Does the N.E.C. require that the neutral in a new service be continuous from the utility connection through the meter to the disconnect? Did I read that somewhere or am I having a flashback?

Do you mean because in the meter there are two bolt clamps in line and a conductor, if you chose to, could be stripped and laid in the trough of the connector and tighten the two clamps on it without cutting the wire?

No,that is why there are two clamps, one for each cut end of neutral conductor, line and load.