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statements about the usage. Please realize that you will have to About the Author: Rodney D. Michael, PLS, is the owner of
sort fact from fiction when taking their testimony. If there is a RDM Surveying Consultants in Troy, NY (www.RDMSurveying.
dispute, we need to clarify the exact nature of the argument and net). He is a member of Eastern New York Society of Land
how long it has been going on. Perhaps, there is a possibility of Surveyors, New York State Association of Professional Land
executing a Boundary Line agreement to resolve the conflict. Surveyors and the National Society of Professional Surveyors; and
I do believe we should not encourage further conflict but try a past Planning Board Member in the Town of Grafton. Rod has
to bring clarity to the parties about all their questions. If there over 50 years of experience in the land surveying industry. He
is a means of a resolution, it should be pursued. I do believe actively participates in the boundary surveys, ensuring quality
that most landowners once thoroughly informed would prefer control, good client relationships and what is needed to bring the
to negotiate a settlement rather than pursue litigation. We all job to a successful conclusion. Rod is the leader of planning for the
know that a lawsuit may not bring the outcome all is looking future. He is committed to utilizing state of the art equipment
for and that message needs to be conveyed to our client. and trained personal to meet the varied needs of our clients.

We as surveyors are tasked time and again with poor title
information, thin evidence, testy clients, and time demands that
are woefully too short. We need to have good communication
skills, a sound contract, a fee for services that is commensurate
with the liability and our ability to say no when needed. These
things will be our best arsenal.

I would much rather spend my time in pursuit of the original
surveyors’ footsteps, than my own, chasing a client for an
unpaid invoice.

24 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 57 • NO 2 / 2021 • MARCH/APRIL