Public Works
615.384.2746
Email Public Works Department

 

General Information
Public Works/Street & Drainage
Public Works/Sanitation
Public Works/Vehicle Maintenance

GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the City of Springfield Public Works Department’s web page. The Springfield Public Works Department’s goal is to provide the best and most efficient service to all residents and businesses.

Our normal hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 7:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., emergency service is available 24 hours a day, and capable of responding to a variety of situations.
 

Public Works/
Street & Drainage 615.384.2746
Email Public Works Department


GENERAL
The primary responsibility of the division is the maintenance of the city streets and storm water drainage system. Services provided with street maintenance include patching and repairing damaged streets; overlaying existing streets; constructing new streets; repairing shoulders; mowing, clearing and cleaning rights-of-way; street sweeping; maintaining curbs; repairing and constructing sidewalks; and removing ice, snow, limbs and debris. In addition, the division helps to maintain traffic control by installing traffic signs and street markers, and by painting stop bars and striping. The division is also responsible for driveway construction inspection.

Drainage services include cleaning and grading open ditches; cleaning underground storm water systems and culverts; maintaining, repairing and constructing storm water inlets, structures and catch basins; inspecting and maintaining bridges; redesigning and reconstructing existing drainage systems; and administering the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Phase II permit program.

TO REPORT A PROBLEM OR REQUEST A SERVICE
Please contact the Street and Drainage Division during regular business hours to report a problem or to request a service by dialing 615-384-2746. Regular business hours for the division are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your assistance in making us aware of problems is always appreciated. Typical examples of problems or requests for service include such things as potholes, ditches needing to be cleaned, clogged storm drains, fallen trees or limbs on streets and sidewalks, erosion control, utility cut repairs, driveway permits and inspections, and the replacement of traffic control or street identification signs that have been damaged or are missing.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The employees of the Street and Drainage Division are on call twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven days a week. After hours emergencies can be reported to the Police Department by dialing 615-384-8422.

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES), PHASE II
The City of Springfield is required to meet and enforce the storm water management regulations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Phase II permit program as authorized by the Clean Water Act. The NPDES permit program controls waste pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities.

Under the NPDES, Phase II program the Street and Drainage Division is responsible for overseeing the proper maintenance, construction and inspection of all storm drainage systems within the city limits. The duties of the division include repairing or replacing damaged drainage structures, maintaining catch basins, cleaning storm water sewers and redesigning and reconstructing existing drainage systems. Improvements are also made to existing systems to improve drainage in flood prone areas.

TO REPORT STORMWATER POLLUTION
PLEASE DIAL 615-384-2746

EXCAVATION IN CITY STREETS
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, or others to make any excavation in any street, alley, public place or city right-of-way, or to tunnel under any street, alley, public place or city right-of-way without first having obtained a permit from the Public Works Department. An application for a permit must be accompanied by a cash deposit, certified cashier's check or non-refundable letter of credit to the City of Springfield. The deposit shall be a minimum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) which can be raised to an amount adequate to cover the cost of restoration. In lieu of a deposit, the applicant may deposit with the Public Works Department a surety bond in such form and amount as the Public Works Department shall deem adequate to cover the costs to the municipality if the applicant fails to make proper restoration.

In addition to making the deposit or giving the bond required to ensure that the proper restoration is made, each person applying for an excavation permit must file a certificate of insurance indicating that he is insured against claims for damages or personal injury as well as against claims for property damage which may arise from or out of the performance of the work.

DRIVEWAY PERMITS
The division issues driveway permits and performs related inspections for residential and commercial lots within the city limits. Any person considering performing any driveway construction within the right-of-way or in any easement must obtain a permit before the work can be performed. There is no cost for the permit.

The driveway site is monitored by the Public Works Department's construction inspector before, during and after construction to ensure compliance with City specifications. If a contractor is in violation of City specifications, the construction inspector has the authority to require the contractor to stop work and correct the situation before work can resume.

Please call the Public Works Department Office at 615-384-2746 to complete an application for a driveway permit.

PARADE PERMITS
It is unlawful to parade within the City of Springfield without first obtaining a permit from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The definition of "parade" under the Springfield Municipal Code includes any meeting, parade, demonstration, exhibition, festival, homecoming, assembly, or other such events to be held in, upon, or along any city street, or on any other city owned outdoor public place. The ordinance does not apply to funeral processions and park lands excluding the street, avenues or rights-of-way therein.

Any person seeking issuance of a parade permit must file an application with the City Recorder on forms provided by the City Recorder. The City Recorder will place the request for a parade permit on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for possible approval. The application for a parade permit must be filed in writing with the City Recorder not less than thirty (30) days prior to the contemplated parade and a minimum of five (5) working days prior to any regularly scheduled or called meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

STATE HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
Highway 41 (Memorial Boulevard), Highway 431 (Tom Austin Highway), Highway 49 (5th Avenue) and Highway 76 are all roads maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Please call the Tennessee Department of Transportation at 615-382-2416 or the Public Works Department at 615-384-2746 to report conditions that need attention on these highways. The Street and Drainage Division will try to assist in correcting the problem or refer the problem to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

SNOW REMOVAL
The performance of snow removal is determined largely by the severity of the snow or ice storm. The Public Works Department has a priority list of streets that will receive service first in the event of a snow or ice storm due to the fact that the streets are arterial or collector streets, critical for public safety response, or hilly and potentially unsafe.

ANNUAL STREET REPAVING PROGRAM
The Street and Drainage Division has a street repaving program that is funded in the City of Springfield annual budget and is paid for with a combination of State of Tennessee street aid revenue and general fund revenue. Streets are selected for repaving on a priority basis as determined by surface condition, traffic flow and safety.

CONTACT
Department of Public Works
Street and Drainage Division
2809 Clinard Drive
Springfield, Tennessee 37172
Telephone: 615-384-2746
Fax: 615-382-2205
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Allan Ellis, PE, Director of Public Works
Ricky Pentecost, Operations Superintendent

Public Works/
Sanitation 615.384.2746
Email Public Works Department

GENERAL
All persons within the city limits are required to keep their premises in a clean and sanitary condition, free from accumulations of refuse. All owners or tenants of residential units are required to accept and pay for refuse collection service as provided by the City of Springfield and all owners of commercial units are required to either contract for refuse collection service or accept and pay for refuse collection service as provided by the city.

HOW TO INITIATE SANITATION SERVICE
The City of Springfield is a full service city that provides water, wastewater, electric, gas and sanitation utility services which are collectively billed on one monthly statement as a convenience to our customers. New service can be initiated by visiting the new services window on the first floor of City Hall, completing an application, and paying all service fees and deposits. City Hall is located at 405 North Main Street and the telephone number is 615-382-2200.

RESIDENTIAL REFUSE COLLECTION
The City of Springfield provides refuse carts to all residential customers and services residential customers once a week. The usual household waste is to be placed in the cart. Only refuse disposed of in the cart is collected, with the exception that extra household refuse generated due to holidays, visitors, parties, and similar events that is placed in a bag next to the cart may be picked up on an occasional basis. Refuse placed in privately owned containers, cans and carts will not be collected. Additional refuse left on or around the cart on a regular basis will not be picked up. If the practice of leaving excess waste around the refuse cart continues, the city at its discretion may provide an additional refuse cart at the residence and increase the sanitation rate accordingly.

The current rate for residential refuse collection is twelve dollars ($12.00) per month.

If you need to know your collection day, please call the Public Works Department at 615-384-2746.

COMMERCIAL REFUSE PICKED UP RESIDENTIALLY
The City of Springfield at its discretion provides residential refuse collection service to small commercial customers. The City provides refuse carts to all commercial customers picked up residentially and services such commercial customers one (1) or two (2) times per week, depending on each small commercial customer's preference. All refuse must be placed in the refuse cart for collection. The City will not pick up additional refuse on or around the refuse cart. If excess waste is placed around the refuse cart, the City at its discretion may provide an additional cart which must be purchased by the customer and the customer's sanitation rate will be increased accordingly. The cost of an additional refuse cart will be the same price as paid by the City when purchased from the supplier.

The current rates for commercial refuse picked up residentially are seventeen dollars ($17.00) per month for once a week service and twenty-three dollars ($23.00) per month for twice a week service.

If you need to know your collection day(s), please call the Public Works Department at 615-384-2746.

REFUSE COLLECTION FOR COMMERCIAL UNITS
All commercial units not picked up residentially shall place all refuse in a city approved dumpster or roll-off container provided by a private refuse collection company, and shall maintain the dumpster or roll-off container and the surrounding area in a clean, neat, and sanitary condition. All dumpsters and roll-off containers are to be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis and shall not be filled to overflowing.

All dumpsters and roll-off containers are to be located at the rear of the property and shall be enclosed from sight in accordance with Public Works Department specifications. All private refuse collection companies shall have valid permits or licenses to do business within the city.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Refuse collection days may change due to holidays observed by the City or because of inclement weather. If a holiday is observed on your collection day, the cart will be serviced on Wednesday in the week in which the holiday occurs.

Read the Robertson County Times, listen to WDBL radio or watch community access cable channel 3 to be informed of schedule changes.

The City of Springfield observes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• The day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

PLACEMENT AND CARE OF REFUSE CARTS
All residential customers and small commercial customers picked up residentially must place their refuse carts at curbside or at the edge of the street no later than 5:30 a.m. on the day of collection. Place the cart so that the short bar faces toward the street. Do not place the cart near vehicles, trees, poles, fences, mail boxes, fire hydrants, other obstructions, or in a ditch.

As soon a practical, after the refuse cart has been emptied, it must be removed by the owner or occupant to the rear of the premises and away from the street or alley until the next scheduled time for collection.

Each owner, occupant or other responsible must for keep the refuse cart clean and sanitary in compliance with health and sanitation requirements. The container lids on all carts must be securely closed at all times.

HAZARDOUS WASTE PROHIBITED
It is unlawful to dispose of hazardous waste items through the city refuse collection system. Hazardous waste is defined as corrosive, flammable, toxic, chemical, solvent or reactive materials used in the home, vehicle, lawn, and garden that can contaminate soil and water when disposed along with non-toxic waste. Examples of hazardous waste include, but are not limited to, asbestos, medical waste, paint products, household cleaners, vehicle products, home maintenance or improvement products, lawn and garden products, pesticides, batteries, intact drums and/or cylinders, and commercial or industrial waste.

Used Oil Collection Center
The Vehicle Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department is a state approved used oil collection center. Vehicle Maintenance personnel will collect used oil from residents of Springfield only. There is a five (5) gallon limit and no other fluids can be mixed with the used oil. Used oil can be delivered to the Public Works Department, Vehicle Maintenance Division Shop at 2809 Clinard Drive.

The Tennessee Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 makes it unlawful for any person to discharge used oil where it may harm the environment. It is illegal to dispose of used oil down a drain, into a storm sewer, lake, river, stream, or on the street or the ground.

Questions About Hazardous Waste Disposal
If you have a question about whether or not an item, substance or material is hazardous waste, or you would like to know how to lawfully dispose of hazardous waste, please call the Public Works Department at 615-384-2746.

BRUSH, RUBBISH AND BULKY WASTE COLLECTION
In addition to weekly refuse cart collection service the City provides extra refuse collection service for rubbish and bulky waste once a month to residential customers only. This service is not available to apartments, condominiums, or commercial properties. Collection is limited to one load of rubbish and bulky waste per residence per month with a maximum loading time of five (5) minutes per load. Bulky waste and rubbish are defined as follows:

Bulky Waste - Stoves, refrigerators, water tanks, washing machines, other white goods and appliances, tires, computers, televisions, stereo systems, furniture, mattresses and similar items.

Rubbish - All waste wood, wood products, tree trimmings, grass cuttings, dead plants, weeds, leaves, dead trees or branches thereof, chips, shavings, sawdust, printed matter, paper, pasteboard, rags, straw, used and discarded clothing, used and discarded shoes and boots, combustible waste pulp and other products, such as are used for packaging or wrapping, crockery and glass, floor sweepings, mineral or metallic substances.

BRUSH, RUBBISH AND BULKY WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Please place your waste for collection only during the time period that is scheduled for your district.

The city is divided into two (2) collection districts using the railroad tracks as the dividing line:

• The North District is collected from the first to the 14th of each month.
• The South District is collected from the 15th to the end of the month.

It is not necessary to call for this service. If you are not sure of your district, please call the Public Works Department office at 615-384-2746.

Any person in violation of bulky waste and refuse collection regulations is subject to possible fine under the general penalty clause of the Springfield Municipal Code.

Conditions of Service for Brush, Rubbish and Bulky Waste Collection

Brush, rubbish and bulky waste are collected under the following conditions of service:

• Brush, leaves, tires, metals, other rubbish and bulky waste must be stacked in separate piles for disposal.
• All loose rubbish must be placed in a bag for disposal.
• All newspapers and magazines not bagged shall be bundled and tied for disposal.
• All grass trimmings, yard waste and leaves must be placed in a bag for disposal.
• All wood and limbs must be cut in lengths not to exceed six (6) feet and must be stacked in piles weighing no more than seventy-five (75) pounds.
• No more than three (3) bulky waste items will be disposed of per load.
• Rocks, concrete, bricks, glass, dirt, tree trunks or stumps, and similar materials shall not be collected for disposal.
• All rubbish bulky waste requiring pick up must be placed at the curb or the edge of the street or alley, and not in a manner that will block traffic, sidewalks, drainage ditches or inlets, or present any type of traffic or safety hazard.
• Rubbish or bulky waste must not be placed at the curb or the edge of the street or alley for a period in excess of fifteen (15) days.
• This service is limited to rubbish and bulky waste generated by the owner or occupant of the residence.
• All construction materials including, but not limited to, concrete, brick, glass, lumber, sheet rock, and roofing materials shall not be collected for disposal and must be disposed of by the resident, landlord or contractor producing said materials.
• A contractor or person paid by an owner or landlord to cut brush or limbs shall be responsible for the disposal of the material in an appropriate manner.
• Rubbish or bulky waste generated by a contractor performing work on a residential property or site will not be collected.
• Rubbish or bulky waste generated as a result of property clean up due to change or tenant, eviction or bankruptcy will not be collected.

In addition, air conditioners, freezers, and refrigerators must have the Freon unit removed and placed beside the appliance.

Please do not place waste on top of or near fencing, mailboxes, fire hydrants, meters, utility poles or anything which could be damaged by collection equipment. If waste is blocked by a vehicle it will not be collected.

AUTUMN LEAF COLLECTION SERVICE
The City of Springfield provides residential leaf collection during the autumn season. Leaf bag collection service is not available at apartments, condominiums, or commercial properties. Leaf collection service begins on the fourth (4th) Monday in October and continues until three (3) days before Christmas. Lawn services and contractors are responsible for removing the yard waste that they generate.

Leaf collection is in accordance with the following conditions of service:

• All leaves must be placed in bags for disposal.
• No other materials shall be mixed with the leaves.
• Bags of leaves must be placed near the curb or the edge of the street or alley, and not in a manner that will block traffic, sidewalks, drainage ditches or inlets, or present any type of traffic or safety hazard.
• After the dates stipulated, no more than three (3) bags of leaves may be collected on each regular weekly residential refuse collection.

BURNING PROHIBITED
The burning of refuse within the city limits is prohibited.

CONTACT
Public Works Department
Sanitation Division
2809 Clinard Drive
Springfield, Tennessee 37172
Telephone: 615-384-2746
Fax: 615-382-2205
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Allan Ellis, Director of Public Works
Cindy Wymer, Office Manager

Public Works/
Vehicle Maintenance 615.384.2746Email Public Works Department