The annual VMHA Field Day & Expo was held on May 14 at the Barre Municipal Civic Center in Barre, Vermont. More than 400 people attended.
The day kicked off with welcomes from Barre City Mayor Tom Lauzon and Governor James Douglas.
Representative Tom Koch presented a joint resolution from the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate, recognizing the VMHA. The speakers cited the dedication and hard work that public works employees exhibit daily. Sympathizing with the difficult winter they recently endured, the speakers acknowledged the important role that public works individuals play in their communities.
At the expo, 31 teams competed in the Vermont Municipal Highway Association (VMHA)-sponsored snowplow competition. Each driver and wing team navigated a seven station course and were judged on safety, skill and timing.
First place winners were Melvin & Jasson Wells from Stowe, VT — a father-and-son team. Each received a $100 check and a first place trophy. The two were also awarded the J. Homer Sabourin Memorial Safety Award. Second place trophy and checks for $75 each were awarded to Weston Yule and Bill Short from Dover, VT. Third place trophy and checks for $50 each were awarded to Darby Howe and Mike Stevens from Wilmington, VT.
Twenty-three participants tried their skills at the backhoe competition. Each participant was judged on individual skills, safety and timing at three different stations.
Municipal winners included Dave Quenneville from Duxbury, VT, who took first place. Second place winner was Robert Holland from Dover, VT, and third place winner was Paul Bodington from Ferrisburg, VT. Each received a plaque and a $50 check. Randy Snelling and Scott Jarvis from VTrans, District 5 took first and second place in the VTrans/Contractor competition.
Seventy-three people participated in the Training Time Out event. This is a series of stations where participants take a quiz or answer safety questions. By completing all five stations they were eligible to receive door prizes designated just for this event.
Training Time Out hosts included Vermont Local Roads, Dig Safe, All States Asphalt, Miles Supply, and Northern Vermont Resource Conservation & Development Better Backroads Program.
