Jessica Soule / The Citizen

AUBURN - Comments by public officials and published accounts has news of City Manager John Salomone's rumored departure "going in circles."

The Hartford Courant reported Salomone entered into negotiations with the Newington, Conn., city council.

The news, attributed only to "sources," comes amid Auburn city councilors pushing to begin departmental restructuring talks.

"I've seen the article. People are free to write what they want," Salomone said on Tuesday.

He only confirmed he interviewed for town manager in Newington two weeks ago and is a finalist.

He said he would "find out more information" about the job next week.

"There's a lot of things going around in circles," he said. "But no one's confirmed these things."

Salomone may take the job by Labor Day, according to the newspaper.

Newington officials aim to complete their final offer today and finish negotiations "soon," according to the Courant.

The central Connecticut town's mayor has said he will not release the name of the incoming town manager until the ink has dried on the contract.

Mayor Timothy Lattimore has not received a resignation from Salomone, he said.

If the city manager accepts the job, the city council will find his replacement.

Salomone has three years left in his current contract. He began working for the municipality in May 2000.

He left his position in Cheshire, Conn., to work in Auburn before his three-year work agreement expired in Chesire. There were debates among Cheshire officials about renewing his contract, according to the newspaper.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.