Understanding Developer Maintenance Bonds

July 12, 2025
Listed in Administration

When a subdivision, commercial park, or other private development turns public improvements, streets, sidewalks, water and storm-sewer lines, over to the municipality, the job isn't truly “finished.” Most cities and towns require the developer to post a maintenance bond (sometimes called a “warranty bond”) that guarantees those new assets will remain free of construction-related defects for a set period, typically one to two years after final acceptance. (Schmalz &…continue

Proper Sign Installation on Rural Highways

July 12, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

Quick-reference guide for rural roads Why placement matters Driver safety & liability - Wrongly placed signs can block sight-lines, be struck by vehicles, or fail to give drivers enough time to react. Compliance - The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is adopted as law in most states; non-compliance exposes the agency to tort claims. Operations - Correct offsets keep signs out of the snow-plow path, ease mowing, and reduce knock-downs. Lateral offset - how far from the roadwa…continue

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your Paving Projects

July 10, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

Modern highway departments juggle far more than just asphalt: winter maintenance, drainage repairs, sign management, and the never-ending call log. Deciding whether to outsource paving can either sharpen your operational focus or strain an already tight budget. Below is a balanced look at the upsides and downsides, plus a few decision-making tips tailored for municipal agencies. The Upsides (Why Outsourcing Might Make Sense) Advantage How It Helps Your Department Crew Availability Contracting bi…continue

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

July 9, 2025
Listed in Daily Tasks

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

What Now? - When a Brand-New Development’s Stormwater System Fails

July 2, 2025
Listed in Administration

The scenario is this: a new development is constructed in your town with engineered plans, and all of the stormwater infrastructure was properly inspected and installed as per expectations. Everything appears satisfactory, the homes are built and and the new residents are moving in. Awhile later, after a heavy rain, it becomes obvious that the stormwater management system designed for the development is wholly inadequate, as it is not capable of handling the amount of rain being received. The ca…continue