FAQs

What is a Hoisting Engineer (HE) License? Why do I need one?

Anyone who wishes to operate hoisting equipment must obtain a license from the state Office of Public Safety and Inspections. Hoisting equipment includes derricks, cableways, machinery used for discharging cargoes, and temporary elevator cars used on excavation work or used for hoisting building material.

Any person who excavates is required to have this license. The state requires them due to “Jackie’s Law,” which is designed to prevent the general public from falling into an unattended trench and suffering an injury or fatality.

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DPW Permits

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1. Can a homeowner obtain a street permit?: Yes, if the homeowner obtains a $5,000 bond, holds a Needham Contractor Registration under their name, and provides a certificate of insurance, hoisting engineer license, plot plan, and dig safe number.

2. Why do I need a $5000 bond?: If public property is damaged and not repaired within 30 days of the Town being notified, the Town will make the repair and take money from the bond, which can damage the bond owner’s credit. It is meant as a deterrent to make sure permits are carried out responsibly and with accountability, as well as to quickly mitigate any damage caused.

3. Why do I need an insurance certificate?: If a person gets injured on public property, the insurance policy will cover any medical expenses, etc.

4. What counts as "public property"?: Roads, sidewalks, the ends of driveways (driveway aprons), grass berm (between the sidewalk and road), and 8 feet from a paved road.

5. What is a Hoisting Engineer (HE) License? Why do I need one?

6. How wide can I make my driveway apron?: The maximum width is 24 ft. with 2 ft. rounding on each side of the apron.

7. Can I add a 2nd driveway opening (make a horseshoe driveway)?: Yes, but both driveway aprons combined cannot exceed 24 ft. with 2 ft. rounding on each side of the apron.

8. What is needed in order to make my existing driveway apron smaller so I can add 2nd driveway opening?: Loam, seed, and additional curbing, if curb exists.

9. How close to abutting properties may I install my driveway?: Right up to the property lines. If you are unsure of the property lines, the Town recommends a survey.

10. How large can I make driveway on private property?: As large as you'd like! It's private property.

11. Why do I need a street permit for a house addition?: Any new home construction, addition, or demolition of a structure that requires the transportation of heavy vehicles and equipment (such as but not limited to: backhoes, front-end loaders, dump trucks, concrete deliveries, lumber deliveries, sheetrock and/or drywall deliveries) across curbs, grass berms, driveway aprons, sidewalks and/or borders of a public way with or without a sidewalk may result in damage that would cause the Town to expend funds to effect the repair. You don’t need a permit if you can prove that you’re using a “helicopter” to fly in heavy equipment (with a helicopter license or certificate) or are using a wheelbarrow to bring items onto the property.

12. Why do I need a street permit for an in-ground swimming pool?: Any use of heavy vehicles and equipment (such as but not limited to: backhoes, front-end loaders, dump trucks, concrete deliveries, lumber deliveries, sheetrock and/or drywall deliveries) across curbs, grass berms, driveway aprons, sidewalks and/or borders of a public way with or without a sidewalk may result in damage that would cause the Town to expend funds to effect the repair. You don’t need a permit if you can prove that you’re using a “helicopter” to fly in heavy equipment (with a helicopter license or certificate) or are using a wheelbarrow to bring items onto the property.

13. Why do I need a street permit if excavating on private property?: Any use of heavy vehicles and equipment (such as but not limited to: backhoes, front-end loaders, dump trucks, concrete deliveries, lumber deliveries, sheetrock and/or drywall deliveries) across curbs, grass berms, driveway aprons, sidewalks and/or borders of a public way with or without a sidewalk may result in damage that would cause the Town to expend funds to effect the repair. You don’t need a permit if you can prove that you’re using a “helicopter” to fly in heavy equipment (with a helicopter license or certificate) or are using a wheelbarrow to bring items onto the property.