New London —  The Day Publishing Co. announced layoffs Wednesday.

In a statement to employees, Publisher Gary Farrugia said that 7 percent of the company’s 273 positions will be eliminated. Four open positions will not be filled and the remainder of the job reductions were layoffs, the letter said.

“These actions come as we reconcile what is shaping up to be a very disappointing year financially,” Farrugia said in the letter. “Declining advertising revenues in The Day newspaper are primarily responsible for this latest labor force reduction.”

He added, “The people who will be leaving us this week are all dedicated employees who are losing their positions for no other reasons than the prolonged recession and changing business model.”