Why is Lamont’s wind deal not done yet?
I t was way back in July, long before the chilly winds of October began to blow, that I first learned that Connecticut Port Authority’s $93 million plan to transform New London’s Pier into a wind turbine assembly facility was not a done deal.
Most people assumed, when Gov. Ned Lamont came to town in early May to ceremoniously announce the deal, including his own $35.5 million contribution, that it was all signed and sealed.
The headline from the announcement said it all: “State strikes deal for offshore wind hub in New London.” No one asked for a correction.
It turns out, we learned later, the only thing signed in May when the governor made his announcement was a memorandum between the port authority, port operator Gateway Terminals and the wind energy partners, apparently sketching out the parameters of a deal still to be negotiated.
The port authority, which essentially has been taken over by the governor, has refused a Freedom of Information request to release that memorandum. It’s secret only to the public. The others who signed know what’s in it.
And since July, when the port authority began melting down with multiple scandals, the governor’s administration has insisted the New London wind deal is largely negotiated, suggesting at times the only delay might be lawyers fussing over things like periods and commas.
The port authority has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on expensive lawyers, and as this now drags into its sixth month, I can’t imagine they haven’t been able to hammer out the wording if there is general agreement on the terms. You could write a peace armistice for a world war by now.
If there isn’t general agreement, why won’t the governor’s team say what’s holding them apart?
On Aug. 20, more than seven weeks ago, David Kooris, deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, serving as interim port authority chairman, gave Connecticut lawmakers his latest version of the spin about a mostly done deal.
“Now nearly complete, the legal document that codifies the (May 2 memo) is being reviewed by the administration to ensure it attains our desired benefits for the public.”
That takes months? It seems to me somebody is not telling the whole story.
Curiously, it was a conversation I had in July with former port authority Director Evan Matthews in which I got confirmation that the deal wasn’t signed. It was that same conversation, according to Kooris, that led to Matthews being placed on leave, because the director made inappropri
Uncasville – Josephine “Joan” Macione, 80, passed away peacefully at home Oct. 9, 2019. She was surrounded by family and friends in her final days. She begins her journey to reunite with her late husband, John Macione.
Joan was born May 20, 1939, in New London. Joan was the daughter of the late Josephine (O’Connell) and Frederick Finnegan. She leaves her daughter, Lynn of Montville; and her son and daughter-inlaw Mike Macione and Margot Beckerman of Ann Arbor, Mich. She also leaves behind her sisters, Frances and Grace Finnegan of Quaker Hill and Harriet Nichols of Quaker Hill. She was predeceased by her sister Barbara McCarthy; and brothers, James and Frederick Finnegan. She also leaves behind her beloved caretaker and friend Tina Yirenkyi, whom she shared a special relationship with over the past 2 years.
Joan was a 1957 graduate of New London High School. Following high school Joan worked as an operator for Southern New England Telephone. She worked in the Montville High School cafeteria for several years keeping her eye on her kids. For many years following, she worked at Montville Florist, the place she enjoyed most.
Joan will be missed by all who knew her and will always hold a special place in the hearts of her family and friends.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville. There are no calling hours.
Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 11 Jerome Rd., Uncasville, is assisting the family.