LYNN – Parks Commissioner Lisa Nerich has been named acting associate public works commissioner, according to Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.”It’s well known that Manny will be retiring,” Kennedy said, referring to acting DPW Commissioner Manuel Alcantara. “I want to make sure we had some stability in upper management when that happens.”Nerich, who is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds, has worked for the DPW for about 28 years. Alcantara said he met with his new associate commissioner Thursday and Nerich will continue to run the parks division but will also absorb some new tasks as well.She steps into the role that was filled by Alcantara until he was named acting commissioner just one year ago after Jay Fink abruptly stepped down and left for a job in Miami, Fla.Kennedy initially planned to fill the commissioner’s position on a permanent basis and even posted the position. It was later decided, however, that Alcantara would remain acting commissioner until he retired this summer.Alcantara said he will stay put until Kennedy names a successor but he admits he hopes it is soon.”I’ve told the mayor that I will work until July 8,” he said. “But I have vacation and personal time I haven’t used. I have to use that up before I leave.”Alcantara said he hasn’t officially filed for retirement yet and won’t until Kennedy gives him the word.According to Jamie Cerulli, Kennedy’s chief of staff, the commissioner position was posted earlier this month and applications were due this past Monday. The salary for the commission job is reportedly $98,000 a year. Cerulli said she expected the mayor would receive the applications before the end of the week and start reading through them.The most important criteria any candidate will need is an engineering degree. Cerulli said the DPW is required to have at least one engineer on staff. Alcantara confirmed that presently he is the only DPW employee who holds an engineering degree.”When I leave they may also need a new citywide recycling coordinator,” he added.Alcantara said he believes that any city with a population of 75,000 or more must have a recycling coordinator.”Kennedy will also have to fill the associates job permanently since Nerich has only been named “acting” associate commissioner.”The mayor will have to fill it eventually,” Alcantara said. “If Lisa wants it she’ll have to apply for it like everyone else.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].