DPW in need of additional engineers

The Department of Public Works is hoping to hire more personnel, especially engineers, so they could function properly. They are asking for a budget of close to $4 million in yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs at the Senate Chamber of the Jesus P. Mafnas Memorial Building.

DPW administrative director Peter Camacho is asking for a budget of $3,745,467 for Fiscal Year 2017, an increase of $1,401,257 from FY’s $2,344,210. He added that they submitted a revised budget after reviewing the first one they presented.

“When reviewing our budget, we noticed some things that are missing that would affect our department operations once the budget is passed. We want to make sure all things are covered and included for FY 2017,” said Camacho.

He added that they need to get professional engineers, who are seasoned and are veterans in their respective fields. That’s why they must increase the salaries of at least three positions to make it competitive.

“The building code is mandated to ensure all commercial and residential buildings under Public Law 6-45. We need to hire experienced, professionals, and seasoned not just engineers,” Camacho told the committee members.

Mechanical and electrical engineers are some of the positions needed, aside from those in the technical services division. Camacho said they want to increase the salaries from $40,000 to $70,000 annually.

Camacho added with a lot of construction activity going on, they need to fill some of these important positions that would help make sure everything that is built is in accordance with all the safety codes.

“We have no mechanical engineer for a long time now. The last one was Brian Smith and he is no longer on the island. We require a mechanical engineer to make sure all of these super structures that are being built are safe,” said Camacho.

“There’s a lot of development going on and we want to make sure we have a proper team that would ensure whatever that is built is constructed properly.”

He said roads and other facilities that are being constructed, including the Puerto Rico Dump project, need maintenance after completion. “Our current staff is not enough and these are challenging times for us. It will be hard to do maintenance for us.”

Camacho said they would also need 10 full-time equivalents, or FTAs, to be able to perform their duties under the mandate and split the crews to different areas.

“We want to make changes to our financial situation and it was not included on the governor’s proposal. We know it has something to do with legislation to pass and approve the budget hat’s why we’re asking if there’s any chance for changes to help our financial situation.”