Grossman: sotrudnik kommunotdela / kommunotdelets

[Robert Chandler]

Dear all,

This phrase is from the story V Gorode Berdicheve, which is set during the
Polish-Soviet War of 1919-21.  Here is the para:
 Вавилова  въехала  со  скандалом.  Ее  привел  на  квартиру  сотрудник
коммунотдела,  худой  мальчик  в кожаной куртке и буденовке. Магазаник ругал
его по-еврейски, коммунотделец молчал и пожимал плечами.

It is not a phrase I’ve come across before:
A commune official?
A clerk from the commune office?

Any better ideas, anyone?

Best wishes,

Robert

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