KENNEBUNKPORT – The town of Kennebunkport will celebrate National Public Works Week (May 21-27) with its second annual Public Works Open House on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to noon next to the Recreation Building and Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 25 Recreation Way, next to Consolidated School.

According to a news release, the Public Works Open House allows the town to feature the equipment, talent, and services of the town’s largest departments. Not only will it feature public works vehicles, fire trucks, wastewater plant tours, and children’s activities, but it will also offer a chance to showcase the ways that public works departments are interconnected with other departments and organizations.

The theme for National Public Works Week this year is “connecting the world through public works,” as public works departments connect citizens through infrastructure and service, enhancing the quality of life for the communities they serve. Public works does not work alone but in conjunction with a number of other departments and organizations. Kennebunkport Public Works hopes to highlight those relationships at the event. Two of the partners are sponsoring this year’s event, Casella Waste Management and ecomaine.

Casella provides solid waste pick-up and ecomaine processes recyclable materials. Attendees will not only learn more about the potential for an automated pick-up system and the importance of recycling, but will also engage with the fire department, parks and recreation department, public health department, recycling committee, and the climate action planning taskforce. The public health department will lead the Stuff the Truck drive, a collection for the COS food pantry, as well as providing information and test kits for the well water testing program in relationship with Nelson Analytical Lab in Kennebunk.

The event will feature family-friendly activities such as a bounce house, children’s crafts, youth gift bags, and a raffle for gift cards to local businesses.

Kennebunkport Public Works Director Chris Simeoni said he looks forward to offering residents the chance to get a closer look at what the public works department does and hopes the event will increase awareness of the behind-the-scenes work necessary to maintain town infrastructure and services. “I’m very proud of the work our crew does,” he said in an email, “and I’m anxious for our residents to get an inside look at the complexities of current-day operations.”

Simeoni invited residents to come out, learn a little about public works, and have a great time at this community event.

National Public Works Week is an opportunity for the town and the public to recognize the contributions of public works professionals who work to maintain town infrastructure and services. The infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without the efforts of public works professionals who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting the nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for citizens.

For more information on the Public Works Open House, visit www.kennebunkportme.gov/pwopenhouse.

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