Overview:
Torrington is facing one of its most significant transitions in over a decade, following a new mayoral administration and a sudden shift in legal leadership. Attorney Kevin Nelligan confirmed he is no longer contracted with the city, while newly appointed in-house Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali takes over all municipal legal responsibilities. At the same time, multiple local contractors allege delayed or unpaid municipal invoices, raising questions about financial oversight and transparency inside City Hall. Presence News is actively gathering community reports to investigate emerging issues.
Presence News: What is Really Happening Inside Torrington City Hall?
The City of Torrington is undergoing one of the most significant internal transitions it has seen in over a decade — and the public is only beginning to piece together what the changes mean.
Following the election of a new mayor after more than ten years under the previous administration, the city has now terminated its long-standing outside legal counsel arrangement and moved operations in-house.
Confirmed Today: Torrington Replaces Outside Legal Counsel
Presence News obtained direct confirmation from Attorney Kevin Nelligan, who stated he is “not presently representing the City of Torrington.”
In a separate communication, Attorney Michael Magistrali confirmed via email that he is now the newly appointed in-house Corporation Counsel for the City of Torrington — a major structural change in how the city manages its legal affairs.
This shift raises new questions:
- Why was outside counsel discontinued?
- What led to this specific transition?
- Is this part of a larger restructuring under the new administration?
City Hall has not issued a public explanation as of today.
Local Contractors: “We Still Haven’t Been Paid”
At the same time, Presence News continues to hear from local contractors alleging delayed or unpaid municipal invoices, some tied to departments and events under previous city management.
Several contractors describe:
- Long delays in communication
- Disrupted payment timelines
- Confusion about which department is responsible
- No clarity on who to contact since the legal transition
With the change in legal leadership, many affected contractors are left asking whether their claims will finally be addressed — or if the backlog will deepen.
Quote from Reader Carly: Lifelong Stamford CT Resident – “Yeah usually Connecticut did fine through president elections financially – however Trump when he’s in office – he really does something to cut a lot of funding to Connecticut. Just something I have noticed – other Republican presidents haven’t done that in the past.”
A City in Transition — Or a City in Turmoil?
In less than 60 days, Torrington has seen:
- A new mayor for the first time in over a decade
- A new in-house Corporation Counsel, replacing outside counsel
- Ongoing allegations of unsettled invoices for municipal work
- Heightened public concern about transparency in city operations
Citizens and businesses are now left to wonder: Is this reform? A reset? Or the result of long-standing internal issues finally coming to light?
Presence News will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
CALL TO ACTION: Have You Experienced Issues with Torrington City Government?
Presence News is compiling a localized investigative report. If your business or someone you know is experiencing anything similar – trust me – let Presence know – municipal contractor since 23 years old and military private contractor since 2019. (Electric Boat Navy Base in partnership with Onsite Services) Emergency / on call contracts since 22 years old – Saint Mary’s Hospital, TD BANK, Bank of America, Valvoline Instant Oil Change… Etc.
What to think about
If you are a contractor, resident, city employee, business owner, or anyone who has experienced:
- unpaid or delayed municipal payments
- unanswered emails or calls from departments
- sudden changes in city processes
- disruptions connected to legal or administrative restructuring
We want to hear from you.
📩 Email tips confidentially: Editor@PresenceNews.org
💬 Anonymous submissions accepted. – Make sure to state would like to remain anonymous – there is no off the record communication for government employees at this time without a 12 month contract. Any releases on Presence will note in corner if it is a paid featured release from a government entity.
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Torrington residents deserve clarity — and your story may help shape the truth.
Editor Note: “Yeah i hate to do this article, but we got this lead on this dog case the other day and City of Torrington was like hounding the really respectable presentable couple trying to get like a $1,000 cash grab on them. I am like what a minute – City of Torrington still owes me thousands of dollars from a contract they haven’t paid me on.
AND this guy ED old guy was dumping sewage on my employees – my old business – I swear to god. He said he filmed a video too. So I mean that is pretty degrading and odd like really odd. Anywho – this new council works there now and old Mr. Nelligan Attorney they fired him – they fired me too.
They called me in January of 2025 asking if one of my companies was going to rebid for the next year I said no no no bad time to ask you guys been bad customer recently. Oh it sucks because I like the town but for now just the money has dried up. Connecticut towns in general has seen a pinch on money since Trump has gotten in office. Just my two cents.”
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