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Government officials, including Gov. Lamont (third from right), cut the ribbon on the new DMV in the Putnam Parkade in E. Putnam. Linda Lemmon photos.
Deputy Commissioner Tony Guerrera with the no-go DMV trailer of the past.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
Waving a large poster photo of the old Department of Motor Vehicles trailer, DMV Deputy Commissioner Tony Guerrera assured those at the ribbon cutting for the brand new DMV office in the Putnam Parkade that “this is history.”
All the politicians and state officials on hand June 15 thanked Governor Ned Lamont for tackling this difficult problem. The trailer had been closed since COVID, creating a hardship for northeastern Connecticut.
State Rep. Rick Hayes, in his remarks, apologized to the state officials and the governor for all the reps bending their ears so relentlessly.” “This is the last time the people of northeastern Connecticut have to stand outside.”
Guerrera said when COVID concerns backed off a bit, he said the trailer wasn’t fit to serve. “This has to go from day one.” The right location for a new DMV was first on the agenda. Once found, “We even worked weekends,” he said, shooting for a June 1 opening.One problem haunted the DMV as it does nearly every other business, post-COVID — backorders. Fortunately, Guerrera said, the DMV was consolidating offices and got the furniture for the new DMV from those other offices.
It's open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and it is by appointment ONLY. Go to: ct.gov/dmv to make an appointment.
DMV Commissioner DMV Commissioner Sibongile Magubane said, “without support from the top, it would not have gotten done.”
Governor Lamont called the trailer a “bad joke.” He said it will be nice to have a facility where folks don’t have to wait in line. During COVID there was “tela – everything” and while the DMV can do some things online these days there are things you have to do in person.”
Mayor Barney Seney said while the opening of the new Municipal Complex was a highlight, this is even more so because it is serving northeastern Connecticut.
Sheila Frost, president of the chamber, said “this is very important to Putnam and also the surrounding towns.”
Services include: Driver’s License - Renewals (including CDLs without Hazmat Endorsements), duplicates, and name changes only. Learner’s Permit - Duplicates and name changes only. Non-Driver ID Card - New/first-time (except for non-U.S. citizens), renewals, duplicates and name changes only. Registration Services - New Registrations; Plate Transfers to New Vehicle; Add/Remove Owner or Registration; Temporary Registrations; Boat Registrations; Replace Lost/Stolen Plate; Name Changes; Disabled Parking Permits - New, renewals and replacements; and Driver Histories Acceptable forms of payment are: Cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and most debit cards. Please make all checks payable to DMV.
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