The Connecticut Airport Authority on Wednesday agreed to take on an advisory role to the Connecticut Port Authority, a quasi-public agency that’s been accused of mismanagement and improper spending.
CAA board members voted Wednesday to assist the state Office of Policy and Management in helping oversee the Port Authority, by providing advice on best practices related to management, policies and financial systems, said Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director Kevin Dillon.
CAA’s board on Wednesday also decided it would not change the name of Bradley International Airport, citing a lack of evidence such a move would increase passenger traffic.
The advisory role, which still needs an official sign off, would last until June 30, Dillon said, and likely wouldn’t be renewed after the Port Authority hires an executive director.
“We’re going to be interacting with the Port Authority staff to compare notes as to how they’re doing business, and we’ll be able to offer them suggestions on different improvements we think they can make,” Dillon said.
Gov. Ned Lamont ordered an overhaul of the Port Authority last summer after media reports exposed the group’s lavish spending and mismanagement.
The Port Authority is charged with overseeing development of the state’s Long Island Sound ports in Bridgeport, New Haven and New London, including a $93-million overhaul of the State Pier in New London.
A major wind generation project is also planned by Ørsted North America and Eversource in federal waters beyond Long Island Sound.
Lamont’s overhaul included asking for and getting the resignation of then-Port Authority Chairwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder amid reports that the quasi-public agency had paid $3,250 to her daughter for six professional photographs hung in the CPA’s Old Saybrook office.
Lamont named David Kooris, deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, to replace Reemsnyder as acting chairman.
The governor also has directed staff from OPM and Connecticut Innovations — the state’s quasi-public economic development arm — to assist with policy development at the Port Authority.
Administration officials previously told HBJ they consider the CAA one of the best-run quasi-public agencies, which is why it is being tasked as a Port Authority advisor.
Former Gov. Dannel Malloy established the CAA as a quasi-public in 2011 to oversee Bradley International Airport, and Connecticut’s five general aviation airports. Passenger numbers at Bradley have increased each year since then. Passengers racked up nearly 3.4 million trips in and out of Bradley in fiscal 2019, a 19% increase from five years before, according to CAA data.
A Connecticut Mirror report was used in this story
