Swampscott DPW sprucing up town

SWAMPSCOTT – Department of Public Works crews are getting the town ready for the summer season.On Monday crews were repairing roads, cleaning the cemetery and putting floats out at Fisherman’s Beach.DPW Director Gino Cresta said the crews had to wait until Monday to put the five floats out because the work is dependent on the tides.”We had to wait for high tide,” he said. “We wanted to do it last week but the tide wasn’t conducive and the waves were pretty choppy.”As some working fought the waves to install floats on Monday, others were busy tackling potholes. Cresta said the DPW had to remove a large section of pavement on Longwood Drive and hoped to finished it today.”We had to remove a large section of pavement that was in really bad shape,” he said. “We’re able to just fill in small potholes but in some areas the pavement is so damaged we have to cut it out then replace it. We’ll be working throughout town all week.”Cresta said he sends a three-man crew to the cemetery every day to mow the grass and do other routine maintenance and Monday was no exception.”We’re pretty fortunate,” he said. “Unlike some other cemeteries we don’t seem to have a problem with people leaving dead wreaths or flowers laying around. People are pretty good about cleaning up and adhering to cemetery policy.”Cresta said regulations prohibit cement vases, urns, boxes or containers of any kind for growing flowers. He said metal holders for cut flowers are permitted. Cresta said potted plants must be placed on legs or stands to avoid damaging turf. He pointed out potted plants, baskets or other floral decorations placed on graves or lots for Memorial Day must be removed within 15 days following Memorial Day. He added shrubs and flowers, including funeral flowers left on graves or lots, will be removed when they become withered or in any way objectionable in appearance.Another weekly chore is marking athletic fields in town. Cresta said on Monday workers were marking all the softball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball and soccer fields at the schools and in town parks.