Another Solid Effort by John Pilato and the Lancaster Highway Department

[mark blazejewski]

The winter weather conditions were treacherous throughout much of Lancaster today, but the dedicated team work of the Lancaster Highway Department, under the inspirational leadership of Highway Superintendent John Pilato, kept us all safe and functional today.

It is obvious that Highway Superintendent Pilato and Deputy Superintendent Michelle Barbaro, planned very well. Their planning, combined with the tireless frontline efforts of each and every employee of the Lancaster Highway Department, guaranteed that the town roads were cleared relatively quickly and well-maintained throughout the day. The Highway Department's dedicated efforts ensured that people could get to work, kept the emergency services functioning fully and efficiently, and enabled the residents to safely fulfill their daily obligations without substantial accidents or delays.

Kudos to Highway Superintendent and all of Lancaster's Highway workers!

[mark blazejewski]

In Spite of a 6 degree wind chill, I understand that the Lancaster Highway Department, once again, successfully met the challenges of last night's horrible weather.

Kudos to those crews who swelter in the summer and shiver in the winter.

If I may, just a word about Highway Superintendent John Pilato.

From what I see, it is his humble, friendly, down-to-earth temperament which accentuates his skills and talents. His personal leadership style appears to have truly "reinvigorated" the Lancaster Town Highway Department, and others would be well-served to emulate his management technique.

Unlike some in public office, John Pilato does not boast of the expected efforts of a closed personal clique, nor does he shine a gratuitous light on himself.

Rather, Pilato appears to show no reluctance to fully credit the contributions of the Lancaster Town Police Department, the Lancaster Office of Emergency Management, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Supervisor, the Town Board, his own front-line workers, and, yes the residents themselves, so that all may bask in the glow of prideful service to the Lancaster family.

John Pilato, IMHO, is a refreshing departure from the arrogance which so often attends the reigns of power and office.

[mark blazejewski]

A great example of the Lancaster Highway Department's community outreach...

Lancaster’s name a plow contest gives special gift to best design winner

December 12, 2024


The Town of Lancaster Highway Department hosted its annual name a plow contest for students in the Lancaster Central School District.

Participating students were able to submit their artwork to be used as an insignia on a town plow.

“It’s great community involvement with the kids and school district,” said John Pilato, Town of Lancaster Highway Department Superintendent. “I just like the outreach … I like to keep the kids engaged.”

Pilato added that highway department employees enjoy the event, too, getting a kick out of the kids’ reactions.

“They like seeing the kids faces light up when they pull up in a big truck, blaring the horn.”

Kendall Nowicki’s design, inspired by Buffalo Bills player Joe Andreessen, won her a signed jersey by the Lancaster native and NFL athlete.

The full list of kids whose designs will be used on town plows include:

Elliot Burch, Auston Dewolf, Emilia Fay, Emma Maier, Parker Malke, Benjamin McKenica, Kendall Nowicki, Evelyn Kay Schihl, Olivia Anne Snyder, Marharyta Synyshyn, Stella Thielman, and Payton Waters.

https://www.lancasterbee.com/article...design-winner/

[mark blazejewski]

Reader, in the event that you did not see the December 5, 2025 Lancaster Bee, FYI...

Looking forward to my fourth year as highway superintendent
December 05, 2024

John Pilato
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT OF LANCASTER



As 2024 draws to a close, I look forward to beginning my fourth year of service to the Town of Lancaster as its highway superintendent.

Since assuming office on Jan. 1, 2022, our Town Highway Department has confronted the challenges of numerous, severe lake-effect snowstorms and two events classified as either a blizzard or blizzard-like weather systems.

Speaking as your highway superintendent of Lancaster, I note that we have been blessed to have the dedication of the Lancaster Police Department and its chief, Bull Gummo, along with the skills of the Lancaster Office of Emergency Management and its director, Ron Rozler. I also have to compliment the talents of our Parks and Recreation Department and Crew Chief Bruce Stutz, along with the selfless commitment of the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps personnel and cooperation from the town board.

Throughout dangerous times during my tenure, there was uninterrupted communication and effective coordination among all parties. In each instance, their combined efforts led to highly successful and safe outcomes.

In particular, I want to tell you that during last January’s brutal storm, I am proud of the fact that our Highway Department personnel worked pretty much around the clock, and unlike other surrounding towns, the Lancaster Highway Department did so without reliance on private contractors, saving Lancaster taxpayers thousands of dollars.

Looking toward winter, I want to assure each and every resident of the Town of Lancaster and the transiting public that the Lancaster Highway Department is ready to take on the wind, snow and ice once again.

The Highway Department will pre-position snow removal equipment in such a way as to assist our crews in their access efforts and to conduct their business in the most effective and time-efficient way possible. Over the course of the last year, the supervisor and town board have approved the purchase of a new, multipurpose payloader. This piece of equipment will facilitate snow removal efforts in the winter, as well as tend to warm-season tasks. I thank the town supervisor and town board for their foresight and for their continued efforts to act in the best interests of our town.

In other news, our rock salt inventory is up to speed; our quality of equipment is in tip-top order; our crews are motivated; and our crews are ready to go.

I want to once again thank my fellow residents for permitting me to serve you in the capacity of highway superintendent, and I wish all of you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

https://www.lancasterbee.com/article...uperintendent/