Latest news with #PublicWorksWeek
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Redland Middle School crowned winner of MCDOT's ‘Paint the Plow' contest
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () — The wait is over, and a middle school in Derwood was named the winner of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) 'Paint the Plow' contest. On Wednesday, the department announced that Redland Middle School was selected as the first-place winner. The winning design, 'Life is a Highway,' illustrated a Ride On bus and a highway worker on Sam Eig Highway. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | MCDOT invites middle schools to join 'Paint the Plow' competition 'Congratulations to Redland Middle School and all the participating students and teachers,' said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. 'The Paint the Plow competition is a beloved annual tradition that engages students in recognizing the valuable contributions of our public works employees. I look forward to seeing the plows in action during the winter months as a tribute to the men and women who keep our County running.' The contest is held each year as part of the 'Public Works Week,' to honor essential workers. The special week highlights the employees of its Division of Highway Services, public works employees, and the vital role they play in safety and quality of life for residents. The contest featured 11 county middle schools. The art pieces were displayed at the department's 'Truck Day,' where over 2,600 people voted. Here is a list of the winners: First place and awarded $500: Redland Middle School in Derwood for its decorated snowplow with a transportation theme named 'Life is a Highway.' Second place and awarded $300: Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg for its decorated snowplow with a 'Heroes of Public Works' theme named 'Plow!' Third place and awarded $200: Julius West Middle School in Rockville for its decorated snowplow with a Minions theme named 'Snow Ready for Summer.' 'I want to thank our MCPS students for helping us celebrate our public works employees,' said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. 'I was impressed by the creativity and talent of these students and their efforts to raise awareness of the unseen but vital role our employees play in our community.' The department said residents will see the newly decorated snow plows in action this winter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Lakeshore wraps up Public Works Week with appreciation for essential staff
The Municipality of Lakeshore joined communities across North America in marking National Public Works Week from May 18 to 24, 2025, recognizing the vital contributions of staff who maintain local infrastructure and services. This year's theme, 'People, Purpose, Presence,' underscored the cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people gives public works its sense of purpose. Often, these professionals never meet those whose lives are improved by their work—because when things go right, few even notice public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, they remain ever-present, working in the background to enhance quality of life for all. In Lakeshore, the Public Works Division is responsible for maintaining over 500 kilometres of roads and 100 bridges, along with storm sewers, streetlights, sidewalks, signs, culverts and other safety infrastructure. 'Public Works Week was a time to honour the individuals who ensure our community's infrastructure and services run smoothly,' said Mayor Tracey Bailey. 'Their commitment to excellence keeps Lakeshore safe and connected every day.' The division includes 16 full-time employees, supported by seasonal staff, who often work around the clock—especially during snow events or emergencies. Their work was spotlighted throughout the week on the municipality's social media platforms, offering residents a look behind the scenes. With roadwork and spring construction underway, the week also served as a reminder to motorists to drive cautiously in active work zones. 'The safety of our team members is the highest priority, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation in ensuring our staff get home safely every day,' said Jeff Wilson, Division Leader – Public Works. Residents also expressed their appreciation for the often-unseen work that keeps the municipality running. 'I think we take a lot of it for granted,' said Belle River resident Linda Marcotte. 'When the roads are cleared after a snowstorm or a sidewalk is repaired, we don't always realize how much goes into it. Public works staff really are the backbone of our towns.' National Public Works Week is an initiative of the American Public Works Association. Since 1962, the week has honoured the often-unsung heroes who keep essential services running year-round.
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Stouffville Public Works Open House Returns After More Than a Decade
● Stouffville's Public Works Open House takes place Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5061 Bethesda Side Rd. ● The event features a 'Touch-a-Truck' experience, games, ice cream, hands-on activities, and a colouring contest. ● Visitors will meet the people behind the roads, water, and infrastructure projects that keep the Town functioning. ● The open house concludes the Town's celebration of Public Works Week, which showcased the division's wide-ranging contributions to residents' everyday life. ● Stouffville's Engineering and Public Works Division includes Development Engineering, Capital Projects, Transportation and Fleet Services, and Environmental Services. Residents are invited to get an inside look at the people, equipment, and services that keep Stouffville running during the Town's Public Works Open House on Saturday, May 24. The event, held at the Operations Centre at 5061 Bethesda Side Rd., runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., marking the first time in over ten years that Stouffville has opened its doors to the public in this way. The family-friendly event features a 'Touch-a-Truck' experience where visitors can explore Public Works vehicles up close. Ice cream, games, and hands-on activities are planned, along with a colouring contest offering young artists the chance to be featured on the Town's social media channels. Beyond the fun, the open house will provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Public Works supports daily life in Stouffville. The event concludes the Town's recognition of Public Works Week, which featured a weeklong spotlight on each department within the Engineering and Public Works Division. Together, these teams manage road maintenance, infrastructure development, water and waste systems, and the planning and delivery of capital projects. Development Engineering oversees all engineering aspects of master planning, land development, and infrastructure projects. The team reviews submissions and development applications and inspects construction sites to ensure compliance with Town standards and alignment with Regional and Provincial policies. The Capital Projects team manages the full lifecycle of major infrastructure, from environmental assessments and public consultations to design, construction, and final delivery. Their work includes building roads, watermains, and pathways. Focusing on long-term sustainability and growth, the department conducts technical studies and community engagement to ensure projects meet resident needs. Each new build or upgrade follows detailed investigations and regulatory compliance. Responsible for maintaining 544 kilometres of roads and 136 kilometres of sidewalks, the Transportation and Fleet Services Department keeps Stouffville's streets safe and navigable year-round. The team conducts regular inspections and repairs, including pothole patching, crack sealing, and sidewalk replacement. A specialized fleet of 39 vehicles supports winter plowing and salting, stormwater management, street sweeping, and roadside maintenance such as signage repair and ditch mowing. The department also handles right-of-way management, issuing permits and regulating development and utility work in the public realm. Environmental Services manages the infrastructure delivering safe drinking water to homes and businesses in Stouffville, including systems serving Ballantrae, Musselman's Lake, and remote Town facilities such as Bethesda Sports Fields. While York Region treats and distributes the water to lower-tier municipalities, Stouffville ensures it reaches taps safely. This includes maintaining watermains, sampling stations, and more than 1,500 fire hydrants. In 2024 alone, over 6,000 water samples were tested for chlorine levels, bacteria, and metals to ensure compliance with Provincial safety standards. The department also coordinates garbage, recycling, organics, and yard waste collection. Its diversion programs, which include electronics drop-offs, curbside giveaway days, and battery and textile collection, contributed to diverting over 100 tonnes of waste from landfills in 2024. 'Our Public Works teams go above and beyond to ensure our community remains safe, clean, and connected,' Mayor Iain Lovatt said in a press release last week. 'Their behind-the-scenes work is vital to our residents' everyday lives, and this week, we proudly recognize their efforts, dedication, and professionalism. Thank you to each team member for helping to build and maintain the town we're all proud to call home.' Saturday's event is an opportunity to not just meet some of those individuals, but to gain a better understanding of the services that keep the town running smoothly—crucial work often done quietly and without fanfare.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Students celebrate National Public Works week in Woodstock
Students rotate through stations at Woodstock's Public Works Week Event on Thursday. (CTV News/Lauren Stallone)
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Peoria Public Works highlights operations for Public Works Week
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Public Works Department had a head start on Public Works Week. People had the opportunity to learn how the public works department operates on Thursday. There were interactive demonstrations, displays and games. Guests even had the chance to see the mechanics of plow trucks and sweepers. Media specialist Nick Million said it was a fun family event to show what the department does to keep the city running. 'A lot of times people think that, you know, a public works department, all we do is fill potholes in the summertime and plow the roads in the wintertime,' he said. 'But we have everything from engineers to mechanics to arborists, you name it, we have we have a little bit of all positions throughout the public works department.' Public Works Week is May 18 to May 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
