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Public works will shift focus due to dry winter
Jennifer Hughes, Lincolnshire public works director. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Hughes)
Updated: January 16, 2013 8:32AM
LINCOLNSHIRE — Expect a sharper, tidier Lincolnshire this spring, thanks to the Public Works department — and the drought.
With little snow and ice to deal with this winter, Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes said she expects to be able to get several backburner projects done. The exhausting work of clearing streets and sidewalks is also a drain on her overtime budget — savings that she may be able to put to other use instead.
But if Lincolnshire does get any snow this winter, and local youths are looking for teammates in a snowball fight, Hughes said she may not be of much help. A public works truck might be able to plow up a nice snow fort, but the director confesses that she does not pack a mean snowball.
Q: How does a dry winter affect your work schedules and budgets?
A: The biggest effect is that we will not need to work overtime to remove snow. We will be addressing other maintenance needs such as park and equipment maintenance, tree trimming, and other special projects that we would not necessarily have a chance to complete.
Q: Road salt vs. beet juice...which is better?
A: Both materials are good and compliment each other. We vary the application of each material based upon the storm conditions.
Q: Does a dry winter affect how many potholes will appear this year?
A: Potholes are created due to the freeze-thaw cycle of water on and in the pavement. A dry winter should result in fewer potholes.
Q: This is the second winter in a row without much snow or ice — how will this affect trees and grass later in the year?
A: We are in the midst of a drought. The lack of moisture in the ground could retard growth for both trees and grass.
Q: Pretend that we get a good amount of snow later this winter...and the entire Village Hall staff gets into an inter-department snowball fight. Who from Public Works would throw the hardest snowball...and who from another department would throw the weakest?
A: We would be too tired from cleaning the streets and paths to get into such a fight. But if there was one, I am sure that I would throw the weakest.
Q: After this snowball fight, the Village Board wants Public Works to build an official Lincolnshire snowman. How would you decorate it?
A: We would let the children of Lincolnshire decorate it, as it would be a fun community project.
