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Because of a routine process of replacing equipment on a pre-determined schedule, the town recently purchased this new truck.
$228,000 provides the highest level of service and is state-of-the-art. While Alan said all equipment is acquired through state bid requirements, he swings heavily toward buying the town equipment from the town’s John Deere dealer, a town taxpayer. “We buy Caterpillar. Our tractors are John Deere.” This year they also purchased a new piece of equipment they never had before — a steel roller for doing shoulder work and patch jobs. The older snowplow truck that “still had some miles on it” was sold to another town that had a limited budget for serviceable equipment. A neighboring fire department will purchase the older pickup. “Our board is adamant about helping other communities out whenever they can,” he said. While there is an equipment replacement plan in place, sometimes it pays to be reasonable. For example, the highway superintendent’s pickup truck was due to be replaced, but the town board asked Alan to drive it one more year. They said, “We have the money to do that, but we just bought two new pieces of equipment, so rather than annoy the taxpayers, can you hold off another year?” One critical issue on the entire town’s wish list is a much needed addition to the town offices, including the highway garage, which was built in 1948 but looks much younger thanks to a fresh coat of aluminum siding and spotless maintenance. The town has been looking for grant money to expand this space for everyone for the past few years. On the highway end of it, the men would gain a break room. As of today they each have their own chair. Alan warned, “Don’t sit in their spot. When someone retires, we burn their chair. And then they usually go to the dump to get another chair for the new person.” A Sportsman While Alan’s office is a little cramped, like the rest of the building, he 46
Just one feature that Alan is enthusiastic about on the new truck are the energy-saving LED lights.
has made room on the walls for several mounted trophy-size bucks. Even as he checks on the roads, he also is consciously or maybe even subconsciously scanning the fields for deer. In addition to deer hunting, a few years ago he took up serious motorcycle riding on his Honda Gold Wing, often riding together with his wife Deborah, who works as a chiropractic assistant. The couple celebrated their fortieth anniversary this spring. He said, “She hated me in high school. I was this fun-loving guy, but it all fell into place.” Both children, a daughter and a son, live nearby along with four grandchildren. While Alan was born in nearby Alabama, he attended school in Oakfield. Later at community college he studied mechanical design, thinking he wanted to be a draftsman, a background that has been useful while working on the water districts. continued on page 52
Superintendent’s Profile • www.superintendentsprofile.com • May 2014