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City Council Approves Budget With Education Increase and No Tax Increase
The New Britain City Council approved a city budget that provides $14,742,120 million more in new funding and savings for the city’s schools, with no tax increase, by a 9 to 5 vote. The budget incorporates the $13.3 million increase state education aid and the $4.6 million in other state aid to the city that […]
Mayor Sanchez Announces Full Funding Secured for Allen Street Drainage Project
Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) has announced that the long-delayed Allen Street Drainage Project is now fully funded, through his work as Mayor, in partnership with Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) and the support of Gov Ned Lamont (D) and […]
Farmington Commission Hears Public Opposition to Travel Center Near Batterson Park and Slater Rd. Neighborhood
A Fourth Hearing Will Be Held on June 3 By John McNamara NBpoliticus.com FARMINGTON – The Inland Wetlands and Environment Commission heard residents from Farmington and New Britain on May 20th strongly oppose an application to build a Travel Center and a gas/diesel fueling station on the town line near Interstate 84 off ramps. In response […]
NB News Briefs: Dems discuss Absentee Vote Law…Council Hikes Fines for Blight, Code Violations…School District Recognizes Faculty, Staff at Awards Night
by John McNamara – NBpoliticus.com State Representative Matt Blumenthal on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting: “We Have Finally Caught Up with the Rest of Nation” State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), Co-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE), says Connecticut’s newly adopted election law allowing “no excuse” absentee voting and other provisions will promote more participation in […]
Mail in Voting Now Available to All Eligible Voters Under Law Signed by Gov Ned Lamont
Gov Ned Lamont (D) has officially signed into law legislation that provides all eligible voters in Connecticut with the option to cast their ballots using absentee ballots, without needing a specific excuse. The legislation removes long-standing state restrictions that limited absentee voting only to those who met specific criteria, such as illness, physical disability, or […]
Stewart Suspends Governor Campaign After Investigation Report Says She Misused City Funds
An independent investigation has concluded that former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) engaged in a pattern of behavior that violated public trust by misusing her city-issued credit card for personal, family, and campaign expenses. In the wake of the report’s findings, Stewart has suspended her campaign for Governor of Connecticut, while current Mayor Bobby […]
City Council Allocates 2026 HUD Funding
The City Council approved a resolution allocating funds provided to New Britain by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal dollars meant to support viable communities, provide decent housing, and expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. Funding is provided annually to the city by HUD and distributed by the […]
Hayes Easily Wins Democratic Endorsement; Bronin Wins Upset Against Larson; Possible 3 Way Primary in 1st CD
Photojournalism by Dr Frank Gerratana and Rhona Cohen. Cover photo by Dr Frank Gerratana. Staff reports. US Rep Jahana Hayes (D-5) easily won the Democratic endorsement for re-election, but longtime US Rep John Larson (D-1) narrowly lost the Democratic endorsement to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D). Both votes were at the Democratic Party Congressional […]
2026 Race in the Park Held to Support Breast Cancer Education and Research
Photojournalism by Gregory L Gerratana The Connecticut Breast Health Initiative (CT BHI) held its 2026 Race in the Park on Saturday, May 9th, continuing a Mother’s Day weekend tradition in New Britain. People come to the event each year to honor breast cancer survivors, and remember loved ones while supporting the work of the Connecticut […]
Council to Review Budget with Department Heads; May 15 is Deadline for Elderly Tax Relief
The Common Council will hold three meetings (May 5,6,7) to review the Mayor’s proposed budget for the July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. City departments under the jurisdiction of the Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee (PZH) will be reviewed Tuesday, May 5. The Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee (AFLPS) will continue the review on […]
Mayor and Legislators Announce $13 Million More in State Aid for New Britain Schools
New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) joined with Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) in announcing that New Britain schools will receive an additional $13.3 million in state aid. The Mayor and legislators said that the increase is, “a significant […]
New Britain Community Leaders Honored at Polish Day at the Capitol
Annual Event Celebrated the 235th Anniversary of the Polish Constitution Photojournalism by Dr Frank Gerratana. Staff report based on reporting by Dr Gerratana. Cover photo by Dr Gerratana. New Britain residents and elected officials carried on a proud, decades-long tradition at the State Capitol, gathering to celebrate Polish Day and the 235th Anniversary of the […]
Resource Fair Creates Access to Community Services for Spanish Speakers
by John McNamara Access to community and social services in a city as diverse as New Britain increases when language and cultural barriers decrease and awareness of those services spreads by word of mouth among residents who may need them most. Last winter first-term Alderwoman Jessica Vargas (D-1) hosted a constituent meeting in her ward […]
Speakers Express Support for Greater School Funding at Budget Hearing
Staff report At the annual City Council budget hearing, members of the city community expressed support for increasing funding for New Britain’s schools and advocated for a good quality of education for the city’s children. The hearing was on the Mayor’s Proposed Budget for the budget year that goes from this July 1st to June […]
New Holmes Elementary Nears Completion
By John McNamara Renovations and expansion of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street will be completed in the coming weeks. Members of the School Building Committee toured the K-5 school on April 22 with Kamil Musical , Newfield Construction’s project manager, and School District staff members. The Holmes School was built in 1956 and is undergoing […]
Mayor and Legislators Call for Audit of New Britain School System
New Britain’s Mayor and state legislators have called for, “an independent audit of the district’s budget practices, financial assumptions, and administrative spending decisions. Taxpayers, parents, educators, and staff deserve full transparency and accountability.” Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) joined […]
Mayor Sanchez Announces Allen Street Project on Track for $5 Million in Funding
Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) has announced that the long-awaited Allen Street infrastructure project has taken a major step forward as the City of New Britain remains on track to secure $5 million in transportation funding. The Mayor’s office stated the funding is being pursued through the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) Local Transportation Capital […]
Report Says Blogoslawski Backdated Tax Payments; Lowering Own Late Penalties; and Another Taxpayers’ at Direction of Stewart’s Office
Stewart Calls it Politics; Legislators Call for State Investigation The firm hired to investigate allegations of misconduct in the City Revenue Collector’s Office has issued a scathing report saying that, “The evidence indicates that Ms. [Cheryl] Blogoslawski improperly backdated tax payments for her own personal benefit and for other taxpayers, including at times at the […]
New Britain Honors 65th Infantry on National Borinqueneers Day
Photojournalism by Dr Frank Gerratana. Cover photo by Dr Frank Gerratana. Article staff report. Today, the City of New Britain held annual ceremonies for National Borinqueneers Day in honor of the Borinqueneers, the widely honored 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, who served the United States with distinction in both World Wars and the Korean […]
Community Honors the Life and Work of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement
Photojournalism by Dr Frank Gerratana. Cover photo by Dr Frank Gerratana. Article staff report. On Saturday, community members and local leaders gathered under a clear spring sky to honor the life and work of the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement. The annual event has been held in the city […]