Norwalk approves new chief of community services
NORWALK — The last department head position of Mayor Harry Rilling’s reorganization was filled Tuesday night when the Common Council unanimously approved Lamond Daniels as the new chief of community services.
“Over the years, I've learned quite simply that the intersection between government programs and private and public partnerships is crucial,” Daniels told the council members. “I am well astute to the many nonprofits and small organizations alike serving our communities everyday, working to maintain what we often call in the human services field, ‘the safety net.’ ”
Daniels was unanimously approved, with even Councilman Doug Hempstead, District D, R, voting in favor of his nomination, despite his misgivings with the position itself.
“Even though, I did not support the position being created, I certainly after having a great conversation, seeing your resume, I think you're very qualified to take this position,” he said.
Daniels will oversee the health department, human relations and fair rent, human services, the library, early childhood and youth services.
Daniels, a licensed clinical social worker has two master’s degrees, one in social work from Fordham University and one in public administration from the University of New Haven.
Since February 2016, Daniels worked for the Aetna Foundation, part of the CVS Health Company, where he said he was employed in “the corporate office, working with government affairs, the legal division and the business units as the principal lead working with cities and counties, social and health departments, large and small, identifying areas of programmatic and policy improvement, looking at collaboration and alignment to serve their communities.”
Before that, Daniels served for about two years in Bridgeport as the director of neighborhood initiatives in the mayor's office, where he said he was in charge of “spearheading neighborhood projects, building environment projects, community safety initiatives, neighborhood improvement plans and ensuring some of our most challenging neighborhoods have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”
For the past five years, Daniels has also worked parttime as an adjunct professor for the Connecticut Community College System.
“I know how to bring people to the table,” Daniels said. “I am a consensus builder, a relationship manager and I always strive to discover how can we get to a yes. I plan to visible, approachable, accountable, a team player, a listener and an innovator when needed.”
Daniels will start Monday and his salary will be $142,921, according to city spokesman Josh Morgan.
Members of Common Council said they thought Daniels would be a great fit for the city.
“I think you'll be a tremendous asset and I particularly like the fact that you have experience both in the private and public sector,” Council President Tom Livingston said.
Mayor Harry Rilling said he believed Daniels would help address a “glaring hole” in the city.
“You're the right person for the job,” he said. “As you know, one of the glaring needs in Norwalk, was someone who could provide social services and coordination together with all the services that are available and help people... improve their quality of life.”