The first of two meetings on the issue takes place today with Aldermen Ben Lathrop and Todd Postler, Corporation Counsel Michael Lahan and Norwich Community Development Corp. member Stanley Israelite.

The City Council approved a resolution opposing the consolidation of Three Rivers at the Mahan Drive site July 7 after residents protested the site plan because it did not address traffic concerns and flooding problems.

Gov. John G. Rowland said if the council rejected the site, his office would start looking for sites outside of Norwich.

Since then, the council has been scrambling to come to a consensus behind the last viable site in town: the Thames Valley campus.

Five members -- Mayor Arthur Lathrop and Aldermen Jacqueline Plowden, Robert Booth, Lathrop and Postler -- all have said they would support the college's consolidation at Thames Valley. Alderman J.P. Mereen said he still feels the college should go downtown. Alderwoman Sofee Noblick said she is not sure which site she supports yet, though she wants the college to stay in Norwich.

According to Lahan, the group is working to look for common ground between the City Council, governor's office and college officials.

"The lines (of communication) are open," Lathrop said.

Lathrop said he is not certain when the council will vote on the resolution, but he expects it either will be Aug. 4 or at a special meeting.

"We want to show the city that we want to keep the college here because of the economic benefits the college brings," Lathrop said.

Lathrop also expressed concern about losing the $75 million in bonded money the governor said is available for the consolidation of the college.

"I think we are doing the right thing for the city," Israelite said

Booth said he scheduled another meeting for later in the week.