News Flash

We are declaring a sewer emergency for properties on the vacuum sewer system. This includes properties on Commercial Street from Snow Street to Point Street, and properties on the sewer system on Bradford Street between Conwell Street and Prince Street. Please refer to the map below - the brown shaded area is the vacuum system. This does not apply to sewer customers that are on our gravity system, nor does it apply to properties with on-site septic systems. 

Any restaurant or food service business in this service area will need to cease operations immediately. This is necessary to prevent a further public health emergency caused by sewer overflows, and we need to drastically reduce flow to allow the critical repair work in order to get the town back to full capacity. 

Any residential property on this system must reduce water use, including dishwashing, laundry, showering, and only flush when absolutely necessary. 

We are estimating that we need up to 48 hours to make the repairs and get the system back to normal. 

All public restrooms are closed today and tomorrow. We have 18 porta potties arriving in Town at 11:00am and they will be on Ryder Street next to Town Hall.

Our team will continue to provide updates throughout the next 48 hours. We want to thank everyone for their continued patience and cooperation. If you have any questions you can call DPW Deputy Director Sherry Prada during business hours at 508-487-7060. If you are having a sewer emergency, you need to call the answering service at 508-487-5474 and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

SEWER PROPERTY AFFECTED ADDRESSES (PDF)

MAP OF AFFECTED AREA:

CLARIFICATION regarding retail food sales: IMPORTANT Sewer emergency message: Food Service licensees in Vacuum Sewer areas and public restrooms are closed pending essential repairs 

After internal staff consideration here is a CLARIFICATION on the closure: 

• All restaurant food preparation operations and bars are closed.
• ONLY retail sales of commercially pre-packaged ready to eat food items is permitted in the vacuum sewer system area, until further notice.

 Please understand that these measures are absolutely necessary to get repairs made quickly.

Without absolute cooperation the emergency conditions will take longer to resolve.

 While retail shops and other attractions outside of food licensing are not required to close at this time, they are encouraged to limit staff, limit hours or close up shop.