David Waskiewicz, a building inspector for the town, began serving as acting building commissioner last week.

Town manager John Musante said that Waskiewicz will be in the position until he hires a replacement for Bonnie Weeks, who left her job at the end of the year after inspecting for the town since 1995 and overseeing the department since 2002.

"I have confidence he'll be a worthwhile acting commissioner while we complete the recruitment process," Musante said.

Musante said Waskiewicz, who began working for Amherst in 2003, had already been handling a significant amount of work, including inspections, zoning enforcement and attending some Zoning Board of Appeals meetings as a staff liaison.

The department includes the building commissioner and two building inspectors.

Musante said plans are under way to find a permanent commissioner.

A new housing code enforcement officer who will work under the building commissioner is expected to be hired in the coming days and begin work in January. One of the purposes of this new position is to get a better handle on student rental properties that have impact on residential neighborhoods and ensure that they are all meeting various health, fire and safety codes.