Show All Answers

1. What are the Highway Department hours?

The Highway Department is open Monday through Friday, from 7 AM until 3 PM.

2. How do I report a pothole?

Please call the Highway Department at 203-891-4775 to report a pothole. If you are calling outside our business hours of Monday through Friday, 7 AM - 3 PM please leave a detailed message including street address and location on our answering machine. We will retrieve the information the next business day and dispatch a crew to repair.

3. Does the Highway Department pick up roadkill?

Yes. The Highway Department will pick up roadkill from town-maintained roads. Please call 203-891-4775 to report. Please be prepared to give detailed information such as address and type of roadkill. Please note we do not collect birds, squirrels or rabbits. 

4. Who do I call to report a tree growing into the power lines?

For trees growing into the power lines please contact United Illuminating. 

To report a tree trimming or other power line problem, please call UI at 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584).  When you call, please have the following information ready:

• Your contact information
• Address of tree problem
• One of the following pieces of information:
  • Cross Street
  • Landmark
  • Pole Number

Important: It is vital that you DO NOT attempt to trim the tree yourself.  Serious injury or death could result.

 

5. What do I do if a tree or limb fell on the power lines and electrical wires are on the ground? STOP! Call 911!

If electrical wires are on the ground or dangling, STOP! Call 911 immediately! Assume the wires are live. Keep pets and children at a safe distance. Do NOT drive over wires! Never attempt to move tree limbs entangled in electrical wires. The Orange Police Department will contact UI and dispatch a Highway crew to safeguard the dangerous situation until UI can arrive to make repairs.

6. Who do I call? A tree/branch fell into the roadway (no wires involved).

Please contact the Highway Department a 203-891-4775 to report a branch or tree into the roadway. 

Call 911 if wires are involved! Stand back and keep children and pets away. Do not drive over wires. Never attempt to clear road of tree branches when wires are entangled due to electrocution risk. 

7. I can't see oncoming traffic as I turn onto another road. Who do I call?

Call the Highway Department 203-891-4775 to report the situation. Highway will dispatch a crew to cut/trim back. Or, Highway may contact the homeowner to give them an opportunity to trim back. If not done to satisfaction Highway Department reserves the right to open the sight line properly. 

Please note: We do NOT trim back on state-maintained roads. You must call the appropriate State of CT DOT office. Please see CT DOT Contact Numbers link on the Highway Department page for telephone numbers.

8. Why isn't my road plowed?

With over 110 miles of roads to clear the plow trucks must first open primary roads, then secondary roads and finally tertiary roads (i.e., cul-de-sacs and lesser traveled roads). Plows open roadways with one pass on each side of road, return to open roads wider, and then they push back. Please wait until all plowing is complete before clearing your driveway. If, after all plowing is complete you have a situation that requires more attention, then call our office at 203-891-4775 to ask. We cannot relocate our plows to accommodate individual requests. If you have a life threatening emergency health situation call 911! Police will contact Highway. Arrangements will be made to provide assistance in opening roadways in emergency situations.

9. What are the dump hours?

The Transfer Station (a.k.a., the dump) is under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department. For questions regarding the Transfer Station please visit the Transfer Station page or call the Public Works Department at 203-891-4712. 

For your information:

Transfer Station, South Orange Center Road

• Operator/Manager: Stephen Jaser
  Tel: (203) 891-2177

Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, 8 am - 2 pm
Select Sundays in November & December for leaves only when posted.
Holiday Closings: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

10. Recycling Questions?

Please visit the Orange Recycling page or call Public Works 203-891-4712. The Highway Department does not handle recycling.