions about correcting or changing a name or address on your bill should be directed to the Water Department at 781-979-4175.

Water, Sewer and Drain Lines

Utility and Street Information and Records

The Engineering Division maintains and holds plans and records for all components of the municipal water, sewer and drain systems including house services. Additionally, the division maintains plans and record information pertaining to street layout, utility easements and rights of way, public takings, and boundary information all pertinent to survey and/or property line research. Zoning and Flood Maps are located in the Inspectional Services Office. Copies of all plans can be made available.