Lower Burrell is seeking applications for the newly created position of director of public works and parks.

Mayor Richard Callender said a consultant recommended the new position after evaluating the city’s public works department.

“The recommendation was that the foreman was overloaded with too much responsibility and separate positions should be in place,” Callender said.

Not everyone agrees with the consultant.

Councilman Joe Grillo said he isn’t convinced the city needs the new position.

“As time goes on, I’m concerned but I am still looking into it,” he said.

Callender did not say what the salary range would be for the new position, but said it will be negotiated based on the experience of candidate. He said it should not increase the budget because the new position would take up the financial slot of another unfilled position.

The city’s public works department currently has 11 employees who are represented by the United Steelworkers labor union.

A recent advertisement said the director would perform “high-level supervisory, administrative and professional work in the planning, organizing, directing and supervising of the Public Works and Parks Department, including environmental, sewer, street, traffic control, maintenance and other public works and parks projects and programs.”

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