Stratford to Withdraw Appeal of Superior Court Rulings on Sewer Plant Sale

The Town of Stratford will withdraw its appeal of a Superior Court ruling regarding the plan to regionalize its sewer operations, Mayor John A. Harkins announced on Sunday afternoon.

A Bridgeport Superior Court judge had placed a temporary injunction on Harkins from signing any paperwork that would complete the sale of the town’s sewer plant to the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority and on the Town Clerk from recording any paperwork related to the sale, according to the Stratford Star.

The Star reports that the decision to withdraw the appeal could clear the way for a referendum on the sale and regionalization of the sewer operations.

“The wheels of justice turn slowly,” Harkins said in a statement. “While we believe the town’s interpretation of state law to be correct, we have decided to withdraw our appeal of the Superior Court decision. I believe the proposal to regionalize approved by the WPCA will win at referendum on its merits. Regionalizing will result in lower sewer rates, stabilize the budget and allow us to continue the progress we have made together over the last 5 years. As with all decisions I make as Mayor, I believe this is the best course of action for our town and our collective future.”

Read more at the Stratford Star here.