DMV to Close Some Offices Due to Budget Cuts

The welome message on the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles website encourages residents to visit one of its offices, but come Aug. 11 residents' options will be drastically reduced.

The DMV is preparing an extensive reorganization, including the shuttering of some offices, to both meet imposed budget constraints and provide core public services amid these financially difficult times.

Department officials Wednesday notified employees in four full-service branch offices that state services will end by Aug. 11 in those locations. In addition, the agency is planning sweeping changes to regionalize various services so that fewer employees can help larger numbers of customers.

Under DMV’s reorganization plan, the following changes will occur:

• By Aug. 11, branch offices in Old Saybrook, Danbury, Enfield and New Britain will close.
• By Aug. 11, the Putnam Satellite office as well as the photo license centers in Derby, Middletown and Milford will close.

The department’s reductions amount to 123 layoffs; 28 eliminated vacant positions; 10 retirements; 28 positions now paid through emissions funds and two positions paid general funds for the boating services.

The agency also will be broadening services provided at the 15 AAA locations around the state. At present AAA does photo license renewals and under the reorganization plan they will do other license services.

“This is the direction we must move because of the very severe fiscal constraints the state faces,” said DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey. “Most definitely there will be affects on customers, but our goal is also to maintain the core services we provide to the millions of people statewide.”