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American Public Works Association

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2009 Highway of Congress

It was a sunny day at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds for over 900 attendees and 106 vendors who came to the 18th Annual Highway Congress.  Many thanks goes out to the Lions Club for cooking an all you can eat breakfast then turning around and barbequing 1300 chicken dinners for everyone on the Fairgrounds.  Maine Local Roads Center had people at 6 Time Out for Training stations that saw a near record turnout for completed training slips.
Our vendors brought new and interesting equipment to the show with the latest in ice and snow attachments shown on some great trucks outfitted for many towns in Maine.
	Public Works drivers and operators took advantage of the try out area in the infield to test new equipment.  Demonstration of “Sponge Blasting” to clean rust from truck bodies and wet cutting of concrete were hits of the show.  The Maine Antique Tractor Club dropped off 6 of their member’s best tractors for attendees to take a look at.
The Maine Turnpike Authority showed off the skill of their truck drivers by winning the State Snowplow Roadeo Championship.  Their drivers will represent the State of Maine at the National Championships in Colorado this September.  At our closing ceremonies we heard from the Town leaders of Skowhegan and Chris Lockwood of the MMA spoke on the upcoming vote on Excise Tax reductions.  Awards were given to new Roads Scholars and the Public Works Excellence Awards were presented to Large, Mid-size and Small Maine Towns.

Supervisory Leadership in Public Works Programs Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge.

MCAPWA’s Spring Meeting was held at the Waterville Elks Club on April 2, 2009

180 public works, construction and engineering personnel attended the Maine Chapter APWA Spring Meeting.  After introductions from Chapter President Steve Bradstreet and Spring Meeting Chairperson Bob Burns attendees heard from Kat Fuller, MDOT’s Chief of Planning, on the status of Highway Funding in Maine.  Kat went directly from her presentation to meet with the Maine Legislature Transportation Committee to present MDOT’s 2010-11 Workplan. 

We heard from two speakers on different approaches to meeting emission standards for 2010 model year truck engines.  We were told that new exhaust technologies and engine design will bring NOX emissions to extremely low levels.  Richard Tibbetts of Contech showed some interesting local bridge projects which helped municipalities recover from recent flooding events. 

Mike Bolduc, Saco Public Works Director was named 2009 Public Works Leader of the Year.  Saco City Officials, employees and members of Mike’s family attended the presentation ceremony.  MCAPWA will be issuing a press release on Mike’s Award.

Pete Coughlan of Maine Local Roads presented 10 Roads Scholar Awards to attendees.  Troy Pennell and George Hamm spoke to the audience on keeping perspective in the workplace.  Their thoughts were appreciated by all.

Photos of the Spring Meeting can be seen online through this link.

MCAPWA’s Fall Meeting was held at the Augusta Civic Center on October 9, 2008

The following MCAPWA members were elected to a one year term as Chapter Officers: 

Steven Bradstreet – President;
Michael Claus – Vice President;
Robert Burns – Treasurer
David Cote – Secretary;
Michael Bobinsky – APWA National Delegate.

A warm welcome was given to Megan Bates, Auburn’s Deputy Public Works Director, who was newly elected to a two year term MCAPWA Director.

Tim McCabe and Terry Susee terry.susee@us.army.mil from Maine Military Authority made a presentation on equipment repair and restoration.  They discussed their success with retrofitting military equipment and their hope to perform cost effective services for local governments looking to retrofit old equipment.  FMI their website address is: www.maine.gov/mma

Greg Dore, Skowhegan Public Works, discussed the ongoing talks in Somerset County on Public Works consolidation in hope of discovering cost savings and equipment sharing in a county wide setting.

Tim Clark from Efficiency Maine made a presentation on energy conservation for both home and business and ways Efficiency Maine can help.  Their web site address is www.efficiencymaine.com

Over all the meeting was well attended and the question and answer on all topics were brisk.

Calendar of Events

2009

September 11 - Golf Tournament at Natanis Golf Course in Vasselboro

Oct 7 & 8 - MMA Convention at Augusta Civic Center

World Road Association’s XIII International Winter Road Congress

Québec City - February 8 to 11, 2010.

For more information:

Website

Brochure

2010 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition

Will be held in Boston.  Stay tuned for more information.

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Maine Chapter American Public Works Association
c/o Steve Bradstreet, President
Oak Engineers
400 Commercial St., Suite 404
Portland, Maine 04101
207-772-2004 x30

For comments or further information please e-mail us at: apwa@mcapwa.org

Updated 7/21/08