Stern Village Director Still In For Now

The Trumbull Housing Authority, which now has all-new members, is keeping Stern Village Executive Director Harry Wise but his last day of work is not clear. 

Neither the board members nor Wise's attorney, James Cordone, commented. Wise's contract expires in June.

Two reports from emergency officials and Fire Marshal's Office accused Wise of mismanaging Stern Village during Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012 and failing to properly implement the emergency plan from November 2011.

After the unanimous vote, Housing Authority Chairman Russ Friedson said, "He is the executive director and when that changes we will inform people."

Wise earns about $70,000 a year.

The authority met in Stern Village Tuesday night, where one resident said afterward that Wise was "doing a good job." Stern Village is subsidized housing for seniors and the disabled and has about 200 residents.

Another resident said security is an issue because Stern Village also houses people with mental illness. There are problems after Wise leaves in the evenings, he said.

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The issues with Wise were publicized in December, prompting First Selectman Tim Herbst to appoint Friedson and Joanna Leone to the authority. After all the other board members resigned, Herbst appointed Joy Meehan and Diane Pomposello. One of the former board members he did not reappoint was Judith Stern, a relative of the Stern family.

One resident said Stern "served us well."

In December the board replaced its attorney, Anthony Musto, after Herbst charged that Wise's contract was extended in an illegal meeting. The board was also accused of failing to file minutes or post its agendas properly.

Musto defended himself and Wise after that and called on Herbst to apologize.

Included in the accusations was that Wise failed to act on getting a generator for the meeting room.

Under questioning by the authority Tuesday, Wise said he was not an expert in generators and advised the authority to obtain the services of an engineer. Bids were coming in the for the generator, he added.

He said other parts of the emergency plan were installing AEDs and a reverse 911 system, both done. The authority then voted to approve implementing all parts of the emergency plan.