New Residents
Welcome to North Reading!
The North Reading Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of the municipal infrastructure, including the roads and streets, Town buildings, cemeteries, and the water and stormwater systems in North Reading.
The DPW Offices are located in Town Hall at 235 North Street. The primary telephone number for the Department is (978) 357-5260, and this number is staffed Mon. - Thur. 8am - 4pm and Fri. 8am-1pm.
The DPW Complex (Town Garage) is located at 166 Chestnut Street.
Some helpful information relative to DPW services is summarized below. Residents are encouraged to visit the appropriate link or contact the DPW for additional information.
Trash Collection
Municipal trash collection is on a five day collection schedule, that schedule can be found here. Should a holiday fall on a Monday collections will be delayed one day all week. Residents should have trash and recycling at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the day of their collection.
Trash should be placed in no more than two 50 gallon bags or barrels, and each container should weigh no more than 50 pounds when full. Any trash in excess of the two 50 gallon barrels must be placed in "pay as you throw overflow bags" which can be purchased at retail stores in town. For more information on the Overflow trash program please click here.
Bulky or large items, such as sofas or tables, will be collected on trash day, with the limit of one large item per week. Awkward items, such as old carpeting, that will not fit into containers should be cut into sections no more than 3 feet long and tied or bundled and left at the curb. Please put these materials out with your other trash.
White goods, televisions and computer monitors will be picked up by the trash contractor, but must be scheduled. Please contact Republic Services at 781-289-0500 to arrange a pickup. There is a fee for white goods.
North Reading pays for municipal trash collection partially through real estate taxes and partially through fees. Each single family home is assessed a fee of $75.00 per quarter ($300.00 annually) for trash collection services. Trash bills are issued quarterly on or about February 15th, May 15th, August 15th, and November 15th each year.
Recycling
Recycling is on the same schedule as the trash collection. North Reading encourages all residents to take part in the recycling efforts. Please refer to the Recycling Information web pages for additional information.
Recycling bins are available through the Department of Public Works at a cost of $10.00 per bin. Please call (978) 357-5260 for details.
Water
North Reading operates a municipal water system supplying virtually all residents of North Reading. Residents may contact the Water Department through the Department of Public Works or directly at (978) 357-5246. Residents with water related emergencies when Town Hall is not open are asked to contact the Fire Department at (978) 664-3112.
Water bills are issued quarterly on or about February 15th, May 15th, August 15th, and November 15th each year.
Wastewater
At this time, there is no municipal wastewater collection or treatment system in North Reading. You have a septic system on your property that handles the wastes generated in your home.
There are specific requirements relative to owning and maintaining a septic system (i.e., what can and cannot go down the drain, how often the tank must be pumped, etc.) If you have never owned a home with a septic system, you are encouraged to contact the North Reading Board of Health or click here.