Summer 2026 Road Business Newsletter

We’ve transitioned our Road Business newsletter from our traditional Canva/PDF format to a new email platform to make our newsletter more accessible, engaging, and user-friendly. This new format allows us to share timely updates, clickable resources, and easier registration links—all in one place. We’re excited about the improved experience and hope you enjoy it!

New Resource: Managing Felled or Fallen Trees in the Right-of-Way

After storm events, clearing fallen trees from the roadway is only the first step—determining what happens next can be less clear. This tech brief outlines municipal responsibilities in maintaining safe travel while also respecting property owners’ rights to fallen trees and wood within the right-of-way.

VIEW THE RESOURCE

NH Roads Scholar Program Restructuring

Coming in 2027

For nearly 30 years, the NH Roads Scholar Program has recognized professional achievement across New Hampshire’s transportation workforce. Following a national review and in response to evolving workforce needs, the program will transition to a simplified three-tier model beginning in 2027.

The new structure will provide a clearer pathway for career development, strengthen foundational and leadership training, and align more closely with national LTAP best practices.

New 2027 three-tier NH Roads Scholar model

Roads Scholar – Foundational training through core and elective courses
Roads Scholar Master – Advanced technical and supervisory development
Advanced Master Roads Scholar – The program’s highest recognition, combining extensive training with a leadership or capstone component

Current participants should know that:

Past UNH T2 training will count toward the new structure where applicable
Course completion certificates will continue to be issued
2026 awards will remain under the current program structure
A leadership survey will be released soon to help shape future training priorities

These changes are designed to strengthen—not reduce—professional recognition by creating a more meaningful and impactful development pathway.

Additional information, including program requirements, transition details, and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. Please reach out to us with any questions at T2.Center@unh.edu.

Congratulations to the 2026 New England APWA NH State Award Recipients

Graphic with a blue background celebrating the 2026 New England APWA New Hampshire State Award recipients. The headline reads, “Congratulations – and thank you! – to the 2026 New England APWA NH State Award Recipients!” Three award panels are displayed side by side, each showing award recipients holding a trophy. The left panel recognizes “PW Leader of the Year – Jennifer Hale, P.E., Hampton DPW.” The center panel recognizes “Outstanding PW Department of the Year – Town of Rye DPW.” The right panel recognizes “PW Supervisor of the Year – Ted Wadleigh, Claremont DPW.” The recipients are photographed against light backgrounds, and the award titles appear in large dark-blue text beneath or above the images.

Congratulations to the 2026 APWA New England Chapter NH State Award recipients!

Thank you to Jennifer Hale, P.E., Ted Wadleigh, and the Town of Rye DPW for your outstanding dedication and service to your municipalities, and to New Hampshire’s public works community. Your work strengthens our towns and cities, supports safer and more reliable infrastructure, and makes a lasting difference for the residents you serve every day.

Well-deserved recognition for some truly impactful public works professionals.

Award recipients are pictured with Christina Hall, NHPWA President, and Patrick Yeo, on behalf of NEAPWA Award Committee.

Share Your News With UNH T2

Have a project success, team achievement, award, promotion, retirement, innovative practice, or other news from your agency? We'd love to hear about it!

UNH T2 Center is always looking for stories that highlight the great work being done by public works professionals, transportation agencies, and DOT staff here in New Hampshire. Send us your updates, photos, and accomplishments, and your story may be featured in an upcoming issue of our newsletter!

EMAIL US

2027 T2 Calendar Photo Contest

Do you have a scenic photo of a New Hampshire roadway? Do you have photos of a project your team was working on? We want to see your photos!

Consider submitting your photos to our annual UNH T2 Calendar Photo Contest! Winning photos will be featured in our 2027 printed training calendar.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

2027 T2 Workshop Hosting Survey

We know it seems early, but we’re already getting a jump on planning for the 2027 workshop season!

If your team is interested in hosting a T2 workshop next year, please take a minute to fill out our survey.

Don’t forget, hosts get four free seats to the workshop that they’re hosting.

FILL OUT THE SURVEY

Meet our Technical Specialists

Alan Côté, UNH T2 Center Technical Specialist

Alan began his municipal career as an engineering technician for the Town of Derry in January of 1989 having previously worked in the private sector for a land surveyor.

Derry was ahead of many communities in implementing a pavement management program and among his many duties Alan was trained by consultant VHB to survey roads for deficiencies and the program was brought in house. In addition, his background in surveying was instrumental in engineering smaller projects in house. Alan was chair of NH Public Works Mutual Aid and on the Board for NHPWA and has had extensive training through FEMA.

Over the 36 years Alan was employed by the Town of Derry his titles and responsibilities changed several times eventually becoming Superintendent of Operations. He developed and oversaw $4 million in operating budgets as well as capital projects.

Alan’s strengths include pavement management, budgeting, emergency management, roadway statutes and law, and supervision of personnel.

Pavement Management

Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later

Written by Alan Côté, UNH T2 Center Technical Specialist

Well-maintained roads are essential for safety, cost savings, and quality of life. In this article, learn about how proactive maintenance helps communities avoid expensive repairs and long-term infrastructure decline. By investing in regular upkeep and planning ahead, municipalities can protect their road networks and ensure safe, reliable travel for everyone.

READ THE ARTICLE

UNH T2 Center provides the PW.net Microsoft 365 group for those associated with public works in New Hampshire; subscription to the closed group is available upon request.

LEARN MORE

FHWA Announces Every Day Counts Round 8 (EDC‑8)

The Federal Highway Administration has launched Every Day Counts Round 8 (2026–2027), featuring six proven innovations to improve safety, speed project delivery, and strengthen infrastructure management. EDC is a collaborative, state-based program that promotes practical solutions to help agencies deliver transportation projects more efficiently—saving time, reducing costs, and building safer, smarter systems nationwide.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EDC-8

New Clear Roads Research: Resources for Communicating With the Public

It's never too early to start making a plan for communicating your winter maintenance efforts

Clear, consistent communication helps the public better understand winter maintenance efforts, but creating effective outreach can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This initiative offers a ready-to-use library of public service announcements, featuring short videos and targeted messaging designed for social media and other public platforms—making it easier for agencies to connect with their communities.

LEARN MORE

Did you or your team build an innovative gadget, improve how you do a certain job or task, or otherwise implement a change that had a positive impact?

Did you solve a challenge or frustration with ingenuity? We want to hear from you!

Learn more by visiting our website below or email Lee.Cooper@unh.edu.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP

We offer personalized technical assistance to New Hampshire municipal highway departments by phone, email, or on-site visits—covering everything from drainage and gravel roads to safety, asset management, and workforce development.

To request assistance, contact us at (603) 862-1362 or T2.Center@unh.edu.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Stay Safe in the Summer Heat

As temperatures rise, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. This short safety video from our friends at the Nevada LTAP highlights the warning signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, while providing practical tips such as staying hydrated, taking regular breaks, dressing appropriately, and looking out for one another. Learning to recognize symptoms early and responding quickly can help prevent serious health risks and keep everyone safe during hot weather.

WATCH THE VIDEO