Derby public works director reviews projects, water and wastewater plans, parks upgrades

Robert Mendoza, Derby’s director of public works, told the City Council on March 11 that his department is focusing on asset management, water‑use efficiency and a slate of park and infrastructure projects while expanding a work‑based learning apprentice program.

Mendoza opened the annual public works presentation by summarizing the department’s scope and staff: “If you drive on it, play on it, walk on it, flush it or drink it, it’s us,” he said, describing a team the presentation counted as about 63.5 employees and multiple divisions including streets, utilities, parks, forestry and fleet.

The presentation outlined near‑term and multi‑year projects. Mendoza said Cartograph asset‑management Phase 1 (facilities, utilities and administration) is complete and Phase 2 (streets, fleet and parks) is under way. He described ongoing work at the wastewater treatment plant (Phase 1 and Phase 1a) aimed at equipment replacements and process upgrades; the…