Each year, City of Hillsboro employees research and answer thousands of questions from the community. We work hard to be responsive to these questions. All community members need accurate information about City services, programs, and policies. Here are answers to some common questions:

Why does the City have four firefighters on a fire engine?

Great question! Using data and analysis, the Fire & Rescue Department strategically responds with four firefighters on fire engines and fire trucks because it’s the most effective response force to handle most emergency situations.

At least one of the four firefighters is a paramedic, ensuring they can provide advanced life support (ALS) care on every medical
call using equipment, training, and practices to give patients the highest level of care.

When responding to a fire, having four firefighters allows the team to execute tasks efficiently and effectively, such as search and rescue, fire suppression, and backup for firefighters working in hazardous conditions.

Other apparatuses, such as rescue units and brush rigs, typically respond with two firefighters, but the entire crew of four
responds in tandem with another fire apparatus. Now you know!

Why can't we flush "flushable" wipes? The package says they are flushable.

Even wipes labeled “flushable” should NEVER be flushed because they:

• Do NOT dissolve
• Can clog private & public pipes
• Jam pump station equipment
• Cause sewer backups

Always place wipes, rags, and towels in the trash, not the toilet, to help protect your pipes and the sewer system. Remember, only flush the three P's: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper!

Does the City offer financial assistance for Parks & Recreation activities?

Yes! The Parks & Recreation Department provides financial assistance to Hillsboro residents with qualifying income. One discount is allowed per family member, per registration period for Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer.

Financial assistance can be requested for:

• Programs and classes
• Community gardens
• Affiliated recreational youth sports leagues

Hillsboro School District students who live outside of City limits may be eligible for financial assistance for Hillsboro Youth Basketball, Hillsboro Youth Volleyball, and the Zone after school program.

Once financial assistance has been approved, participants must register in person or by phone. The Walters Cultural Arts Center also offers a Youth Scholarship that covers 100% of class fees!

Learn more at Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/FinancialAssistance

What do Parks Maintenance staff do?

Taking care of Hillsboro’s parks means mowing, trimming, irrigating, and much more.

It takes a variety of specialists to ensure Hillsboro’s beloved community spaces are clean, safe, and welcoming. This includes:

• Inspecting playground equipment
• Being on-call 24/7 to respond to emergencies, such as downed trees, broken equipment, or bees
• Monitoring and repairing boardwalks and footbridges
• Planting 80+ trees a year and caring for existing trees
• Keeping sports courts, skateparks, and plazas clean
• Caring for 150 acres of grass turf
• Removing graffiti and addressing vandalism at City properties

Our oat milk cartons have a recycle symbol and say “Coated Carton.” Can these go in recycling bins? Wasn’t sure because things like TV dinners can't, but it seems similar to milk cartons, which are allowed.

The short answer is ‘YES’ to this question from Facebook.

Our Sustainability Manager Robin Straughan explains that oat milk containers are recyclable because they’re aseptic containers, or a
poly-coated carton. They contain multiple layers and there are processes to separate the layers and recover the recyclable materials.

TV dinner boxes are not recyclable. They’re what’s called wet-strength paper used for freezer or refrigerator foods. The built-in plastic coating/ resin is difficult to separate in the recycling process.

Check out RecycleOrNot.org for more answers.

What happened on Cornelius Pass Road? When will it get fixed permanently?

In late March, a large water line leak caused a sinkhole in the intersection of Cornelius Pass Road and SE Frances Street, leading to lane closures until a temporary pavement fix helped reopen all lanes.

Currently, a pedestrian detour is in place and a permanent fix to the waterline will take place this summer. The Willamette Water Supply Program and Tualatin Valley Water District are coordinating repair efforts.

Thanks for asking these great questions. I hope having these answers is helpful.  — Robby Hammond, City Manager