Councilman demands urgent staffing boost amid construction surge

During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding staffing shortages within the city's development department, which is currently managing a significant number of construction projects. Councilman Baptista confirmed that the department is operating with only six employees, down from ten, and expressed the urgent need for additional personnel to effectively oversee ongoing developments.

The council members discussed the implications of the staffing shortfall, emphasizing that the current team is stretched thin across various assignments, making it challenging to ensure compliance among contractors. Baptista highlighted that he has requested two additional employees but is still awaiting a response from the administration.

Councilwoman Scott Rowntree pointed out the necessity of filling the vacant administrative assistant position to streamline operations. The council members acknowledged the importance of addressing these staffing issues, especially given the department's responsibility for monitoring approximately 87 projects, some of which are not currently active but still require oversight.

Financially, the department has been proactive in collecting fines from non-compliant developers, having secured $465,000 last year and $365,000 so far this year. These funds are directed to Newark Works, underscoring the department's role in both enforcement and revenue generation.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to reconvene and further discuss potential solutions, including reallocating resources from other city departments to bolster the development team. The urgency of these discussions reflects the city's ongoing growth and the need for adequate staffing to support it.