Stanley’s 183-Year Legacy Ends: Cost-Cutting and Closures
By John McNamara News of the end of the line for making Stanley tools in New Britain came early on February 26. By the afternoon Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) officially announced the closing of its Myrtle Street facility where up to 300 workers will lose their jobs later this year. The dominance of the […]
City Seeks $5 Million Grant For Allen Street Stormwater Project
By John McNamara City officials confirmed last week they are seeking a major grant to close the gap in the funding of the Allen Street Utility-Road Phase II project where flooding and sewage overflows have caused problems in the neighborhood for decades. The regional Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) received the New Britain application for $5 million to […]
Council Fills Ward 3 Vacancy…City Backs Immigrant Rights…Events Mark Black History Month
News briefs for week ending February 14, 2026 By NB Politicus Council fills Ward 3 vacancy Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New Britain Council succeeding State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) who was elected to the state House of Representatives in a January 6 special election. The Common […]
Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant boosts Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…Schools seek 14.82% more…City mourns Ald. Hargraves
News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026 By NB Politicus State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session on opening day, February […]
Alderman Hargraves Brought People Together
Remembering A Life of Public Service, Helping Others Alderman Jerrell Hargraves, who died unexpectedly this week, brought a quiet, unassuming demeanor to his work as the city’s human rights officer and on the Common Council representing Ward 2. When Jerrell spoke in that baritone voice on any issue before the Council he had something substantive […]
Lawmakers Discuss Issues on Tap for 2026 Legislature at LWV Brunch
By John McNamara School aid, affordable housing and countering unlawful Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were key topics discussed at a January 31 Legislative Brunch organized by the New Britain area League of Women Voters (LWV). State Representatives Rebecca Martinez (D-22) of Plainville and Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) and David DeFronzo (D-26) of New Britain […]
New Britain Week in Review
Short Takes on local news and occurrences for week ending 1/31/26 By NB Politicus Storm Benjamin On Sunday January 25th the biggest storm in a decade dumped 16.4 inches of snow in New Britain prompting city government to replenish its supply of road salt with more than seven weeks left in winter. It took more […]
Officials Provide Update On Allen Street Project to Upgrade Stormwater System
By John McNamara City officials have provided an update on plans and financing to complete the Allen Street project to replace an outmoded storm water and sewage system that causes neighborhood flooding during heavy rains and extensive damage to basements and property. Mayor Bobby Sanchez said Allen Street improvements have been the priority for his […]
City Audit For 2025 Fiscal Year Finalized on Time
Independent auditors delivered New Britain’s financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2025 to city officials and the state Office of Policy and Management ahead of a December 31st deadline after several years of the reports being filed late. Material weaknesses and noncompliance found in prior years have been corrected, according to the CliftonLarsonAllen […]
Iris Sanchez sworn in as State Rep for New Britain’s 25th District
State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) has been sworn in as the State Representative from New Britain’s 25th District. The swearing-in ceremony occurred in the House Chamber on Tuesday, January 13th. The 2026 Legislative Session is set to begin on February 4th, 2026. Rep. Sanchez, a multi-term member of the New Britain Common Council from Ward […]
Task Force Hearing on Traffic Cameras To Be Held Thursday, Jan. 15th
by John McNamara The City of New Britain will take the next step in selecting locations for speed enforcement traffic cameras at a January 15th public hearing of the Vision Zero Task Force. A Vision Zero public hearing is set for Thursday, Jan. 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Britain Police Department Community Room, […]
Rev. Dr. Crabtree, a Founder of Prudence Crandall Center, Honored With CCAG Award Named for Laddie Michalowski
Citizen Action Group Recognizes Third Act Leader; Celebrates 20 Years of Citizens Elections Program By John McNamara The Connecticut Citizen Action Group honored the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree on December 4 at its awards and campaign finance reform anniversary celebration in West Hartford. Rev. Dr. Crabtree, a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister, received the Laddie […]
New Britain Prof Pens Book on Eastern European Roots
Dr. Lisa Wisniewski’s Book Shares Oral Histories from Communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts So Migrants’ Culture and Heritage Will Not Be “Forgotten” By John McNamara The migration of Eastern Europeans to New Britain and other U.S. destinations after World War II is a story Professor Lisa Wisniewski, PhD, has wanted to tell from the beginning […]
Join CT Voices’ Talk on Investing in Children
“Roadmap To Fully Fund Communities” at New Britain Library October 30th Connecticut Voices for Children, (CTVoices), a research-based advocacy organization, will host a community conversation on state fiscal policies and strategies for investing in children and families on Thursday, October 30th at the New Britain Public Library. The “community-led conversation on fiscal controls” will be held […]
Council Democrats Question Use of $470K for Pickle Ball Courts In Budget Transfer
NEW BRITAIN – Common Council Democrats are questioning the use of $470,000 to fund construction of pickle ball courts at A.W. Stanley Park in a budget transfer resolution to be considered at the September 24th regular meeting of the Common Council. Common Council Democrats Update The resolution proposes to transfer accrued revenues from the 2024-2025 […]
Holmes School Renovation Is on Schedule for Fall 2026 Re-Opening
By John McNamara State Bonds Are Covering 95% Of $70 Million In Construction Costs A $70 million comprehensive renovation of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street near A.W. Stanley Park is on schedule for re-opening in the fall of 2026. Members of the School Building Committee toured the school construction site on […]
Interfaith Group Addresses Council on “Due Process” Rights for Immigrants
Clergy and members of the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference (NewBAIC) attended the July 9th New Britain Common Council meeting to share their concerns about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are not in accordance with “due process under the law.” Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts, […]
How Mamdani’s Message Trumped the Establishment in NYC
Back To The Future: “Affordability” Wins on the Lower East Side and Elsewhere by John McNamara Down on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Grand Street the words of Sidney Hillman are inscribed in stone outside the coop complex named for the legendary labor leader. “We want a better America,” the quote goes, “an […]
Traffic Safety Plan Will Include Roundabouts, Camera Enforcement Options
Safe Streets Report and Recommendations to Be Released June 25 By John McNamara A final report of the city’s Vision Zero Task Force is expected to be released on June 25th with recommendations to reduce vehicular and pedestrian accidents throughout the city. The Common Council took the first step of the Vision Zero initiative last […]
Naming of Academic Center Honors Geraldine Brown-Springer
Staff Report Geraldine “Gerri” Brown-Springer, a beloved former Principal of Slade Middle School, was honored on June 3rd, with the re-naming of Brookside School adjacent to Pulaski Middle School in her honor. At the school naming ceremony Dean of Students Michael Peterson and Boys & Girls Club Executive Director James Jones recalled the support and […]