The state is trying a new approach to snow removal on the sidewalk out side of my building. They removed all of the concrete and bricks and installed a labyrinth of plastic tubing for hot water. Once the tubing was tested for leaks, the walkway was rebuilt with bricks and concrete, just as in the past.

Conceptually, this should work. When it snows, the hot water is activated. It, in turn, melts the snow. No need for plowing, no need for chemicals. I have a similar system for heating the floors of my house. However, with my house, I have control of what happens there. Not so with the state.

First of all, this is a pretty high tech solution for a place like the state. Do they have any one there that is knowledgeable and understands the system? Or are they going to rely on the contractor who may be out of business in two years? After all, he was the low bidder.

And who is going to maintain the system? The department that funded the installation of the system is not the department that will be expected to maintain the system. The capital outlay people only have to beg for money once in order to install the system. The maintenance people have to beg for money every year in order to maintain the system And, it only takes one year of budget cuts to ruin the whole thing.

Then there is the problem of interaction with other departments. Will the grounds crew remember to warn the subcontractors about the underground pipes went they plant new trees? Will the electricians remember to notify people before they shut off the power? And in five years will any one remember that the system even exists?

While I don’t mean to sound negative, there is way too much confusion and mis-communication here at the state. So, I see the potential for a system failure in the near future.