Highway Superintendent Justin Burwell couldn’t have imagined that his 8^th grade bicycle accident would have inadvertently steered his life path. Being touched by those first responders stuck with him, causing him to notice and admire first-responders. At just 16 years of age, he committed to volunteer at the Greenfield Fire District and he has been an active member ever since. In his 24 years of involvement, he has served two local companies and was elected District Chief for two years. Today Burwell serves as the unmanned aerial vehicle pilot for our district, which means he operates drones as necessary in an emergency situation. 

Burwell stated, “As a kid it became clear to me that helping people in your community is important and rewarding work.” He said he always held with him the significance those first-responders played in saving his life.

Burwell’s career choice builds off this mantra, as he currently is completing his first 4-year term as Highway Superintendent in Greenfield. Burwell began working with the Highway Department in 2010 as a motor equipment operator and mechanic for three years. He then served as project manager of J&K Trucking & Excavating and Stewart’s Shop’s as equipment manager before returning to the town in 2018. He was appointed Highway Superintendent in 2020, when the former superintendent retired.

As superintendent, Burwell oversees 14 staff members and our parks & facility maintenance team of four. His Highway team handles repairs, improvements, safety, snow and ice removal for our town’s 94 miles of roadway. The parks and maintenance crew handles upkeep on all town properties.

“Justin is indispensable to our Greenfield management team,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch. “He is a trusted team member who goes far above and beyond in everything that he does. He is incredibly smart and hardworking. We’re lucky to have him.”

Burwell recently completed the building of a new salt shed so that the town could manage the snow independently. He also has worked to modernize his operation with winter weather stations and other equipment updates.

His least favorite part of his job is snow removal, but Burwell said that is only because it typically is unplanned, although he has become a bit of meteorologist to us at Town Hall. If he could prioritize another item on his wish list, it would be that we would all work together to keep our roadsides cleaner. He urges residents to get involved with the town’s “Adopt a Roadside” program and to routinely clean up their property and take advantage of the town’s biannual “Cleanup Days,” which his team manages. More info can be found on the department webpage.

Burwell said if he could share one bit of information with residents it would be encourage residents to be understanding when his team has to inconvenience us with road closures. “We don’t want to ever be in your way, but we are making updates to make the roads safer for us all.”

Highway Foreman Chris Stanton credited Burwell with bringing the Highway up to date with technology and equipment. “He is a dedicated highway superintendent and an excellent person to work with,” Stanton said. “He is easy to talk to, family oriented and his employees always come first.”

Burwell is also president of the Saratoga County Town Highway Superintendents Association, an organization that, among other things, advocates with the state for the construction and operation of a safe highway system.

Burwell has resided in our town since he was two-years-old, meaning he has lived here for more than 38 years. He has owned his current home in Porter Corners for 14 years and has been married to wife Stephanie for 15 years. Stephanie is a life member firefighter, an 8-year veteran of the New York National Guard where she was commissioned as an officer upon receiving her nursing degree and today is a full-time nurse practitioner. It would seem that service runs in the family.

“We love Greenfield because it is a rural community where people still enjoy privacy in their daily lives,” Burwell said.

Burwell and his wife enjoy motorcycling, competitive shooting and camping with their three rescue dogs, Bella, Remi and Shadow.

If you ever have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact him at 518-893-7604 or fill out a form on the town website. It should come as no surprise, that Burwell is extremely responsive and happy to serve the residents of Greenfield.

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