The Town of Old Saybrook has announced that William “Bill” Claffey has been selected to be the next director of Public Works. Claffey replaces former director Larry Bonin, who retired earlier this year.

Per a press release, the move was made official on Dec. 11. Following Bonin’s retirement in October, the town began a search for a full-time public works director.

“Bill was selected unanimously from a group of qualified applicants to continue to lead the Public Works Department, where he has been a great asset. He stepped up without hesitation when the need arose, and we are grateful for his valuable skills as well as his knowledge of the town and the needs of the department,” First Selectman Carl Fortuna said in a statement.

Fortuna’s statement also highlighted the work that Claffey has done for the department.

“Bill is a valued member of the first selectman’s management team, and his department oversees many essential functions of the town, including the transfer station and maintenance of 75 miles of roadways, 750 catch basins, snowplowing, tree work, guardrail repair, street sweeping, paving, sidewalk repair, landscaping, and decorating the town for the holidays, among other things. We look forward to his continued leadership and congratulate him on his official promotion,” Fortuna said.

According to the press release, Claffey has been with the department since 2006.

“It is very exciting to be given the opportunity to extend my input and ideas in maintaining and always improving this amazing town that I am proud to call home,” Claffey said in a statement.

Claffey had been serving as the interim director of the department since October of 2022, when Bonin was placed on administrative leave by the town following an arrest for charges of alleged sexual assault and breach of peace. Those charges were dismissed in August of 2023, and a year-long internal investigation by the town could not corroborate the allegations against Bonin.

Despite being reinstated to his position in mid-October, Bonin announced his retirement at the end of that month.