Department of Public Works

The Countryside Department of Public Works (DPW) is under the direction of Superintendent Jim Essig; it currently numbers 10 full-time employees.  The DPW is composed of a 7 Maintenance Workers, 2 Water Plant Operators and 1 Mechanic.

The duties and responsibilities of the DPW vary depending on the seasons. Please see the following summary as to the seasonal duties at DPW.

Winter

Although each season of the year brings challenges to the DPW, the winter season can be the most challenging if "Mother Nature" decides to unleash her wrath. Keeping the streets free of ice and snow is the most important winter duty of the DPW.

All employees are on 24-hour call and have spent many nights, weekends, and holidays clearing the streets in Countryside. The DPW has received many compliments from residents over the years on what a fine job they do cleaning the streets and we continue to strive for excellence.

Winter is also the time of year that all the equipment that will be used during the spring season is inspected. Equipment such as mowers, chippers, string trimmers, tillers, and tractors are overhauled, repaired, sharpened, and painted.

Jobs such as painting and remodeling City offices are also done in the winter.

Other winter duties include cold patching potholes in streets, hanging holiday banners, repairing street light outages, trimming parkway trees, replacing and repairing street signs, storm sewer and catch basin repairs, and performing routine maintenance on all the winter plowing equipment.

Spring

Just as the spring season brings change and new life to the community, the DPW has changing duties to match the changing seasons. Spring begins the annual brush chipping program. This service is provided to all homeowners in Countryside who cut and trim their own trees and shrubs. The program begins the first Monday in April and ends the last Friday in October. Limbs are picked up weekly on a continuous cycle for the duration of the program. Please watch the headlines section on our website homepage for up to date information on this invaluable program.

Other Springtime duties include mowing and maintaining all City parks and tot-lots, street patching and parkway repairs, buildings and grounds maintenance at all municipal facilities, planting of annual and perennial flowers, street light maintenance, and keeping all storm sewers clean and unobstructed for the season.

Summer

The summer season brings many new duties, including brush pick-up, mowing, and park maintenance. The street sweeper is also out cleaning the Countryside streets on a weekly basis. The Sweeper is a 1996 Johnston V3000 SP re-circulating air vacuum machine. This machine is the 3-wheel model which is very handy for the many cul-de-sacs and tight turning radiuses that we have here in the City of Countryside. 

Summer also finds the DPW doing the exterior painting and staining of various equipment located at Countryside parks and Municipal grounds. Major renovation work on any of the Municipal sites is usually scheduled for the summer months. Summer is also the time when fall and winter equipment is readied for service.

The City of Countryside also employs seasonal help, employing several local college students. Please watch the website for further information on when applications are due for summer employment.

Fall

The fall season brings about the end of the local growing season as many mowing and chipping programs wind down to a close by the end of October, but wait!! What about all those leaves??? Well, the City of Countryside has implemented a Fall Leaf Pick-Up Program. Leaves should be raked onto the parkway for pick-up. Do not rake leaves into the street as this can block storm sewer inlets and cause streets to flood during periods of heavy rainfall. Watch for more information on the leaf pick-up program on our website.