Streets, Parks, and Cemetery Maintenance;
Water, Sewer, and Storm Sewer Utilities
CONTACT:
Bonnie Edmonds
Public Services Administrative Assistant
Office: (517) 629-7863
Fax: (517) 629-2238
bedmonds@cityofalbionmi.gov
For after hours public service emergencies call
(517) 812-4178
Street Department
(517) 629-3610
Water/Sewer Departments
(517) 629-5535
Wastewater Treatment Plant (517) 629-3011
Riverside Cemetery
Tel: (517) 629-2479
FAX: (517) 629-9849
Parks Department
(517) 629-5535
Emergencies: 911 (Public Safety)
Streets, Parks, and Cemetery Maintenance;
Water, Sewer, and Storm Sewer Utilities
Twenty-Four unionized employees, two superintendents, and the Director of Public Services are responsible for the maintenance and repair of 54 miles of streets, 100 miles of sidewalks, 60 miles of storm sewer pipes, 60 miles of water lines and 500 hydrants, 54 miles of sanitary sewers, and 90 acres of designated public parks.
Other responsibilities include management and care of the tree dump, and the almost 50 acre Riverside Cemetery. Also, the department handles code enforcement, parks maintenance, snow and ice removal, the organization of Clean-Up Day, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, street sweeping, and maintenance and management of the City's vehicle and heavy-equipment fleet. The department is also in charge of the coordination and monitoring of environmental investigations and remediation on municipally-owned property.
The department’s employees strive to provide the high-quality customer service to the citizens of Albion that residents have come to know and to expect.
The street department service garage is located at 12980 27 Mile Road.
The Water Department is responsible for making sure that state and federal guidelines are met for the delivery of a safe drinking water supply. The Water Department oversees the functioning and testing of water wells and chemical additives and maintains the water mains, water tower, and water pumps as well as the city's fire hydrant system.
The Sewer Department is responsible for the safe and effective operation of the sewer collection system and the safe transmission of wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 1000 Brownswood Dr. It's purpose is to treat residential and industrial wastewater to remove solids and harmful pathogens while disinfecting the water to be for safe discharge into the Kalamazoo River.
The Street Department provides for the safe and smooth flow of traffic by maintaining traffic control devices and keeping the streets clean and free from potholes, leaves, limbs, trash, snow, and ice. The Street Department maintains the City streets, parking lots, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm sewers, bridges, and street trees. Special projects include preparations for the Memorial Day ceremony, Festival of the Forks, and Albion Aglow; special services include Christmas tree pickup.
The Parks Department maintains Albion's 17 parks as well as the grounds of the Depot and City Hall. The city's Forestry Program provides for inspection of city trees to determine maintenance needs.
The Cemetery Department is responsible for burials, lot sales, and the maintenance of Riverside Cemetery. (See the separate listings under Parks and Riverside Cemetery for details about these two areas.)
ON-CALL EMERGENCY LIST
Why is my water orange?
Albion's water is sometimes discolored by iron and manganese deposits. The water is treated with fluoride (for dental health), chlorine (to make it safe to drink) and polyphosphates (to cut down on flecks and rust). The City is currently exploring options to improve Albion's water supply.
Why is my water bill suddenly so high?
Normally there is not a problem with the water meter or the meter reading. Most often, there is a problem in your home that you may not become aware of until your quarterly bill arrives. Those problems most commonly include a leaky or running toilet, a leaky faucet or leaking sprinkler hookups, or a water softener that cycles improperly. Check in and around your home if you notice a sudden increase in your bill. If you still cannot locate the problem, call the Water Department at (517) 629-7866.
What happens if my water bill payment is late?
You have about 30 days to pay your water bill without penalty. After the due date the city adds a 10% late fee and the City waits about two more weeks to receive your payment. If payment isn't received, you will be sent a Shut-Off Notice. You must then make a payment or payment arrangements by 5 p.m. on the date listed on the Shut-Off Notice or Door Hanger to avoid having a service charge imposed and your service shut off. We cannot make payment arrangements after the 5 p.m. deadline. If you come in on the Shut-Off date, you will be too late. A $60 Water Shut-Off Process Charge is imposed if you miss that 5 p.m. deadline regardless of whether or not your water is turned off. This charge is to cover the costs of the shut-off process, notices sent, and personal visits to your home by water staff. This is not a fee simply because your water is turned off. If your water is turned off, you will have to pay all balances outstanding including the $60 process charge prior to the water being turned back on.
What about a sewer credit for watering my grass and garden in the summer?
Those homeowners who water their gardens and lawns during the summer can receive a credit for the corresponding unused sewer portion of their water bill. They need to fill out and submit a form obtained at City Hall. This program is only offered for usage between May 1st and August 31st and the form is due back to City Hall the first week of September to be credited on the next water bill.
What if my sewer backs up?
Sewer backups are occasionally caused by problems with the main sewer line, but more commonly the problem occurs in the line between a residence and the main line. If the problem is in the main line, the City will fix it, and a homeowner may submit a claim to the City if there is any damage resulting from that type of backup. If the problem is in the line between the residence and the main line, the homeowner is responsible for repairs and should contact a private plumber. Many sewer problems are preventable; frequently they are caused by foreign objects being flushed down toilets. In sewer emergencies, call (517) 629-5535 or if after hours, (517) 812-4178.
What about the potholes in my street? The cracks in my sidewalk?
The Street Division does its best to maintain streets and sidewalks, but Albion has over 50 miles of streets and 100 miles of sidewalks, and resources are limited. The City does have a maintenance schedule for street and sidewalk repair, but it may not be possible to do these repairs as quickly as residents would like.
What are the property owner's responsibilities for sidewalks?
Under the municipal code, property owners are required to remove any obstruction such as snow, ice, mud, rubbish, debris, leaves or other substances that accumulate on their abutting sidewalks. Snow should be removed within 24 hours. Residents may not place or plow snow, ice or other debris into any public street, sidewalk or City right-of-way.
When is the tree dump open?
Because of citizen requests for more open hours, the tree dump will be open two Saturdays a month beginning in April of each year. The tree dump, available to residents for disposal of residential yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, and sticks), is open from April through mid- November each year, 8 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month, and 8am to 4 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month. Commercial businesses are prohibited from using the tree dump. Residents will need to purchase a $15.00 annual pass at the front window to use the tree dump. Any special tree dump openings will be printed in the newspaper.
What about leaf pickup?
The City no longer performs annual leaf pick-up. Please rake your leaves into the Granger bags and have them picked up from Granger.
What about Clean-Up Day?
The City's annual Clean-Up Day is usually held during the Summer. The City contracts with a waste provider for this service, which allows residents to dispose of larger items by taking them to one of two central locations within the city.
