Successful Public Works Week in Concord

The City of Concord successfully celebrated National Public Works Week, May 21-27, 2017. This event is hosted annually by the American Public Works Association to promote the importance of public works services. The City’s public works department, Concord General Services, hosted several events during the week to celebrate with the community and recognize public works employees.

A Public Works Twitter Party was held for an hour on Monday, May 22nd on Concord General Services’ Twitter page. Twitter users joined the party to discuss public works topics by tweeting #NPWW. Tweets received close to 4,000 views and got recognition from local residents, public works organizations across the nation, and the American Public Works Association.

A Public Works Celebration was held on Tuesday, May 23rd at Memorial Field from 11:00am to 12:30pm. The free public event featured a wide variety of public works vehicles for Touch A Truck, display tables, career opportunities, live demonstrations, hands on activities, a pay-as-you-throw trash bag raffle, and Battle of the Backhoe. Battle of the Backhoe was a skills competition with several rounds of equipment operators from Concord General Services competing side by side. The ultimate champion of Battle of the Backhoe was Equipment Operator II, Matt Bumford. City Manager, Tom Aspell, sported a hard hat and helped officiate the competition. Approximately 300 local children attended the event as a field trip with their schools to learn about the City of Concord’s public works services.

On Wednesday, May 24th, a barbecue-style Public Works Luncheon was hosted by Concord General Services’ superintendents for department employees during their lunch break. Superintendents donated money and bought food to cook as a way of thanking employees for their hard work. Mayor Bouley and the City Manager both spoke at the luncheon to give thanks to public works employees for their dedicated service year-round.

Concord General Services’ Director, Chip Chesley, also presented Service Award Pins to employees at the luncheon: Jon Fisher, Ryan Rambeau, Erin Blake, and Don Chaput were recognized for 5 years of service; Adam Barnard was recognized for 10 years of service; Scott Raymond, Dennis Gilmore, Terri Segalini, Don Weaver, Jan Hall, and Hope Hundley were recognized for 15 years of service; Harley Locke, Charlie Roberts, Joe Mulleavey, Steven Lavers, and Chad Jaquith were recognized for 20 years of service; Greg Call, Bobby Knapp, Lynn Cochran, and Frank Eaton were recognized for 30 years of service; and Rob Young was recognized for 35 years of service with the City of Concord.

Overall, National Public Works Week was a great success for the City of Concord. These events were able to engage the community, educate local school children, and give appreciation to dedicated employees. The City of Concord thanks everyone for celebrating National Public Works Week to recognize the importance of public works services. Visit www.concordnh.gov/generalservices for more information about Concord General Services and the services provided to the Concord community.