Banner
Council Approves Transparency Ordinances for Developer Tax Breaks and City Purchasing
The City Council has approved two new ordinances providing that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda. Both new transparency ordinances are similar to an ordinance that was vetoed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) earlier this month. Council Democrats strongly criticized the veto of […]
Council Refers Report on Unimplemented $4 Million For Flood Control to Committee for Review
The City Council has voted to examine in committee a report from New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini that appeared to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” Council Majority […]
Dave DeFronzo Announces Qualifying for Citizen Election Program
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced that he has enough qualifying contributions to participate in the state’s Citizen Election Program, sometimes called the “clean election program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. “This program epitomizes a clean election process,” DeFronzo explained. “It bans dark money and emphasizes grassroots […]
New Britain Council Democrats Criticize Stewart Veto of Public Reports on Land Deals
Mayor Stewart, in Veto Message, Calls Use of Word “Transparency” Political, While Belittling Council Democrats Council Democrats are strongly criticizing the veto by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) of city legislation to provide for public reports to the City Council on final land deals, calling the mayor’s act, “a striking blow against the principles […]
Speedbumps and Speedhumps Work – Will New Britain make residents’ Safety a priority?
The Board of Public Works of the city of New Britain issued in June 2023 a policy banning the use of speed bumps and humps on city streets. While the policy statement claims to place “high priority on reducing accidents and injuries and increasing safety on its road network” it claims that, for many communities, […]
Resolution Allocating $4 Million for Flood Control Deemed Deficient by Finance Department
New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini appears to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” The Council unanimously approved $4 million last September for improvements to address flooding experienced by residents of […]
New Britain Democrats Call for Cease Fire in Israel and Palestine, Release of Hostages and Humanitarian Relief
The New Britain Democratic Town Committee has approved a resolution calling for, “an immediate and permanent ceasefire and end to the hostilities,” in, “the armed violence in Israel and Palestine,” that, “has claimed the lives of innocent civilians with tens of thousands of lives lost.” In the unanimously approved resolution, Democrats affirmed, “solidarity with our […]
Council Members Call for Control of Traffic Speeds After Child Injured in Hit and Run
New Britain City Council President Pro-Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) and Ald. Candyce Scott (D-3) say they are, “deeply saddened and outraged,” about, “the recent hit-and-run incident that occurred on Monday at the intersection of Broad Street and High Street, resulting in the injury of a minor.” Ald. Santiago said that, “Quality of life for […]
Council Holds Hearing on HUD Funds Allocations
The New Britain City Council held a hearing ahead of decisions it will make on the allocation of funds from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The federal grants support an array of human services and community development programs in the city and are also used by the city government. Representatives of […]
Caribbean Play Comes to New Britain
By Jessica Angelo-Julien, MBA, JP Over two hundred nationals mostly from the island of St. Lucia descended on the City of New Britain to attend a play at Trinity on Main. This is the third year that this acting team of Ché Campeche, Inc has graced our city with their talents. This time they presented […]
Homeless Liberation Initiative and Dare to Struggle CT Plan “Rally Against Gentrification”
The organizations, Homeless Liberation Initiative and Dare to Struggle CT, are planning a, “Rally Against Gentrification” with a series of demands for a prominent downtown developer. The organizations say that the rally, on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 3:30pm in New Britain’s Central Park, is to, “to bring attention to the gentrification unfolding in New […]
Stewart Budget Leaves Schools With Less Local Funding After Inflation
The level of local operating funding New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has proposed in her budget for the upcoming year appears to leave city schools more than $2 million less, after inflation, than the city’s funding for the current year. Stewart’s budget would increase overall city spending by $3.7 million. But a small fraction […]
Residents Again Appeal to Officials on Proposed Allen Street Flood Control Project
Dear Public Officials, Local Dignitaries and Influencers, We have re-launched our yard sign campaign. We are hoping to take our protests directly to the Mayor’s local public appearances hoping to see some real results with the stalled Allen St. Project. We have appeared and presented our 3 minute snippets to the city council and the […]
DeFronzo Touts Council Record in Race for State Representative
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo says that his experience on the Council, working on emergency response, park protection, neighborhood concerns and opposition to corporate tax breaks as makes him well suited to succeed current State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) in the legislature. Rep. Tercyak, who recently announced his retirement, after serving the district for 21 […]
Ayalon Announces Candidacy for State Representative
Former City Council member, Dr. Aram Ayalon (D-3), announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District in a campaign statement. An open seat election in the district will occur this year after current State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26), announced his retirement after serving the district for 21 years. Another former Council member, […]
In Party Line Votes, Council Committee Sends Proposals Reducing Homeless Fines and Restrictions Back to Full Council
On party-line votes Thursday evening, a New Britain City Council committee referred back to the full Council two proposals to change city ordinances that have been criticized for having onerous impacts on the homeless in the city. The proposals, on loitering and panhandling ordinances that its critics say criminalize being homeless, were introduced by the […]
New Fed Grant Helps Friendship Center Enhance Shelter On Arch Street
A $1 million federal grant to New Britain’s Friendship Center (FSC) on Arch Street will support expansion of the facility, including the installation of private restrooms and other capital and maintenance improvements. U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5) and FSC Executive Director Caitlin Rose announced the new funding on April 3rd which stems from approval of […]
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Wreath Laying Planned
The Mary McLeod Bethune Club, the city and the Black Ministerial Alliance of New Britain are planning the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event is to be on April 6, 2024 at 11:00am at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The event, themed, […]
Dave DeFronzo Announces Candidacy for State Representative
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL), announced his candidacy for the 26th Assembly District seat, after State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26), announced his retirement after serving the district for 21 years. DeFronzo, the son of former state Commissioner, State Senator and Mayor Donald DeFronzo, was joined in the event by Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz […]
Federal Earmarks Bring New Funds For Housing, Emergency Shelter And Sewer System
by John McNamara New Britain is the beneficiary of specially appropriated federal funds to address needs for the unhoused, affordable housing development and a deteriorating storm water and sewer system under the recently adopted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. Funded with $2,134,752 are three projects for two nonprofit agencies and municipal government submitted by U.S. […]