Let’s face it: if you’ve got a seat at the department head table, and there’s a Town Board in the room, sooner or later you’re going to butt heads. It’s not personal. It’s not even unusual. It’s practically a job requirement.

Town Board members come from all walks of life – teachers, retired farmers, business owners, that one guy who ran unopposed and still acts surprised he won. They’re in charge of approving budgets, scrutinizing projects, and occasionally making wild suggestions that make you wonder if they think the highway department also manages NASA. Some bring a world of varied experience with them. Others, well, they bring nothing to the table – and you’ll wonder who ties their shoes for them.

As the Highway Superintendent, you’re the boots-on-the-ground, mud-on-the-boots expert. You know the difference between chip seal and chocolate chip. You know that one grader is worth a hundred PowerPoint slides. And sometimes that expertise puts you in direct conflict with those who last operated heavy equipment when they played with Tonka trucks.

The Common Flashpoints

1. The Budget Dance
Board Member: “Can’t you just make those 15-year-old trucks last another 10 years?”
You: “Sure. I’ll just sprinkle some fairy dust on ‘em and hope for the best.”

The budget is always a battle. You’re advocating for safety, efficiency, and keeping the town’s infrastructure from collapsing. They’re trying to hold the line on taxes while funding everything from dog parks to pickleball courts. A little humor and a lot of patience go a long way here.

2. Paving Politics
Board Member: “Why are we paving that road? I got five calls about this other road.”
You: “Because that road is about to become a gravel pit if we don’t, and this other road just needs a good sweeping.”

Everyone thinks they know which roads are the worst. But you’ve got the pavement ratings and drainage reports to prove it. Stick to your data and your plan, but be ready to explain it in plain English (and occasionally in crayon).

3. The “Do More With Less” Syndrome
Board Member: “Can’t your crew get this all done in half the time?”
You: “Of course. We’ll just clone ourselves and work 36-hour days.”

Efficiency is great, but there are limits. Sometimes a gentle reminder that potholes don’t fill themselves and culverts don’t magically appear in the ground helps bring expectations back to reality.

Tips for Surviving the Head-Butts

✅ Pick your battles. Not every hill is worth dying on. Save your fire for the issues that truly matter.

✅ Use humor. A well-timed joke can defuse tension faster than a 10-ton roller.

✅ Respect their role. Board members are trying to serve the town too, even if they occasionally drive you up the salt shed wall.

✅ Educate. Take every opportunity to explain why your department does what it does. Bring photos. Invite them on a ride-along (bonus: they’ll see just how bumpy those roads really are).

✅ Stay professional. No matter how heated it gets, you’re the one wearing the superintendent’s hat. Model professionalism, because that earns trust.

Final Word

Butting heads is part of the job. It means you care, and it means they care. If everyone agreed all the time, you’d probably be living in Stepford.

Remember: your job is to fight for what’s best for the roads and the community, and to keep showing up, year after year, with a smile (or at least a smirk). Because while Town Board members may come and go, the potholes, and the Highway Superintendent, are forever.