WESTPORT–Lawrence “Larry” Roberts, the public works chief in Weston, has been named the next Westport Director of Public Works effective July 6, First Selectman Kevin Christie announced today.

Roberts will replace Peter Ratkiewich, who had announced earlier this year that he planned to retire. A Westport native, Roberts will bring more than three decades of experience in public service, the Town of Westport said in a release.

“Larry brings extensive experience managing personnel, budgets, facilities, infrastructure, and emergency operations,” Christie said in the release. “He has successfully led multi-division municipal departments, overseen complex capital projects, and built strong working relationships across organizations. I am excited to welcome him back to Westport and look forward to working together.”

Roberts currently serves as director of public works and facilities management in Weston. There, he “oversees highway operations, facility maintenance, fleet management, municipal solid waste operations, capital projects, and long-range infrastructure planning,” the town announcement said.

In the neighboring town, he has overseen state and federally funded bridge replacements, managed major water infrastructure improvements and has administered operating and capital budgets, the announcement said.

Before heading Weston’s public works, Roberts served as director of the Weston Communications Center. Previously he spent more than 20 years with the Greenwich Fire Department, retiring as Deputy Fire Chief.

Roberts holds a Master of Science in Fire Science/Public Administration from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve the Town of Westport,” Roberts said in the release. “Westport is a community I have long known and respected. I look forward to working with Town leadership, staff, and residents to maintain and enhance the infrastructure and services that are so important to the community.”