“We Don’t Keep Records on That” Can Cost You

July 9, 2025

A practical guide to defensible record-keeping for highway departments When a state auditor, insurance adjuster, or opposing attorney asks for documentation, there is only one safe answer: “Certainly, here it is.” Anything less invites financial penalties, lost grant funding, or courtroom defeat. Municipal highway departments, especially lean, understaffed ones, often juggle thousands of small decisions a year. Without a systematic approach to records, proving those decisions were re…continue

Why Up-to-Date Safety-Training Records Are Non-Negotiable for Highway Departments

June 29, 2025

Highway departments operate in some of the most hazardous working environments in local government. From flagging live traffic to repairing culverts in confined spaces, every shift introduces new risks. Because of this, documenting, and regularly updating, employee safety training is not just a bureaucratic exercise; it is a critical shield against costly liability, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. A Paper Trail That Proves Due Diligence If a worker is injured and litigation follows, t…continue

Why Highway Superintendents Must Respond Promptly to Emails and Voicemails

June 28, 2025

In the world of public works, communication isn’t a luxury - it’s a duty. Highway superintendents are responsible not only for maintaining safe and functional roads but also for keeping the public informed and reassured. When calls and emails from residents, contractors, or town officials go unanswered, trust erodes, small problems can escalate into crises, and the department’s credibility suffers. Here’s why prompt communication matters: Public Safety and Service Quality…continue

Don’t Dig Blind: Why Your Highway Crew Must Contact Dig Safe First

June 14, 2025

In highway maintenance and construction, digging is routine, but it should never be done without first contacting Dig Safe or your local "Call Before You Dig" service. Whether you’re replacing a culvert, installing a new signpost, or trenching for drainage improvements, underground utilities are a constant, invisible risk. Striking a buried gas line, water main, fiber optic cable, or electric conduit is not only expensive, it’s dangerous and potentially fatal. Here’s …continue

Handling Angry Resident Calls

January 8, 2019

A highway department's phone is most often the front line of customer service and, quite often, when someone calls their highway department, it is a complaint. They are angry at something we have done, something they believe we have done incorrectly, or something we didn't do, but they feel we should have. There are members of the public who are extremely passionate about our perceived failings and we, as civil servants, must be skilled in de-escalating the hostility and, if possible, ma…continue