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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 […]
Proposal Would Increase City Fines
A proposal has been submitted to the New Britain City Council to increase a number of city fines, and is to be presented at an upcoming Council committee public hearing and meeting in April The proposal seeks to revise six key sections of the New Britain Code of Ordinances to provide “increased penalties” for a […]
Mayor Bobby Sanchez Delivers First State-of-the-City Address
The following is the annual State-of-the-City address delivered by Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) at the March 11, 2026 City Council meeting: Good evening. I want to begin by thanking the members of the Common Council, our state legislative delegation, city employees, community leaders, and the residents of New Britain who make this city such a […]
New Britain City Council Censures Ald Robert Smedley for Online Comments
The New Britain City Council has censured Ald Robert Smedley (R-4) because of a series of online comments that the censure resolution calls, “divisive, harmful, and offensive to members of the community.” The resolution was approved by vote of 8 to 3. Members of both parties had sponsored the censure resolution. The act to “censure” […]
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 […]
Nine Bullets Too Many
By Rhona Cohen and Olive O’Brien-Cohen Steven “Stevie” Jones, 55 years old, died on March 4th from gunshot injuries sustained at the hands of a Hartford police officer during a mental health crisis. Famed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, the state and local NAACP, Jones’ surviving family members, and a broad swath of Hartford’s community […]
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 Approves Resolution to Consider Actions Against Ald Robert Smedley for Online Comments; Smedley Apologizes
The New Britain City Council has approved a resolution that starts a process that could lead to the removal from Council or some other again against Council member, Ald Robert Smedley (R-4), due to comments Smedley made online that the resolution said appeared defamatory, dangerous, profane and “disgraceful”. Ald Smedley spoke at the meeting, saying […]
City Tax Collector Cheryl S Blogoslawski Placed on Administrative Leave
The City of New Britain has announced that its Tax Collector, “has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into years of alleged financial malfeasance within City Hall.” The Tax Collector, according to the city’s website, is Cheryl S Blogoslawski. Blogoslawski became Tax Collector as a Republican when the […]
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 […]
Network Disruption Affects City – Officials Assure that Public Safety Services Remain Fully Operational
The office of New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez is assuring residents that, “New Britain’s Public Safety operations are functioning as they should and the City will continue to provide services,” after what city officials are calling, “a network disruption affecting certain City systems.” WFSB reported that the incident is, “a suspected cyber attack on City […]
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 […]
City to Honor the Birthday of Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Mary McLeod Bethune Club, and the Black Ministers Alliance are cordially inviting the public to join them in honoring the birthday of Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The citywide event, scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, will focus on the theme “Unity through […]
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 […]