East Hampton replaces controversial employee Larry Penny

East Hampton Town has hired Kimberly Shaw as its natural resources director, replacing controversial longtime director Larry Penny, who had worked for the town for nearly 30 years.

Penny, 76, was suspended without pay in mid-December from his $95,900-a-year job on charges of insubordination, following repeated disagreements with town officials.

The town had prepared disciplinary charges in a process which could have led to his termination but — after negotiations — agreed to allow him to retire and have an unspecified role in picking his successor.

The town board voted Thursday night to hire Shaw, who has worked for the Suffolk Department of Health Services and the East Hampton planning department.

She will be paid an annual salary of $90,000.

The town board resolution, which approved her appointment on a provisional basis, calls for her to begin working this month, but no later than March 31, with the specific starting date to be agreed to by her, the town and Penny.