PORT ANGELES — Scott Curtin has been hired as Port Angeles’ new director of public works and utilities.
Curtin, 51, joined the city Sept. 23 and will replace Mike Healy, 71, who is retiring.
Before moving to Port Angeles, Curtin lived with his wife in Kenai, Alaska, where he served as the city’s public works director.
After living there for a little more than 10 years, Curtin said he and his wife were looking to move somewhere closer to their two children. Their 25-year-old daughter lives in Bellingham and their 20-year-old son lives in Lacey but will probably move to Clallam County soon, Curtin said.
In addition to being close to family, Curtin said he is excited for Port Angeles’ natural environment and connection to the lower 48 states.
“It’s a beautiful place and certainly a lot more amenities [when compared to Alaska],” Curtin said. “We’re over the moon to be here.”
As public works director, Curtin said he is excited about the resources the city has and the ability to accomplish the next five to six years of projects identified in the capital facilities plan.
“Port Angeles is well-equipped to actually implement those things,” he said. “It’s not all a pipe dream.”
Curtin said he also is excited about the softer winters and wider work window.
“Coming from Alaska, one frustration was the six months of winter that left a very limited amount of time to get things done,” he said. “[In Port Angeles], I’m getting three more months a year to get things done, at a minimum.”
While Curtin said he is stepping into a very organized team that effectively plans, implements and executes things, he said there likely will be some small ways he will run the department differently than Healy.
His main priority will be to implement the capital facilities plan, given his capital management background.
Additionally, he said he will focus on efficiency and hopes to find operational savings. One example he highlighted is potentially replacing equipment that is over 50 years old.
He also said he hopes to prioritize having redundancies and backups in place, which is something that was emphasized in Alaska, where equipment replacements might take months to arrive.
The Port Angeles City Council and staff present retiring Public Works Director Mike Healy with a proclamation on Sept. 17.
In recognition of his service and the work he’s done for the city, the Port Angeles City Council and staff presented Healy with a proclamation during its meeting on Sept. 17.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
