LaBella Presenting at the APWA New York State Chapter’s 2026 Annual Conference
LaBella will be well represented at the 2026 Annual Conference of the American Public Works Association (APWA) New York State Chapter, taking place March 17–19, 2026, in Utica, New York.
Scroll down for an overview of LaBella’s sessions at the conference.
Learn more about the conference here
Wednesday, March 18 | Various Times
Construction Inspection Sessions
Senior Civil Engineer Bob Wilson, PE, collaborated with the New York State Chapter of APWA to develop and deliver the conference’s new Construction Inspection track.
He will lead four sessions within the track:
- 8:15 a.m. — Construction Inspection: Basic Overview and Regulatory Overview
- 9:30 a.m. – Risk Management and Legal Issues
- 2:15 p.m. – Pipeline Materials and Installation
- 3:30 p.m. – Pipeline Materials and Installation
Wednesday, March 18 | 8:15 a.m.
The Role of Rosendale’s “Sweet” Cave Water in Crafting Widow Jane Bourbon’s Distinct Character: A Case Study in Source Protection, Permitting, and Innovation
Widow Jane Distillery uses mineral-rich cave water drawn from an abandoned cement mine in Rosendale, New York, in its bourbon proofing process. In this session, Senior Civil Engineer Pierre Brissette, PE, will explain how this unconventional source led to a unique permitting review by the New York State Department of Health. The case study outlines the collaboration among the distillery, LaBella, and state regulators to evaluate source protection, water quality, and compliance requirements, demonstrating how technical assessment and regulatory coordination can support innovative water use in commercial beverage production.
Wednesday, March 18 | 9:30 a.m.
Fredonia’s Water Issue: No Clear Path to Clear Water
Water/Wastewater Engineer Matthew Higgins, PE, Civil Engineer Oliver Sugarman, EIT, and Senior Project Manager Don Lucas, PMP, will explore the Village of Fredonia’s evaluation of critical upgrades to its aging water treatment and storage infrastructure and the challenges of advancing a preferred solution amid multiple agencies and diverse stakeholder priorities. The case study outlines two potential paths—decommissioning the existing dam and purchasing water from a neighboring district or upgrading the dam and continuing operation of the Village’s treatment plant—and the technical, regulatory, and funding considerations involved in determining a long-term, reliable water supply.
Wednesday, March 18 | 3:30 p.m.
Empowering the Village of Whitehall
When a historic drought and critical main breaks pushed the Village of Whitehall’s water system to total hydraulic failure, LaBella’s engineering team provided rapid field assessments and emergency pumping solutions to restore community-wide service. Water/Wastewater Engineer Theodore Donner, PE, and Senior Civil Engineer Paul Guillet, PE, will walk through the project’s response and recovery efforts and explain how strategic engineering and modern technology helped revitalize the Village’s failing municipal infrastructure and set the groundwork for long-term reliability.
Thursday, March 19 | 9:15 a.m.
Thirst Quencher: Clyde’s Persistent Pursuit of Water System Excellence
The Village of Clyde has steadily invested in its water infrastructure over the past two decades, completing key main replacement projects, addressing critical risks, and advancing a long-term plan to upgrade aging distribution lines—all while keeping rates low for residents. In this session, Water/Wastewater Engineer Derrick Burgess, PE, will describe how the Village’s coordinated efforts—from the emergency replacement of a failing main along NY‑414 to ongoing block‑by‑block improvements and the construction of a new water treatment plant—support a long-term, reliable water supply.
