The Town of Essex is proud to announce that Public Works Director Dennis Lutz P.E., has been awarded the 2018 Outstanding Achievement in Public Works Award. The purpose of the award, which is given by the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association (NEAPWA), is to identify and recognize significant achievements and innovations by a member. Emphasis is given to members who implement projects which improve productivity, cut costs, or offer a new approach to providing services from which others in the industry could benefit from.
Upon graduation from Cornell University, Dennis began his military career with duty as an Engineer Company Commander in Vietnam. His military duty ended in 2004, with 37 years of service and assignments ranging from Battalion and Brigade command to his final position as the Vermont Assistant Adjutant General (Army). He received numerous awards with the highest being the Legion of Merit.
Dennis has held the position of Public Works Director for almost 35 years. According to NEAPWA Board Member Lisa Schaeffler:
“Dennis has devoted his entire professional career to the service of others through public works to improve the quality of life for all. He is a supreme civil engineer and has had a hand in everything from designing the Town’s sewer system to instituting an annual Touch-a-Truck Day in the community. The mentoring of interns and staff has always been an important part of his career.
He is progressive on community outreach and insists that the Public Works Department has a table at every Town Meeting to talk with residents about what’s happening. He understands the importance of educating and engaging the community and the significant role that public works professionals have in their town."
Dennis is a registered professional engineer, an elected Commissioner to the Champlain Water District from South Burlington, serves on the CCRPC Technical Advisory Committee, and is one of six Vermonters appointed by the Governor as a New England Interstate Water Pollution Control (NEIWPCC) Commissioner. In his spare time, he is an avid reader of early American History and enjoys hiking, biking, camping and canoeing with his wife, Carol.
Congratulations to Dennis on this tremendous achievement!
Photo: from left to right: Loren Ward, Lisa Schaeffler, Chris Stoddard Aaron Martin, Dennis Lutz, Annie Costandi, Dan Roberge, and Carol Lutz