In the 1980s, the state of Indiana encouraged cities to test out new technology for wastewater treatment plants. Cities were given money to try out a continuous batch reactor. By the time Mayor Terry Amick of Scottsburg, Ind., took office, … Continue reading →
Rain from storm after storm saturated the soil. When on Jan. 9, 2023, an atmospheric river dumped several more inches of rain on the city of San Luis Obispo, Calif., rushing water swelled creeks and submerged streets. Floodwaters piled debris … Continue reading →
Wonder why some bikers don’t always use bike lanes? You might think they would improve safety, but that’s not always true and for more than one reason. Some bikers choose not to ride in the lane if the traffic is … Continue reading →
The public works department is a multifaceted, ever-evolving municipal department that few fully understand. It is responsible for the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of a city’s infrastructure, including its roads, transportation system, bridges, water, waste disposal, pest control, etc. … Continue reading →
Shawn O’Leary, Norman, Okla., director of public works, joined the team in 2007 and his primary goal was improvement of his department. “I was looking for a tool to help me fix that,” he explained. He had been watching the … Continue reading →
When an opportunity arises, it’s best to take advantage of it while you can, and that is especially true with municipalities planning for the future. The city of West Hartford, Conn., had such an opportunity and could take advantage of … Continue reading →
If there is one constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal properties all require routine mowing. This improves safety and also maintains a manicured appearance that pleases visitors … Continue reading →
Madison, Wis., Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is breaking barriers. She’s the second female mayor and the first openly LGBTQ person in that office. But before taking the helm of “Madtown,” as it’s affectionately called by residents, she served on the city … Continue reading →
When you have many facilities to heat, cool and light properly, you want to do it as efficiently as possible and without spending an arm and a leg. So when the city commissioners of Augusta-Richmond County, Ga., cast about to … Continue reading →
A stormwater project involving the North Douglas Creek Channel acting as a drainage channel was recently completed in Colorado Springs, Colo. While the North Douglas Creek Channel has always existed as a natural drainage channel for stormwater beginning on the … Continue reading →
We are seeing more and more examples of sharing among communities. In the last few years, some smaller towns moved on to the idea of a shared space for police, fire and EMT; this concept is called a safety center, … Continue reading →
