New London — The two Democratic mayoral candidates on Thursday traded barbs, responded to allegations against each other and shared their visions for the city before a crowd of nearly 300 people at New London High School.

Incumbent Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio and City Councilor and firefighter Michael Passero met for the only debate before the two square off in a Sept. 16 Democratic primary leading to the general elections in November.

From the start the two responded to pointed questions from The Day's  editorial page editor, Paul Choiniere, who said he also incorporated suggestions sent to him by readers and the results of a poll on theday.com in preparing his list of questions.

Much of the back-and-forth focused on fiscal issues, with Finizio highlighting what he viewed as a successful but sometimes painful turnaround of city finances that were accomplished in part by cutting city positions coupled with tax increases.

He said his administration managed to balance three budgets in a row, preserve the city’s credit rating, increase the fund balance and secure a $200 million investment in the school system.

“We did all of that, but the tax increases had to come because the city had gone through years of recurring deficit spending and we hadn’t raised taxes in six years. So we faced a painful, sudden correction,” Finizio said.

Finizio took some credit for lobbying the state legislature for passage of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) fund reform bill that will see millions more in New London for compensation of properties that are not taxable, such as hospitals and colleges.

In a familiar theme throughout the night’s debate, Passero called Finizio’s recollection of the state of the city’s finances “a false narrative.”

“We managed our money fine,” Passero said. “One of the things we have to do now is live within our means again. He came into office … he believed we were not paying enough. And he made sure in the course of four years we were paying a whole hellava lot more. And I ask you all today, what are we getting for it?”

Passero promised a government under his administration that would be “effective, efficient and competent” with better value for taxpayers and better transparency.

He used Finizio’s handing out of 30 firefighters' pink slips early in his administration as an example of a “callous political ploy” that drove away firefighters and led to an exodus of police officers who left for careers in municipalities with a “more stable government.”

Passero responded to questions about his use of 300 hours of sick leave in 2014 by saying that “it’s a tough job and you have to be 100 percent.”

“It’s not fair to take statistics like that and smear a 31-year career,” he said.

Passero called Finizio’s assertion that he was out sailing on one of the days “absolutely false.”

On the subject of public safety, Passero said his 20 years as a labor attorney would help lead to better relations with Police Chief Margaret Ackley and said he was committed to increasing manpower at the department.

Even when the City Council had set aside money to hire new officers, Passero said the money was never allocated, which he said showed Fininzio’s “disrespect for the process,” and City Council.

Finzio argued that his first obligation is to balance the budget and that he would not allocate money that would put the city into deficit.

Crime has dropped significantly under his administration and maybe more importantly, Finizio said, is reform at the police department that included civil rights-focused training.

He said that in addition to rebuilding the police department, his focus would be on the public works and other departments that are severely diminished.

“Public works would be in a better shape if we had stable professional management in that department,” Passero countered. “It’s another example of rewarding a friend and political ally with an appointment, and it’s been a complete disaster. We did not envision when we changed this form of government that the professional career employees of the city would be sacrificed in a purge that’s worthy of a third-world nation.”

When asked, Finizio indicated he would support Passero in the general election.

Passero, who has secured enough signatures for a place as a petitioning candidate in the November election should he lose, did not directly answer.

“I fully expect to win on Sept. 16,” Passero said.

“You might be in for a surprise,” Finizio responded.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay