Politics & Government

Law Director: Finance Department Reorganization Would Not Violate City Charter

Legal opinion backs proposal for consolidations in department, including elimination of three positions and replacement with lower paying jobs

New London’s law director has given the opinion that a reorganization of the Finance Department, which includes reducing the purchasing agent to a part-time position, does not violate the City Charter.

Some concerns were brought up at Monday’s City Council meeting that the reorganization would eliminate the purchasing agent’s position, which is required under the charter. Finance Director Jeff Smith proposed the revision of the job descriptions for the purchasing agent as well as two clerical workers, lowering the salaries of all three, according to The Day. The notice to the employees that their jobs were being eliminated resulted in the filing of several grievances by the employees’ union.

Law Director Jeffrey Londregan reviewed the matter and gave his opinion on Thursday. Londregan said the action would not violate the charter because the charter does not specify that the purchasing agent should be part-time or a “stand alone” position merged with other responsibilities.

“In reviewing the proposed reorganization by the director of finance, the position of purchasing agent is not being eliminated, but rather is being kept and maintained,” said Londregan. “The position is just being reduced to a part-time position and combined with an accountant position.”

Londregan also said the charter does not specify a hierarchical order for the purchasing agent except that he or she is subordinate to the finance director.

The proposal brought some criticism from residents speaking at a public hearing on the proposed 2014 budget on Thursday. Resident Dennis Downing said the city would incur legal costs due to the grievances filed by the employees.

“This is probably going to cost the city money, more than we’re going to save,” he said.

Mayor Daryl Finizio said he had also been waiting on Londregan’s legal opinion before making any decision on the issue.

“This was only a recommended consolidation from the finance director,” he said. “As of tonight I have not approved it.”

However, Finizio said he intended to approve the recommendation on Friday due to Londregan’s opinion. Finizio said he has been supportive of consolidation efforts intending to improve efficiency, and that the reorganization is projected to save the city $50,000.

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