West Hartford’s Department of Public Works held a very successful open house on Saturday in celebration of National Public Works Week, which has a the theme this year of ‘Rooted in Service, Powered by Community.’

West Hartford Department of Public Works Open House. May 16, 2026. Courtesy photo

Submitted by John Phillips, Director of Public Works 

Each year, the Public Works Open House offers residents a chance to connect directly with the professionals who work behind the scenes to keep West Hartford operating safely and efficiently every day. This year’s event was another tremendous success. With beautiful weather and support from several dedicated staff volunteers, we welcomed more than 370 families to our facility for a day of education, engagement, and community connection.

We were also proud to be joined by several valued service partners, including Circular Services (formerly Quantum Organics), InfoShred, and USA Waste & Recycling. Their participation helped showcase the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable public services within our community.

West Hartford Department of Public Works Open House. May 16, 2026. Courtesy photo

As always, the equipment displays were a major attraction. Children enjoyed climbing into trucks, exploring heavy equipment, and visiting the ever-popular excavator sandbox. Adults had the opportunity to learn more about the mission and daily operations of Public Works, participate in a Municipal Parking quiz for a chance to win free parking, and engage with staff about the many services provided throughout town.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the event was the partnership with Circular Services, which provided each attending family with a complimentary bag of high-quality compost, planting soil, or decorative mulch. These products were made from food scraps and yard waste processed at their facility, offering a great local example of “closing the loop” in sustainable recycling and resource recovery.

West Hartford Department of Public Works Open House. May 16, 2026. Courtesy photo

National Public Works Week is an important opportunity to recognize the hardworking men and women of the public works profession. In West Hartford, Public Works is the backbone of many essential town services. Our teams maintain and repair police, fire, and Public Works fleet vehicles for daily operation. They care for parks and trees, maintain transportation infrastructure, establish safe work zones year-round, respond to snow and ice events, and support countless services residents rely on every day.

Public Works professionals bring willing hearts, skillful hands, and a deep commitment to serving the community, often behind the scenes and without recognition. Events like the Open House allow us to celebrate that work while strengthening the connection between our department and the residents we proudly serve.

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