Enfield Creates Trade Jobs To Cut Contractor Costs

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield is preparing to bring more maintenance work in-house by hiring licensed tradespeople for its Public Works Department.

The Town Council approved job descriptions Monday for a licensed electrician, plumber and HVAC technician. Each position will pay $40 an hour.

Councilors also approved a licensed trades and maintenance crew leader position paying $45 an hour, along with a revised job description for the town’s building and grounds crew leader.

Town officials said the changes will allow Enfield to handle more electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling work with its own employees instead of routinely hiring commercial contractors.

The new positions are expected to be covered within the existing budget and will not require additional funding, according to the Sept. 21 council meeting documents.

The town employees’ union, Local 1029 of Council 4 AFSCME, approved the proposed positions and pay rates before they went to the council.

Enfield’s Building and Grounds Division maintains town offices, public-safety buildings, recreation facilities and other municipal properties. The division is also responsible for outdoor maintenance at the town’s schools.

The council’s approval establishes the job descriptions and pay rates. The meeting documents did not provide a timetable for filling the positions.

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