DPW Commissioner's Corner: Tips for Late Spring

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Commissioner's Corner

DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan

May 23, 2025

Welcome back to the Commissioner’s Corner! We use this space to talk about what’s happening with Somerville DPW, including important updates and events, plus valuable tips to help you stay informed.

Currently, DPW is in full swing with spring clean up and plantings and summer right around the corner. The Somerville Public School year is wrapping up soon and our college students are moving out of apartments and saying their goodbyes to Somerville.

Spring Cleaning

• Street sweeping. Be sure to keep up to date about ongoing street sweeping efforts. Street sweeping in Somerville takes place through December 31. Questions? Visit parksomerville.com or call 311 (617-666-3311).
• Yard waste. Have you been working on your lawn or backyard? Got bags of leaves and clippings building up? Be sure to check out the yard waste pickup schedule.
• Pollinator tips. Speaking of yard cleanup – if you are curious about creating a better habitat for pollinators on your property, our friends over in the Division of Public Space and Urban Forestry have just published the Pollinator Action Plan with tips on actions you can take.

Tips for Moving

• Moving advice. Moving can create a lot of waste, so it’s important to know how to get rid of it properly. Somerville Waste Wizard can help you determine what to do with refuse from a move, whether it’s packing materials from a move-in or items that need to be disposed of when you leave an apartment.
• Mattresses. Please don’t leave your old mattress on the side of the road! Call 311 (617-666-3311) to schedule a pickup.
• Don’t block the roads! Our friends over in the Parking Division has a process for applying for a permit for a moving van you’ll want to check out before your next move.
• Sign up for alerts. Whether you’re new to town or a lifelong resident, you’ll want to sign up for alerts that will keep you updated about things like road closures, delays of service, dangerous weather, and more.

Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather. Please stop by the Commissioner’s Corner soon for more news and tips for enjoying the summer in Somerville!