New Haven’s longtime former public works director is now back at the helm of the department, in a part-time and interim capacity, after getting fired from his previous municipal job. He’ll perform the interim job as the Elicker administration continues to search for previous Director Michael Siciliano’s permanent successor. The city’s latest weekly personnel report states that Mayor Justin Elicker has appointed Jeffrey Pescosolido to serve as interim director of public works, at a rate of $80 per hour and not to exceed 160 calendar days. His appointment comes after the city’s former public works director, Siciliano, resigned effective last Friday to become the public works director in the New Haven suburb of Woodbridge. Pescosolido previously served as New Haven’s public works director from 2015 through 2023 after spending two decades working in the department. (His last three years in that top job also also saw him assume responsibility for New Haven’s parks and trees as well as sidewalks and roads, after Mayor Justin Elicker split up the “Parks, Recreation and Trees” department. The city has subsequently un-merged parks and public works.) Elicker told the Independent that Pescosolido began his new role back in New Haven at 5 a.m. Monday. Elicker said Pescosolido will work no more than 19 hours per week in this interim job as the city continues searching for a new full-time public works director. “He’s solid. He’s a known quantity. He’s a hard worker. And he’s willing to do it,” Elicker said about Pescosolido. He said that Pescosolido is not currently under consideration to return to his former job full-time. “I don’t think he’s interested.” After retiring from his New Haven job in 2023, Pescosolido worked as the public works director for the town of Stonington. The New London Day reported in February that Pescosolido was fired from his Stonington job for allegedly working for a New York-based engineering firm while on the clock for his public job. Asked about that report, Elicker told the Independent in an email statement, “It is inappropriate for a municipal employee to use municipal resources — whether that be time, email or equipment — to conduct non-municipal employment and commercial activities.” Elicker said he has discussed this issue with Pescosolido “so that there is a clear understanding of city policies on this matter, and Jeff has committed to abiding by our policies.  “Jeff has a long, 25+ year track record in New Haven of being an honest, reliable employee and leader. He was reintroduced to and warmly received by our Public Works team earlier this morning. “Based on Jeff’s previous track record in New Haven and his affirmative commitment to adhere to city policies, I am comfortable with his appointment to serve in this interim, part-time capacity while we search for a permanent, full-time public works director.” Pescosolido did not respond to a request for comment by the publication time of this article. The post Pescosolido Returns As Interim Public Works Director appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less