Public Works

• The Town of North Branford's Public Works and Engineering Departments work together to develop a roadway evaluation plan to determine the condition of each road and identify the most cost effective means of reconditioning the road.
• The partial reconstruction of a roadway includes the grinding of the existing asphalt surface and subbase materials to form a new subbase and replacing the surface with a new 2-course layer of hot-mix asphalt and new curbing. Work may also include the reconstruction of storm drainage and replacement of existing catch basin tops.
• The work is a joint effort between Town staff and contracted forces. Certain work such as grinding, grading and paving are performed by specialized contractors, while Town staff performs other associated roadway and drainage tasks. Roadway reconstruction and repairs are typically made between the months of May and September.

As part of the Town's annual road improvement program, the Public Works and Engineering Departments identify the roads which would benefit from the installation of a new surface course.

A pavement overlay is necessary when a roadway surface has reached the end of its useful pavement life, but the roadway is still structurally in good condition. The overlay process includes the laying and rolling of new hot-mix asphalt over the existing roadway. The process may or may not include the installation of curbing which depends on existing conditions.

Chip Sealing is a cost effective maintenance technique which is used to extend the life of structurally sound road pavement. The process consists of the application of a thin layer of bituminous binder agent to road surfaces followed immediately by the application of a layer of stone chippings and the rolling of the surface.

Roadway cracking is a normal process that occurs as asphalt ages. Crack sealing is a low-cost, effective roadway preventative maintenance technique which is used to reduce the amount of water infiltrating roadway cracks and damaging roadway base materials. The process consists of the cleaning of cracks and filling them with a hot asphalt liquid compound. Crack sealing is a proven method of slowing the rate of pavement deterioration in order to extend the life of roadways.

Pot Holes occur when water enters the road surface through a crack or other defect in the pavement which damages the roadway base materials. The weight of vehicular traffic traveling over the area will fatigue the pavement and ultimately cause a depression or hole in the road.

• For the Public Works Department, Pot Hole patching is a year round activity. Hot asphalt mix is used to repair Pot Holes in warm weather and cold patch is used during cold weather conditions.
• Roads which have been frequently patched are monitored to determine if a permanent solution such as a pavement overlay or partial road reconstruction may be required.
• To report a Pot Hole, call 203-484-6060 weekdays, between 7 and 3.

The Town of North Branford begins its annual Town-wide street sweeping program each spring. The sweeping is performed by Town staff using specialized equipment designed to remove dirt and debris from road surfaces. Street sweeping prevents undesirable materials from entering storm drains or receiving waters.

Once all streets have been swept once, Town staff will return to areas known for high accumulations of dirt and debris and continue the sweeping process on a frequent basis.

The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of traffic signs and street name signs throughout the Town of North Branford. Broken or missing traffic signs are considered a top safety priority and should be phoned in during normal business hours at 203-484-6060 or to the Police Dispatcher after normal business hours or on weekends at 203-484-2703.

To notify us regarding broken or missing street name signs, call 203-484-6060 during normal business hours.

The Public Works Department maintains all trees located within the public R.O.W. Maintenance includes the removal of decaying and diseased trees, the removal of fallen branches which may cause a hazard and the trimming of tree branches that have overgrown traffic signals, traffic signs or street name signs.

The Town of North Branford is not responsible for the maintenance of trees located on private property.

Darin Peterson - Arborist/Tree Warden Email Darin Peterson

Report a Hazardous Tree

Residents and taxpayers are advised of the importance of proper placement and anchoring of mailboxes and support posts to prevent damage form snow removal operations.

• Mailboxes should be securely fastened to a sturdy post which is sufficiently anchored in the ground to resist the impact of plowed snow.
• Mailboxes should be installed 12" from the face of the curb or edge of road to the mailbox closed door in order to prevent contact by the snowplow. The height of the bottom of the mailbox should be between 42" and 48" from the road surface.
• If it is determined that a mailbox is struck by a Town snowplow, the Town will reimburse the owner for a basic support post and a basic mailbox but needs to be reported within 24 to 48 hours of the storm at the public works department 203-484-6060. Payment will not include costs other then materials and will not cover the cost of decorative wood or metal posts or decorative mailboxes.
• Mailboxes or posts will not be repaired or replaced if the posts shows dry rot or is in unstable condition.
• The Town Manager or his designated representative is authorized to use reasonable discretion in resolving disputes involving unusual circumstances.