West Hartford Announces Appointment of Director of Community Development – We-Ha

Duane Martin has been officially named Director of Community Development for the City of West Hartford.

By Ronni Newton

Duane Martin, who served as the acting director of the West Hartford Community Development Department, has been permanently appointed to the position of director effective Jan. 30, 2022, City Manager Matt Hart announced.

Martin has worked for the city for over 16 years. He began serving as a Civil Engineer in the Engineering Division in November 2005 and was promoted to the position of Municipal Engineer in December 2012. Since June 18, 2020, he has held the position of Acting Director of the communautary development.

Duane Martin, who has now been named Director of Community Development, speaks at an event honoring employees for milestone birthdays on December 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (File photo we-ha.com)

As Director, Martin will lead a team of 24 employees in the building inspection, engineering, and planning and zoning departments. He will also be responsible for managing an operating budget of $2.9 million and an annual capital budget varying between $10 and $12 million.

“I am humbled by the honor of being the next Director of Community Development,” Martin told We-Ha.com. “I am very proud to lead the dedicated staff of the Building Inspection, Engineering, Planning and Zoning Division.

During his time in the Engineering Division, Martin was involved in and oversaw several infrastructure projects, including large-scale signage and drainage projects and the development of a storm water management plan. Other projects have included traffic calming and road/intersection improvements, including the recently completed I-84 interchange at Park Road. The Engineering Division also managed the construction of the Trout Brook Trail, the implementation of the complete streets plan and the addition of bike lanes, and coordinated the implementation of the city’s outdoor restoration plan .

“While I have many goals for the Department, I am specifically focused on improving the customer service experience primarily with online permits, improving the storm water drainage system, completing the Trout Brook Trail, implementing comprehensive street and traffic calming improvements, improving sidewalk and roadway conditions, and achieving the goals of the Conservation and Development Plan,” said Martin. “I am delighted to lead the Department to successfully achieve these goals and more.”

“Duane has done a fabulous job as the department’s acting director, during a very difficult time,” Hart said in a statement. “I was very impressed with his commitment, professionalism, problem solving skills and passion for excellence in service to constituents. I know he will be a tremendous asset to the city as he takes on the role of Director of Community Development on a more permanent basis. »

“City Council has tremendous confidence in Duane and his ability to lead the Community Development Department during this critical time,” Mayor Shari Cantor said. “We have many exciting projects underway and are very pleased to have someone of Duane’s caliber leading these initiatives. I look forward to working closely with Duane in the years to come.

Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is licensed as a Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE).

Prior to joining the City of West Hartford, he was a Project Engineer with the City of Windsor and a Transportation Engineer with Fuss & O’Neill of Manchester, CT and BL Companies of Meriden, CT.

Martin lives in Berlin, CT, with his wife Lisa. He has two sons and two daughters-in-law.

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