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DPW Highway Department

What we do:

The Town of Pittsford Highway Department’s responsibilities are in three functional areas: highway maintenance, yard debris and leaf collection, and snow and ice control.

During the winter season, plow and salt trucks provide snow and ice control for over 150 miles of roads within the Town limits. Under contract with the Monroe County and New York State Department of Transportation, the Town maintains all roads within Town limits regardless of jurisdiction except for Interstate 490. During periods of icy conditions our fleet of salt trucks carefully applies the appropriate amount so as to limit the environmental exposure yet still ensure the roads are safe. The town maintains a staff on duty 24/7 during the time frame of November 15 to April 1 to respond to changing winter conditions.

Highway maintenance ensures that the 100 miles of Town roads are kept in safe working order through three different levels of service. The time frame and the level of maintenance for a road are determined through a rating process utilizing a system provided by the Cornell Local Roads Program.

  • Routine Maintenance – Patching and sealing cracks will help to maintain reliability of road surfaces before they become problems.
  • Preventative Maintenance – The process of surface treating provides a new wearing surface and limits infiltration of water that degrades the road’s structure
  • Capital Improvement – Is major rehabilitation of the entire road, which encompasses removal and reinstallation of concrete gutter, milling the roads surface and re-apply new asphalt.
Yard debris and leaf collection is the third major function handled by the Highway Department; it consists of 3 different types of curbside pickups:
  • Containerized, Bagged or Bundled Yard Debris – a private contractor picks up all yard debris that is bundled or containerized. This service is provided once a week; see the Yard Debris page for your pick up schedule.
  • Loose Branch Pick up – Town crews pick up all loose brush that is dragged to the curb. This service is provided once a week; see the Yard Debris page for your pick up schedule.
  • Loose Leaf Pick up – Residents may rake loose leaves to the curb so that Highway crews can pick up every 3 weeks; see the Leaf Collection page for your collection schedule.

Through our tub grinder operation at the Highway garage, 100% of all yard debris collected is recycled. Leaf and Wood Mulch are available in the bins behind the baseball fields on East Street.

In addition to the three main functions, the town highway department also removes dead animals from town and county roads, cleans debris and silt from rear yard drainage systems, provides signage for town roads, mows road right-of-ways, and periodically sweeps the roads' surface clean.


FAQs

Who do I call if I see a dead animal on the side of the road?

Please contact the Highway Department at (585) 248-6270.

When is my road going to be paved?

Please contact the Highway Department at (585) 248-6270.

My mailbox was hit by a town plow, who is responsible for fixing it?

It is the Town Highway Department's policy to replace mailboxes that are damaged by the town during snow plowing operations with a standard rural mailbox and 4" x 4" wood post. Since there is no statutory or legal authority which grants a property owner or resident the right to place a mailbox in the highway right-of-way, replacement of mailboxes is done as a courtesy and only the standard replacement can be provided. For more information, call (585) 248-6270.

I want to redo my landscaping, are there restrictions close to the road?

Permission for all work within the town's right-of-way must be approved by permit by the town's Highway Superintendent. This includes: construction within the right-of-way, driveways, fences, as well as the planting of trees, shrubbery and any ornamental landscaping (such as berms, rocks, and flowers). Sprinkler systems and/or invisible fencing are not allowed within the right-of-way and the Town will not be responsible for any damage to them.

When will leaf collection begin in my neighborhood?

Beginning in late October, our crews will be in your neighborhood to collect loose leaves approximately every two weeks. Recycling guidelines:

  • Separate leaves from other yard debris
  • Consolidate small piles of leaves into larger piles for expedited service
  • For weekly pick up, we recommend the bagged and containerized collection

For service details, please view our program guidelines and pick up schedules. Questions? Please call the towns' Highway Department at (585) 248-6270.

Does the Town pick up Christmas trees for recycling?

You can be green even in the winter - recycle your Christmas tree! Town of Pittsford crews will pick up trees placed curbside and with plastic bagging and all decorations removed. Weather permitting, Christmas trees are picked up each year from the week after Christmas through the end of January. Christmas trees may also be dropped off at the Highway Garage, 60 Golf Avenue, from 7AM until dark, Monday through Saturday (call ahead at 248-6270 if you’ll arrive after 3:30pm weekdays or on a Saturday). All trees gathered eventually will be chipped and reused as mulch. The mulch will be available in the spring - free to residents - at the East Street storage bins (enter at 34 East Street) located just before the gate to the Town Parks Department office building.

Contact Information


Paul Schenkel
Paul Schenkel

Commissioner

Jim Gagnier
Jim Gagnier

Deputy Commissioner

Matt Rickett
Matt Rickett

General Foreman


John Peets, Foreman

Kathleen Leonard, Department Assistant

Email Highway Department

60 Golf Avenue, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: (585) 248-6270

Office Hours
Mon-Fri 7AM to 3:30PM
Yard Debris Drop off
Mon - Fri 6:30AM to 3:30PM
Saturday VARIES, CALL AHEAD
Sunday CLOSED