63rd ANNUAL
SCHOOL FOR HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENTS
June 2 - 4, 2008
Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
Sponsored by:
Association of Towns of the State of New York
Cornell Local Roads Program
Following is a list of the presentations and events from the 2008 Highway School.
Schedule of Events:
Monday Morning - General Session
Tuesday Morning - General Session
Wednesday Morning - General Session
Monday Morning - General Session (7:45 - 10:15, 10:45 - noon)
- Video: Crash Testing (15 minutes).
- Presiding:
G. Jeffrey Haber, Executive Director, Association of Towns of the State of New York, Albany
- Welcome: (10 minutes)
Helene Dillard, Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca
- Good, Better, Best: Our Options & Our Response: (30 minutes)
Cal Walker, Cornell Outreach Liaison to the Ithaca City School District, Ithaca
Topic: All of us want to do a good job but sometimes find that various challenges get in our way. Our response to these challenges often determines our success or failure
- Improved Ditch Management: (PDF- 4.2MB) (30 minutes)
Rebecca L. Schneider, Associate Professor and Department Extension Leader, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca
Topic: An overview of our roadside ditch program. How to reduce floods and improve drinking water quality.
- Safety 101: (PDF- 1.4MB) (30 minutes)
R. Emmett McDevitt, Transportation Safety Engineer, FHWA, NY Division, Albany
Topic: Introduction to the fundamentals of safety, including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and behavioral and roadside safety.
- Hot Mix 101: (PDF- 2.5MB) (30 minutes)
Zoeb Zavery, Civil Engineer II, NYSDOT Materials Bureau, Albany
Topic: Basic information on Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), how its designed, produced, and placed in the field.
- Project Review - Estimating and Troubleshooting: (PDF- 1.5MB) (30 minutes)
James M. Thomas, New York Construction Materials Association, Schenectady
Topic: What to review before starting a new project, including visiting the site and reviewing the scope of the project.
- Demo Introduction: Roll It! - Proper Installation of Erosion Control Blankets On Slopes: (PDF- 3.3MB) (15 minutes)
Laurie Honnigford, Executive Director, Erosion Control Technology Council, St. Paul, MN
Topic: Introduction to the Demo.
- Humor & Laughter: A Prescription for Stress Reduction: (PDF- 1.6MB) (30 minutes)
George E. Obermeier, MS, President, J. Mayer & Associates, Wellness Speakers National Organization, Island Heights, NJ
Topic: Introduction to the importance of humor and laughter in reducing stress. The sign of a “healthy sense of humor” is being able to laugh at yourself.
Pothole Picnic: Served next to the Campus Center under the tent.
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Demo - Erosion Control Blankets on Slopes: (1:15 - 4:00)
Laurie Honnigford, Executive Director, Erosion Control Technology Council, St. Paul, MN;
Dave Suits, Executive Director, North American Geosynthetics Society, Albany;
Roger Casterline, Director, Grounds & Transportation, Ithaca College, Ithaca;
Nick McCabe, Project Coordinator, Grounds & Transportation, Ithaca College, Ithaca
Monday Afternoon - Workshops (1:15 - 2:30, 2:45 - 4:00)
-
Comprehensive Emergency Management and the Highway Superintendent: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Dan Reardon, NIMS Coordinator;
Gregory Firenze, Disaster Preparedness Program Representative, New York State Office of Homeland Security, Oriskany
Topic: The National Incident Management System (NIMS), and how it relates to highway departments
This workshop is presented twice.
- A Century of Experience - Panel: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Moderator: Lynne H. Irwin, Director, Cornell Local Roads Program, Ithaca
Panel: William Weller, Supt. of Highways, Town of Florida;
Robert F. Hempstead, Senior General Foreman (retired), Greene County;
David J. Ferris, Supt. of Highways, Town of Owego;
Gary Blackburn, Supt. of Highways, Town of Ridgeway
John A. Rice, Jr., Supt. of Highways, Town of Stamford
Topic: Panelists share lessons learned through their years of work in highway and public works departments.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Safety 101: (1 hour 15 minutes)
R. Emmett McDevitt, Transportation Safety Engineer, FHWA, NY Division, Albany
Topic: Examination of the fundamentals of safety, including the MUTCD, behavioral and roadside safety.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Project Review - Schedules and Details: (1 hour 15 minutes)
James M. Thomas, New York Construction Materials Association, Schenectady
Topic: Estimating cost and quantities. Variables and concerns in bidding and starting projects.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Humor Tools for Your Overall Well-being: (1 hour 15 minutes)
George Obermeier, President, J. Mayer & Associates, Wellness Speakers National Organization, Island Heights, NJ
Topic: Ways to use appropriate humor as a communication tool to create positive energy.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Improved Ditch Management: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Rebecca Schneider, Associate Professor and Department Extension Leader, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca
Topic: How agricultural land uses interact with town highway ditches, and ways to improve farm-community relationships by changing ditch design and management.
This workshop is only presented once
Tuesday Morning - General Session (8:00 - 9:30, 10:00 - noon)
-
Video: Deer Composting (15 minutes).
- Welcome: (5 minutes)
James Brady, Superintendent of Highways, Wayne County; President, NYS County Highway Superintendents Association
- Action Plan for Scour-Critical Bridges: (PDF- 2.9MB) (10 minutes)
Daniel Byer, Senior Bridge Engineer, FHWA, NY Division, Albany
Topic: Overview of the Plan of Actions required for scour-critical bridges.
- Common Culvert Concerns: (PDF- 6MB) (30
minutes)
John MacDonald, Drainage Program Manager, NYSDOT, Albany
Topic: What makes a good culvert, including aspects of inventory, inspection, materials, design and maintenance.
- Workplace Violence Prevention Program: (Presentation PDF- 6MB) (Handout PDF- 200K ) (30 minutes)
Roger T. Cuva, Risk Management Supervisor, NYS Workers Compensation Alliance, Colonie
Topic: Overview of the New York State Dept. of Labor (NYSDOL) Workplace Violence Prevention Act, and the essential elements that municipalities are required to implement as part of their overall safety program to minimize employee injury potential.
- Recommendations of the Commission: (15 minutes)
John Clarkson, Executive Director, Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, Albany
Topic: Recommendations of the Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, with a focus on highway operations.
- Legal & Regulatory Panel: (2 hours)
Moderator: David Orr, Senior Engineer, Cornell Local Roads Program, Ithaca
Panel: Lori Mithen-DeMasi, Counsel, Association of Towns of the State of New York, Albany;
David C. Woodin, PE, PTOE, Director, Traffic Operations Bureau, NYSDOT, Albany;
Roger T. Cuva, Risk Management Supervisor, NYS Workers Compensation Alliance, Colonie;
Michael Wolyniak, Associate Examiner, Office of the State Comptroller, Binghamton
Topic: Question and answer panel.
Tuesday Afternoon - Workshops (1:15 - 2:30, 2:45 - 4:00)
- CHIPS and the NYSDOT Local Highway Inventory: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Steve Ainspan, CHIPS Program Manager, NYSDOT, Albany
Michael K. Fay, Supervisor, Highway Data Section, NYSDOT, Albany
Topic: A CHIPS update. An overview of the Local Highway Inventory process, and data collected by NYSDOT to determine CHIPS eligibility.
This workshop is only presented once.
- Team Building Through Better Communication: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Henry R. Lambert, Lambert Mediation and Consulting, Swanton, VT
Topic: Tips for team-building and how to gain recognition and support for your organization’s projects.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Using NYSOGS to Get What You Want: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Marian Corbett, Purchasing Officer I;
Jim Malone, Purchasing Officer, NYSOGS, Albany
Topic: How the New York State Office of General Services (NYSOGS) can benefit your agency by saving money on different purchases.
This workshop is presented twice.
- The MUTCD: An Update: (PDF- 2.5MB) (1 hour 15 minutes)
David C. Woodin, PE, PTOE, Director, Traffic Operations Bureau, NYSDOT, Albany
Topic: Recent changes to the New York State Supplement and potential changes to the National MUTCD in 2009.
This workshop is presented twice.
- Fixing Culverts - NYSDOT Panel: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Moderator: Jerry Wilber, Chemung Supply Co., Elmira
Panel: John MacDonald, PE, Drainage Program Manager, Albany (PDF- 6MB);
Jamie Arnold, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Cortland (PDF- 11.1MB);
Timothy Baker, Maintenance Environmental Coordinator, Syracuse (PDF- 6.1MB);
George H. Long, PE, Hydraulics Engineer, Albany (PDF- 1.6MB)
Topic: How to address culvert problems and make repairs.
This workshop is presented twice
- Who Owns That Tree?: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Matt Plunkett, Deputy Town Attorney, Town of Amherst
Topic: Legal aspects of tree-related issues.
This workshop is only presented once
- Composting Roadkill: (1 hour 15 minutes)
Jean Bonhotal, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Ithaca
Topic: Composting is fast, economical and managers have all the components they need.
This workshop is only presented once.
- Working Together - Panel: (PDF- 518K ) (PDF- 133K ) (1 hour 15 minutes)
Moderator: Tim Spring, Supt. of Highways, Town of Indian Lake; President, NYS Assoc. of Town Supt’s. of Highways;
Panel: Andrew P. Avery, P.E., Director of Public Works, Chemung County/City of Elmira;
Michael Boesel, Supt. of Hwys, Town/Village of Palmyra;
Terrence J. Rice, Director of Transportation, Monroe County
Topic: Panel discussion of shared services programs.
This workshop is only presented once.
Wednesday Morning - General Session (8:00 - 11:30)
-
Video: Going to the Sun Road (15 minutes)
-
Presiding (5 minutes)
Tim Spring, Supt. of Highways, Town of Indian Lake; President, NYS Assoc. of Town Supt’s. of Highways
- Road Preservation Techniques: (PDF- 3.3MB) (30 minutes)
Gary Foux, Scott Harris, Liquid Asphalt Distributors Association, Cortland
Topic: Choosing the right technique for the right place at the right time.
- Using GPS to Locate Highway Facilities: (PDF- 900K) (30 minutes)
Douglas S. Churchill, PLS, NYS Association of Professional Land Surveyors
Topic: How Global Positioning Systems (GPS) may be used to help locate and manage the inventory along our roads and streets.
- Americans with Disabilities Act: (PDF- 4.9MB) (30 minutes)
Paul Evans, Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator and Landscape Architect, NYSDOT Region 2, Utica;
Lois Chaplin, Bicycle and Pedestrian Specialist, Cornell Local Roads Program, Ithaca
Topic: A review of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it affects highway agencies.
-
Excavator Safety and Utility Damage Prevention: (PDF- 150K) (30 minutes)
Donald Ross, Field Representative, Dig Safely NY, Sodus
Topic: The five steps to a safe excavation, and how it relates to NYS Code Rule 753. - Attendance Awards: (30 minutes)
Lynne H. Irwin, Director, Cornell Local Roads Program, Ithaca
- Photo Session for Attendance Award Recipients
