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Hastings mechanic receives state award
The City of Hastings Street Department received a pair of kudos during the Hastings City Council on Monday Dec. 11, 2023 from the Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program.
Megan Patent-Nygren, Training Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program, thanked the City of Hastings, specifically Street Superintendent Steve Kostner, for hosting the Winter Maintenance Workshop, a skills competition earlier in the year at the Adams County Fairgrounds that brought in street equipment operators from across the state.
“They were a vital part in making that event a success,” she said of the Street Department hosting of the event.
Patent-Nygren also presented an award to Dustin Lockling, Mechanic with the City of Hastings Street department. Lockling received the award on behalf of the Street Department, which won the Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program’s annual “Build a Better Mousetrap” innovation contest.
The competition highlights innovative solutions to everyday problems local and tribal transportation workers face.
Submissions range from the development of tools to modification of equipment and processes that increase safety, reduce cost, and improve the efficiency and quality of transportation.
Submissions fall into one of the following categories: Inspection and data collection, Asset management techniques, Maintenance tools and methods, or Facilities improvements.
Lockling constructed a trailer that improved safety as well as time efficiency while patching asphalt. The trailer was also constructed for a fraction of the cost it would take to purchase a similar piece of equipment.
Published Date: 12/13/2023