Ledyard - Charles Karno, the town planner in Winchester, has been hired as planner for the Town of Ledyard.Karno, who has also worked as director of development in East Hartford and Berlin, will start part-time on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and begin full time after Christmas, said Mike Cherry, Ledyard's planning commissioner, who led the initial search committee. That committee narrowed down the list of applicants, then Mayor Fred Allyn interviewed finalists and made the final decision.

Karno, who has also worked as director of development in East Hartford and Berlin, will start part-time on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and begin full time after Christmas, said Mike Cherry, Ledyard's planning commissioner, who led the initial search committee. That committee narrowed down the list of applicants, then Mayor Fred Allyn interviewed finalists and made the final decision.The planner's job has been vacant since Brian Palaia stepped down in August to pursue other job opportunities, even after the town offered to increase his salary by $11,000 and name his assistant land-use director.

The planner's job has been vacant since Brian Palaia stepped down in August to pursue other job opportunities, even after the town offered to increase his salary by $11,000 and name his assistant land-use director. The assistant to the planner, Kristin Havrilla Clarke, has run much of the office's day-to-day business in the interim.

The assistant to the planner, Kristin Havrilla Clarke, has run much of the office's day-to-day business in the interim.