Orangetown Highway Department Earns National Honor

Yet another snowfall set the Orangtown Highway Department to work early this morning -- this time knowing they are getting some national recognition for their work.

The American Public Works Association is giving the Orangetown Highway Department an Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award.

"We're very excited about it," said Orangetown Superintendent of Highways James Dean. "We are very excited that we are being recognized for a national award. I have known for a long time that we  have one of the best highway departments in the state and the country. It's nice to see that the NPWA agreed. I know the whole crew is proud of it."

"The American Public Works Association is proud to ahve the Town of Orangetown Highway Department represent the public works profession and our association," said Rhonda Wilhite, the APWA Chapter Coordinator.

The award is given as part of the APWA North American Snow Conference April 10-13 in Spokane, WA. The winners will be part of a panel 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 11.

Monday's snow was cleared from the main roads in the morning, with highway department crews focusing on side streets and cleanup before noon. Dean said the timing would have been a much bigger issue if it weren't for schools being closed Monday due to the holiday.