Ever since Stratford’s former Chief Administrative Officer Suzanne McCauley was among several high ranking officials who walked out on new Mayor John A. Harkins during his first day in Town Hall more than two months ago, the town has been operating without its second highest official.
That changed on Monday when Geen Thazhampallath, 35, former top aid to Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano was in his Statford office at Town Hall for his first day as the town’s new CAO. Harkins had been working as mayor and CAO since he was sworn-in Dec. 12 when he replaced former Mayor James R. Miron — whom he defeated the previous month.
“It’s been a whirlwind, there’s a lot of information to digest, people to get to know, and issues to become aquainted with,” Thazhampallath said, adding that becoming familiar with the mayor’s proposed fiscal budget is among his top priorities. “I started just a few days after the mayor released his budget proposal for fiscal 2010-11, and that’s something I am diving into as quickly as possible.”
The new CAO said he has been impressed with “the high level of dedication I have seen in the departments I have visited so far. I’m excited to be here, and to help in whatever way I can within the scope of my responsibilities. ”
