At some point between March 12, when the Mayor John Harkins’ office published a Proposed Operating Budget for the Water Pollution Control Authority, and July 1 when the mayor’s office published the Adopted Operating Budget for WPCA $5.6 million was added as an expense for Land Acquisition, and $5.6 million was added as Miscellaneous Revenue for Land Acquisition.
Adding $5.6 million to the WPCA expense budget was a 52% increase in expenses. Also adding $5.6 million in revenue offset the expense increase, so the bottom line was unchanged.
The mayor’s office has not pinpointed the date when the change was made, but, after meeting with Chief Administrative Officer Steven Nocera on Aug. 11, Town Attorney Tim Bishop said confirmed that the budget changes “never made it to the WPCA.”
Whether or not the budget change was made before or after the WPCA members voted on new sewer rates during their June 2 meeting, not one Authority member said they definitely had the information before the vote.
If not for WPCA member and Town Councilwoman Stephanie Philips coming across the WPCA budget change shortly before the July 28 Town Council meeting and raising the question during that meeting, it is possible the WPCA members still would not know of the new Land Acquisition items in the budget.
“Everyone seems to agree that (the budget showing the land acquisition line items) should have gone to them,” Bishop wrote to The Star on Aug. 11. “Most, including Steve and myself, thought that it had gone to them….Nobody seems to have any idea why it didn’t go to them.”
Town of Stratford Finance Director Susan Collier said, “I agree the changes should have been shown to the Authority.”
Philips said, “It boggles my mind that no one can make sure we get documents for something so critical.”
The significance of this, Philips said, it that “If it was not caught it would have provided the basis for the Town to claim that the WPCA was in agreement to buy the property, and we have not” agreed to that.
Bishop said, “At this point I think the best course is to acknowledge the error and update the budget book to reflect the last document that the Council had before they took the vote….It’s an administrative function that doesn’t require a motion or vote or anything, so it will likely happen pretty quickly.”
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At the June 2 meeting of WPCA Stratford Chief Administrative Officer Steven Nocera, standing, listens to WPCA member Stephanie Philips, partially obscured in white, ask questions before voting to increase the sewer fee. WPCA members Jim Connor, in dark suit, and Jason Santi were also at the table. Greg Reilly photo.