New London — Calling it poor public policy, Mayor Michael Passero joined with local legislators and leaders of several service organizations on Monday to denounce the state’s decision to establish a consolidated job center in Montville.

Passero held a news conference in the lobby of the American Job Center at Shaw’s Cove Six in New London, whose offices, along with an affiliate office in Norwich, would close in favor of a larger location at the former Beit Brothers Supermarket at 601 Route 32 in Montville.

Those in opposition say the move would disenfranchise a portion of the local population by moving services away from a major population center.

A lease was signed at the former Montville supermarket, owned by Timothy Londregan and Henry Gebel, on May 1, but Passero promised continued opposition as the state seeks approval through the state property review board and the Attorney General’s Office.

He said the state Department of Labor, which received three bids for a new consolidated center, and its partner Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, made a mistake by choosing a location outside a population center.

Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board President John Beauregard has said consolidation was precipitated by the closing of job centers statewide in 2015. Just two fully-staffed centers still exist in eastern Connecticut — the one in New London and another in Danielson. The new location not only will save money but has the space to absorb the staff from both Norwich and New London and is more central to region served, he said.

“It’s to the point where the process of delivering services regionally isn’t always aligned with what happens at a town or city level,” Beauregard said. “Sometimes that’s hard to except.”

State Rep. Chris Soto, D-New London, a member the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said the amount of money the state will save appears to be a moving target. First announced as a $2.2 million in savings over 10 years, Soto said the latest information he has is that the state will save just $79,000 in the first year and $112,000 a year in future years.

Soto said access to the new site was another concern.

“We have a tremendous infrastructure right here for services for the community. We’re a regional hub,” Soto said. “When you look at the bus lines, the access to transportation, this is where the Department of Labor offices needs to be.”

Also speaking against the move was State Rep. Joe de la Cruz, D-Groton, and representatives from the Hispanic Alliance, Sound Community Services, Stonington Institute and the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.

Cathy Zall, executive director of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, said the New London job center is a vital tool for very poor people and those without cars.

“The location close at hand and within walking distance makes a huge distance,” Zall said. “Moving it to Montville is definitely going to make it much more difficult for people to access.”

“I think we all recognize that cities are shouldering a lot of the burden for caring for those in need in our society,” Zall said. “Cities are doing a terrific job but I think the state should be standing behind cities keeping services close at hand so that we make it easier for cities to do this work.”

State Sen. Cathy Osten, co-chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee who represents a portion of Montville and Norwich, said that a lack of resources could lead to the closing of even more job centers in the near future.

She said she remains supportive of the move to Montville since it represents a location that is more central to Norwich and New London and will save millions of dollars in the process.

“To me it makes a lot of sense. We have to consolidate wherever possible … we’re trying to be as frugal as possible while still providing quality services,” Osten said.

Osten said the plan also has the endorsement of the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, a consortium of 59 manufacturers throughout eastern Connecticut.

Department of Labor Commissioner Scott Jackson has indicated New London would be considered for an affiliate job center. There are six full-service offices in state and 13 affiliate offices.

g.smith@theday.com