Newton County public works director details storm response, paving plans and fleet upkeep

Chris Malcolm, Newton County public works director, told the county’s podcast that the department runs year-round storm-preparation drills, stages crews across the county during severe weather and relies on multiple funding streams to repave roads and replace heavy equipment.

On “Do You Know Newton?,” Public Information Officer Brian Fazio interviewed Malcolm about staffing, winter storms and day-to-day operations. Malcolm said crews began storm preparations at about 3:30 a.m. during the most recent event, that the department operates roughly 11 staging areas during large weather responses and that crews use both brine and salt when conditions require it. "We prepare year round, believe it or not. And we have what we call blue sky day meetings when it's not snowing," Malcolm said.

The nut graf: county roads, storm clearance and pavement affect everyday travel and emergency access for residents across Newton County’s roughly 279-square-mile area; Malcolm described how limited staff and…