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Developments Wednesday provide a chance for the Connecticut Port Authority to get a fresh start, but it can only take advantage of that opportunity if it learns from recent missteps. At stake is whether the state capitalizes on — or fumbles away — the opportunity to transform State Pier into a staging area for massive wind-power development off the Northeast coast.

Any deal reached for utilizing the port for wind turbine generator assembly and staging must be in the best interests of the state taxpayers who are being asked to be partners, it must be fair in providing financial support to the host community of New London, and it should clearly address the affect on existing commercial shipping and how that shipping will be alternatively handled.

This is complicated stuff and the state is dealing across the table with some powerful corporate parties. Over eagerness to land a deal for fear the development will go elsewhere could lead to a bad agreement. Yet at the same time the state must be cognizant

that this work could still end up elsewhere despite the geographical advantages of the Port of New London.

All of this means the turmoil at the port authority could not have come at a worse time. A tentative, $93 million public-private partnership agreement announced in early May — involving the State Pier management company Gateway, the port authority and Bay State Wind (a joint venture of the offshore wind company Ørsted and the Eversource energy group) — is still under negotiation.

Given the critical importance of these and related talks, and the authority’s problems, we welcome Wednesday’s announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont that the administration has stepped in to lead the negotiations.

As to the authority’s problems, the headline from this week’s events was the resignation of Chairwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, who is also the first selectwoman of Old Lyme. Reemsnyder was only in the position about a month, replacing the original chairman of the authority, Scott Bates, who had served since its formation by the legislature in 2014, but decided last month not to continue as chair. He remains on the authority board.

Bates, who had aggressively moved the authority’s agenda forward, left just before the recent spate of controversies, but insists the timing was coincidental and the motivations personal.

As documented by the reporting of Day columnist David Collins, the port authority paid Reemsnyder’s daughter $3,000 for photographs hanging in the organization’s Old Saybrook office. This was an unacceptable use of public dollars and the first selectwoman should have known better.

The chair’s resignation followed the placement on leave of the authority’s executive director, Evan Matthews, a decision made by Reemsnyder. In an example of its lack of transparency, the authority made no announcement that its director was out, conceding the fact only when pressed by Collins. The authority has not stated the reasons for suspending Matthews, calling that a personnel matter.

Lamont, in calling for Reemsnyder to step down, recognized the potential damage that could result from such disarray.

“The recent events have been a sideshow and distraction to this organization’s critical mission, and that is something I won’t tolerate. It is critical that the Connecticut Port Authority has a clear vision with strong and accountable leadership,” the governor said in a press release.

As to the potential for a fresh start, the port authority hired retired Navy Capt. Paul Whitescarver as a consultant, giving him responsibilities that effectively make him acting executive director while the situation with Matthews is addressed.

Whitescarver, most recently the commanding officer at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, appears to be a good choice. He commanded the base at a time of significant infrastructure development, including the rebuilding of submarine piers. He brings instant credibility.

Elevated to acting chairman is Vice Chairman David Kooris, whose position as deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development assures a strong tie to the administration.

We would also urge that New London Mayor Michael Passero be named to replace Reemsnyder. Under the legislation creating the port authority, that decision rests with House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz. Ideally, the law will ultimately be changed to give whoever is the mayor of New London a permanent position on the authority, but this vacancy provides a chance to get Passero involved now.

The coming investment in renewable offshore wind power is unprecedented for this country, and the economic impact massive. Going forward transparency, accountability and the opportunity for public involvement will be critically important and nothing less is acceptable.