The Connecticut Port Authority’s board authorized its executive director to settle a dispute with a subcontractor on New London’s State Pier project, with the authority’s share capped at $1 million, according to draft minutes of its October 27 meeting.
The vote allowed Executive Director Michael O’Connor to finalize an agreement involving Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman, construction manager Kiewit and surety Travelers. The board took the vote after a closed session. No member voted against the motion, and Graham Stevens abstained.
Blakeslee’s lawsuit arose from a dispute over payment for work on the pier upgrade. In May, the Connecticut Appellate Court upheld a lower court ruling that allowed Blakeslee’s unjust enrichment claim against the authority to proceed. That ruling addressed the authority’s immunity defense.
The draft minutes establish the authority’s spending cap. They give no payment date or total settlement amount across the parties.