Alcantara stays on at Lynn DPW as mayor to hire No. 2 boss

LYNN – Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy has put hiring a new Public Works commissioner on hold, choosing instead to fill the empty associate commissioner spot.”Manny (Alcantara) will continue as acting commissioner,” Kennedy said Wednesday.Former DPW Commission Jay Fink stepped down abruptly in April to take a job in Miami and Alcantara was subsequently named “acting commissioner. Initially, Kennedy said she would name a new commissioner at the end of summer but said Wednesday she will fill the slot left open by Alcantara.Alcantara admitted that he is looking hard at retirement.”I already have tenure in that position and I’ll be 65 next year,” Alcantara said. “It doesn’t make sense for me to be permanent.”Kennedy said she received about nine resumes from local and regional candidates when she posted the commissioner’s job last spring.”I will call them and ask if they are interested in applying for the associate’s position,” she said. “I hope to have someone in place within a month.”The sooner the better, Alcantara said. He said it has been a long five months since Fink left and he could use the help.Kennedy said the approaching winter should not hasten the search for new permanent commissioner.”We have a lot of the prep work for winter done,” she said. “We have almost a half-million dollars in new equipment that never got used last year.”Last winter was so mild sanders, salt trucks and snowplows logged very little street time, she noted. She also said salt and sand have been ordered for the season.”We’re really in standby mode right now,” she said.Alcantara agreed he has a handle on winter planning, but is still pushing to get a number of roadwork projects finished before November when the colder weather sets in.”I’m doing my job and Jay’s. I’m working Saturday and Sunday,” he said with a laugh, but quickly added, “It’s no joke. It’s a tough job.”Alcantara said he assured Kennedy when he took on the role as acting commissioner that he would do whatever it takes to move the city forward, but would appreciate help.”If she could have someone in here in a month, that would be perfect,” he said. “The sooner the better.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].