Jul. 10--BRIDGEPORT -- The city's chief administrative officer is now serving double duty as director of the Bridgeport Port Authority.

Andrew Nunn, a former Monroe first selectman who was hired by Mayor Bill Finch as the city's CAO, on Wednesday was named acting director of the BPA. He will continue to be paid his current $114,000 annual salary.

Finch said Nunn for the foreseeable future will serve as both CAO and port director. He said the BPA cannot afford to hire a new director, adding that the existing staff is sufficient to handle day-to-day responsibilities as Nunn juggles his two jobs.

The BPA Board of Commissioners approved Nunn's appointment during a late-afternoon meeting Wednesday.

"This is nothing new," Finch said, noting that another top city administrator, Charles Carroll, serves as both parks director and director of public facilities.

The mayor said he also plans to replace the current roster of BPA commissioners, all of whom are serving on expired terms. "I'm looking at creating a fresh start," the mayor said.

The move replaces long-time BPA Director Joseph Riccio, who was forced to leave his $119,000-a-year job over his role in inserting language into legislation that would have given the state final say over whether a port authority could be dissolved.

An angry City Council quickly voted to disband the port authority, as council members argued the state planned to take control away from the city. The controversy

was resolved when Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed the legislation and Finch then vetoed the council's resolution, leaving the port authority in place.

Finch said the city is conducting an analysis of BPA operations, including a discussion of what the port should become given the lack of traditional cargo business. The city is moving toward multi-use waterfront developments, including stores, restaurants and other non-traditional projects.

"We are not going to be what people view as a deep-water terminal. We still need a port authority to bring in money for dredging and other purposes. We have fishing and shipbuilding. But it's not going to be a big terminal," Finch said.

The city and the port authority are asking developers for proposals to redevelop 16 acres of vacant land off Seaview Avenue. Officials envision a mixed-use project on the property, which might include stores, housing and public waterfront access.

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