Wareham’s Town Planner has been hired as the Director of Planning & Community Development, a new position designed to streamline how the town plans for the future.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan announced that Kenneth Buckland will fill the position.

Hired in April for the part time Town Planner job, Buckland now has a position that combines the duties of planning director and community and economic director.

Amid some controversy, a plan to reorganize town departments tasked with planning was placed on the agenda for April Town Meeting.

The plan passed and now has the Director of Planning & Community Development, Buckland, answering directly to the Town Administrator. The Community Economic Development Authority, the Conservation Department, Inspectional Services Department and the Planning and Zoning Departments now answer to Buckland.

Buckland has 35 years of experience as an environmental and urban planner. He was trained as an environmental scientist and land use planner.

Prior to his current position, Buckland was a principal at the Cecil Group in Boston. The firm specializes in urban design, land planning, community planning, landscape architecture and institutional planning.

Sullivan had praise for Buckland as Town Planner.

“He’s been acting planner and he’s done an excellent job,” said Sullivan.