By Andrew Coen
In addition, Building Inspector Dan Herron was named to fill the position left vacant in 2003 by former Deputy Village Administrator Michael Perone.
The Lawrence Village Board of Trustees unanimously agreed on the appointments of Merendino and Herron during a meeting prior to the March 17 village board meeting, where Levenbrown made the announcement.
Herron will retain his duties as building inspector, a position he has held since 1989, in addition to being Merendino's chief assistant, Levenbrown said.
Overs, 56, will leave his post after helping to run the village for 36 years. Perone retired in July 2003 after 30 years as deputy village administrator. Merendino worked with the village as a secretary and administrative assistant from 1979 to 2003, when she became deputy clerk.
"She's done remarkable in this position, and we're proud of everything she does," said Levenbrown after announcing Merendino's appointment.
Merendino, 47, grew up in Inwood and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1975. As village administrator, the Woodmere resident will be responsible for handling all aspects of the daily operation of the village, including spearheading snow removal from village streets and making sure roads and street lights are properly maintained. As is the case in many villages, the mayor's post is not a full-time position, so the village administrator or village clerk takes care of day-to-day operations, keeping the municipality running smoothly.
"I'm excited for [being named to] the position," said Merendino in a phone interview. "I want to work for the best interests of the village and be there for the residents."
Merendino will have large shoes to fill in the person of Overs, who has served as village administrator since 1970. "I don't think anybody can follow Mr. Overs," said Merendino. "Peter is unique."
"[Overs] was a good benefit to me," said Herron, who has worked in Lawrence Village Hall for the past 18 years.
Herron, 41, was raised in nearby Valley Stream and graduated from Maria Regina High School, now Bishop Kellenberg, in Uniondale in 1981. After earning a degree in chemical engineering from Manhattan College, Herron began his stint in Village Hall in 1986, working on the Lawrence Village Country Club golf course before moving over to the building department in 1987.
The former Valley Stream resident makes a 90-minute commute to Lawrence from New Jersey.
Overs almost left the village administrator's post last year, when he became eligible for retirement, because of what he described as his inability to work with Levenbrown, whom he criticized for "micromanaging" the village. But he decided to postpone leaving for a year to allow for a smooth transition.
Despite the sometimes tense relationship between Overs and Levenbrown, Merendino said she has a solid working relationship with the mayor. "I work very nicely with him," she said.
Overs has taken a step back in his last few months to allow Merendino and Herron to get accustomed to their new roles. "He's basically letting us run things, and he's there to back us up when needed," said Herron.
Merendino and Herron will formally begin their new jobs on July 1 when Overs's retirement takes effect.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
