Just last week we wrapped up APWA's annual North American Snow Conference in Cleveland. While nearly all of us in North America are out of the winter threat and will be for quite some time, it's no coincidence that this event takes place in the middle of spring. As we learn from four passionate experts in today's episode, snow and ice planning is a year-round endeavor — and with summer quickly approaching, right now is actually the perfect time to start the process of ensuring next year's winter prep is a success.

The spring and summer months give public workers a chance to take a step back. Catch their breath. Look back on what worked and what didn't. It's a time to prep equipment, complete inventory and stockpile checks, review contracts, training schedules, route plans, and so much more. Because when snow removal is done right, it can be the defining characteristic of your agency.

In this episode we hear from the following guests:

• Diana Clonch is a consultant specializing in winter operations. Before consulting, she spent a 30-year career in government and public works in central Ohio.
• Shane Mark is the Assistant Director of Public Works in the town of Needham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston.
• Matt Morreim is the Public Works Director for the city of Shorewood, Minnesota, and previously managed winter operations for the city of St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Daniel Schacher is the Chief of Maintenance at Fairbanks International Airport.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

• APWA Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate: register here for June 16 program, or click here to learn more.https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26

• APWA Winter Maintenance Resources: https://www.apwa.org/resources/resource-center/?_categories=winter-maintenance
• 2027 APWA North American Snow Conference: https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/
• Diana Clonch’s Consultancy: www.dwclonch.com
• Shorewood Minnesota’s Public Works & Engineering: https://www.shorewoodmn.gov/178/Public-Works-Engineering
• Needham's Massachusetts Department of Public Works: https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW
• Fairbanks International Airport: https://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap/