New London — The mayor has called a special meeting for 5 p.m. Friday to discuss "the potential purchase and sale of real estate by the City of New London.''

The meeting, which will be held in City Hall, was posted at 12:20 p.m. Thursday. Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio cited section 39a of the City Charter which allows the mayor to call a special council meeting "when required by public necessity."

"His administration is governing by ambush,'' an angry council president said Thursday afternoon.

President Michael Passero said the mayor did not check to see whether councilors were available and will not release any information to the council about the subject of the meeting.

But Finizio's executive assistant said Passero was notified of the meeting around 10 a.m. Thursday, as were the other six councilors.

Passero said he has plans tonight but is checking to see whether he can make arrangements to be at the meeting.

"It's disrespectful,'' Passero said. "He will not tell us what this is about. ... He can't give us the courtesy of giving us any information."

The meeting is scheduled as an executive session, which is allowed under Freedom of Information laws because it involves the purchase or sale of real estate.

In addition to Finizio and the council, Chief Administrative Officer Jane Glover, Finance Director Jeff Smith and Law Director Jeffrey Londregan will attend.