Headlines
New Britain Police Department Holds Citizen’s Police Academy
By Jessica Angelo-Julien, MBA, JP New Britain Police Department has held the citizens academy for years and, in this year fourteen, excited residents embarked on a six-week crash course on the ins and outs of being a police officer. This program is meant to encourage community engagement with officers. Since this class was held so […]
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 […]
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. […]
New Britain Police Malpractice Settlements Suggests Needed Reform
City council agenda items indicate that the City of New Britain has been settling claims against its police force in a rate that suggests reform is needed. On October 11, 2023, the city of New Britain settled a claim by Mr. Ortiz against detective Linda Glimpse for $3,500 alleging she conducted false arrest in March […]
Neighborhood Flooding Update After March 28th Council Meeting
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 property values have declined by 15%. When the flooding water recedes, we are forgotten by our city officials. Even though our […]
Rep. Gary Turco Advocates for Children’s Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program
Rep. Gary Turco (D-27), whose district includes the southeastern corner of New Britain, is advocating for legislation to provide funding for free or reduced-price lunch for children in schools. Rep. Turco advocated for legislation and for the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee to provide funding to support the school lunch program. “Funding school meals is an […]
Council Resolution Acknowledges Celebration of Ramadan
The New Britain City Council approved a resolution acknowledging the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan and sharing warm greetings with those who are celebrating it in the city. The Council’s resolution recognizes Ramadan’s importance in the faith of many city residents. The resolution discusses Ramadan as, a spiritual time to cleanse the body and mind. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Queen Ann Nzinga’s Center Planning 15th Annual Constance “Connie” Renee Wilson Collins Exceptional Women Concert
The Queen Ann Nzinga’s Center is planning its 15th Annual Constance “Connie” Renee Wilson Collins Exceptional Women Concert. The event is in honor of Constance “Connie” Renee Wilson Collins, who was New Britain’s first African-American elected official, having served three terms on the City Council. She was known as a strong and deeply respected political, […]
Sanders Calls on Council to Open Formal Investigation of Stewart
New Britain business owner and former Republican Council member James Sanders, Jr. has asked the City Council to formally investigate the actions of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) and a number of key city hall officials in a matter involving a dispute over property development in the city’s East Side neighborhood. Sanders says, I am asking […]
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 and Board of Education to Meet on Schools Budget
The New Britain City Council and Board of Education are to meet together in a special meeting to review the school budget process and for the upcoming 2024 to 2025 budget year. The meeting is to be on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00pm, according to the meeting warrant, or announcement, issued by Council President […]
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 […]
Contest Invites Kids to Show How They Would Promote Clean Energy and Efficiency
Students in Connecticut are being invited to show, “how they would promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable solutions,” in the 19th Annual Energize Connecticut℠ eesmarts™ Student Contest, sponsored by Energize Connecticut℠ and its sponsors, Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas. In the contest, sponsors say, students […]
NBYT Hosting Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser
New Britain/No Boundaries Youth Theater are once again hosting its Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser event. “Get ready for a night of fabulous drag queens,” the youth theater program says, “exciting bingo games, and loads of fun while raising funds for New Britain’s young performers.” The event is to be Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 6:30pm […]