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New Britain Budget Audit Late for Yet Another Year
The city of New Britain annual budget audit, required under state law, is anticipated to be three months late, according to a report recently submitted to the City Council. The information came to light in response to an official Council petition filed by the Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4). The city was required […]
State and Local Leaders Hosting “Champions of Change: A Black History Month Tribute”
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (D) and State Treasurer Erick Russell (D) are to be special guests at an event presented by Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Gary Turco (D-27), the City Council President, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5), the Council Majority Leader, […]
Tax Abatement Proposed for Schaller Auto Expansion
The New Britain City Council’s Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services is set to consider a business tax abatement phasing in increased assessments on renovation and expansion by Weezy LLC, La Provence Realty, LLC and Schaller Auto World for facilitates on Veterans Drive. The resolution proposing the abatement, proposed by Ald Robert […]
BOE Requests 12% Increase In Local Aid
Budget Forum January 30th, 6 p.m. At Smalley Elementary School The Board of Education (BOE) will hold a budget forum on Thursday, January 30th, to hear a presentation and give the public an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed school budget that will go to the Mayor and Common Council. The budget forum will […]
AG Tong Hosts Lunar New Year Event At Great Taste
Democrats Gather As Attorney General Pushes Back On Trump’s Unconstitutional Actions By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – Attorney General William Tong (D-CT) kicked off a series of Lunar New Year celebrations at Great Taste Restaurant on January 28th as he and 22 other state Attorneys General challenge the Trump White House on federal fund impoundments, […]
Know Your Rights Presentation for Immigrants Hosted by Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut and New Britain Public Library
The Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut and New Britain Public Library are hosting a, “Know Your Rights presentation for immigrants and those who support immigrants.” The event is to be Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the Library Community Room. The Library says that, The presentation, given by Attorney Jennifer Antognini-O’Neill of […]
Rep DeFronzo Introduces Legislation on Infrastructure and Insurance Cancellations
Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) has announced that he has introduced legislation on municipal infrastructure and notices of insurance cancellations. “The bills I put forward reflect the issues people are dealing with in New Britain,” Rep DeFronzo said. “I know there are a lot of proposals out there right now, but I’m hopeful there will be […]
More Zoning Change Proposals Submitted to Council
Another batch of zoning ordinance and zoning map change proposals has been submitted to the New Britain City Council for consideration. In the past, the Council’s Republican leader, Ald Robert Smedley (R-4) as referred to the long series of zoning ordinances and zoning changes submitted to the Council, over a number of years, as a […]
City Council Leaders, Legislators To Hold Constituent Meeting January 25th
Common Council leaders from New Britain’s Wards Four and Five will hold a constituent meeting on Saturday, January 25th, with the city’s state legislators to discuss municipal and state issues. The meeting will be held at Spottswood A.M.E. Church, 25 Crestwood Lane from 10 a.m. to noon. Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara (D-4) and […]
Rep DeFronzo Appointed to Key Legislative Committees; Community Meeting to be Held with Council Members and Legislators
Newly elected State Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) has announced that he has been appointed to several key legislative committees in his first term. Rep DeFronzo is to serve on the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, as well as the Education Committee and the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I am honored to be appointed to […]
Ndaba Mandela, Grandson of Nelson Mandela to Speak at CCSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium & Day of Service
Central Connecticut State University has announced that Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the celebrated human rights activist Nelson Mandela, will speak at the University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium & Day of Service as Keynote Speaker. CCSU says that, “As co-founder and chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity, Mandela aims to teach Nelson Mandela’s […]
Rep Dave DeFronzo Takes Office Representing New Britain’s 26th District
State Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) was sworn into office for his first term after being elected in last November’s election. “I am grateful to the voters of New Britain who supported my candidacy,” Rep DeFronzo said, “and I am eager to get started.” DeFronzo is the successor to former Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26), who retired […]
Rep Bobby Sanchez Announces Candidacy for Mayor
Surrounded by dignitaries and cheering supporters, New Britain Democratic State Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) announced that he is running to be Mayor of New Britain. Speaking to a crowd of 200 cheering Sanchez supporters, Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) introduced Sanchez, saying that she and Gov Ned Lamont (D) were endorsing his candidacy. She praised […]
New Britain Rep Bobby Sanchez to Announce Candidacy for Mayor
Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) is set to announce that he is running Mayor of New Britain this week. Sanchez, who has represented New Britain’s Twenty-Fifth Assembly District in the state House of Representatives since 2011, has organized a campaign committee to seek the highest office in the city. Retiring State Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26) is […]
It’s Time For State To Address Stormwater Crisis In More Hard Hit Neighborhoods
State Aid Needed To Implement Allen Street Capital Improvements In New Britain By John McNamara The damage to homes and properties caused by intense rains has accelerated over the last two years in New Britain and other communities across Connecticut. Public stormwater and sewer systems built a century ago are routinely overwhelmed whenever a hard […]
Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive
From our families to yours, Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2025!
Top Ten Stories of 2024
As we get ready to start 2025, the New Britain Progressive editors look back at some of the important stories the New Britain Progressive covered in 2024, and also news analysis and opinion published in the New Britain Progressive during the year, that are this year’s Top Ten Stories of 2024. If you would like […]
Longest Night Service Remembers Lives Lost in 2024
Friendship Center’s Cold Weather Triage Program Is Open To Help Unhoused NEW BRITAIN – A “Longest Night Service” was held at South Church in the Downtown District December 20th to remember individuals who died here in 2024 after experiencing homelessness. The late afternoon service that is observed each year as the “homeless persons’ Memorial Day” was held […]
Vision Zero Task Force Sets Goals To Reduce Traffic Fatalities
Safety Plan Can Lead To Federal Implementation Grants By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The Common Council approved a resolution on December 11th setting long-range goals to “reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and to reach ‘Vision Zero’ by 2045.” A Vision Zero Task Force, announced by Mayor Stewart last May, […]
CCSU names new O’Neill Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics
CCSU announced Dec 4, 2024 Gabe Rosenberg, a distinguished state government official, has been appointed chief of staff and general counsel at the Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State, as the next Governor William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics. His appointment follows a national search by the Connecticut […]