Acting Town Engineer, Chief Assessor Appointed In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Mayor Lauren Garrett this week appointed Stephen White as the acting town engineer and Sajida Farooqui as acting chief assessor.

White has more than 10 years of municipal government experience, working for Philadelphia Water Department as Civil Engineer and Civil Engineering Supervisor for nearly seven years; and more recently for the City of New Haven’s Engineering Department as their Project Manager, according to a news release.

“Mr. White is extremely committed to sustainably addressing the issues Hamden faces in the coming years, including a changing climate and aging infrastructure in the midst of a pandemic,” the news release from the mayor’s office states.

White received his Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Wake Technical Community College in 2006. He then received his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management with a Minor in Business Management from East Carolina University in 2007, and went on to receive a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Drexel University in 2012.

“Mr. White was a team leader for the Philadelphia Water Department as it became the first in the nation to commit to green infrastructure as the primary means of managing storm water,” the news release states. “While in New Haven, Mr. White maintained his sustainability focus, redesigning transit corridors, designing storm water improvements, and participating in public design input meetings.

“Mr. White’s experience with technical site plan review for New Haven’s City Plan Commission will undoubtedly be an asset. He will bring a sustainable and inclusive approach to Hamden’s Engineering Department.”

White started in his position on Monday, according to Garrett.

Farooqui, who holds an MBA degree and is a Certified Connecticut Municipal Assessor II, has more than 14 years of assessment related experience, working for the City of New Haven in their Department of Assessment since 2008, according to Garrett.

“Ms. Farooqui has an extensive understanding of the Vision CAMA system used to complete valuation of residential properties, and is adept at reading new construction and addition prints in Building Department software, as well as office prints and conducting site inspections,” the news release states. “Ms. Farooqui has already demonstrated her remarkable leadership and dedication as a public servant to the Town by exceeding the challenge of completing the Grand List. We are very fortunate to have Ms. Farooqui join our team at such an important time, and her addition will benefit Hamden for years to come.”