August 2018
Issue 51
2018 Workshop Calendar

Click here to view training opportunities available in 2018. We will continue to update the schedule with dates and locations, so check in with us regularly. If you are interested in hosting a class, please email Shelly Desjardin at [email protected] . 
Our mission is to foster a safe, efficient, environmentally sound transportation system by improving skills and knowledge of local transportation providers through training, technical assistance, and technology transfer.
In This Issue:
  • New Tailgate Talk: Proper Lifting
  • Tips from Tony: Roadway Horizontal Curve Signs
  • Innovation Station: EDC-5 Innovations
  • Effective Use of Social Media—Public Works Facebook Pages 
  • Town Crier: City of Meriden's Director of Public Works, Bob Bass, Retiring
  • Discover East Lyme: Niantic Bay Boardwalk
  • Save the Date: 2019 ITE Northeastern District Annual Meeting
  • Tips from Tony: Answer
New Tailgate Talk: Proper Lifting

The T2 Center has published our newest Tailgate Talk informational brief. Each Tailgate Talk focuses on one on-the-job safety topic and is designed to be shared with your crew at the beginning of their day. When employees are presented with safety material in small chunks, in a setting in which they are comfortable, they are more likely to retain that information and put it into practice.
It's hard to enjoy a normal, happy, and successful life with a bad back. The back contains one of the most critical muscle groups in the body, as well as the spinal cord and associated vertebrae and disks. Municipal employees most often lift materials to put them into place or move them from one location to another. Back injuries are cumulative; a lot of small injuries lead up to the big one. It is, therefore, important to remember the key elements of proper lifting.
Tips from Tony: Roadway Horizontal Curve Signs
If you have a horizontal curve that has a maximum safe advisory speed limit of 30 MPH, which sign should you use?
(MUTCD § 2C.02)
Find the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

If you have roadway safety questions, please contact:
Anthony Lorenzetti, P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider
(860) 486-5847 or [email protected] .

Innovation Station: EDC-5 Innovations
Click here to learn more about the EDC-5 innovations from the Federal Highway Administration.
Effective Use of Social Media—Public Works Facebook Pages

As of August 2017, two-thirds (67%) of Americans report that they get a least some of their news on social media — with two-in-ten doing so often, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center .

Overall, Facebook outstrips all other social media sites as a source of news. Looking at the population as a whole, Facebook by far still leads every other social media site as a source of news. This is largely due to Facebook's large user base, compared with other platforms, and the fact that most of its users get news on the site.

Some Connecticut public works departments have taken advantage of this opportunity to get information out to their local residents. South Windsor has posted videos they've created that introduce residents to the DPW crew, and they use Facebook to get out information regarding available resources and updates on local construction projects. New Milford has posted drone videos demonstrating how to properly yield, merge, stop and exit from the Still River Drive Roundabout.

Whether you are looking to announce news or items of interest, promote projects or report on progress, Facebook is a great way to share and connect with your community.
City of Meriden's Director of Public Works, Bob Bass, Retiring
Meriden Public Works Director Bob Bass intends to retire in September from a position he has held since 2007. He's been with the City a bit longer, having been hired initially as an associate engineer in 2003.

While Bass might be far from the longest-serving municipal employee, he is certainly up there when it comes to involvement and influence. Most notably, Bass has been in charge of the transformation of the former Hub site into the Meriden Green, a process that accompanied the significant flood control project along Harbor Brook—in other words, Bass has been in charge of the transformation of Meriden's downtown area. The Meriden Green project has earned national recognition.
Mike Gantick, Director of Public Works, South Windsor (left), Bob Bass, Director of Public Works, Meriden (right)

Bass said he's been grateful "to give back to my home town. I think I've done a pretty good job."

There appears to be agreement on the assessment.

"Bob has given his heart and soul to the city and leaves quite a legacy with the achievements of all the engineering work that has gone into the flood control that led to the Meriden Green, which is currently the most visible product of his achievements," said David Lowell, the City Council majority leader. "His passion and conviction for his job, for the city are going to be missed."

Bass has been a strong advocate of the CT Technology Transfer Center, serving on the Advisory Committee. We thank Bob for his time and support and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.
Discover East Lyme: Niantic Bay Boardwalk

The Town of East Lyme features one, if not the nicest, of the waterfront walkways in the entire state of Connecticut. Residents of East Lyme know the Niantic Bay Boardwalk is the place to go if you want to take in the beauty of Long Island Sound, take a refreshing walk or sit for a while on one of the many benches.

Built with state and federal funds, the Boardwalk is 1.1 miles long, stretching from Cini Park and the railroad bridge on the east to Hole-in-the-Wall Beach on the west. There is complimentary parking at either end.

The eastern half is a true "boardwalk" (although built with synthetic materials) crossing over dunes covered with native vegetation. Between this section and the waters of Long Island Sound is a lovely white sand beach, open to the public, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, picnicking, fishing, or just enjoying the view.

When you're through with your walk, take a stroll down Niantic's Main Street, where you can browse through quaint boutiques and shops or stop for a bite to eat at one of East Lyme's great restaurants. For more information on the Niantic Bay Boardwalk and other great places to visit in East Lyme, click here .
2019 ITE Northeastern District Annual Meeting
May 8-10, 2019
Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale
New Haven, CT

Click here for more information.
Tips from Tony: Answer

The answer is W1-1.

The use of warning signs shall be based on an engineer's study or on an engineer's judgement.
The Manual on Uniform Control Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Section 2C.07 states:
A Turn (W1-1) sign shall be used instead of a Curve (W1-2) sign in advance of curves that have advisory speeds 30 MPH or less.

Also note, Section 2C.08 says:
An Advisory Speed plaque shall only be used to supplement a warning sign and shall not be installed as a separate sign installation.
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Use these links to get more information about the Connecticut Technology Transfer (T2) Center:
If you have any ideas or suggestions for future  Connecticut Crossroads  topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at  [email protected]