Montage Enterprises: Surpassing the expectation in mower parts
If there is a constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal and DOT properties all require routine trimming to improve motorists’ visibility and the quality of public property. … More from our cover sponsor →
Rolla Missouri
Settled Early 1800s Pop: 19,561 (2010) Government type: Mayor, administrator and council www.rollacity.org As discussions initiated regarding the upcoming sesquicentennial celebrations of Phelps County in 2007 and the city of Rolla in 2011, the topics came around to the entities’ … Continue reading →
Top Ten ‘Livable’ U.S. Cities
What makes a city ‘livable?’ According to the AARP Livability Index, an online tool that was launched in the spring, it’s a combination of housing, health, the environment, proximity to jobs, transportation options, social and civic engagement and job opportunities. … Continue reading →
Brooklet Peanut Festival 2015 festival date: Aug. 15
In a state where peanuts are king, the small municipality of Brooklet stands as a paragon of success in celebrating Georgia’s signature crop. The town’s first festival in 1990 drew more attendees than its population. Brooklet has 1,395 residents, and … Continue reading →
Municipal fleets and emergency preparedness
When events of cataclysmic proportions harness their destructive forces on communities and neighborhoods, it brings a semblance of reassurance to know that emergency workers and equipment are poised and ready to be summoned at a moment’s notice to become rescuers … Continue reading →
Cheeseburger in … Caseville? 2015 festival date: Aug. 14–23
To quote John Belushi in Saturday Night Live’s Olympia Cafe sketches: “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger!” To quote thousands of Parrotheads each August: “Cheeseburger in Caseville!” Cheeseburger in Caseville is an annual Jimmy Buffet-themed festival, held in the tiny Michigan burg since … Continue reading →
Budget prioritization structure and tools from the CPBB
The Center for Priority Based Budgeting began in 2009 with the experiences in government finance and budgeting of Jon Johnson and Chris Fabian, co-founders. At various levels of government they had wrestled with the following questions, which are still front … Continue reading →
Paddling in Porterdale
Once upon a time, there was a lonely and neglected body of water running through Porterdale, Ga., that was snubbed by its shore-bound population for many decades. Until, that is, some visionary volunteers decided they wanted their waters to be … Continue reading →
Police departments partner to fight domestic violence
It may still be a few months away, but now is the time to start planning for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October and how your department can get involved to help raise awareness. Thankfully, a lot has changed since … Continue reading →
How to keep your job when Mother Nature kicks your butt
Extreme winter weather events aren’t the bread and butter of street crews. Getting salt on the roads and the snow and ice off of them are the priorities: taking time to plan for a one in a million weather shot … Continue reading →
Ban the barriers Decrease road noise at the source
Asphalt is the material of choice for engineers and motorists alike. According to Kent Hanson, director of engineering for the National Asphalt Pavement Association, 94 percent of the nation’s roads are surfaced with asphalt. Quality of life is the name … Continue reading →
Pipeline to alleviate water costs, spur economic development
Faced with three options as water rates with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department entered the double digits — one, continue with Detroit; two, use the Flint River as a drinking water source; or three, join the Karegnondi Water Authority … Continue reading →
Road diets demonstrate staying power
With each passing model year, cars and trucks inevitably become faster, more efficient and more technologically advanced. To accommodate these modern marvels, the natural inclination is to increase the size and quality of the roadways on which they must travel, … Continue reading →
Smart rock technology monitors bridge erosion
We’ve all heard about the proverbial bridge over troubled water, but what happens when water creates a troubled bridge? The short answer is: nothing very good. When a bridge’s foundation is buried deep below the water’s surface, it is susceptible … Continue reading →
Technology takes drilling in a new direction
Sewer separation and other projects that require underground piping or wiring can be both costly and messy. With this in mind, cities like Edina, Minn., are turning to trenchless technology to get the job done. Trenchless horizontal directional drilling is … Continue reading →
Keeping fleet and municipality workers efficient
By IAN LAHMER, Marketing Director | Venco Venturo Industries LLC A majority of municipalities operate on a budget that requires diligent purchases for their vehicle fleets and maintenance trucks. These smaller municipalities also operate with one or two vehicles that … Continue reading →
#NPWW sends some love to public works
During National Public Works week last month, following the hashtag #NPWW on Twitter triggered a flood of well wishes, accolades, appreciation and a surprising number of photos. The stream depicted hundreds of community events held to showcase the work of … Continue reading →