The most complex and time-intensive part of the Road Chair position is grading, particularly during the “spring cleanup” phase of the year.

No one likes potholes, and if you’ve ever lived off of unpaved roads, you’ll know this is a season in North Idaho all onto itself.

For those who’ve always enjoyed paved roads, Pothole Season is when winter subsides and dirt roads begin to thaw and come undone before they’ve thawed enough to do any meaningful repair.

Try getting the owners of 300 properties through this in-between phase after they JUST paid their annual dues!

Bottom line: the permafrost can’t be exposed or dirt roads will turn to mud with more rain. See “under grader” pic as an example of how little grading can be done in this phase.

Photos and detailed explanations for the community have been instrumental in earning trust and support of our efforts, particularly through spring cleanup!

This is the equivalent of having client buy-in.

The Road Chair must also coordinate rock distribution projects including seeing through board approvals all drafted budget proposals, and then coordinating with the Lead Operator + Road Crew on staffing + timing of projects with respect to weather + road conditions, and sometimes, even collaborating with the paving company on materials + negotiating pricing, all to maximize the impact of our investment, and stretch every dollar.

Then, progress and wrap-up of projects must be communicated to residents with care, and still, questions must be fielded with even greater care.

If you’d like to learn more about what goes into rock + grading projects to get a glimpse into the planning + execution required of the Road Chair & Crew, CLICK HERE for a great blog by our President.