Norwalk city attorney steps back from tax software contract talks
NORWALK — While the city’s contract with a Waterbury-based software company is still to be finalized, Norwalk’s corporation counsel excused himself from the drafting of the contract and the negotiations.
Additionally, Norwalk Corporation Counsel Mario Coppola excused himself from any discussion or work with Quality Data Service because he has previously represented the firm, city spokesperson Michelle Woods Matthews said.
“Mario Coppola serves as corporation counsel for the City of Norwalk part time and is a partner at Berchem Moses PC. Berchem Moses represents QDS,” Woods Matthews said. “In order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, Mario removed himself from any and all aspects of the procurement process and negotiations on behalf of either party.”
There is no ongoing litigation involving Quality Data Services, according to the state judicial website.
Coppola assumed the position of Norwalk’s corporation counsel in 2013 and previously acted in the same role for the town of Trumbull form 2009 to 2013, according to Berchem Moses PC. He also has served as assistant town attorney for Westport since 2006.
Also, Coppola regularly provides legal representation and services to other Connecticut municipalities, including Easton, Madison, New Canaan, Trumbull, Weston and Wilton.
He specializes in municipal law, land use and zoning, property tax assessment and appeals, real estate transactions and general civil litigation, according to Berchem Moses.
The contract between the city and QDS was first approved at the Common Council’s Finance and Claims Committee meeting in mid-July and was approved by the Common Council later that month.
However, the item was recently called back into question after an error in the contract amount was discovered and the cost was to be increased.
As of Monday, the city has yet to determine whether a new contract is needed, Woods Matthews said. If a five-year contract is required, the contract would go back to committee to begin the full legislative process over again, she said.
“Quality Data Services received this contract because they are the premier software service for tax assessment needs throughout Connecticut,” Woods Matthews said. “Their software is uniquely qualified to help local governments be more efficient. That’s why over 94 percent of municipalities in the state use their services.”
After last month’s approval, the contract briefly appeared on the agenda for last week’s council meeting as a technical revision. The contract’s agenda item and subsequent removal was confirmed by Woods Matthews.
“When this contract came to the mayor for his signature, it was noted that the total cost of the contract was higher than the amount approved by the Common Council,” Woods Matthews previously said. “(Tax Assessor Bill) Ford then sent the total cost of the five-year contract to the Common Council for approval, referring to it as a ‘technical amendment,’ but the mayor noted this change was too significant to be deemed a ‘technical amendment’ and asked that it be pulled from the agenda.”
Quality Data Service’s software would allow the tax assessor’s office to streamline property assessments and create a faster, simpler process for assessments.
abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com