10/20/2021
๐๐ง๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ค
The Hamburg Sun recently asked the three Highway Superintendent candidates to answer questions regarding the position. The following are my answers:
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐๐ฏ๐๐?
In 2018, I initiated two separate independent Road Condition Assessmentโs performed of all of the Townโs 320 lane miles of roads. The Assessments were completed by the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) and Cornell Local Roads Program (CLRP). These assessments provided an essential needs estimate for the care of our roads based on a foundation of facts. This was the first time in the history of Hamburg that independent road condition assessments were used to gain a comprehensive, data-driven understanding of the condition of Townโs roads. Both assessments came to similar conclusions that many of our roads are in poor condition.
Our biggest and costliest asset is the 320 lane miles of Town roads. The Hamburg Highway Department has treated more roads (over 100 lane miles) under my administration than any previous superintendent in the history of the Highway Department. We were able to achieve this paving record by adopting a preventative maintenance focus for the Highway Department. Roads in good shape cost less to maintain than roads in poor condition. Prior to my taking office, the Highway Department paved an average of only 8-10 lane miles per year. Unfortunately, the manner in which the Department approached paving also involved the most expensive paving process - Reconstruction of poorly rated roads. Using this process completely ignored all of the other good rated and fairly rated roads in the Town allowing them to deteriorate and degrade at a much faster rate than necessary.
My proposal is to issue municipal bonds to address all of the roads in Town. Municipal bonds are commonly used for infrastructure projects and are currently at historically low rates. This bond proposal would be paid for by current highway tax dollars. There would be absolutely no increase in taxes. New roads would allow us to focus on a far less expensive maintenance plan for years to come. Focusing our efforts on maintenance as opposed to road reconstruction will be a paradigm shift for the Town saving residents significant tax dollars.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ?
The biggest infrastructure issue in Hamburg is our poorly rated roads. The Town of Hamburg roadway infrastructure, of approximately 320 lane miles of Town roads, is the Town's most valuable asset and an integral part of every Town residentโs way of life. Our roads accommodate thousands of daily work trips for our residents, school buses, fire engines, police cars and ambulances. They provide a safe and efficient passage of goods and services that are expected every day for all of Hamburgโs residents.
The second major issue is poor road drainage due to the Townโs antiquated drain systems. Poor drainage significantly impacts the longevity of roads and is a cause of premature road deterioration. A Town wide drainage study is scheduled to be conducted in order to identify the problem areas and establish associated solutions.
Making cost effective decisions regarding the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the roadway network and drainage infrastructure within Hamburg is paramount. This requires developing a maintenance budget based on cost-effective decisions and a rational, systematic process of evaluating the condition of the road network and allocating funds where they can be most beneficial. It is my mission to manage and maintain the Town of Hamburgโs infrastructure to provide for the safe, convenient and efficient movement of the traveling public.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ก ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ค๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ?
I have implemented a number of quality and efficiency programs since taking office. The number one complaint received from residents has been delayed brush pickup or brush being missed entirely. We know this because we implemented an award winning Resident Concern Tracking process and the data collected from thousands of phone calls made it very clear we needed to address this issue. We heard the residents and we acted.
First, we implemented a tracking process for our brush crews. Our brush tracking process helps ensure that no road is missed and also increases accountability of our workers. This has resulted in a more efficient brush pickup town-wide. Second, we reduced the number of workers in our brush crews from 4 to no more than 3, per vehicle. This has allowed for additional crews to be deployed to cover more area and get more done. Third, we purchased a second grapple truck. Our grapple trucks are used to pick up large brush piles and are operated by a one man crew.
Another important role of the Highway Department is snow plowing to help ensure the safety of the traveling public during winter months. To improve our plowing services we entered into a formal shared services agreement last year with NYSDOT. We quickly realized the benefit of our association when we utilized the DOTโs services for one of the first snow storms allowing us to clear roads that much faster for the safety of motorists.
In addition, we are now also working with NYSDOT to provide training for single-person plow truck operation for certain plow routes. It has been successfully implemented by NYSDOT, Erie County DPW and towns throughout New York State. Single person plow operation for certain routes will allow us to deploy additional plows which will result in roads being cleared faster. This will also reduce operating costs saving tax payers money.
Lastly, we are evaluating the purchase of brine equipment to combat snow and ice in the winter months. Brine is a liquid pretreatment applied to road surfaces that melts snow and ice at much lower temperatures than salt. This process has been used by other municipalities with great success.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐?
Since taking office in 2018, I have endeavored to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Highway Department for the benefit of our residents. I have initiated several key policies within the Highway Department dealing with our processes and methodologies in order to streamline our work flow and make the delivery of services more efficient and dependable. I hold a Finance Degree from SUNY Buffalo State College and Masterโs Degree from the University of Rochester. In addition, I received Road Master Certification from Cornell University. I have held leadership positions for some of the largest corporations in the world including General Motors and Siemens Corporation.
My Administrations accomplishments include:
- Paved More Lane miles than any previous Highway Superintendent
- First elected official to propose returning Woodlawn Beach to State for an annual savings of $300,000
- Negotiated Town government fueling contract with annual savings of tens of thousands of dollars
- Helped lead the charge against construction of Asphalt Plant
- Implemented Independent Town-wide Road Condition Assessments
- Created Comprehensive Paving Plan
- Implemented a Road Maintenance Schedule for every Town road
- Implemented a Comprehensive Tracking Program for โResident Concern Callsโ recognized by the NYSDOT and Federal Highway Administration
- Reduced overtime year-over-year
- Created Highway Newsletter to better inform Hamburg residents of vital Highway news & notifications
- Developed COVID Safety Plan recognized by Cornell University
- Initiated first ever FREE Mulch program for Hamburg residents
My business experience, education, and most importantly my accomplishments are what clearly separate me from the other candidates. I have delivered on my campaign promises to bring professionalism, quality and fairness to the Highway Department in order to better serve our community.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ?
As an independently elected Highway Superintendent, my obligation is to communicate to the town board the needs of Hamburg residents as it relates their Highway Department. The role of the town board is to set the annual budget for the Highway Department based on those needs.
I will continue to seek innovative cost-effective solutions such as our Comprehensive Pavement Management Plan. The continued sharing of such initiatives with the board will allow for the most efficient use of tax payer dollars. I will continue to provide objective data to aid in their decision making with respect to the funding of the Highway Department. This will allow us to best serve Hamburg residents.
