TIRED OF BI DDINGG?
Local Option:
ONONDAGA COUNTY CONTRACT
BID #8996 & ONGOV-106-9 OGS MINI BID CONTRACT PC68946
National Option: SOURCEWELL CONTRACT #060920-NVS
INSIDE
Highway Superintendent Bill Sprague and the Town of Roxbury......................................................9
NEW YORK STATE STAFF
President/Publisher Edwin M. McKeon Jr.
Editor In Chief Craig Mongeau
Sales Manager Kent Hogeboom
Production Mgr. John Pinkerton
Controller Judith Nixon
Circulation Mgr. Cathy Printz
Sales/Admin. Asst. Deby Hogeboom
Trade Show Manager Teddy McKeon
Consultant Bob Buckley
Lots of news, products and services throughout! 361 Shoemaker Road Mohawk NY 13407 Phone 315/866-1423
E-Mail - khogeboom@cegltd.com
PRODUCERS OF THE ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE HIGHWAY & PUBLIC WORKS EXPO
Teddy McKeon: General Manager of the NYS Highway and Public Works Show 215-885-2900 email: tmckeonjr@cegltd.com 800/992-7116 email: bbuckley@cegltd.com
OCTOBER 23, 2024 • SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
Mailed 11 times a year by name, to every Town, County, Village and City Highway Superintendent, Public Works Director and D.O.T. official in NY State.
Subscriptions are available to all interested persons at a cost of $25.00 per year within the USA. To subscribe, send your check, voucher or money order for $25.00 to the address above. Single issues $3.00 each
With the exception of Highway Superintendents, Public Works Directors & D.O.T. Officials, material may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
I’m old, but I’m not old-fashioned. I’m not a Boomer, but I’m a Gen X’er. I work in the office, and I don’t work from home. Why do I do that when I could work from home, at least for some days like on a Friday? The answer is simple: I strongly believe that productivity (my productivity) is higher when I’m here in the office than when I’m at home. Frankly, there are far fewer distractions in the office than at home. The dishes in the sink or the yardwork can wait until I’m off work hours.
I suppose some may think this an antiquated, old-fashioned way of looking at work. And I suppose some types of work are better suited to be done at home than in person, but I still think the immediate personto-person interaction is vital for consistently successful business. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (who is younger than I am) thinks this way, too. She recently ordered all city employees back to in-person work.
The order affected the remaining 20 percent of the city’s workers who were either still fully working from home or who were working a hybrid schedule. Good, because, in part, it was unfair to the other 80 percent who were back working in the office. I know there have been studies about this issue and some of those have said that there’s been no drop in productivity from people working from home. Yeah, maybe, I don’t know. But I still contend that working side-by-side with people yields better results. And you can’t repair a culvert or plow a road remotely.
What I know also works extremely well in person are trade shows, and as you regular readers of my column already know, we’re holding the 30th Annual N.Y.S. Highway & Public Works Expo in Syracuse on Oct. 23. Here’s the latest news on booth sales: 70 of 77 large booths have sold and there are approximately half-a-dozen 10 by 10s remaining as well as some floor space. Basically, space has been as continuing to fill up quickly. So now is the time if your business is considering exhibiting at the show. Contact Teddy McKeon, general manager of the N.Y.S. Highway and Public Works Expo at 215/885-2900 or e-mail: tmckeonjr@cegltd.com for details right away. And finally, please see pages 34 and 35 for the updated show floor plan.
Thank you and again, we all look forward to seeing you on Oct. 23.
Craig Mongeau
SW #060122 - A ATTE Roadway Paving & Maintenance Equipment
SW#011723HCE SW #011723 - HCE OGS #PC69513 Earthmoving & Material Handling
SW #011723-HTI
WhlLd Wheel Loaders & Excavators
SW #011723-KBL Excavators: Compact, Full Size & Short-Radius
OCC #0010914
OGS #PC68966
Various Models Class 3-8
HGAC #SM10-16
Asphalt & Soil Compaction Rollers
SW #011723-CNH-2 OGS#PC67265
SW #031721-MBI Tree maintenance Equipment OGS #PC67265 Compact Equipment
OCC #0010914 SW #093021-SWZ Public Utility & Airport
HHighway Superintendent Bill Sprague and the Town of Roxbury
By Mary-Yamin-Garone PROFILE CORRESPONDENT
Bill Sprague is a man on the move. Whether struggling to keep the town’s budget in the black, providing the best services for the residents or spending time with his family, Bill is always doing something.
And for the past five years, that something has been serving as the highway superintendent of the town of Roxbury.
• Born in Delhi Hospital and raised in Roxbury, Bill attended Roxbury Central School from kindergarten through 12th grade. He attended NCOC auto mechanics class during junior and senior high school.
• “At 17 years old I moved out and bought my own home. My parents had a little service station along with a garage. They closed about the mid-80s. After that, my father started driving for my uncle who hauled milk from upstate New York to New Jersey, with tractor trailers. I went with him a lot.”
So, why did he want to become highway superintendent?
“I looked up to my predecessors, my former highway superintendents. I wanted to be a well-known name here in town and this area. I’ve worked at the highway department for 25 years but only five years being highway superintendent.
“Before that, I was a deputy for 12 years. Previous to that, I was a heavy equipment operator for nine years. Again, I had great bosses and former superintendents who taught me a lot. I am the type who doesn’t like to sit around. I always wanted to be out there doing something and learning from the older gentlemen. My dream came true when I was elected in 2019 unopposed. Then, I ran again in 2023, also unopposed.”
In addition, Bill is the treasurer of Delaware County Highway Superintendents Association.
The Department
According to Bill, the town’s facility includes an 80-ft. by 200ft. highway garage. “Here on the grounds, we have a 60 x 70 salt storage shed. There’s a place for lunch in the garage that’s broken off to my office, a break room, two bathrooms and a shower.”
Getting the Job Done
Bill gets help from his full-time employees who keep the roads safe for the town’s residents. Key staff include deputy highway superintendent Ralph Sprague; heavy equipment operators Corbin Bouton, Trent Perry, Scott Haskin, Bill Schryver, Tom Brand, Clint Goodchild and Jim Willsey; mechanic Chris Shultis; mechanic assistant Rich Davis and part-timer Dave Thorington.
“I’d like to thank my crew for their no questions asked, just go and get projects and jobs finished safely, kind of work ethic. Also, my town supervisor and board members past and present. A special thanks to town clerk Diane Pickett for being patient with me as much as she’s been.”
The town of Roxbury highway department functions on a total operating budget of approximately $1.1 million. That includes salaries and benefits for employees; $329,634.66 for CHIPS; $76,747.97 for PAVE NY; $65,925.60 for Extreme Winter Recovery; and $51,165.31 for Pave Our Potholes.
As highway superintendent, Bill is responsible for maintaining the town’s 191.29 lane miles of road. Eight of those are gravel and 122 are paved.
“We also transitioned 14 roads from dirt to pavement and/or oil and stone since I became superintendent. In addition, we also take care of three miles of county roads and two miles of NYC roads.”
continued on page 12
Bill and his wife, Amy, at Fonda Speedway watching their son-in-law, Beau Ballard, race.
from page 9
To get the job done the highway department uses a variety of equipment that Bill has purchased, which includes:
• 6 x 6 Western Star plow/dump truck
• 4 x 6 Western Star plow/dump truck
• 4 x 4 heavy-duty single-axle International plow/wing truck
• 4 x 4 medium-duty International plow/dump truck
• Ford dump truck (used), which was turned into a water/broom truck. The dump body was put on a 2007 International plow/dump truck. And this list includes the vehicles purchased by previous highway superintendents:
• three 6 x 6 Oshkosh plow/dump trucks
• two 4 x 4 Oshkosh plow/wing trucks
• 6 x 6 Western star plow/dump truck
• 4 x 6 Western star plow/dump truck
• 4 x 6 International Haul truck (no plow)
• two 4 x 4 heavy-duty International plow/dump trucks
• two 2x4 heavy duty plow/dump trucks
• two Ford F-550 medium-duty plow/dump trucks
• two Dodge medium-duty plow dump trucks
• Chevy 3500 plow dump truck
• 10-wheeler Mack water truck
• John Deere loader
• Volvo loader
• two John Deere 710 backhoes
• two vibratory rollers
• Case 1H boom mower
• Morbark woodchipper
• sewer Jetter/culvert pipe cleaner
• tow-behind broom
continued on page 20
The view from Bill’s plow as he clears Carroll Hinkley Road during a snowstorm.
Bill’s son, USMC Sergeant Nicholas William, and his grandson, Dauntles.
New Genesis Building in Oswego, NY
5985 Court Street Syracuse, NY 1320 (315) 437-2611
17 Northway Lane Latham, NY 12110 (518) 220-9500 Road
from page 12
Preventive Maintenance Program
Every day, Bill makes sure his crew fills out a daily vehicle inspection report for every vehicle operated.
“The driver/operator writes up a repair order for anything/everything that needs attention on trucks and/or equipment,” he said. “Each vehicle and piece of equipment has its own service and PM schedule. All are logged/recorded on dry eraser board. The first working day of each month all crew members record and report hours and mileage of assigned vehicles and equipment on paper to the mechanic to log and monitor.”
Lightening Round
Is the job everything you expected?
“As a deputy, I saw a lot as far as office work and the preparation, handling the time and scheduling all the different things needed to be done.
“I’ve had lots of comments since I’ve been here about how good the roads are as far as traveling them in the summer. Many residents have complemented us about how well we take care of the roads, especially in the winter. We keep them safe for people to drive on as far as snow and ice removal.”
How did you get to be superintendent?
“I was elected in 2019 and ran again unopposed in 2023.”
Roxbury was the birthplace and home of naturalist John Burroughs. A memorial site has been placed by his birthplace.
The Roxbury is an iconic motel featuring themed rooms, themed mansion rooms and tower cottages. continued on page 28
From new buildings to new covers and existing building maintenance, Hybrid Building Solutions is the number 1 fabric building choice for New York State Highway Superintendents.
from page 20
What has disappointed you the most?
“I expect taxpayers to be disgruntled once in a while.”
Most difficult part?
“The first thing that came to mind was sometimes having to be a boss, not just a co-worker. I have a great crew. I get compliments all the time from the guys and other towns and individuals on what a good crew we have. What a good comradery we have here just for the fact that everybody gets along. I’ll work right alongside them. Whether it’s plowing snow, maintaining roads, chipping brush or whatever. I do as much as I can when I’m not in the office. I feel that we have a great workplace environment. But sometimes, I have to put my foot down and be a boss, but that’s OK.”
If you could change anything, what would it be?
“Educate the public on exactly what we do on a day-today basis here at the highway department.”
The most important?
“Keeping a good relationship with my crew.”
continued on page 38
The town of Roxbury highway department crew paves an apron to Rossman Road.
Bill and his wife, Amy, have been together for 31 years.
UN R FOR THE LONG
Y needs are unique. You are not contractors; competition is not a driver
e know that your environment is different, and that your ou’ve told us what matters to you. W Yo
open communication, and respect. Our equipment is for the long run – so are we. listened. Our focus is on establishing relationships that are built on clear understanding, e have , but trust is. W r, Yo
Best day?
“When highway superintendent Steve Schuman asked me to be his deputy.”
Major projects?
“I don’t really consider it a project. I’m working on dedicating this highway building to former highway superintendent Dan Ballard. He was the one who was here and actually went through to get this building built. He retired in 2006.”
Family First
Bill and his wife, Amy, have been together for 31 years. They have a
daughter, Raven Ashley and a son, USMC Sergeant Nicholas William.
“We also have three grandsons: five-year-old Weston Peters, Cole, who is 18 months, and Dauntles is two,” Bill said.
Amy shared some of her thoughts about her husband and the job he does for the town of Roxbury.
“It makes me proud of the work my husband puts into his job and how much he cares about the community. He’s an amazing husband, father and grandfather. At least once a year in the winter, Delaware County Emergency Dispatch will call him in the middle of the night for a motor vehicle accident or a stranded vehicle. Once a New York State Trooper was stuck in a snow drift on West Settlement Road.
continued on page 42
Each vehicle and piece of equipment has its own service and PM schedule.
Long Reach Excavator, 60' reach. Good UC. Ditching bucket. Afex fire suppression system. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LONG REACHES AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL!!! 2013 BROCE BROOM KR350 with EROPS, 8' brush, water / spray
DYNAPAC CC5200VI
smooth double drum roller with 77" drums, OROPS, vibratory system, water system, and 25,573 lbs. operating weight. 2,517
NYS OGS
“Bill will get dressed, go to the shop and get his plow/wing truck and plow and sand roads so vehicles can get home safely. Many times, he’ll stay out the rest of the night and following day. If he were to come back home, he wouldn’t have much time to sleep before he had to go back in at 5 a.m. When that happens, he’ll usually keep plowing and pull over in a snowplow turnaround and sleep in the truck until he hears crew members on the radio checking in on him.”
Last but not least, Bill would like to thank his wife.
“Thank you for dealing with me so understandably (if there is such a word), so patiently, so lovingly, since I’ve been highway superintendent. I have missed, disrupted or left a few family/holiday dinners in the last 25 years. We’ve had to change plans a few times. I’ve come home late at night quite a few times along with many other things I forgot to mention. She has dealt with being my wife, but through all these times, she’s never complained about being a wife of a highway superintendent.”
Final Thoughts
Like most highway supers, when it’s all said and done Bill wants to be remembered for “doing a good job, helping people and keeping the town roads safe.”
What more could the townspeople ask for?
continued on page 48
The town’s facility includes an 80-ft. by 200-ft. highway garage, a 60 by 70 salt storage shed and according to Bill, a place for lunch in the garage that’s broken off to his office, a break room, two bathrooms and a shower.
The town of Roxbury highway department’s trucks are lined up near a pugmill machine while performing grader patch.
from page 42
About the Town of Roxbury
Roxbury is a town in Delaware County, N.Y. The population was 2,247 at the 2020 census. The town is at the eastern end of the county.
The town of Roxbury was formed in 1799 from the town of Stamford. It was part of Albany County when the state of New York was first split into counties.
Roxbury was the birthplace and home of naturalist John Burroughs. A memorial site has been placed by his birthplace. Jay Gould, the railroad financier, also was born in the town. The Main Street Historic District includes the Jay Gould Memorial Church and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Other sites on the National Register include the First Old School Baptist Church of Roxbury and Vega Cemetery, Isaac Hardenbergh House, Second Old School Baptist Church of Roxbury, Walter Stratton House and Ulster and Delaware Railroad Depot and Mill Complex.
continued on page 58
Bill’s daughter, Raven, and his grandsons, Weston and Cole.
The town of Roxbury highway department functions on a total operating budget of approximately $1.1 million.
SALES – RENTALS – PARTS
from page 48
Author Walter R. Brooks of Mister Ed fame was a resident. He began visiting Roxbury in 1937. He and his wife, Anne, moved to a home on Main Street in 1948, where he lived until his death in 1958. He wrote numerous books while in Roxbury, including many titles in the popular “Freddy the Pig” series.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 87.6 sq. mi. of which 87.1 sq. mi. is land and 0.50 sq. mi., or 0.56
percent, is water. The East Branch of the Delaware River has its source in a pond behind a tire shop just south of Grand Gorge. Most of the town lies in the valley of the East Branch or its tributaries. The northeastern corner of the town drains via Johnson Hollow Brook and the Bear Kill to Schoharie Creek, a northward-flowing tributary of the Mohawk River and part of the Hudson River watershed. P
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxbury,_New_York)
(All photos courtesy of the town of Roxbury.)
The town of Roxbury highway department team.
The first working day of each month all crew members record and report hours and mileage of assigned vehicles and equipment on paper to the mechanic to log and monitor.
Fuel Tank Restoration and Repair
We are the only full service fuel tank restoration and repair facility in up-state New York. New U.S. made aluminum tanks.
TitanX original equipment quality radiators for Mack MR Series and other trucks.
Call for availability and price.
Radiators, Charge Air Coolers, Oil Coolers
New, Recores, Repairs, Custom Designed aluminum and copper brass
DPF, DOC, and EGR Cleaning
Controlled burn baking and dual forced air and suction ensures all cells are cleaned. Damaged fittings can be repaired or replaced
Burn Off Oven
Complete removal of paint and grease from your parts and equipment.
Fluid Lines
Hydraulic, including steel, AC and Brake lines
Other Services
Aluminum and steel welding. Press brake, mill, lathe, notchers and sheers. Wet and dry sand blasting, caustic boil out, acid and solvent cleaning, high pressure wash.
