Public Works Best Practices Committee

In early 1998, some public works officials and representatives from supporting organizations became interested in the APWA accreditation and self-assessment process. That April and May a group met and concluded that a NH-specific process was needed. Meeting monthly since then, as the Public Works Best Practices Committee, their mission is:

To foster improved services to residents through the development of a self-evaluation and improvement program, including the review and establishment of recommended polices, operating procedures and guidelines, for agencies conducting public works activities in New Hampshire.

Compensation Funds of New Hampshire (CFNH) sponsored a Self-Assessment Workshop last October. Stimulated by the participants’ interest in self-assessment and accreditation, the Committee began developing model policies for Snow and Ice Control. This spring the UNH Tē Center workshops emphasized self-assessment in several workshops.

In the near future CFNH will make sample public works safety procedures available to members. It will closely follow state Department of Labor rules. It is designed so towns and cities can customize and adopt it.

The Committee also plans to develop accreditation criteria and procedures. The basis will be its present and future model policies. Developing accreditation criteria and policies to support it is a major effort. If you would like to help, or offer comments, contact one of the committee members listed below.

• David Brennan, Water and Sewer Department, Sunapee;
• Dave Crane and Jonathan Kipp, CFNH;
• Mike Faller, Public Works Department, Meredith;
• Dave Fluharty, UNH Tē Center;
• Steve Gray, Highway Maintenance Engineer NHDOT;
• Bill Herman, NHMMA & Town of New Durham;
• Sheldon Morgan, Public Works Department, Gilford;
• Carl Quiram, Public Works Department, Goffstown;
• Harriet Spencer, AFSCME;
• Bob Strout, NHRAA & North Hampton;
• Paul Vlasich, NHPWMEA & Dover;
• Ken Ward, NHMA, PLT;
• Chris Way, NHDES.

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