Q:
My sidewalk appears to be lifted by tree roots. How can I get it
replaced?
A: The
city replaces sidewalks that are lifted more than 1.5” by city trees. “City
trees” are defined as trees that are located inside the apron between the
sidewalk and the curb in front of a residence or business. Please call to
schedule a replacement. Property owners are responsible for the care and
maintenance of sidewalks and curbs in front of their property that are not
lifted by city tree roots.
Q:
My basement and/or first floor drains are overflowing, especially after a
heavy rain. What’s wrong?
A:
Since Rahway is an older community, many of its sewers are combined; i.e.,
they handle both storm water and sanitary waste from homes and businesses.
During heavy rains, the old sewer mains cannot handle the increased flow of
rainwater and sanitary waste. Property owners can help by disconnecting
downspouts from sanitary lines, but sometimes, the lateral and/or sewer main
become clogged with debris. The city is not permitted on private property to
clear private sewer laterals. You may call the DPW to inspect the mains in
front of your property and clean them if necessary. Maintenance of sewer
laterals is the responsibility of property owners and not the city.
If
you are having a sewer emergency, you may call the DPW directly at (732)
827-2060 during business hours. Outside of business hours, please call the
Rahway Police Department at (732) 827-2200.
Q: During
heavy snowfalls, city plows push snow into my freshly-cleaned driveway apron.
How can I prevent this?
A:
It
is the responsibility of the city, county and state to clear streets for
vehicles during and after snowstorms. Unfortunately, large quantities of snow
in the street often end up in driveway aprons. Property owners are advised to
shovel driveway aprons after plows are finished cleaning the street.
If you must shovel, place the snow “downstream” of your driveway so the plow
cannot push it back into your driveway apron. Property owners should also
remove their vehicles before a significant snowfall if they are located along
snow emergency routes in Rahway or they will be ticketed and/or towed.
Q:
How do I report a pothole?
A:
Please call the DPW at (732) 827-2060 to report a pothole on a city
street. They are usually patched within 72 hours.
Q: When
will the city pick up my leaves?
A: Leaf season usually
begins in early November and runs through late December. DPW crews will
make a minimum of two passes on every street to collect leaves during those
weeks. Leaves should be placed in piles along the curb or placed in
biodegradable paper leaf bags available at most hardware stores. Leaves
placed in plastic bags will not be collected. Because of new statewide
regulations from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
leaves and other yard waste cannot be placed in the roadway more than (7)
seven days prior to the scheduled collection dates or closer than (10) ten
feet from any storm drain inlet. Please call the city’s leaf hotline at
(732) 827-2063 during leaf collection season to learn where DPW crews will
be working that day.
Q:
Will the city repave my street?
A:
Street resurfacings and reconstructions are performed on
an annual basis by private contractors and not the DPW. The City Engineer
recommends streets that are in the most need of resurfacing and
reconstruction. The City will be resurfacing four streets in 2010.
The streets that are scheduled to be resurfaced in
the fall of 2011 are:
Jefferson Avenue (Hamilton Street to Stone Street)
Trussler Place (Madison Avenue to Jefferson Street)
East Emerson (Pierce Street to Fulton Street)
Seminary Avenue (Church Street to Fernote Street)
West Lake Avenue (Madison Avenue to Jefferson Street)
Linden Avenue (St. Georges Avenue to Hulick Place)
Jefferson Avenue (Stone Street to Nicholas Place, East Elm
Avenue to Jefferson Avenue Bridge, and Bramhall Road to West Inman
Avenue)
Madison Avenue ( Intersections of Terrace Street, Murray Street,
Concord Street and Orchard Street to West Inman Avenue)
Elm Avenue (250' East of St. Georges Avenue)
Richard Blvd. (At High School driveway)
Main Street (East Milton Avenue to City Hall Drive)
Maple Avenue (Southerly side, Madison Avenue to Old Lake Avenue)
Broadway (Valley Road to Clark Twp.)
City Hall Plaza (behind City Hall)
Weather permitting, this project should be
completed by mid-November, but please check back to this site for updates.
Parking will be
restricted on the above streets during resurfacing, and motorists are asked
to use extra caution when traveling through the area. All of the streets
will be milled and will be topped with two inches of new asphalt. Curb,
sidewalk and catch basin repairs or replacements will be made where
necessary.
For additional information, call (732) 827-2183.
Updated 5/13/11
Q:
Why won’t the city remove a street tree in front of my home?
A: Rahway
is responsible over 6,600 shade trees in our city and has the honor of being
named a
Tree City USA for its care and promotion of healthy trees.
These trees help contribute to the attractive character of Rahway and it is
also estimated that each street tree adds $5,000 to the value of a home and
keeps homes cooler in the summer. The city will remove a street tree only
if it is dead or is in immediate danger to life and property. If you
would like to have a street tree placed in front of your home, please e-mail us and include your name,
address and phone number so we can add you to the street tree list.
Q:
Who is responsible for the City’s water utility?
A: The
city’s water utility has been municipally-owned for over 130 years. It is
managed by
United Water Rahway. You may reach United Water at (877)
303-2435.
Q:
The street light in front of my home or business is out. What
do I do?
A:
To report a street light out
in your neighborhood, you may report the outage by clicking
here or calling
PSE&G at (800) 436-PSEG (7734). Please have the following
information available:
·The location of the street light
·The nearest cross street
·The pole number (usually located
on a metal strip attached to the pole)
The
city replaces sidewalks that are lifted more than 1.5” by city trees. “City
trees” are defined as trees that are located inside the apron between the
sidewalk and the curb in front of a residence or business. Please call to
schedule a replacement. Property owners are responsible for the care and
maintenance of sidewalks and curbs in front of their property that are not
lifted by city tree roots. 
It
is the responsibility of the city, county and state to clear streets for
vehicles during and after snowstorms. Unfortunately, large quantities of snow
in the street often end up in driveway aprons. Property owners are advised to
shovel driveway aprons after plows are finished cleaning the street.
If you must shovel, place the snow “downstream” of your driveway so the plow
cannot push it back into your driveway apron. Property owners should also
remove their vehicles before a significant snowfall if they are located along
snow emergency routes in Rahway or they will be ticketed and/or towed. 
