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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 […]
“Justice for Katherine Colon” Activists Bring Protests to Council; Community Police Review Board Creation Re-Emerges in Response
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”. In response, several Council members, all Democrats, expressed openness to bringing back consideration of a strong community police review board. The speaking on behalf of Colon at the Council member was […]
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. […]
Democratic Registered Voters to Choose Party Committee Members in Ward 1 and Ward 3 Tuesday
New Britain residents registered to vote as Democrats in Ward 1 and Ward 2 will have their say as to who will represent them on the New Britain Democratic Party’s governing Town Committee in the March 5th primary election this Tuesday. The election is to be held only in Ward 1 and Ward 3, two […]
New Life II and Wildflower Alliance Present Exhibit, “A Call to Action: Black Movement Leaders: Past & Present”
New Britain’s New Life II Ministries, in partnership with Wildflower Alliance from Western Massachusetts, are presenting an exhibit, “Black Movement History Leaders: Past and Present”, at the New Life II’s downtown Recovery Community Center. The organizations held a reception for the exhibit Thursday. In addition to being on view at New Life II, the exhibit […]
Is spending $2.7 million on a Reception Pavilion at Stanley Golf Course Justified?
The February 28 New Britain Common Council meeting has an agenda item requesting the Common Council to approve funding an installation of a reception pavilion in the New Britain-owned golf course for $2,698,000 by Diversity Construction Group LLC of Wallingford, CT. While a reception pavilion at the golf course would provide a location to host […]
Thanks to Everyone Celebrating Black History Month in New Britain Throughout February
The New Britain Progressive offers its warmest thanks to everyone in the New Britain community who have been celebrating Black History Month in New Britain. The celebration is important, not just for remembering the central roles African-Americans have played in so much of the history, learning and culture of the United States, but also as […]
New Britain Museum of American Art Studio@4 to Celebrate Women’s History Month
“During the month of March,” the Britain Museum of American Art says, “oung artists will learn about the lives and artistic processes of women whose artworks are currently on view at the Museum..” “SStudio@4 exposes kids ages 9-12 to various art-making processes and techniques,” the Museum says. “Join us on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. each […]
The City of New Britain Celebrates Black History Month
Congresswoman Jahanna Hayes Joins the City Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities in Honoring Nine Prominent Black Residents By Jessica Angelo-Julien, MBA, JPChair, New Britain Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities On February 22nd nine prominent black residents were recognized for their contributions to the city. It is important to acknowledge the work done by […]
Council To Consider Reducing Restrictions Hitting the Homeless
The New Britain City Council’s Democratic majority members are proposing changes to city ordinances that have onerous impact on the homeless in the city. Homelessness, together with the high cost of housing, have been growing concerns, with rent and housing costs becoming unaffordable for many people. Ward 2 Council member, Ald. Lori McAdam (D-2), has […]
The Renaissance Of The Dual Language Program At Diloreto School
It was 2012 and the major item on the New Britain School Board meeting agenda was the closure of the dual language program at Diloreto school. Superintendent Kelt Cooper with the support of the president of the school board Sharon Saavedra were proposing to replace a popular program that allowed the children of Diloreto K-8 […]
New Britain Council Committee Recommends Approval of Zone Change for Mount Pleasant Redevelopment
The New Britain City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee has approved a proposed rezoning of the Mount Pleasant area, ahead of the widely expected plan for redevelopment of the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. The redevelopment plan that the proposed zone change relates to calls for the demolition of the existing Mount Pleasant neighborhood and replacement with a new […]