Thursday was David Smith’s last day of work as Vernon’s town engineer. His 11 years in the job were productive and generations of Vernon residents will get to enjoy the results of his work.
Smith designed the Windermere athletic fields and the suspension bridge that carries the Hockanum River Linear Park trail across the river north of Windsorville Road.
He worked with consultants overseeing a variety of other projects, including the reconstruction of bridges on Main Street, Dart Hill Road and Pleasantview Drive, and dam reconstruction at Valley Falls and Walkers Reservoir.
Smith played a key role in countless other projects over the years, and was a trusted voice for Mayor Dan Champagne as he considered projects.
“I’m going to miss Dave’s work and his wise counsel,” Mayor Champagne said. “When a project was before me and I needed clarity, I knew I could turn to Dave, ask his opinion, and count on an honest, thoughtful and professional perspective.”
The town engineering department has a tremendous impact across town and helps the public works and parks and recreation departments.
“Dave has made great contributions to this community that our residents will enjoy for a long time,” Town Administrator John W. Kleinhans said. “Dave is a great guy and we are going to miss him.”
Smith said he has enjoyed the work and the projects he has overseen.
“We’ve done some fun stuff, lots of neat construction projects,” Smith said. “I think we’ve had a nice impact on the people here in town and made their world a little more convenient.”
Smith was appointed town engineer in January 2015. He previously worked in Tolland and as a consulting engineer.
The Windermere athletic fields will be a place for generations of Vernon children to play soccer, lacrosse and other sports.
In the Talcottville section of town, Smith oversaw the reconstruction of the historic elliptical truss bridge that carries Main Street over the Tankerhoosen River. A new, modern bridge was installed, but the historic trusses, constructed in 1891 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, were preserved.
Perhaps Smith’s best-known and appreciated project was the suspension bridge that carries the Hockanum River Trail over the river just north of Windsorville Road.
Smith learned about the need for a crossing during a tour of park facilities with former Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Dinnie. The town faced a huge cost to bridge the river.
“Bruce said, ‘could you come up with a way to do this,’” Smith recalled.
Smith knew of an organization called Bridges to Prosperity, which built bridges in remote communities to increase access to work and healthcare for local residents. Smith used the organization’s model on the suspension bridge he designed to cross the Hockanum.
“They came up with a model where untrained people could install a reliable bridge,” Smith said. “I took their design model and applied it to our little situation down on Windsorville Road.”
Smith led the operation and dozens of volunteers joined in. On the remains of a trolley trestle used earlier in the 20th century, the volunteers erected the bridge. The abutments from the trolley bridge were still in place on either side of the Hockanum River.
“We just needed a way to span it,” Smith said. “That’s where the suspended bridge came in and it worked beautifully.”
Volunteers included members of the Vernon Greenway Volunteers, who maintain the trails in Vernon, and Smith’s buddies from the Northford Timber Framers, a non-profit organization of people who like to save old barns, craft timbers, raise new barns and raise money for meaningful causes, such as veterans, cancer patients and transplant recipients.
Smith also called on his timber framer buddies to restore the red barn at Valley Falls.
In retirement, Smith will lead the Northford Timber Framers. Learn more about the group by visiting www.northfordtimberframers.com.
The town has begun advertising for Smith’s replacement. Until a new engineer is hired, Smith will work a few hours a week. Information about the position and other job openings can be found on the town website, www.vernon-ct.gov.