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The Roads and Grounds Section of the Department is responsible for:
The Engineering and Public Works Department, Roads and Grounds, manages trees on Town properties, including road right-of-way, parks, riverbanks and trail systems. The Division is responsible for identifying maintenance and protection needs, including tree assessments, pruning, removal, replacement, and planting.
The Town may plant trees on Town-owned land and within road rights-of-way. The Town may also enter lands within the Town to inspect trees for safety concerns, potential risks to people or property, and signs of disease, to protect public safety and the health of other trees.
Concerns of trees located on Town lands:
If you have concerns about a municipal tree, such as the need for pruning or removal, the Town’s Roads and Grounds division will first confirm the tree is Town-owned. Our team will then assess the tree’s condition and overall health and evaluate any potential risks or hazards. This ensures any work on Town trees is safe, necessary, and in the best interest of the community.
Tree Planting Program:
The Town of Oromocto understands the importance of urban forest management – not only caring for the trees of today but also taking initiative now to plant the trees of tomorrow to ensure a thriving urban forest for generations to come.
Launched in 2021, the Town’s Tree Planting Program aims to plant 100 trees annually over a 10-year period in strategically identified areas to strengthen green infrastructure and support long-term environmental, social, and economic goals. Click here for more information on the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Benefits:
Tree species vary and may include maples, oaks, lilacs, ivory silk lilac, flowering crab-apples, service berries and other hardy varieties.
What To Expect:
Trees are planted in selected areas of the Town typically throughout May. Residents will receive a notice if their property is selected to receive a tree. Locations are determined by underground infrastructure, proximity to power and communication lines, sidewalk and driveway locations, etc. For new developments, tree planting may occur, where appropriate, after streets, curbs, sidewalks and topsoil are in place.
Before planting, underground utility locates are conducted to ensure no trees are planted over any utilities or infrastructure. Afterwards, properties are marked with a white stake or flag along the Town’s right-of-way. It’s important to not move the stake or flag. If residents disagree with the marked location for tree planting, kindly contact us so we can meet and explore alternative options, if feasible. If we don’t hear from residents, we’ll assume the location is acceptable.
Once the underground utility locates are completed, Town staff will return to plant the tree, secure it with stakes, apply mulch, and provide watering for the remainder of the growing season.
Tree Care Tips:
For questions, concerns, or to be placed on the standby list for available trees, contact publicworks@oromocto.ca or call 506-357-4409 (Option 1 for Roads and Grounds) between 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
As winter approaches every year, the Town's snow and ice removal plan is updated in order to add new streets. Priorities are set based on the importance of streets to Oromocto's overall transportation network. The Engineering and Public Works Department endeavours to minimize the effects of snow and ice on residents. Motorists, however, are reminded that you are responsible for adapting to road conditions. If streets are slippery, slow down. 
The Department of Engineering and Public Works provides plowing and sanding/salting services according to the following priorities:
Before making decisions, those responsible for snow removal must take the following factors into account: light snow, heavy wet snow, ice, hail, weather forecasts, time of day, day of the week, temperature of road surface, available equipment, safety, etc. After these factors are determined, teams are dispatched for street snow and ice removal. Priorities are also established for snow and ice removal from sidewalks, parking lots and fire hydrants.
The Town is responsible for snow and ice removal for approximately:
The Works Department plows and sands many of the Town's sidewalks and pathways. Priority is given to sidewalks in school areas and along main streets. Sidewalks are usually plowed during snow storms with a clean-up following. It is not possible to produce bare sidewalks in all conditions and pedestrians are urged to exercise caution.
The Town is responsible for snow removal from its trails. Priorities are determined based on user needs. For example, trails leading to schools are cleared of snow first. Trails located in wooded areas must be cleared during the day when sunlight is available. After a heavy snowfall, it may take up to seven days to complete the snow removal process from all trails. Not all trails are cleared, trails in Deepr Park as well as Gateway Marsh are groomed for multi-use activity.
Widening
At times during the winter months it is necessary to widen streets by either pushing the snow banks back with the snow plow wings or, in some cases, using the large snow blowers. This practice is necessary to make room for subsequent snow storms. The displaced snow is kept within street right-of-way, where possible.
Snowplows must sometimes pass by several times to completely remove snow from a street. Whenever possible, wait until the end of snow removal operations before removing snow from the end of your driveway. This way, you will just have to remove the snow once.
Snow removal staff do everything possible to avoid damaging lawns. Despite this, damage may sometimes occur. A list of damaged lawns is kept and repairs are carried out the following spring.
The Engineering and Public Works Department has compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding winter maintenance. Click here to view to learn more.
The Town of Oromocto is pleased to share with you its feature from the
"Insights with Terry Bradshaw" television program.
