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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. […]
Council And Board Of Education Discuss Schools Budget
The New Britain City Council and Board of Education met to discuss the city schools budget in the budget to be considered for the budget year that is to begin July 1, 2024 and continue to June 30, 2025. Superintendent Tony Gasper presented to the Council and Board on the school district budget proposal for […]
Allen St. and Surrounding Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 3-27-24
Get Involved. Stay Informed. Attend City Council Meetings and the Board of Finance and Taxation Meetings… OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD! This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our […]
Rep. Tercyak Discusses Legacy, Hopes for Country’s Future
State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) spoke about his father’s and his legacy, and his hopes and concerns about the future in the country, as he announced that he will retire at the end of his current term of office. Tercyak, who succeeded his father, Rep. Anthony J Tercyak, in representing New Britain’s 26th Assembly District, […]
State Representative Tercyak Announces Retirement
New Britain State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) has announced that he will not seek re-election this year, retiring after serving the city in the state House of Representatives for almost twenty-one years. Rep. Tercyak, a Democrat, made the announcement at the New Britain Democratic Town Committee Thursday evening at City Hall. The announcement was widely […]
Council And Board Of Education Leaders Announce Joint Meeting On Schools Budget
New Britain City Council President Pro-Tempore Francisco Santiago (D-5) and Board of Education President Joseph Listro (D) have announced, “a special joint meeting dedicated to discussing the crucial topic of the school budget process for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025.” Santiago and Listro said, in a statement, that, “this collaborative gathering underscores the commitment of […]
Bill For “Precise” Wording On City Charter Referendums Gets Hearing
New Britain Lawmakers, League of Women Voters Back Fair Ballot Questions By John McNamara Legislation to ensure specific wording on local referendum questions has been proposed for a second year at the Connecticut General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE). The GAE Committee will consider House Bill 5494 that would establish “standards” for city […]
New Britain Residents Complain about Chronic Speeding Problems
On the New Britain City Council February 28th, 2024 public participation session, several residents expressed their concerns over car speeding issues in the city which are causing fatalities, property damage, and a general feeling of insecurity on city streets. These complaints come at the same time as family and friends of Katherine Colon expressed their […]
‘The Janes’ Creators To Speak at CCSU Luncheon for Women’s History Month
With women’s reproductive rights under attack at the United States Supreme Court and across the nation, CCSU is to host a luncheon for Women’s History Month featuring Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, creators of the award-winning documentary, “The Janes.” “In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago where […]
Community Police Review Board Creation Re-Emerges Amid “Justice for Katherine Colon” Protests in New Britain
Family members and community activists organized a wave of protest comments at Wednesday’s New Britain City Council meeting calling for “Justice for Katherine Colon”. And they called for renewal of consideration of creating a community review board for the New Britain police that a previous Republican-controlled Council defeated in 2020. In response, several Council members, […]
Council Proposal Would Require Public Reports of Business Tax Breaks, Contracts and Land Deals
The New Britain City Council is set to consider a series of proposals that would require the mayor and other city officials to report the terms of various kinds of business tax breaks, contracts and land deals. The Council is often asked to authorize the mayor and other officials to enter into agreements. The proposals […]
Chris Anderson Re-Elected as Democratic Party Chair
As was widely expected, Chris Anderson had been re-elected to lead the New Britain Democratic Party for the upcoming two-year term of office. Anderson’s win was assured following the victory of the Row B team, of which Anderson was a part, in the recent primary for the Democratic Town Committee members representing Democratic voters in […]
School System Publishes 2024-2025 School Calendar
It may still be winter, turning to early spring, but the New Britain school district, looking ahead to next autumn, has published its calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The 2024 – 2025 calendar says that the school year begins on August 26, 2024 and ends on June 9, 2025. The school district updates the […]
Row B Wins Democratic Town Committee Primary Election in New Britain
The Row B slates for Democratic Town Committee in Ward 1 and Ward 3 both won in Tuesday’s primary election for the Democratic Party’s Town Committee. The election had pitted two slates in two of the city’s five wards in what was, at times, a heated contest. The candidates on Row B campaigned on experience […]
In Dispute with New Britain Mayor Stewart, Sanders Files for Freedom of Information
New Britain business owner and former Republican Council member James Sanders, Jr. has filed a Freedom of Information request from Mayor Erin Stewart (R) and a number of key city hall officials, apparently related to a running dispute over property development in the city’s East Side neighborhood. Sanders, of FAFO Properties and Chamberlain Square LLC, […]
Demonstrators Call for “Justice for Katherine” in Front of the New Britain Police Headquarters
Following state attorney Maureen Platt report issued on February 24, 2024 exonerating New Britain officer Connor Reinsch from any responsibility driving accident where his vehicle struck and killed Katherine Colon on September 21, 2023; Colon’s family, relatives and friends held a rally on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in front of the New Britain police building. […]