E. Hampton reaches settlement with Larry Penny

East Hampton has reached a settlement with Larry Penny — its longtime director of natural resources — that will stop town efforts to charge him with insubordination and allow him to help pick his successor after he retires in the coming months.

Penny, 76, was suspended without pay last month, and the town attorney was told to prepare a dozen charges against him.

But Thursday, the town board voted to drop all charges, lift his suspension and agree to a private settlement reached between the town’s attorney and Penny’s lawyer, Thomas Horn of Sag Harbor.