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1. My storm sewer is draining too slow. Will the city check this out?

It is the responsibility of the Highway Division to clean and maintain storm sewer inlets and catch basins within the City right-of-way. Residents should keep debris and leaves out of these inlets which will improve drainage in your area and reduce flooding during heavy downpours. If you have a blockage in your storm sewer or culvert, contact the Highway Division. (262) 782-5029

2. Can my drainage ditch be enclosed?

The City of Brookfield has placed a moratorium on ditch enclosure installations at this time. If you are having a problem with your ditch, please contact the Highway Division (262) 782-5029 to see if it can be reshaped for easier maintenance.

3. Can my sump pump discharge hose drain into the street?

Sump lines can be discharged into the ditch line or discharged anywhere on your lot as long as it is at least 10' from your lot line. If you live in a curb and gutter area you cannot discharge directly into the curb line. You must place the discharge hose in your yard. Sump lines discharging into curbing cause severe icing problems in the winter and slippery algae in the summer. Contact the Highway Division to see if there is a storm sewer location on your lot where a connection could be made.

4. Can we have our culvert replaced when we have a new driveway put in?

If you are planning to replace your driveway in the near future, contact the Highway Division as soon as possible to make an inspection of the existing culvert to see if it needs replacement. We usually can work around your schedule to replace if needed. Do not wait to call us when the contractor is doing the work. We need at least a 2 (two)-week notice for scheduling.

5. Who is responsible for landscaping after the city repairs my culvert?

If the Highway Division performs ditch grading or repairs a storm sewer on your lot, we will try to repair the landscaping within 2 (two) weeks, weather permitting. We will landscape from April to October 15th. It is the responsibility of the resident to water and maintain the area after it is restored.

6. Will the city replace my cracked driveway approach?

The Highway Division will repair or replace asphalt driveway approaches only if a culvert is replaced. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to repair or replace any driveway approach that is deteriorating.

7. What to do if my storm inlet is plugged?

During an extreme rain event, inlets can become plugged with debris. City crews are often sent to clear these obstructions when they become aware of them, but they cannot clear all inlets at the same time. To protect your property against flooding, consider adopting an inlet that is near your house and keep it clear of debris with a shovel or rake if you can do so safely from your property. Do not venture into the road to clear an inlet or wade through deep or murky water. If you cannot safely clear the debris please contact the Highway Division at (262) 782-5029.

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1. Does the City pick up Christmas Trees?

Natural Christmas trees without wire, nails, or plastic, placed curbside, will be picked up by the City. The City will be making two rounds picking up Christmas trees in the month of January. Please set your tree out by the curb for pick up by 7:00 AM on that day. Trees should not be buried in the snow. Please make sure they are not. Due to inclement weather it may take one to two weeks before the tree is picked up. You may also bring your tree to the Recycle Center or cut them into 4 ft. pieces and place them at the roadside for removal by the solid waste contractor. Please contact our solid waste contractor for the date they will start picking up Christmas trees. Wreaths, which normally are tied with wire, can be disposed of in your weekly garbage.

2. Does the City pick up brush and yard waste?

No we do not. Residents can bring their yard waste to the Recycling Center or hire a contractor to pick it up and haul it away to a location that accepts yard waste.  The City of Brookfield Recycling Center does not accept yard waste from contractors.

3. Will the City remove a damaged tree on my property?

Please contact Parks, Recreation and Forestry if you have any questions regarding tree work, pruning or tree removal. (262) 796-6681 Parks/Forestry Division

4. There is a dead animal in the road. Who picks it up?

The Highway Division will pick up dead animals from the roads and road sides between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm., Monday through Friday. We cannot come on to private property.
Vehicular killed deer within the City of Brookfield will be picked up and disposed of by the Highway Division. Call (262) 782-5029

5. What are the hours of operation for the Recycling Center?

The Recycling Center is open year round on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. In addition, from April through November, the Recycling Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For further Recycling information...

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1. Why didn’t I get a snowplow marker?

The driver for each snow route inspects the route and determines where the flexible guideposts are installed. If Homeowners care to install additional markers they may do so. The guideposts must be flexible and/or break-away type (usually plastic or fiberglass). Metal stakes are not allowed. The City is not responsible for any damage to private markers during a plowing operation.

2. Who clears the bike paths & sidewalks?

Bike paths & sidewalks in the City’s right of way are cleared by Park, Recreation & Forestry.
Call (262) 796-6675

3. The snowplow damaged my lawn. Who is responsible?

In Spring, the Highway Division will repair the damage to the lawn. The process includes topsoil, raking, grass seed and ground cover. Homeowners are responsible for watering the repair. We do not use sod. Homeowners must contact us to report the damage at (262) 782-5029 or email us at highway@ci.brookfield.wi.us
Please note that sometimes private plows damage lawns when plowing out driveways. The City will NOT repair turf damaged by others.

4. The snowplow hit my mailbox. Who is responsible?

The City will repair or replace any mailbox that has been struck by a City snowplow. Paper boxes are not repaired or replaced by the City. Contact your newspaper provider for replacement paper boxes. Mailboxes that cannot be repaired are replaced with a standard black #1 mailbox on a 4 x 4 post. If the ground is frozen and repairs cannot be made we will install a temporary mailbox and return in the Spring to make permanent repairs.

5. What if the snowplow damages my lawn sprinkler head?

Any damaged sprinkler head in the City right-of-way will not be repaired or replaced. See Brookfield Municipal Code 12.08. City of Brookfield Municipal Code

6. The snowplow left a lot of snow in my driveway, who is going to clean it up?

Unfortunately this is inevitable during a plowing operation. It is the responsibility of the homeowner for clearing this snow.

7. Why is my street always plowed last?

During a general call-out, plowing or ice control operation, a priority has been established. Priority will be given to all main roads (Class I). All other roads (Class II) will be serviced as soon as main roads have been cleared and deemed safe. Since there is less traffic on weekends, the time frame to have all roads cleared may be slightly later. In most cases, this will mean that the streets will be passable. Clean-up, which includes widening, will be done as soon as possible after making the initial pass. Depending on what class of road the patrol worker maintains, the severity of the storm will determine the extent of attention the particular route will receive. Highway is responsible for both main roads and residential roads. Questions regarding patrol route coverage can be directed to the Highway Division at (262) 782-5029, Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Voice mail will also take off-hour calls. Calls for emergency situations can also be directed to the Police by dialing the Waukesha County Communications Center at (262) 446-5070.

8. I live on a cul-de-sac, why do the snowplow drivers only make one pass through it?

Cul-de-sacs present a special problem for snow removal crews. There are 382 cul-de-sacs and 64 dead-end streets in the City. Plowing in cul-de-sacs will consist of making either one or two passes to clear snow to allow residents road access during the early stages of the storm. Snow left in the center will not be immediately removed, but will be left until the driver returns to complete the clean-up stage of the plowing.

9. Whose responsibility is it to shovel out a fire hydrant or mailbox?

It is in the best interest of the adjacent property owner to clear snow from fire hydrants for easy access in case of a fire and to ensure mailboxes are accessible to the mail carrier.

10. What to do if snow & ice is blocking my storm inlet?

During winter, inlets can become plugged with snow and ice. City crews are often sent to clear these obstructions when they become aware of them, but they cannot clear all inlets at the same time. To protect your property against flooding, consider adopting an inlet that is near your house and keep it clear of snow and ice with a shovel if you can do so safely from your property. Do not venture into the road to clear an inlet. If you cannot safely clear the snow and ice please contact the Highway Division at (262) 782-5029.

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1. When will the City sweep my street?

The Highway Division will start cleaning the main streets usually in March after the threat of snow has passed. Curb and gutter areas will be swept first due to DNR requirements. After these areas, we will complete the remainder of the City.

2. Will the City replace my cracked driveway approach?

The Highway Division will repair or replace asphalt driveway approaches only if a culvert is replaced. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to repair or replace any driveway approach that is deteriorating.

3. The street name sign on my corner is damaged (or missing). Can it be replaced?

The Highway Division will replace missing or damaged street name, regulatory or informational signs within our jurisdiction. Call (262) 782-5029.

4. How do I report that a street light is out?

The City owns decorative street lights (concrete, ornamental poles) in several locations in the City. All lights on wood poles are owned by WE Energies and can be reported to them at this link: http://www.we-energies.com/slo/default.aspx
or call (800)242-9137. You may also contact the City of Brookfield Highway Division at (262) 782-5029 or email us at highway@ci.brookfield.wi.us and we will report it.

5. A traffic signal has a light out. Who do I call?

We maintain the traffic signals at the following locations:
Greenfield Ave. & Calhoun Rd.
Calhoun Rd. & Civic Dr.
Calhoun Rd. & Gebhardt Rd.
Calhoun Rd. & Wisconsin Ave.
Lilly Rd. & Burleigh Rd.
Lilly Rd. & Lisbon Rd.
You may call the City of Brookfield Highway Division at (262) 782-5029 or email us at highway@ci.brookfield.wi.us

6. When will my street be repaved?

The City has a five year plan for repaving streets based on their condition. See map. If your street is not on the map, then it is not scheduled for repaving in the next five years. Paving Map

7. Does the City assess for roadwork?

The City does not typically assess for roadwork. Generally the City uses general taxes to repair, resurface or reconstruct roadways. Certain elements of road improvements in commercial or industrial areas have been assessed on rare occasions.