Public Works Department

John Hogan, Superintendent of Public Works, (847) 872-5275

Branch Pickup | Sewer Flooding | Employment Opportunities |


The Winthrop Harbor Public Works Department manages the maintenance of the critical infrastructure of our Village. From larger projects (i.e.: road construction, resurfacing, etc.) to smaller, but equally as important, issues (i.e.: leaf pick-ups, snow plowing, etc.), our Public Works staff does an excellent job in providing top-notch, professional services.

The Public Works Department also manages the Village's water supply and sewer system. (Click this link for the most recent Annual Drinking Water Quality Report.) The report is also available in print at the Winthrop Harbor Village Hall.

Superintendent of Public Works, John Hogan, can be reached at 847-872-5275 if you have questions or concerns about Public Works Dept. services.

Check the on-line Community Calendar for listings of seasonal services provided by the Public Works department!


Branch Pickup Program -

The Public Works branch pickup program for 2010 begins with pickups every Monday in April. For May through September there will be pickups on two Mondays each month, then every Monday in October. Following are the dates for the 2010 season branch pickups:

  • April 5, 12, 19 & 26
  • May 10 & 24
  • June 7 & 21
  • July 12 & 26
  • August 9 & 23
  • September 13 & 27
  • October 4, 11, 18 & 25

New for this season is a requirement that residents notify Public Works of their request for branch pickup. Requests must be called in or e-mailed no later than the Friday prior to the desired Monday pickup date. Call (847) 872-5275 or send a message to jhogan@winthropharbor.com to make your request.

Residents are reminded that Public Works will only be collecting trimmed branches. Branches that are left from entire tree removals will not be picked up. In addition, Public Works will not pick up lawn refuse, leaves, grass clippings, tree trunks and/or logs, etcetera.

To facilitate timely pick-ups, the length of the limbs and branches should be left as long as possible. Whole limbs chip up much better than small, cut up pieces. Please spread out evenly along the parkway, with cut ends of branches and limbs facing the street. Tangled piles of limbs or branches placed haphazardly will not be picked up.

If a tree trimming service or lawn service takes down, trims or prunes your tree, please have the service company provide removal of the debris. The Public Works Department will not remove debris or branches left by tree trimming companies or lawn service contractors.

Please note that small amounts of branches or twigs that can fit into lawn refuse bags should be placed into bags instead of in the parkway. These smaller piles of twigs do
not go through the chipper well.

Sewer Flooding -

In the past when there have been heavy rains in the area, some residents may have experienced interior flooding. Part of our sanitary sewer collection system have been overloaded due to infiltration of storm waters. While some infiltration is due to direct inflow from manholes, we believe much of the overload was due to the illegal discharge of sump-pump water into the residential sanitary service lines.

Public Works is working to correct inflow through manholes with the installation of "chimney seals". We are also performing camera inspections of the sanitary sewer system to attempt to locate sump-pump discharge into the sanitary sewer system.

If your sump-pump discharges into your sanitary sewer, it must be re-routed to discharge into the drainage ditch or storm sewer. For questions, please contact the Public Works department.

Drainage Ditches -

With heavy rains associated with Spring and early Summer, drainage of storm water becomes a concern for many residents and Public Works. Please keep in mind that all drainage ditches must be maintained by the property owner and must be kept free from any refuse, and all plant material must be cut to a maximum of 6" in height. It is also unlawful for anyone to install culvert, drain, pipe, stone or other material into any drainage ditch within the right-of-way without written application and approval from the Superintendent of Public Works.

Mailbox Replacement Program -

From time to time it is possible that a mailbox becomes damaged by a snow plow. The Village provides a mailbox replacement program, subject to certain limitations, to assist residents under these circumstances.

When a mailbox is damaged, a representative from the Public Works department will inspect the mailbox site. The Superintendent of Public Works or his designee will determine what course of action to follow, and will advise the property owner.

The Public Works department will replace damaged and non-repairable parts only:

  • if the mailbox was located according to U.S. Post Office specifications; or
  • if the snow plow jumped a curb and/or plowed beyond the road shoulder and physically struck the box or post.

Any damage caused by thrown snow will not be repaired or replaced under this program.

If a replacement of the mailbox is necessary and approved, a standard rural type mailbox, approved by the U.S. Postal Service, will be used.

If replacement of only the post is necessary, a treated or cedar 4x4 wood post will be used.

If the property owner desires a non-standard mailbox or post, the Village will reimburse for materials only, to a maximum amount of $35.00. Reimbursement will only be made after proof of purchase and installation by the property owner.

If the mailbox was not originally installed according to Post Office specifications (i.e.: too close to the curb, hanging over the curb, etc.), the Public Works Dept. will only attempt to repair the damaged pieces. Any necessary replacement will be the responsibility of the property owner.


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