Department of Public Works

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Office Information

Commissioner of Public Works

Secretary of Public Works

Tel: (607) 562–8443 x224

Fax: (607) 562–2176

Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Highway Supervisor Chris Austin x400 Parks Caretaker Tom Tokar x454

Water Supervisor x212 Senior Account Clerk Pam Williamson x211

Public Works was created in January 2002 to encompass and coordinate the Highway, Parks, Water, and Drainage departments. There are a total of 19 employees in the DPW including a full-time mechanic.

Highways

The Highway Department consists of a Highway Supervisor and eight Equipment Operators II. They are responsible for maintaining all roadways and bridges owned by the Town of Big Flats, as well as the maintenance of the road right-of-way. The road right-of-way is typically 25 feet from the center of the road to either side of the road.

There are 74.32 miles of roadway owned by the Town of Big Flats. A little over 8 miles are still dirt roads. The long-term goal is to phase out all dirt roads in the Town of Big Flats and to pave these roads over a period of time as the budget allows.

There are several roads in the Town of Big Flats that are owned and maintained by Chemung County. Please keep in mind if you live on a County Road, that you need to contact the Chemung County Highway Department at (607) 739–3896 with issues and concerns.

County Roads are light yellow on the Big Flats Maps.
»Open Big Flats Maps

Potholes

Potholes are caused when the pavement or the material underneath it, called the base or subbase, cannot support the weight of the traffic it carries. Two factors are always present in such a failure: water and traffic. Freeze and thaw cycles cause cracking in the pavement allowing penetration of moisture into the base and subbase causing fatigue that will not support heavy traffic.

The Highway Department repairs potholes year round. Potholes are patched with either temporary or permanent filling, depending on the season. Potholes that are patched temporarily during winter months will be permanently filled beginning in the Spring

Please report potholes on Town roads by calling (607) 562–8443 x224. Please call the Chemung County Highway Department at (607) 739–3896 to report potholes on County Roads.

Snow and Ice Removal

The Highway Department works during inclement weather to assure the safety and clearance of all Town roads for the use of emergency vehicles and residents. The town is divided into five areas for snow and ice removal. It usually takes approximately three and a half hours to control these areas from start to finish. Town roads in need of additional snow or ice removal can be reported by calling (607) 562–8443 x224. County roads in need of additional snow or ice removal can be reported to the Chemung County Highway Department at (607) 739–3896. Your patience is greatly appreciated while we work to clear the town roads.

Brush Pick-up

The Town of Big Flats Department of Public Works will no longer be picking up brush except on an annual basis during the month of April.

Brush pick-up is an annual service provided as a courtesy to the residents of Big Flats. To ensure your brush is not missed, please call (607) 562–8443 x224. Brush is put through a chipper, so we ask that you follow the guidelines listed below to make the Brush pick-up easier.

• Brush pick-up includes all small brush/limbs trimmed from trees
• Brush should be put at the roadside for collection.
• All butt ends should face the same direction.
• No stumps with roots, stones, or dirt.

Leaves and grass clippings can be taken by residents to the County Landfill at the following address:

1488 Co. Rte. 60

Lowman, NY 14861

Phone: (607)529–6838

»Click here for more info on the Landfill

Drainage

The Drainage Department maintains storm drainage systems to minimize flooding. This includes vegetation control on various drainage swales and retention areas as well as maintenance of creeks and streams. Rain and snowfall amounts vary from year to year. The quantities of water can be large, particularly if you realize that each inch of rainfall on an acre of land generates 22,700 gallons of storm water.

Parks

There are 15 parks in the Town of Big Flats. They are maintained by the Parks Department for the use and enjoyment of the public. All parks and fields owned by the Town of Big Flats are open to the general public during park hours from 6:00am to 10:30pm. Facilities are used on a first come, first served basis unless a reservation or permit has been previously approved and issued. Reservations can be made for special occasions, league sports, etc. for a fee (see below). For more information and available dates, please call (607) 562–8443 x224.

Available Reservations

• Jacobus and Cooper Pavilions at Community Park
• Sperr Pavilion at Sperr Memorial Park
• Concessions stands at Community Park and Community Park Extension
• Ball fields at Community Park, Community Park extension, and Henry Minier Park. Ball fields include baseball, softball, soccer, and volleyball.

Fees for Reservation

• Pavilion Reservation
  • Family Picnic of 25 or less: $10.00
  • Group Picnic of 26 to 100: $30.00
  • Groups of more than 100: $100.00
  Click here for a Pavilion Reservation Permit
• Ball field Reservation
  • $15 per field per day
  • $100 per field for the Spring Season
  • $100 per field for the Fall Season
  Click here for a Ball Field Reservation Permit
• Concession Facilities Reservation
  • $25 per day
  • $100 for the Spring Season
  • $100 for the Fall Season
  Click here for a Concession Facilities Permit

Reserved times give the permit holder priority use of the park property only during times designated on the approved permit. If the permit holder is not using the park property during the reserved time, it reverts back to general public use.

The Parks Commission advises the DPW and the Caretaker on maintenance and improvements necessary for the parks.

»Click here for more on the Parks Commission.

Water Department

The Town of Big Flats has a municipal water system that services over 1,400 homes and businesses. The Water Department is the section of the DPW that is responsible for providing quality water, maintenance of water systems, and installation and billing for water customers.

For information about billing, installation, water quality, water conservation, and other water issues, click here for the Water Department.

Miscellaneous

Tree Maintenance

The Highway Department is responsible for the removal of downed trees during emergencies. Please call (607) 562–8443 x224 for tree removal.

Christmas Tree Collection

Christmas tree collection is another service provided by the Town during the holiday season. To ensure your Christmas Tree is not missed, please call (607) 562–8443 x224 to schedule a pick-up.

Street Cleaning

Street cleaning generally begins in April and continues as long as weather permits. Street cleaning usually starts in the Hamlet and continues through the outlying areas. All roads are usually cleaned twice a year.

Permits

Driveway/Curb Cut:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Who can I call to find out if my street is maintained by the Town or the County?

A Please contact DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224. The DPW office has a detailed map distinguishing between Town and County roads. County Roads are light yellow on the Big Flats Maps

Q There is a pothole in a road that I drive on daily, but I don’t live in Big Flats. Who can I call?

A Regardless of where you live, potholes in Town roads can be reported to DPW by calling (607) 562–8443 x224. If the pothole is on a County Road within the Town, please call the County Highway Department at (607) 739–3896.

Q The creek behind my property is ready to overflow due to large amounts of debris. What do I do?

A Please report drainage issues regarding culverts, catch basins, creeks, and roadside ditches to DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224.

Q The street sign for the road I live on is in need of repair. What do I do?

A Street signs occasionally need replacing or repairs due to age, storm damage, etc. Please report street sign issues by calling DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224.

Q My driveway approach is breaking up and cracking. Will the Town repair it?

A The Town will repair the road up to the driveway. The driveway approach maintenance is the responsibility of the resident.

Q Who is responsible for trimming trees that overhang streets, block signs, or impair vision?

A The Town performs tree maintenance within Town road right-of-ways. Please report tree trimming issues by calling DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224.

Q I am having a family picnic and would like to use one of the parks. Who should I contact?

A All parks in the Town of Big Flats are public property and can be used at any time during park hours, 6:00am to 10:30pm. Certain pavilions, ball fields, and concessions stands can be rented for a minimal fee. For more information and available dates, please call (607) 562–8443 x224.

Q Who can I call to have a dead animal removed from my road?

A Please call the DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224 if you see a dead animal on town roads. If the dead animal is on a County road within the Town of Big Flats, please call the Chemung County Highway Department at (607) 739–3896.

Q Who can I call regarding trash removal?

A Residents will need to contact a private hauler for trash removal. The Town of Big Flats does not have a trash/recycling program. Click here for more information.

Q Trees limbs have fallen off a tree in my back yard from a storm. Will the Town remove them?

A The Town will remove any downed limbs from storm damage, however, the resident will have to take the limbs to the roadside. Please report all storm damage to the DPW at (607) 562–8443 x224.

»Click here for Frequently Asked Questions for the Water Department

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