Esperance Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust Awarded For 15 Years Attendance

From left to right: Lori Mithen-Demasi, Chief Counsel, New York Association of Towns; Michelle Brust, Superintendent of Highways, Town of Esperance Highway Department; David Orr, Director, New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program.

ESPERANCE — At the June 19th Esperance Town Board meeting, Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust received praise and congratulations for a job well-done and was met with applause after announcing the receipt of a 15-Year Attendance award. 

After Brust thanked the Board for their help during the recent storm with their responsiveness and check-ins, Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III replied, “I want to thank you, Michelle, because Michelle’s the person that’s out there doing the work.” Van Wormer continued with appreciation of her always being out there doing good work in bad weather and, “She’s always working to try to save us some money.”

Brust donated the cost of her hotel room for 2 nights to the Town while traveling to attend Ithaca Highway School, bought a desperately-needed grabber tool for assisting with clean-ups when Town dumpster items get scattered by animals and wind, gets multiple estimates to compare for needed road work, and found a way to save the Town $1,000 on an upcoming necessary culvert repair.

For Town Board member Harold Conklin who asked during the conversation, “Can I bring up another thing to compliment Michelle,” Brust took note of his suggestion from last month’s meeting to start adding tonnage cost breakdowns to the estimates she presents, and this month she went the extra mile to carry out his request.

Van Wormer explained that because Esperance is a small town with a small number of roads, they do not have a highway crew. They have a Highway Superintendent because when brought up for voting, residents appointed the position to approve work being done. Van Wormer acknowledged Brust puts a lot of work in, saying, “It is very important. She does a great job, and we’re appreciative of her.” Then, the Board celebrated and brought a smile to Brust’s face with, “She is women, hear her roar!”

Congratulations to the Town of Esperance Superintendent of Highways, Michelle Brust, for being recognized and awarded for 15 years of dedication and Highway School attendance! Of this achievement, the June 4th NYS Department of Transportation’s official Release from the desk of Local Technical Assistance Program Center contact Amanda Caughey states:

“Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust was recognized for their outstanding commitment to training and education following 15 years of dedicated attendance at the Annual School for Highway Superintendents (Highway School) held at Ithaca College. 

The Highway School is a training conference hosted jointly by the New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program and the New York Association of Towns. Over 700 highway and public works officials from across the state attend each year for training, education, and to share ideas on transportation topics aimed at making New York State’s local roads safer and more cost efficient. 

“These highway professionals from across the state come to the Highway School each year to gain valuable knowledge and share ideas aimed at making New York State’s local roads safer and more cost efficient.” – David Orr, Director, New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program

 The New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program provides training, technical assistance, and information to municipal officials and employees responsible for the maintenance, construction, and management of local highways and bridges in New York State. It is one of 52 Centers established under the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).”