Wilfredo Melendez, P.E. has been named as the new Commissioner of Public Works, effective February 6. 

Mr. Melendez brings extensive municipal experience to the position, having worked for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Water Supply-Water Treatment Operations South for 16 years. During his tenure he was responsible manager for critical water treatment facilities that supplied the entirety of New York City’s drinking water, overseeing a staff of 130+ employees as well as contracts, capital improvements, and OSHA and EPA-mandated plans and programs.

Prior to that, Mr. Melendez worked in the private sector for seven years at a construction firm as project manager, superintendent and engineer on a variety of multi-million dollar projects for the New York City Department of Design and Construction, NYNJ-Port Authority, and NYC Department of Sanitation. He began his career in 1989 at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection as Resident Engineer, managing numerous water main, sewer, and roadway construction projects throughout the five boroughs of New York. 

Mr. Melendez received his Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College. 

“Public Works is one of our busiest departments- comprising engineering, roads, storm water and sewer systems, public buildings and our City’s vehicle and equipment fleet- and its work is vital to our City. I welcome Mr. Melendez to New Rochelle, and believe his experience is well-suited to support this department and continue its success.”

Mr. Melendez succeeds Commissioner Jim Moran, who retired in November. The Deputy Commissioner is Jessica Paladino, who joined the department in April 2022 after serving as Waste Programs Manager for the City of Norwalk, CT.