Common Council Update: City Upgrades Cyber Security, Recognizes Earth Day & OKs Road Paving Funds
Common Council OKs New Cybersecurity System The Common Council appropriated funds for new cybersecurity services at its April 8th meeting in the wake of a January “ransomware” attack on the city’s information technology operations. Approved was a three-year agreement with Cowbell MDR (Managed Detection and Response) for information technology (IT) systems at City Hall as part of […]
10th Annual Public Library Fundraiser Will Mark Growth, Expanded Community Engagement
by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library’s (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on Friday, April 10th will enjoy food, music and camaraderie with NBPL patrons, staff and volunteers right next to the book stacks and reading areas this year. The event will be held at the High Street main library to showcase recent […]
100% Democracy Author to Speak at New Britain LWV Forum on April 20th
Making The Case for “Universal Voting” and Voter Access Miles Rapoport, a former Secretary of the State and co-author of 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting, and Evelyn Mantilla, former legislator and longtime Latina advocate, will lead a discussion on democracy and election reforms on Monday, April 20th, at New Britain City Hall’s Community Room, […]
May 18th is Last Day for Most Stanley Workers
New Britain Residents Hold More than Half of 300 Jobs Being Eliminated By John McNamara (NBPoliticus.com) The last day of work for most employees at Stanley Black & Decker’s (SBD) 600 Myrtle Street manufacturing facility in New Britain will occur by May 18th, according to the company’s official notification to the state Department of Labor […]
Council Sends Municipal ID Card Proposal to Committee
The Common Council’s Committee on Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services (AFLPS) will consider a feasibility study for a municipal identification card program at its meeting on April 1st.A resolution proposed by Ward 2 Alderwoman Yadira Maldanado (D-2) calls for exploring municipal IDs “for the purpose of evaluating” their “potential to improve access to municipal services, support […]
Irish Parade, Taste of Ramadan Affirm New Britain as City of Immigrants, Diversity
By John McNamara Saturday, March 7th was one of those days when New Britain lived up to being known as a “city for all people” with two annual faith and cultural celebrations In the morning the city’s contingent to the 54th Greater Hartford Saint Patrick’s Day Parade organized by the Central Connecticut Irish Cultural Committee […]
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 […]