Highway Department
Highway Department
Highway Department Information and Responsibilities
Acting Highway Superintendent, David Blaisdell, oversees the Town of Van Buren Highway Department. The department is comprised of nine full-time equipment operators, one full-time mechanic, and one part-time clerk. During the winter months, several part-time workers are also called in to operate the wings on plow trucks.
Maintenance of town-owned roads includes resurfacing, paving, pothole repair, street sweeping, roadside mowing, and ditch cleaning. Some projects may also involve repairing existing catch basins or constructing and installing new ones.
In the winter, the department is responsible for plowing and salting all town roads as well as select county roads. Additionally, they manage the maintenance and replacement of road signage.
Motor Equipment Operators
- Nick Delia
- Douglas Weller
- Nick Palocy
- Shane Stewart
- Luke Chapin
- Jaden White
- Caleb Crandall
Frequent Questions and Answers
My mailbox was hit by a town plow, will the town fix it?
If the mailbox is struck by a town plow, we will replace it with a standard mailbox. However, if it was pushed over by snow or was not installed at the proper height, the town will not incur the cost of replacement.
Will the town replace a damaged driveway culvert pipe?
If the culvert pipe has collapsed or been damaged due to age, the town will repair or replace it as deemed necessary. However, if the damage was caused by misuse, such as improper extension of the pipe or vehicular traffic over it, the town will not be responsible.
My lawn was damaged by a town plow, will it be repaired?
Yes, but please note that no repairs will begin until the threat of snow or winter weather has passed. We do keep a list of reported damage; however, feel free to contact the department to report any issues or ask any questions you may have.
Does the town have brush/leaf pickup?
No, the town does not provide this service. Many residents choose to bring their yard waste to OCRRA in Amboy. For questions about their site, please contact them at (315)453-2866.
I missed scrap metal and tire drop off day, can I still bring it to the highway department?
Yes, we accept scrap metal free of charge and tires for a nominal fee (households only) during normal business hours. Electronics are no longer accepted; please contact OCRRA at (315)453-2866 for disposal options.
No dumping is permitted after hours. The area is under 24-hour surveillance.
Why is the office closed on Friday?
From May through September, the department operates Monday through Thursday, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM. During the winter months, hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Office Information
- 3417 Walters Rd, Syracuse, NY 13209
- Summer (May-Sept): Mon-Thurs | 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Winter: Mon-Fri | 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Staff
- David Blaisdell | Highway Superintendent
- Chris Godfrey | Crew Leader
- Janelle Sauter | Highway Secretary
- Dennis Ritchie | Mechanic
Brief Overview
The Highway Department is committed to maintaining all town-owned roadways in good, safe condition for our residents and those just passing through.