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TENNESSEE PUBLIC WORKS INSTITUTE By John Chlarson, P.E., C.P.M.
Maintenance Technologies in PW

The 2026 Maintenance Technologies GPS equipment and methodologies. to become acquainted with Sheila
in Public Works Class of the Tennessee A topic new to Maintenance Huffmire, P.E., MTAS’s newest Public
Public Works Institute (TPWI) was Technologies was added for this session: Works consultant for Middle Tennessee.
conducted May 12-15 at the Tennessee The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Huffmire audited the class and assisted
Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) Devices (MUTCD), as it relates to with the on-site administration.
Training Station in Murfreesboro. PW Maintenance Technologies. The The next TPWI class, Basic Supervision,
Twenty-eight students attended the class, topic was presented by Matt Cate, P.E., will take place July 7-10. That class was
representing 11 local government entities director of the Tennessee Transportation filled early and has a wait list. Kimmey
from Bartlett to Kingsport. Assistance Program (TTAP). He delivers has noted a trend in early maximum
Maintenance Technologies in Public training and field support across registrations in the TPWI classes.
Works class modules included: Right Tennessee. His session reviewed proper Remember that registration is first-come,
of Way Maintenance, Qualities of selection, placement, and replacement first-served. Thus, local governments and
Leadership, Liabilities and Risks as a of signage and pavement markings for TAUD clients must bear this in mind
Supervisor, Basic Heavy Equipment MUTCD compliance. As required by the when considering employee registration
Operations & Safety, Basic Public Works federal government and the Tennessee for any of the classes.
Math Concepts, Blueprint Reading, Department of Transportation (TDOT), The final class of the year, Leadership
Pavement Maintenance, Concrete all local government entities must adopt and Administration, is scheduled
Maintenance, Surveying, New Tools and and comply with the MUTCD. for November 3-6 and still has space
Technologies, Work Zone Safety, Safe Other instructors included Scott available. Please check the website for
Trenching and Excavation, and Confined Jenkins, City of Knoxville; Chipper more information at tennessee.apwa.org.
Space Entry. Wyatt, City of Alcoa; Shane Snoderly, We appreciate all of the positive
Exercises included tests to assess City of Alcoa; Bo Mills (retired), City evaluations, shared below.
participants’ mastery of math skills of Germantown; Paul Brown, City of “Instructors were fantastic. Doubletree
commonly used in Public Works. Morristown; Ben Price, City of Sevierville, was great. Training Station worked well. I’ll
Following the classroom instruction, and John Eskew, University of Tennessee definitely recommend TPWI classes for my
participants were given various field Municipal Technical Advisory Service co-workers.”
exercises to reinforce their understanding (MTAS). Onsite administration of the “Learned a lot of new and good things for
in using common surveying and layout class was provided by TPWI Committee stuff I’m around and see. Good experience
equipment, techniques, and calculations. Co-chairs John Chlarson, P.E., C.P.M., and for anybody in Public Works.”
Methods and equipment included Klair Kimmey, Tennessee Public Works “All the instructors were very
measuring tapes, levels and leveling rods, Magazine publisher. knowledgeable and very informative. Very
electronic total stations, and the latest Attendees also had the opportunity helpful. Can’t wait to do another class.”
12 TPW July/August 2026