N. Hempstead seeks to hire unbudgeted deputy building commissioner

The Town of North Hempstead wants to hire a second deputy commissioner for its building department even though a salary for the position isn’t budgeted for this year.

The new deputy commissioner would be able to perform official duties as a building commissioner in the absence of the actual commissioner.

Commissioner John Niewender said Tuesday that his department already has one deputy commissioner, but could use additional help. Adding another commissioner would give the town someone to oversee issues such as legal housing, rental registrations, public assembly at restaurants, Niewender said.

Niewender said he envisions the existing deputy commissioner, Glenn Norjen, handling day-to-day operations at town hall and the new hire taking on “the day-to-day work out in the field.”

North Hempstead’s building department employs 43 full-time workers along with four part-time workers and a seasonal employee.

Town officials say they don’t have anyone in mind for the job.

The salary hasn’t been determined. The existing deputy commissioner for the building department makes $101,972, town spokeswoman Rebecca Cheng said Thursday.

Within the 2017 budget, the town has $325,791 slated for building department administration. Town officials confirmed Thursday that the figure does not include a salary for a second deputy commissioner. Officials said the town plans to fully fund the new position but did not release where the funds will come from. No start date for the position has been set.

Town attorney Liz Botwin said officials still need approval from the New York Civil Service Commission before they can post the job.

Town spokeswoman Carole Trottere said Tuesday that many large departments in the town government already have two or more deputy commissioners.

The public works, information technology, comptroller, human resources and receiver of taxes departments each has two deputies. The parks and recreation department has three deputies.

Town council members have set a public hearing for 7 p.m. June 6 about creating the new position.