South Windsor Director of Public Works Vincent Stetson has received a national award for improvements made to the town’s leaf recycling program. Stetson received the Exceptional Performance Award – Sustainability from the American Public Works Association (APWA). The award recognizes exceptional performance that demonstrates outstanding contributions to sustainability in public works. Sustainability is accomplished by the efficient delivery of infrastructure in an environmentally and socially responsible way that ensures the best choice in the long term, according to the award criteria.
APWA serves professionals in all aspects of public works throughout North America. Membership in APWA is open to any individual, agency, or corporation with an interest in public works and infrastructure issues. The APWA Awards Program recognizes outstanding individuals, groups and chapters representing the best in public works, according to the organization.
APWA points out in the organization’s August magazine highlighting the award recipients that “a critical challenge today facing municipalities across the country is the economic and environmental challenge of managing a community’s organic waste generated from a variety of naturally occurring activities. Annual leaf fall and other yard waste generated from tree removal, brush cleanup, and lawn mowing need to be disposed of in a responsible way.
“The Town of South Windsor’s Green Waste Management Program demonstrates that with a deep commitment to innovative thought and development of a proactive business plan, a community can enhance green waste efficiency and create a circular economy that produces a sustainable end-product and program, APWA explained.
“Under Vincent Stetson’s leadership and guidance, each phase of the waste generation to refined end-product cycle, has been evaluated, modified, and new significant innovative efficiencies have been implemented that are turning an economically challenged service into a vehicle for future green waste management investment,” they indicated in describing his selection to receive the award.