Road Reconstruction Projects
The engineering division is responsible for preparing plans and specifications and performing overall project management for all major roadway and sidewalk improvement projects within the City of Marlborough. Projects range from routine/preventative maintenance of minor local roadways to major reconstruction of the City’s major roads. In addition, the division is responsible for coordinating with various state agencies, most notably the Massachusetts Highway Department, on state roadway projects.
Water, Sewer, and Drainage Projects
The engineering division is also responsible for preparing plans and specifications and performing overall project management for City's utility infrastructure improvements. The City's infrastructure includes all the water, sewer and drainage within the public right-of-way. Projects include water main replacement/extension/cleaning and lining, sewer replacement/extension, and various drainage improvements.
Capital Projects
The engineering division is responsible for preparing plans and specifications and performing overall project management for a variety of City capital projects.
Planning Board Support
The engineering division provides technical support to the City of Marlborough Planning Board. Responsibilities include the technical review of all plans related to the subdivision of land within the City to ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards (Subdivision Rules and Regulations, Storm Water Management Policy, City Code, Massachusetts General Laws, etc.). The division reviews new definitive subdivision plans and plans not requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law (ANRs). The division is also responsible for all phases of subdivision construction, including the setting of performance bond amounts, approval of schedules, inspection and approval of subdivision improvements, and the final approval and acceptance of said improvements.
Site Plan Review
The engineering division reviews and approves all site plans for residential, commercial, and industrial construction within the City of Marlborough. The division considers such factors as traffic, drainage, utility infrastructure, site topography, conformance with applicable rules, standards, and regulations, and protection of natural resources in its review. Included in the division responsibilities are the review of as-built plans for conformance with the approved plans and applicable rules and regulations.
The Site Plan Review process involves coordination with the City of Marlborough Planning Board, Building Department, Conservation Commission, Police Department, and the Fire Department.
Survey
The engineering division is responsible for providing survey services for the City of Marlborough. Services include the identification of roadway layout lines, gathering of information for use in design of roadway projects, laying out of athletic fields and other grounds, and survey assistance related to elections.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
The Engineering Division is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the City of Marlborough's Geographic Information System (GIS). The GIS serves to improve City services by assisting with the maintenance, management, and usability of engineering data and mapping information as well as by providing geographical links to City databases.
Assessor’s Maps have been converted to digital format anf they are now linked to the City Assessor's database. We have obtained very useful digital orthophotos for the entire City organized by assessor’s tile. GIS has purchased a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and with the help of summer interns has accurately located nearly all utility features city-wide. GIS has also been used to update the City’s Zoning and Ward maps. The Sewer Collection System, Water Distribution System, and Drainage Network is currently being developed. Custom layers including snow removal / sanding routes and open space have also been developed.
In order to bring this information to all city departments and the public as a whole, the division has purchased internet mapping software known as ArcIMS. This software package will allow anyone with internet access the ability to access, view, and create custom maps from the GIS.
Traffic Commission
The engineering division provides technical support to the City of Marlborough's Traffic Commission by advising as to the applicability of laws and engineering standards to regulations adopted by the Commission.
The division attends and presents its findings and recommendations at Commission meetings. The division researches issues related to the installation of new signage, pavement markings, the adoption of heavy commercial vehicle exclusions, special speed regulations, and makes recommendations on traffic calming devices.
DPW Environmental Compliance
The division provides support on matters concerning compliance of public works facilities and operations with applicable environmental regulations.
During 2002, the Neil Street DPW Facility was faced with major environmental challenges. The division was responsible for overseeing the cleanup, under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, of contaminants which had been previously released to the ground. Approximately 200 cubic yards of contaminated soil and 600 gallons of contaminated water was removed from an area west of the vehicle maintenance facility and properly disposed of off-site. The division oversaw the development and submittal of required reports to the DEP pursuant to applicable regulations.
In addition, the division developed plans for the closure of floor drains located inside the Facility which discharged to the brook located west of the Facility.
The division spent a great deal of time and resources coordinating an inspection of the Facility by the DEP and the subsequent violation notices and pending Administrative Consent Order (ACO) conditions. As part of the process, the division began the process of developing plans for the installation of a Stage II Vapor Recovery System on its gasoline dispensing station and coordinating improvements to the paint shop’s ventilation system. The division applied for and was granted a Class A Regulated Recyclable Materials permit from the DEP for the Department’s waste oil burner. The division also embarked upon the process of developing an Integrated Contingency Plan for the Facility.
Storm Water Regulations
The engineering division developed a framework for compliance with the new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Storm Water Regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Street Opening Permits
The engineering division is responsible for licensing contractors and issuing road opening permits for work within the public way. The division enforces City Code by issuing licensed contractors permits for opening, occupying, and/or obstructing any portion of the public way. The division ensures compliance with Department standards for repairing portions of streets opened for utility installation/maintenance, driveway installation, or roadway improvements.
House Numbering
Pursuant to City Code, the engineering division is responsible for issuing street numbers for all houses/buildings within the City.
The division coordinates changes of address with the City Council, Fire Department and Police Department when the City Council changes names of streets.
Drug Free School Zones
The engineering division provides technical support and expert testimony in criminal investigations and court proceedings relative to the Commonwealth’s 1000 foot “Drug-Free Zone” around school properties. The division supports the Marlborough Police Department and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office.
Miscellaneous
The division provides technical support to various City departments, boards, and commissions as well as to the general public. Some examples of division responsibilities include:
• Provide technical advice for City Council and committees
• Provide technical assistance to the Conservation Commission
• Manage, maintain, update, and copy City maps/plans
• Respond to complaints and/or requests
• Prepare various graphics for use in presentations, reports, and applications
• Ensure minority compliance for City contracts
• Determine water and sewer entrance fees
• Provide engineering investigation of motor vehicle accidents involving serious personal injury and/or fatality
• Develop operating and capital budget requests for submission to the Mayor and City Council
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