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President's Message
I want to express my sincere gratitude for electing me the 2010 President of the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association. I also want to thank Bob Moylan, the immediate Past President, for his outstanding work in guiding us through 2009.
I am both honored and proud to be President during a year when we are hosting the best show in Public Works, the 2010 Equipment Congress, which will take place in Boston from August 15 through the 18. It has been quite a ride in planning the Boston Congress. From the first site visit in June of 2004 until now, there have been countless meetings, emails and phone calls which have all been skillfully coordinated by Chairperson Tom DeMaio. His theme for the Congress is "Unity"; I could not be more agreeable with that given the rich 56-year history of the New England Chapter. From that first meeting in 1954, this Chapter has proven itself a skilled alliance that thrives on the skill and knowledge of its able members. In honor and continuance of this tradition of "Unity", the Boston Congress promises to be an inspiring congregation of the best minds and resources in our field and I hope you all will be able to attend. Additionally, the Public Works Week luncheon will be held for the first time at Christina's in Foxboro, Massachusetts this year. This will be another noteworthy opportunity to come together as a group and exchange new theories and ideas.
This Chapter offers innumerable helpful resources, one of the best being its networking. If you have a problem or a need that arises, chances are high that another member has experienced the same issue and will offer guidance and support to lead you to a solution. For that reason, it is so important to get involved by becoming an active member and volunteering as your time allows. Active members serve themselves well by attending chapter meetings and workshops--both of which are full of valuable information and resources that will help you and your employer deal with the public wants and demands of our profession.
The Board is constantly working to improve the efficiency of the Chapter, and in turn, the National Association. In keeping with this goal, this year we have added four new committees. These consist of the Liaison to the National APWA Committee, a Member Recognition/Chaplain Committee, a Work Zone Safety Committee and a Young Professionals Committee. It is my hope that these committees will serve our Association well by being an instrumental force in promulgating new and beneficial policies. They will also work to facilitate the APWA's evolution into the future as an increasingly prominent force in the Public Works community.
I have always been a firm believer that no community, and therefore no individual, can survive without Public Works. To ensure we survive as an industry, it is imperative that we educate our employees and train them to continue the work that we have done. We need to reach out to this next generation and bridge the gap between old and new, ensuring a smooth transition into the future. As the saying goes, “you are only as good as your next one”. This holds especially true for the Public Works community. We can make strides and improve the way things are done, but we must ensure that our successors are equipped to carry on this commitment to excellence to secure successful advancements for years to come.
In closing, I would like to thank all the folks who have stepped up and volunteered to be a member of the Chapter's 2010 committees. Only by getting involved can we effectively exchange ideas and work toward productive solutions, so I encourage everyone to do so. I would also like to eagerly thank all members, both past and present, for being the solid foundation that this Chapter is built on. You have set the bar high, and I know with continued perseverance we can meet and surpass the demands of the future of Public Works in New England.
Looking forward to a bright and productive 2010!
Thomas Collins
President
I am both honored and proud to be President during a year when we are hosting the best show in Public Works, the 2010 Equipment Congress, which will take place in Boston from August 15 through the 18. It has been quite a ride in planning the Boston Congress. From the first site visit in June of 2004 until now, there have been countless meetings, emails and phone calls which have all been skillfully coordinated by Chairperson Tom DeMaio. His theme for the Congress is "Unity"; I could not be more agreeable with that given the rich 56-year history of the New England Chapter. From that first meeting in 1954, this Chapter has proven itself a skilled alliance that thrives on the skill and knowledge of its able members. In honor and continuance of this tradition of "Unity", the Boston Congress promises to be an inspiring congregation of the best minds and resources in our field and I hope you all will be able to attend. Additionally, the Public Works Week luncheon will be held for the first time at Christina's in Foxboro, Massachusetts this year. This will be another noteworthy opportunity to come together as a group and exchange new theories and ideas.
This Chapter offers innumerable helpful resources, one of the best being its networking. If you have a problem or a need that arises, chances are high that another member has experienced the same issue and will offer guidance and support to lead you to a solution. For that reason, it is so important to get involved by becoming an active member and volunteering as your time allows. Active members serve themselves well by attending chapter meetings and workshops--both of which are full of valuable information and resources that will help you and your employer deal with the public wants and demands of our profession.
The Board is constantly working to improve the efficiency of the Chapter, and in turn, the National Association. In keeping with this goal, this year we have added four new committees. These consist of the Liaison to the National APWA Committee, a Member Recognition/Chaplain Committee, a Work Zone Safety Committee and a Young Professionals Committee. It is my hope that these committees will serve our Association well by being an instrumental force in promulgating new and beneficial policies. They will also work to facilitate the APWA's evolution into the future as an increasingly prominent force in the Public Works community.
I have always been a firm believer that no community, and therefore no individual, can survive without Public Works. To ensure we survive as an industry, it is imperative that we educate our employees and train them to continue the work that we have done. We need to reach out to this next generation and bridge the gap between old and new, ensuring a smooth transition into the future. As the saying goes, “you are only as good as your next one”. This holds especially true for the Public Works community. We can make strides and improve the way things are done, but we must ensure that our successors are equipped to carry on this commitment to excellence to secure successful advancements for years to come.
In closing, I would like to thank all the folks who have stepped up and volunteered to be a member of the Chapter's 2010 committees. Only by getting involved can we effectively exchange ideas and work toward productive solutions, so I encourage everyone to do so. I would also like to eagerly thank all members, both past and present, for being the solid foundation that this Chapter is built on. You have set the bar high, and I know with continued perseverance we can meet and surpass the demands of the future of Public Works in New England.
Looking forward to a bright and productive 2010!
Thomas Collins
President