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 Amanda Hogeboom-Guilfoyle
Consultant Bob Buckley
Highway Superintendent James Martin and the Town of Woodhull ..................................................... 9 Lots of news, products and services throughout! 361 Shoemaker Road Mohawk NY 13407 Phone 518/221-5159 E-Mail - khogeboom@cegltd.com
PRODUCERS OF THE ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE HIGHWAY & PUBLIC WORKS EXPO Amanda Hogeboom-Guilfoyle: General Manager of the NYS Highway & Public Works Show 518-396-7659 email: aguilfoyle@cegltd.com OCTOBER 28, 2026 • 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.
Orange cones and flashing signs are easy to ignore—until the person standing beside them turns out to be a state trooper. New York’s Operation Hard Hat is a great example of law enforcement adapting to a problem that has become both common and deadly: reckless driving in highway work zones.
The initiative is simple in concept: troopers dress as construction and maintenance workers inside active work zones, blending into the crews that drivers routinely pass at highway speeds. From within the zone, they observe dangerous behavior firsthand. Using radar and laser equipment, they identify speeding motorists, distracted drivers looking at their phones and those who ignore the state’s Move Over Law. Once a violation is spotted, the undercover trooper radios ahead to marked patrol cars waiting farther down the road. Moments later, the unsuspecting driver is pulled over and ticketed.
Some are calling the tactic deceptive. But that argument collapses under scrutiny. Operation Hard Hat does not create violations; it reveals them. Drivers are already required by law to slow down, stay alert and move over in work zones. The signs are visible. The speed limits are posted. The flashing lights are impossible to miss. If a motorist is caught speeding past workers or scrolling through social media while barreling through a construction zone, the problem is not the disguise — it is the behavior.
The stakes are high: Highway work zones are among the most dangerous environments in the country. As all of you know, crews stand only feet away from fast-moving traffic, often separated by little more than cones and temporary barriers.
When drivers see a police vehicle, they immediately slow down. But police cars can’t be everywhere. Operation Hard Hat changes that equation. It introduces uncertainty, forcing motorists to recognize that safe driving is not something to perform only when police are visible— it is a constant responsibility, and, yes, be a little paranoid.
But Operation Hard Hat also sends a cultural message. Road workers deserve the same respect and protection afforded to police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel. Every orange vest represents someone trying to earn a living and return home safely at the end of the day.
If undercover enforcement makes drivers think twice before accelerating through a work zone or glancing at a phone, then the program is doing exactly what it was designed to do. The real surprise should not be that police are watching. It should be that so many drivers still act as though nobody is.
Hope all of you have a great and safe beginning of summer. P
Craig Mongeau
DIESEL ENGINES >
Casey’s
REBUILDS >
Casey’s specializes in heavy duty rear ends and can help with any differential questions you have!
Casey’s rebuilds Transmissions, Transfer Cases and PTOs!
Highway Superintendent James Martin and the Town of Woodhull
By Jay Nachman
PROFILE
CORRESPONDENT
Jim Martin, the highway superintendent of the town of Woodhull, recalls the worst day on the job without hesitation. It was Aug. 18, 2021, when Tropical Storm Fred triggered flash flooding throughout Steuben County.
More than 6 ft. of water poured through the department’s garage and a newly built wastewater plant also was flooded. There was substantial damage to the town’s roads and scores of buildings and homes were damaged in the town and beyond.
“Nothing you can do,” Jim said. “You just ride it out and make sure everybody’s safe. I had a loader out at residences picking people up and taking them to safety.”
But these weren’t just town residents Jim was helping rescue. They were his friends and neighbors. He had lived in the town since 1995 and grew up in nearby Canisteo. At the time of the flood, Jim had been highway superintendent since December 2019.
Woodhull lost tools, six trucks, a paver and “just about everything in the shop was gone,” Jim said. It was a blow to the department, which currently has an operating budget of $1,560,569, including a CHIPS allocation of $383,850.
With the insurance money, Jim was able to replace two trucks. He was able to replace the other vehicles through FEMA money the town received and money that was subsequently budgeted.
Nearby townships that didn’t get as flooded helped keep the township functioning.
“They brought trucks in, excavators in, manpower, fixing roads and everything,” a grateful Jim said.
continued on page 12
Jim Martin began working for the town of Woodhall in 1997 as a highway maintenance equipment operator.
from page 9
In August 2024, there was another flood, but Jim and his crew had learned their lesson.
“When we got the warning for the flood, we moved all the equipment out of here,” he said.
Farm equipment supplier Larry Romance & Son allowed the highway department to store their trucks in their lot, which sits on a hill off Route 417.
The town of Woodhull is situated between the Tuscarora River and a creek and both overflowed during the 2021 flood. The creek, which caused so much damage to Woodhull, has played an important role in the town’s history.
Woodhull, which was first known as the settlement of Newville, began with its first settler in 1804 when Daniel Johnson built his home
here just west of the current village. The trees were thick, and there were no roads, so travelers used the creek, either by raft or on the winter ice to get around.
According to the town’s history, this part of the state was so wild and densely forested that the Native Americans avoided it, perhaps entering only to hunt the abundance of game at that time. The hunting was excellent, including deer, bear, wolves and panther. Fish also were jumping out of the creek.
The official formation of Woodhull, which was named after General Nathanial Woodhull, was done by an act of the New York legislature on Feb. 18, 1828. Formerly part of Middletown, it took lands from Rathbone, Troupsburg and Addison. Woodhull now includes the hamlets of Hedgesville and Borden.
continued on page 18
Trucks and equipment are stored in the town of Woodhull highway department’s seven-bay garage.
The town of Woodhull highway department’s mix barn, which was built in approximately 1940.
The town of Woodhull highway department’s salt storage barn was constructed in 2015. The salt barn, which is situated next to the mix barn, has a storage capacity of 400 tons.
Onthe Sourcewell Contract!
SYRACUSE
5985 Court Street Road Syracuse, NY 13206
315-437-2611
LATHAM 17 Northway Lane Latham, NY 12110 518-220-9500
BATAVIA
4554 West Saile Drive Batavia, NY 14020 585-344-1931
833-Go2-ALTA AltaEquipNY.com
On the NYS Contract
Getting vital services and planned projects completed on time is important to keep costs down. You need high-quality equipment to get jobs done safely and efficiently — and we have an easy-to-use contract solution via Sourcewell.
At Alta Equipment Company, we offer creative financing solutions with competitive rates, terms and payment schedules, all while receiving Sourcewell contract pricing and discounts. From powerful crawler excavators and versatile wheeled excavators to fuel-efficient wheel loaders and more, Alta Equipment Company has you covered.
SOURCEWELL CONTRACT 032119-VCE
As taxpayers and citizens ourselves, we appreciate your hard work and dedication to keeping our infrastructure projects on track, our roads and bridges repaired, our landfills operating smoothly, and all of the many other services you provide. Work with Alta Equipment Company and Volvo — together we can lower costs and keep you up and running so projects move forward efficiently.
from page 12
While it was once a substantial farming community, few operate to the capacity that they once did.
Jim began working for the town of Woodhull in 1997 as a highway maintenance equipment operator. He was appointed to his post in 2019 after the previous superintendent left for another position. Jim has been re-elected to additional two-year terms since first being elected in 2020.
He is joined in the department by Jack Lewis, the deputy highway superintendent, and Dennis Alleger, Robert Baker and Scott Farrand, all heavy mechanic equipment operators. To communicate, they use cell phones and two-way radios.
In the summer, two seasonal employees join the department. They
work 10-hour days, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
“We get everything done in the shorter week,” Jim said, adding “The superintendent’s job is considered 24/7 even though if you’re off after the four tens, you’re still on call with your phone.”
One aspect of the department that Jim wanted to improve upon taking office was to improve the responsiveness of the department. It seemed to him that the department didn’t have very good relationships with the town residents.
Jim “just showed up to talk with them. Let me ask questions and just talk to them. I didn’t ignore them when they called with a question or something.”
continued on page 26
The town of Woodhull highway department’s cold storage barn.
from page 18
In the town of 1,650 residents, Jim always is running into residents/ constituents/neighbors at the gas station or a store, and that makes it easy for him to hear about their concerns. And he likes it like that.
“That way you know there’s a problem in town, if you don’t catch it, they catch it and they let you know,” he said. “I take that note and go and get on it right then. I enjoy doing that.”
The department has a three-bay garage, built in 1948 and a seven-bay garage built in 2008. The town’s mix barn dates to 1940 and it has a salt
also is a 2022 medium-duty commercial truck and a 2016 Peterbilt dump truck.
The vehicle inventory also includes a 1994 Peterbilt water truck; a 2017 Hyundai HW 180 wheeled excavator; a 2024 John Deere 160 track excavator; a 2024 Ammann roller ARS 110; a 2024 Cat loader 950G; a 2021 Cat grader 140; a 2025 Interstate trailer 500 DLA; a 1988 Haulmark trailer and a 2025 road groomer.
The vehicles get a daily inspection and are serviced twice a year, in the fall and in the spring.
The wheeled excavator is on the list to be replaced on Jim’s five-year plan. He is looking to purchase a new one for $325,000. Also on the drawing board is a used paver; he lost his previous one in the flood. He
For small paving jobs, like for filling potholes or patching, he uses the
Also in the plans is the purchase of a double-drum roller for those small paving jobs, to work in tandem with the single-drum roller he
continued on page 34
The vehicles get a daily inspection and are serviced twice a year, in the fall and in the spring.
Seen from the window of Jim’s pickup truck, the town’s motorgrader readies an area to be paved.
China controls 80% of the world’s tungsten supply and has cut exports — pushing prices up nearly 10x since late 2024. Fleets still buying standard tungsten carbide face higher costs, tight supply, and no end in sight.
INTRODUCING RAZOR® XL WITH WINTER CARBIDE
Winter Carbide™ is the same material we’ve used in PlowGuards for over 35 years — proven on fleets across 36 State DOTs. Standard tungsten carbide inserts are brittle and crack on impact. Winter Carbide™ is built to flex under stress — not shatter. The result: a blade that lasts 3x longer with no tungsten supply risk.
3x
Jim Martin’s temporary office in the seven-bay garage. His previous office, in the town’s three-bay garage, was destroyed in the 2021 flood. A new office is being constructed.
from page 26
“Our single one right now has tires on it,” Jim said. “It leaves some tracks in the blacktop. If you have a doubledrum roller, it won’t leave any tracks in the blacktop.”
He hopes to buy a used one for approximately $75,000.
Also in the works is the not-yet-budgeted complete repair of a parking lot with approximately 40 spaces in the middle of town on Main Street. The municipality bought it right before the 2021 flood. Jim said it will be completed this year. His crew put an initial coat of blacktop on it, and did all the groundwork and gravel work. Now, he needs to bid out the work for a contractor to lay down the permanent blacktop and estimates it will cost approximately, $125,000.
Woodhull has approximately 58.5 mi. of road, totaling 117 mi. of two-lane roads — that Jim is responsible for, about half of which are gravel and dirt and the other half are paved. There are no bridges that he is responsible for.
The paved roads used to be covered with a triple coat of oil and stone.
continued on page 40
The highway department’s storage bay. Among the vehicles stored in the bay are two Western Star trucks, a 2016 Peterbilt dump truck and more.
“We had a lot of problems with keeping it and it kept breaking up,” Jim said. “So, I redid them and put them all as blacktop of like three inches of binder so now they are all blacktop and there’s no oil and stone in Woodhull now.”
The oil and stone roads lasted approximately five years before needing to be replaced.
“The blacktop, as long we keep the upkeep here, should last up to 20 years,” he said.
An ongoing project of the department is replacing the driveway crossover pipes in ditches for all households in Woodhull, all 700 of them or thereabouts.
“So they can get in and out of their driveways, we’re replacing all the steel pipes. Steel pipes freeze during the winter and then we have problems with water running and then you have water out in the road and then it freezes. And then you have water in the driveway. We’re trying to get away from all that water coming out into the roads.”
Jim is replacing the steel pipes with corrugated plastic pipes, which don’t freeze as easily. The pipe replacement is done with the department’s excavator. The pipes are covered with approximately 10 in. of gravel, and then leveled out with the excavator, tractor and rake.
“My guys are pretty damn good at it, and I would say a driveway pipe will take us about three hours,” Jim said.
Woodhull highway department crew members (L-R) are Jack Lewis, Dennis Alleger, Robert Baker and Scott Farrand.
continued on page 44
A roller smooths a road before blacktop is laid down.
Radiators, Charge Air Coolers, Oil Coolers
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
He estimates the work will be completed in approximately five years.
The department doesn’t face any big challenges in the days and months ahead, Jim said. His biggest challenges, he added, are more day-to-day.
“The biggest challenge is to make sure things are getting done the way they should be and making sure they’re done.”
When storms come, Jim and his team each man a truck for snow and ice removal. Each route takes approximately four hours.
Jim said his satisfaction comes when the “job is done and it’s done correctly, and the residents of this township appreciate it and thank you for all the work we’ve done.”
He also wants to keep upgrading the town’s equipment and “to make sure the crew is well taken care of.”
Jim said the biggest change in his work since he started is how the equipment has gotten larger. As an example, he said when he started in the late 1990s,
Woodhull highway department crew members discuss the next step in the pipe they are laying in front of a township home.
continued on page 48 Tarp in front of city hall covers the parking lot before it gets a final coating of blacktop.
When storms come, Jim and his team each man a truck for snow and ice removal. Each route takes approximately four hours.
from page 44
The larger trucks, he said, are more efficient. It allows the department to get more material out on the road and to push more snow off the roads. In addition, he said they had to chain the tires of the six-wheelers before they could even bring them out for storms.
He uses trucks for filling potholes and patching broken blacktop.
Woodhull does have a shared work program with neighboring townships. Under the program, the highway departments will gravel roads together.
Jim’s wife, Barbara, said, “I’m very proud of Jim and his accomplishments over the past six years.”
They have two sons, James, 38, and Justin, 35.
Jim is replacing the steel pipes with corrugated plastic pipes, which don’t freeze as easily. The pipes are covered with approximately 10 in. of gravel, and then leveled out with the excavator, tractor and rake.
Equipment stands ready when needed in the town of Woodhull highway department’s seven-bay garage.
Jim is a member of the Town and Municipal Highway Superintendent’s Association of Steuben County Inc.
When he’s off the job, Jim likes to visit a nearby casino. But his favorite pastime is the Woodhull hobby farm where he raises and then sells approximately 75 head of cattle each year with his brother. The farm was their grandparents’ and Jim spent a lot of time there growing up, helping them out with chores.
At the farm, Jim said, “You’re outside in the sun. It’s just enjoyable. It’s relaxing to me even though it’s hard work.”
That sounds a lot like his job as highway superintendent of Woodhull. P
(All photos courtesy of the town of Woodhull highway department.)
Upstate Equipment Holds Series of Open Houses Across New York State
Joe Burns, director of operations, stands in front of a Bobcat skid steer equipped with a Virnig BBV V40 attachment.
U(L–R) are Tyler Chamberlain, branch manager of Upstate Equipment’s Big Flats location; David Shadduck, parts specialist; Zach McCracken, sales manager; and Cory McCracken, lead technician, all of Upstate Equipment.
pstate Equipment welcomed customers and community members throughout April as the dealership hosted a series of open houses across all five of its New York locations.
The open houses were held at Bobcat of Buffalo, Bobcat of Hamburg, Bobcat of Batavia, Bobcat of Syracuse and Bobcat of Big Flats, ensuring accessibility for customers across the region.
Each location showcased a lineup of Bobcat machines and attachments, giving attendees the opportunity to explore equipment up close and ask questions directly to the technicians and sales staff. From compact loaders to excavators and specialty attachments, the displays highlighted the versatility of Bobcat equipment for construction, landscaping, agriculture and municipal work.
Technicians were available to discuss maintenance, service intervals and machine care, reinforcing Upstate Equipment’s commitment to minimizing downtime and keeping customers productive, the company said.
The open houses weren’t just equipment showcases, the company added. Attendees enjoyed grilled food, refreshments and meeting with
staff, creating a welcoming environment that encouraged customers to stay, connect and share their project needs.
Long-time customers also stopped by to meet with leadership and staff, reflecting the strong relationships Upstate Equipment has built over the years.
Upstate Equipment’s parts and service department remains one of the company’s strongest assets. With experienced technicians, well-stocked parts counters and a focus on fast turnaround times, the team plays a critical role in supporting contractors throughout Upstate New York, according to the company. The open houses gave customers a chance to meet the service teams face-to-face, ask questions and learn more about the dealership’s capabilities.
With six locations across the region, Upstate Equipment continues to grow its presence as a full-service Bobcat dealer offering sales, rentals, parts, service and financing. P
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2026 Superintendent’s Profile. All Rights Reserved.)
Doug Haskins (L), owner of Haskin’s Gardens & Doug’s Landscaping in Elmira, N.Y., and current customer of Upstate Equipment, stands alongside Tim Freundschuh, president of Upstate Equipment.
Upstate Equipment’s parts and service team is dedicated to keeping customer equipment running at peak performance, a point reinforced during the company’s open houses.
Cory McCracken is the lead technician of Upstate Equipment’s Bobcat of Big Flats location.
An Upstate Equipment employee grills food for attendees during the open house.
