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1. Why does the City prefer public streets to private streets?

Public streets are preferred by the City because they are more easily maintained by the City. Private streets prevent the City from being able to oversee traffic control; speeding enforcement; parking enforcement; abandoned vehicle disposal; signage installation; lack of reliable maintenance; pothole repair; sidewalk curb and gutter repair; street light maintenance; signage maintenance / theft replacement; asphalt overlay; snow and ice removal; street sweeping; decreased water quality; street light utility bills; sight distance triangle clear zone; damage or accelerated wear due to utility vehicles, garbage trucks, delivery vehicles, fire trucks among other public safety concerns. For more information please call Public Works at 360-293-1919.

2. Why can't we do something to slow down traffic for pedestrians?

1) What the City is doing: The City has recently installed pedestrian crosswalks throughout the Old Town area. We installed a pilot project at Mount Erie School (41st Street) which includes pedestrian activated, solar-powered crosswalk warning lights. We installed solar-powered crosswalk lights in all school zones and permanently-mounted traffic radars to clock and display the speed of cars moving through the crosswalk. You can call City engineers at 360-293-1920 for further information. The City also has a policy for all city employees driving city vehicles to stop for pedestrians whenever possible.

2) What you can do: You can also make a difference by stopping for pedestrians in town and letting them cross. We can all make our streets safer for pedestrians if we are courteous drivers.

For more information please call Public Works at 360-293-1919.

3. Who do I call if a streetlight is out?

Call Puget Sound Energy at 888-225-5773 or go to their website to report the problem.

4. Whom do I call if the signal lights at an intersection are out?

Call 911 and the Washington State Department of Transportation 360-428-1355.

5. Where can I get City maps?

Some maps are available online. You may also visit the Engineering Department at the City Hall Municipal Building. You can email our GIS Coordinator, Robert Hoxie, or call him at 360-299-1988.

6. How do I locate my sewer or other utilities located on or near my property?

Call the Utilities Underground Locating Service (One-Call) at 800-424-5555 or dial 811, Call Before You Dig, and the Engineering Department at City Hall 360-293-1920.

7. Who do I call if I need to dig on or near my property?

Call the Utilities Underground Locating Service (One-Call) at 800-424-5555 or dial 811, Call Before You Dig, and the Engineering Department at City Hall 360-293-1920.

8. When do I need to call before I dig?

Call Before You Dig! Dial 811 if you plan to: dig more than 12 inches deep; install a fence; build a deck; plant trees; build a shed; dig a well or septic tank; install sprinkler systems; or install private utilities to a shop, barn, garage or greenhouse. Make sure to call at least 48 hours before you plan to dig. The center will then notify agencies and utilities in your area to mark their lines. For more information please call Public Works at 360-293-1919.

9. Why do I need to call before I dig?

Locating utility lines buried underground can help you dig around them safely and help prevent personal injury, property damage, interrupted service, and monetary liabilities that can result from a line being hit. It is also the law, RCW 19.122.030 states you must call before you dig. Besides - it's free to request a locate! For more information please call Public Works at 360-293-1919.

10. What are those paint markings in front of my house?

Different colors of paint are sprayed onto the ground to identify the types and locations of underground utilities prior to excavation in the area. If you find locate markings on your property or in the surrounding area, and want to inquire who requested them or what project will be done, please contact 811.

11. I see sidewalks around town that go nowhere. An example is the sidewalk recently installed on the north side of Oakes Avenue near Anacopper Mine Road. What is this all about?

The City standard since the 1990s has been to have sidewalks on all residential streets since pedestrian mobility is a high priority for the city. Developers are required to meet those standards for infrastructure on the frontage of their projects. For many years, this was not the case and not a requirement. This requirement may lead to some funny patches of unconnected sidewalks now, but it saves tax dollars in the future since the City will now have to add sidewalks later on. Some of our current sidewalks are over 100 years old! For more information, call Public Works at 360-293-1920, or see our Development Standards.