Vernon Town Engineer David Smith Retires After 11 Years On Major Public Projects

VERNON, CT — David Smith, the creative presence around many town improvements over the past decade, has retired as Vernon’s town engineer after 11 years in the position.

Smith was appointed town engineer in January 2015.

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Smith was the creative force behind the Windermere athletic fields and the suspension bridge that carries the Hockanum River Linear Park trail across the river north of Windsorville Road.

The engineering department works across town and supports the public works and parks and recreation departments.

Smith also worked with consultants on other projects, including reconstruction of bridges on Main Street, Dart Hill Road and Pleasantview Drive, and dam reconstruction at Valley Falls and the Walker Reservoir.

Mayor Dan Champagne said Smith was a "trusted adviser" as projects came before him.

"I’m going to miss Dave's work and his wise counsel," Mayor Champagne said. "When a project was before me and I needed clarity, I knew I could turn to Dave, ask his opinion, and count on an honest, thoughtful and professional perspective."

Town Administrator John Kleinhans also praised Smith's work.

"Dave has made great contributions to this community that our residents will enjoy for a long time," Kleinhans said. "Dave is a great guy and we are going to miss him."

Smith said he enjoyed the work and the projects he oversaw.

"We’ve done some fun stuff, lots of neat construction projects," Smith said. "I think we’ve had a nice impact on the people here in town and made their world a little more convenient."

Among the projects highlighted by the town was the bridge carrying Main Street over the Tankerhoosen River in Talcottville. A new, modern bridge was installed while the historic trusses, constructed in 1891 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, were preserved.

The Hockanum River trail crossing as one of Smith’s best-known projects. Smith said former Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Dinnie asked him to find a way to create a river crossing at lower cost.

"Bruce said, 'Could you come up with a way to do this,'" Smith recalled. Smith said he adapted a model from Bridges to Prosperity for the Vernon project.

"They came up with a model where untrained people could install a reliable bridge," Smith said. "I took their design model and applied it to our little situation down on Windsorville Road."

Smith said volunteers erected the bridge on the remains of a trolley trestle.

"We just needed a way to span it," Smith said. "That’s where the suspended bridge came in and it worked beautifully."

The town has begun advertising for Smith’s replacement. Until a new engineer is hired, Smith will work a few hours a week.