Bringing experience as a civil structural engineer, John Curtis of Watertown has been settling into his position as Newtown’s town engineer since being hired on January 17.

“It’s been going well,” Curtis said. “Everyone here has been wonderful, helpful and welcoming. This is a really good environment to work in, I enjoy coming in every day and seeing everyone.”

Curtis said that in his first few weeks in town, he has been working with Aquarion on its water main replacement on Riverside Road and Alpine Drive, and following up on their work with a drainage project in that area.

Possessing extensive training and experience with computer-aided drafting (CAD), Curtis is looking to start moving his department to being “more digital, rather than using paper.”

Curtis said he also has a “lot of background with bridges,” from his work as a civil structural engineer.

That experience will be indispensable since part of his job will be inspecting the town’s 61 bridges. He has already reviewed the new bridge at Meadow Brook, and he’s done some investigations of culverts that may need upgrading.

“We’re looking for what could cause problems with all the rain we’ve had in the past few months,” said Curtis.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said that it is “getting harder” to fill positions like the town engineer, but “good things come to those who wait.”

Rosenthal said he was happy “to see the guy come in with training in technology,” and believes Curtis will “advance that department from a technological standpoint.”

“It’s nice to see someone come along with an engineering background in the private sector,” said Rosenthal, who noted that hiring the position was a “competitive process with a number of applicants.”

‘Eager To Learn’

Rosenthal was complimentary of Curtis’ approach, which he described as “eager to learn new things” as he did not come from another municipality.

“He had relevant skill sets that will allow him to easily adapt,” said Rosenthal. “He fits in well with [the Public Works] staff.”

Looking forward to his future endeavors in Newtown, Curtis said he likes being able to work for a municipality instead of for a corporation, so he can see the people he’s helping and see the changes he’s making first-hand, rather than sending them to a contractor.

Curtis said that he is “still learning,” as the community is a “big town that’s really spread out.”

Coming to a position that had been vacant for almost a year since the retirement of long-time Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, Curtis said it was “very challenging trying to catch up,” but everyone in the Public Works Department and in other town departments have been helping him “get up to speed.”

He said organizing everything and learning about “all the things that are going on and that have happened in the last few years” are some of his priorities.

“I think I made the right choice in coming here,” said Curtis.

Curtis graduated from Watertown High School in 2004, Roger Williams University in 2008, and worked with Zachary Nuclear Engineering as a civil structural engineer until 2015 when he moved to Garg Consulting Services doing bridge inspections. He lives in Watertown with his wife, Amee, and his dog, Murray.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley said he was “glad to get John on board.”

“Now I only have to do four and a half jobs instead of five and a half jobs,” joked Hurley.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.