December 2025 League of Nebraska Municipalities
Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference
coming in January!
By Lash Chaffin, Utilities Section Director
Mark your calendars! The 2026 League of Nebraska Municipalities
Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference is scheduled for Jan. 7-9 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. In addition to the wonderful opportunities to share time and information with colleagues, there are some important educational opportunities.
The last several years, this conference was approved for an average of up to 17.5 wastewater operator hours and 15 water operator hours! We expect similar approval this year.
Click here for the Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference program and registration information.
On Jan. 7, the conference kicks off with an optional Preconference Seminar: Maintenance, Maintenance, and More Maintenance! Ignoring regular maintenance can quickly become an almost insurmountable financial nightmare. This session will focus on maintenance policies and practices (designed for 5 water credit hours and 5 wastewater credit hours) This is a “standalone” session. Preconference Seminar attendees do not have to register for the entire conference.
On Jan. 8-9, share time with your
1335 L Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 476-2829
info@lonm.org
colleagues and learn how to better manage your utility and public works departments:
• Failure to Train Your Employees. What Can Happen?
• Lead Line Replacement Inventory and Replacement Update
• Asset Management Plans that Actually Make Sense.
• The Devastating Effects of Rechargeable Batteries on Solid Waste, Drinking Water, and Wastewater Systems
• Understanding an NPDES Permit
• The Sustainability of Your Municipality if Directly Related to Your Utility Maintenance
• The Importance of Bicycle Transportation to Your Municipality
• Data Centers and Bit Coin Mining: How to Integrate Into Your Municipal Electric Load
• Hey!! Someone is Messing With the Meter. What Can I Do?
• Enhanced Health Care Options For Municipal Employees
• Colossal Workplace Accidents That Can Be Avoided
• Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act Updates
• Municipal Utility and Public
Works Legislative and Regulatory Update: Whether you have a water, wastewater, electric, natural gas, street, recreation or other department, the Nebraska Legislature has a tremendous effect on how you do business. Do not miss the latest information on legislative and regulatory activities.
• And much, much more! There will be water, wastewater, and engineering credits available for many of these sessions. Do not miss this great opportunity!
Lash Chaffin Utilities Section Director Jackson Sash Utilities Field Representative
Respecting the tools that keep utility systems running
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
Powered hand tools have become an extension of the operator’s hands in nearly every municipal utility shop. In cities or villages where the same person may spend the morning repairing a wastewater pump, the afternoon rebuilding a chlorinator stand, and the evening responding to a service line leak, these tools are relied on constantly. That constant use brings familiarity, and familiarity eventually brings a kind of comfort that can be misleading. When an operator has used the same drill or saw a thousand times without trouble, it becomes easy to forget that these tools carry enough power to injure in an instant.
Many small systems stretch their tools well beyond a normal service life because the budget leaves little choice. A municipality serving 1,000 residents does not replace a $300 tool on a whim. This means drills with wobbling chucks, grinders with worn brushes, and saws that sound a little rough
on startup may still find their way back into daily use. That slow decline in performance is what makes them dangerous. A tool fails gradually until it fails suddenly. A cracked gearbox housing that has been “fine” for months may break completely when the operator is leaning over a pump rail with one hand braced for balance. A power cord with a soft spot near the handle may seem harmless until moisture from a wet floor wicks into the insulation and causes a shock when the trigger is squeezed. The problem is not that the tools are old but that their age shows up subtly, long before anyone recognizes the change in risk.
How and where these tools are used also shapes the risk. A bench grinder or impact driver that feels predictable in the open becomes much harder to control inside a vault, behind an air handler, or in a corner of a treatment building where the operator has only half the reach and none of the leverage. Utility work frequently forces operators into unstable positions, especially when working over water
surfaces or open basins. A tool that kicks, stalls, or twists unexpectedly can cause someone to lose balance, drop equipment, or drive a bit or blade into something it should not touch. In wastewater environments, where slick algae films develop on railings or platforms, even a small jolt from a tool can be enough to cause a slip. All of this reinforces the idea that safety with hand tools is as much about body position and working space as it is about the tools themselves.
There is also the question of what happens once a tool begins cutting, drilling, or grinding. Kickback is one of the most underestimated hazards. When a blade binds or a bit grabs unexpectedly, the tool reacts with more strength and speed
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Respecting the tools that keep utility systems running
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than most operators realize until it happens. In small municipal shops where materials vary wildly – steel pipe one-minute, plastic conduit the next – it is easy to forget that different materials behave differently under stress. A reciprocating saw chewing through an old cast iron line can suddenly break through and lurch forward. An angle grinder cutting galvanized steel may hit a weld seam and rebound. Even a power drill tightening a bolt on aging equipment can grab and twist if
the threads are corroded. These are familiar situations, not rare ones, and they are why a moment of inattention so easily becomes an injury.
Many of the injuries associated with powered hand tools occur when built in safety features are removed, bypassed, or ignored. Guards, shields, and adjustable guides are often seen as obstacles that slow down a task, especially when an operator is trying to reach into a tight space or make a quick cut. Yet these components are
designed to handle exactly the kinds of unexpected moments that happen during routine utility work. A grinder guard deflects fragments when a wheel shatters, a saw guard prevents a blade from climbing up or kicking back toward the operator, and a drill’s auxiliary handle provides the leverage needed when a bit suddenly grabs. When these features are taken off to “make the job easier,” the tool becomes far less predictable. In small municipal shops where equipment is used by
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multiple people with different levels of experience, leaving guards and safety mechanisms intact is more than a rule. It is a way of ensuring that every operator, no matter how seasoned or new, has the full protection the tool was designed to provide.
Batteries have changed tool safety in ways that small systems are still adjusting to. Many shops used to rely almost entirely on corded tools because they were cheaper and more durable. As battery platforms improved, corded tools slowly disappeared. But lithium batteries introduce their own set of hazards. They generate heat, they can vent if damaged, and they require chargers that were not always designed for the dusty, humid, or chemically active environments found in utility buildings. It is not uncommon to see charging stations set up on plywood shelves in corners near chlorine storage, or on top of metal cabinets where dust, moisture, and heat collect. When batteries are charged immediately after heavy use, they may already be warm and stacking them in a tight space traps that heat. Most of the time nothing
happens. But when a battery does go into thermal runaway, it does not smolder gently. It reacts violently, and in a shop that also stores oils, solvents, and rags, that can escalate rapidly. Allowing batteries to cool down, keeping chargers plugged into grounded outlets, and giving the station breathing room are simple steps that prevent rare but significant failures.
Environmental factors also deserve attention. Moisture affects electric tools, but dust is just as problematic. When working on concrete or soil, dust collects inside tool vents and eventually reaches the motor. Over time, this buildup creates heat retention and increases resistance on the moving parts. Tools begin to strain during use, triggers become sticky, and motors burn out prematurely. More importantly, that heat buildup can cause a tool to seize unexpectedly, especially under load. A cutting wheel or drill bit that stops abruptly while the operator is leaning into the tool can cause sudden loss of control. Regular cleaning with compressed air or even a simple brush helps prevent this slow degradation that often goes unnoticed.
In the end, powered hand tool safety in municipal utilities is not about dramatic rules or complex procedures. It is about recognizing that these tools, though small, produce enough force to cause real harm. It is about understanding that the environments in which operators work are often cramped, wet, or unstable, and those conditions magnify the risks. And it is about understanding the realities that small systems face: limited staffing, limited budgets, and equipment that must be stretched as far as possible. Taking a few moments each day to inspect tools, clean them, store them properly, and use them in the way they were designed to be used is not bureaucracy. It is the practical foundation that allows operators to do their work without injury and without downtime.
A well-maintained tool is a dependable tool, and a dependable tool helps keep water plants running, wastewater flowing, and electrical systems stable. By treating powered hand tools with respect and giving them the attention they require, municipal operators protect not just themselves but the communities that depend on their work every day.
Engineering a world where everyone thrives.
Classifieds
For Sale
2003 GMC C7500 with Salt/Sand Spreader Body. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/list/ current?orgid=361015
• Condition: FAIR
• 2003 GMC C7500 C7C042 Chassis & Cab
• Stainless steel Henderson Salt/ Sand Spreader body (new in 2013/2014)
• Force American Hydraulic over Electric controller for spreader (installed in 2019)
• Cab/Chassis purchased new by municipality; and used as a salt spreader truck by Street Maintenance Division
• Vin: 1GDM7E1C73F518624
• GVWR 29,000 LB
• 2,290 + Hours / 26,370 + Miles
• Runs and spreader works
• Fuel tank has a leak
• Decals/logos on body will be removed
City Administrator. The City of Burwell is accepting applications for the position of City Administrator. The City of Burwell is the county seat of Garfield County and has approximately 1,200 residents. Burwell is located seven miles from the Calamus Reservoir in Central Nebraska. The municipality owns, operates, and provides electric, water, and wastewater services to its residents. Law enforcement is under the direction of the County Sheriff’s Department. This position requires comprehensive knowledge of municipal finance, expertise in city, state, and federal laws, regulations and guidelines, strategic planning, and supervisory skills. Individuals should possess a degree in a related field and/or possess a level of education that together with experience and training gives the required knowledge and experience to perform the duties as City Administrator. This person serves the community at the direction of the Mayor and City Council. Salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications and includes competitive benefits. Interested candidates should contact the City Office at 404 Grand Avenue (PO Box 604), Burwell, NE 68823 or phone 308-346-4509. Completed application along with a cover letter and resume should be mailed or delivered to the city office address above or emailed to cityofburwell@nctc.net and will be accepted until the position is filled. The City of Burwell is an equal opportunity employer.
Village Superintendent. The Village of Campbell is seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Village Superintendent. The Superintendent will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the Public Works Department, which
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HDR, we’re helping our clients push open the doors to what’s possible, every day.
Utilities Section Newsletter
Classifieds
Continued from page 5
includes water, water-waste, streets, and parks. This role ensures our Village operates efficiently and safely. Qualifications include: ability to obtain and maintain a Nebraska Water Operators License Class 4 minimum; ability to obtain and maintain a Nebraska Commercial or non-commercial applicators license with category 09; and a valid driver’s license. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and resume to the Village of Campbell, PO Box 215, Campbell, NE 68932 or Campbell Clerk's
office. A full job description is available at the Clerk’s office. The Village of Campbell is an equal opportunity employer.
Utility Office Manager. The City of North Platte is seeking a Utility Office Manager to direct the daily operations of the utility office; manage and participate in customer service activities; interpret administrative decisions and policies as they apply to the operation of the utility office. Supervise utility office personnel; plan, organize, and assign the work of customer service
representatives, utility billing and collection employees; direct smooth office workflow. Coordinate the scheduling of utility office staff to ensure uninterrupted service to the public. Full-time exempt. Salary range $91,000–$122,000 per year. For the complete job description, abilities, qualifications, and to apply, please visit www.northplattene.gov/ Jobs.aspx and click on the full description for the Utility Office Manager or on Indeed at https:// www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=959 6bbc2c5f13a37&from=shareddes ktop_copy
Utilities Section Newsletter
Training calendar
Visit our website for a complete list of workshops and conferences.
January
Jan. 7-9
Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference Embassy Suites, Lincoln
Jan. 27 .......... Water Operator Training Workshop ........................... Holiday Inn, Kearney
Jan. 28-29 ..... Snowball Conference ................................................. Holiday Inn, Kearney
February
Feb. 3-4 ........ Nebraska Meter Conference ....................................... Holiday Inn, Kearney
Feb. 23-24 Midwinter Conference Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
March
Mar. 17 Water Operator Training Workshop Chadron Mar. 18 ......... Water Operator Training Workshop ........................... Ogallala
April
Apr. 21..........
Water Operator Training Workshop ........................... McCook
Apr. 22.......... Water Operator Training Workshop ........................... Holdrege
Apr. 23 Water Operator Training Workshop Hebron
Utilities Section Executive Board
President
Pat Heath
City Administrator Gering
1st Vice President
Gary Thurlow
Utility Supt.
Atkinson
2nd Vice President
Sarah Sawin
Director of Utilities Kearney
Past President
Duane Hoffman
Public Works Director
Oxford
Board Member
Matt Owens
Water & Sewer Supervisor
Imperial
Board Member
Jeramie Van Leer
Utility Superintendent Ord
Board Member
Ryan Schmitz
Utilities Director
Grand Island
Ex Officio Member
Kyle Svec
City Admin./Utilities Supervisor
Geneva