Where'd you say Jeff lives?

Following are, for the most part, my comments to the City Council at last night’s meeting-

Article VI, Sec 45a of the New London Charter states, in part, that “…the director of finance shall, during the period of such employment, maintain a continuous residency in the city.”

Because Jeffrey Smith was not a resident of New London at the time of the mayoral election in 2011, Mayor Finizio gave him until the end of June 2012 to become a resident as required by the charter.

Yet on February 14, 2012 and again on October 24, 2012, Jeffrey Smith, Finance Director of the City of New London, listing an address of 122 Windham Street in Willimantic, CT is reported a total of four times as a campaign contributor on campaignmoney.com

Although Jeffrey Smith is a registered voter in the city of New London, listing the address of 184 Pequot Avenue, the condominium at that address is owned by 85 Melba Street LLC and a letter sent to Smith at that address was returned to sender.

However, Jeffrey Smith is listed as the owner of a home at 122 Windham Street in Willimantic with a Post Office Box of 544 which is the mailing address for 85 Melba Street LLC.

Connecticut’s Commercial Recording Division lists Jeffrey Smith as the only member of 85 Melba Street LLC.

Finally, while there is no vehicle listed as being owned by Jeffrey Smith on New London’s Motor Vehicle Tax Rolls, there is one belonging to Jeffrey Smith of 122 Windham Street on Windham County Motor Vehicle Tax Rolls.

I believe there are enough questions to warrant an investigation into whether or not New London’s Finance Director is meeting our charter requirements.

Sec. 47 of Article VI gives the council the power to determine that.

I am now making a formal request that the members of this council do so.