Paul Bass Photo
He kept the bridges up — and found a new way to have people and bikes and cars go across.
Now Dick Miller is crossing a bridge of his own: retirement.
Miller (pictured), New Haven government’s city engineer for the past 17 years, plans to step down Aug. 2. He is the latest DeStefano administration appointee to prepare to clear out as its two-decade reign approaches an end.
Miller, 67, decided the time had come to finish working full-time after decades of service to municipal government and the Naval Civilian Engineers Corps. He hopes to consult part-time. But he recently became a grandpa, with a second grandchild on the way; he wants time to get to know them, too.
“The new mayor should be able to appoint someone who has a four-year commitment,” he added.
A dedicated public servant who enjoyed working with neighbors, Miller has been responsible for the condition of city sidewalks, roads, and bridges. He rattled off projects of which he takes particular pride, including the redone Ferry Street Bridge and the rebuilt Hillhouse Avenue Bridge. (He’s pictured at the Hillhouse ribbon-cutting.) The latter is actually three bridges in one, he noted: one for cars, two on either side for walkers and cyclists. He called it a “classic example of innovation.” He also noted that a federal grant and a bequest from a Yale benefactor covered the entire cost.
“I hope the public feels I acted professionally and communicated enough,” Miller said. “If that worked, I did my job.”
Meanwhile, city officials announced the Christy Hass, the deputy in charge of the parks department, will serve as acting director for the remainder of the year after her boss, Bob Levine, retires this week.
He's 67? He looks about 20 years younger. Dedicated service is a fountain of youth.