Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's full plan for cuts and consolidations to state government is due to the legislature tomorrow morning but his office expects to release a summary later today.
Bits of the proposal have already dribbled out, including the planned closings of several Department of Motor Vehicles offices across the state.
A source told the Courant this morning that full-service DMV offices in Danbury, Old Saybrook, New Britain and Enfield will be closing as well as the Putnam satellite office and photo license centers in Middletown, Derby and Milford.
News of the impending closings did not sit well with some DMV customers.
"Going to the DMV is already a time consuming effort and I heard from people inside, they're closing multiple locations and it's going to make everyone's efforts a little more difficult,'' Lindsey Wright of Berlin told Fox-CT's Anthony DiLorenzo this morning. "I can't comment whether it's right or wrong for budgetary reasons, but I can say it will make everyone's life more difficult to get through the required processes."
Travis Wright, also from Berlin, echoed Wright's remarks. Both were interviewed at the New Britain DMV branch office.
"It's the last thing [taxpayers] need to worry about. Being at the DMV for the whole day when they have to work,'' Wright told DiLorenzo. "I think its ridiculous; there's other stuff to cut before this."
DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey, along with her deputy commissioner, the department's bureau chief in charge of branches and human resources personnel went to the branches yesterday afternoon to tell the staffs of the impending closures.
Staff members face layoff notices, according to the source, though with bumping rights and seniority rules, some may find jobs at other DMV offices.
The closings won't likely happen immediately, but could come as soon as September.
Officials in the communities where the soon-to-shutter branches are located said their residents will face big inconveniences.
"It will be a huge impact,'' said Roland Laine, Old Saybrook executive assistant. "It's an extremely busy office."
He said this morning that officials there have not been formally notified of the closing, but should it happen, shoreline residents would be forced to drive to Norwich, Wethersfield or Hamden for their DMV business.