Arlington Heights Public Works employee retires after 40 years

After 40 years with the Arlington Heights Public Works department in a number of different roles, Scott Rowader retired this week.

Most recently Rowader served as the department's street foreman and snow commander, and department head Scott Shirley said he has contributed much over the years.

Shirley said Rowader helped increase the department's productivity when he had to reduce overtime and staff, introduced liquid de-icers to reduce salt usage and costs by 40 percent, and raised the bar on pavement maintenance that improved road conditions between repaving cycles.

"Personally, the two things I will miss most about (Rowader) are his professional approach to his job and the team approach he fostered in snow and ice control operations," Shirley said. "Lastly, I will miss working with Scott analyzing winter storms and developing attack plans for each event. (Weatherman) Tom Skilling could learn a thing or two from Mr. Rowader when it comes to winter forecasting."