Members of the Connecticut Airport Authority’s Board of Directors were less than enthusiastic Wednesday when presented with the possibility of merging with the Connecticut Port Authority.

Several CAA board members expressed concern about the prospect when the idea was presented to them during their annual meeting at Bradley International Airport. Much of the unease stemmed from fears that the airport agency’s work might be compromised by such a partnership.

“My concern is we not lose our focus on airports, and it’s done properly with the right resources,” member Mary Ellen Jones said about a merger.

The notion of the two agencies melding was first raised publicly at Tuesday's port authority meeting, though few details on the matter were released.

The CAA, a quasi-public agency formed in 2011, is responsible for overseeing operations at Bradley International Airport and the state’s five general aviation airports: Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford and Windham.

The Connecticut Port Authority was created in 2014 to manage ports previously under the management of the state Department of Transportation. It later took ownership of State Pier in New London.

CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon said he was approached by Gov. Ned Lamont’s staff over the summer about a potential merger with the much smaller port authority. He said the impetus for the idea, which is being studied by state Office of Policy and Management, came from a desire to see if any efficiencies or “potential synergy” could be gained by such a partnership.

Dillon said a final decision on a such a “dramatic change” would be left to Lamont and the state legislature.

“We’re not looking to do something that becomes a distraction (to the CAA’s work),” Dillon said.

He noted federal regulations require a “clear separation” of finances between the CAA and any added agency. A merger would center around the management of the two authorities.

“This is not a matter where CAA assets would support the port authority,” Dillon said.

The port authority’s work in developing State Pier into a staging area for the assembly of offshore wind components has led to sometimes intense criticism from lawmakers over management decisions and the increased cost of the project from $93 million to nearly $310 million.

Several CAA board members spoke about the pride they had in their agency’s work over the years and their comfort with the composition of its members – as well as concerns on how a merger might jeopardize those issues.

“We’ve done very well,” airport board Chairman Tony Sheridan said. “We have robust policies and procedures that we insist on following. No matter what, we need to adhere to those policies and procedures that have allowed us to do a great job.”

Dillon and port authority Executive Director David Kooris told their respective board members this week they would keep them updated on any future merger discussions.

Wednesday afternoon, Chris Collibee, the director of communications for the Office of Policy and Management, issued the following statement.

“With the pending completion of the State Pier project, the Administration is exploring the possibility of merging the Connecticut Port Authority into the Connecticut Airport Authority. If the Governor decides to propose this initiative, then legislation will be proposed to the General Assembly for consideration in the next legislative session. The CAA has an extensive administrative infrastructure and experience with transportation facilities, as well as deep experience dealing with a variety of national firms in furtherance of the state’s economic development strategy. These attributes may be invaluable as we begin a new era in management of our state’s deep water ports,” he said.

j.penney@theday.com