News

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The 2026 Driver Skills and Training Event was held on July 15, 2026, at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area under beautiful weather. While it was certainly a hot day, we were all glad the sun stayed behind the clouds and didn't make it even warmer.

This year's event was our largest to date, with 80 attendees, including 34 truck teams and 52 loader operators representing communities from every region of the state.

One of the highlights this year was the improvement in the walk-around inspection and written test scores, which were consistently higher than in previous years. Based on participant feedback, we introduced the course walk-through using the course map displayed on a large video screen inside as we explained how the event would run for the day. This change saved time, and made it much easier for participants to hear the instructions, ask questions, and take photos of the course maps before heading outside to participate.

We also had the largest number of judges we've ever had. This allowed judges to rotate for water and restroom breaks while keeping the event running smoothly throughout the day.

As always, I had my doubts that we would be able to process all of the score sheets in a timely manner with so many competitors. (I feel that way every year!) Once again, the committee and volunteers proved me wrong, and we were ready to announce the results shortly after noon.

2026 Truck Competition Results

• 1st Place: City of Worcester – Anthony Eagleton and Paul Snape
• 2nd Place: Town of Erving – Aiden Bailey and Cody Pease
• 3rd Place: Town of Athol – Jason Lichenberger and Jordan      Vescovi

2026 Loader Competition Results

• 1st Place: Town of Concord – Taylor Maslowski
• 2nd Place: City of Newton – Rodolfo Marquez
• 3rd Place: Town of Arlington – Gene Cody

Congratulations to all of this year's winners and to every participant for taking part in the competition.

Thank You

The Driver Skills and Training Committee would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this year's event such a success.

Thank you to the Mass Highway Association Board of Directors for your continued support of this training event and for sponsoring the first-place truck team and first-place loader operator to represent Massachusetts at the Western Snow and Ice National Finals. This opportunity would not be possible without your ongoing commitment of support for this training event.

Thank you to the county highway organizations for continually encouraging the communities you represent to participate in this training event.

A special thank you to the Baystate Roads Program for assisting with advertising, registration, and providing support on the day of the event. Your help continues to be invaluable.

Thank you to Kevin Collins and the Town of Westminster DPW for providing the vehicles used during the walk-around inspection portion of the competition and for assisting as judges.

Thank you to Advantage Truck Group for your continued support, including helping secure trucks for the driving competition and coordinating the logistics of getting them to the event. Special thanks to Chris and Jason for serving as judges.

We also appreciate the Town of Wilbraham for providing trucks for the event. Your support is greatly appreciated, and this event would not be possible without it.

Thank you to C.N. Wood Company for your continued partnership by providing the wheel loaders used in the competition and coordinating the transportation of the equipment. Special thanks to Chris, Katherine, Dave, and Mike for volunteering as judges.

Thank you to Wachusett Mountain and its staff for once again being outstanding hosts. From providing a great venue and great food to keeping the water stations stocked throughout the day—and, of course, arranging the weather (I always make that a requirement!)—your hospitality helped make the event a great success.

To all of our judges, thank you for volunteering your time. This event simply would not be possible without your participation. We also appreciate the vendors, municipalities, and state agencies that support your involvement and allow you to volunteer.

Judges: Next year we'll be introducing two fun awards:

• Best or Most Unique Judge Station Setup
• Best Comments Written on Score Sheets

I'm looking forward to seeing the creativity you will bring to those categories.

Finally, to the Driver Skills and Training Committee—Jason, Dave, and Jamie—thank you for your hard work, dedication, and the ideas you bring each year to help the event run more smoothly, continue to grow, and become even better than the year before. I am especially thankful for the friendships that have developed through this event.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Jennifer and CJ for your help and support. You chose to spend your day helping with this event, and that means more to me than you know.

Thank you again to everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored, judged, and supported the 2026 Driver Skills and Training Event. We look forward to making next year's event even better.

The date for next year’s event is July 14, 2027

Christopher Bouchard

Co-Chair Driver Skills and Training Committee