Macmillan file photo
Erik Johnson.
Hamden’s new top planner has big plans for Hamden.
The planning director, Erik Johnson, laid out those plans in his first report Tuesday night to the town’s Economic Development Commission.
Two top items on his to-do list regarding economic development include making advances on the High Meadows Project, a 50-acre vacant site that financial experts have suggested could generate up to $4 million in annual tax revenue for the town if used for senior housing; and redeveloping the former Hamden Middle School site, another controversial revitalization project that has been discussed for decades.
Johnson’s other major interests include building a stronger relationship with Quinnipiac University and developing a new marketing campaign for the town along with other local departments.
He addressed the commission because he will be doubling as economic development director in addition to town planner. He spoke Tuesday night about bulking up the department’s staffs and modernizing systems to improve efficiency and communication with the public.
In his new post in Hamden, Johnson will succeed veteran town officials Daniel Kops and Dale Kroop. Kops and Kroop retired this year from their respective roles of town planner and economic development director, and left their marks on the town.
Johnson accepted Mayor Curt Leng’s proposal to merge the two departments. But his first plan of action includes hiring additional staff once the new budget officially comes into effect.
Nora Grace-Flood photo
Johnson’s proposed structural outline for the Planning and Economic Development Departments.
The grey rectangles in the above image represent jobs within the Planning Department that will be opening up in the coming months, once job descriptions are drafted. These include a principal planner who will aid in project management and an assistant zoning enforcement officer.
While those two positions are new, Johnson is also be looking to hire staff for existing positions that are currently vacant. Those include a small business/ housing specialist and economic development tech.
Johnson said that both departments are “under resourced,” and that at some point in the future he believes that there should be both a separate town planner and economic development director.
Within the Planning Department, Johnson’s first set of priorities include:
• implementing a new system to allow individuals to upload building applications with more ease and efficiency.
• integrating recommendations from the public to the Town Code of Ordinance.
• reviewing and approving proposed changes to United Illuminating lighting fixtures on town-owned and privately owned properties.
• installing a new electronic filing system to ensure better departmental organization.
Johnson’s proposed projects timeline.
“Am I getting this right?” Johnson asked the Commission members throughout his presentation. “Is this consistent with what you believe the priorities are? This is a discussion document.”
Johnson urged the commission members to offer honest criticism of his plans.
“I’m not shy to take help,” he said. “And I try to be pragmatic in my approach… I’m pretty transparent.”
The EDC’s members expressed enthusiasm and support for Johnson’s appointment and his ideas. Commission member Donald Moses said at the meeting that resentation indicated the “ideal” course of action.
“This will be a foundational year for us,” Johnson told the commission. “We’ll take on things that we can get done.”
Combing the Planning and Economic Development titles was a good step toward reducing the work force at a time of economic crisis in the Town of Hamden. And now they want to undo it by adding two additional positions? This is not the time to be adding staff. Work with what you have.