Headlines
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Hosting Annual Back-to-School Giveaway
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) is, once again, hosting its annual Back-to-School Giveaway. “We’re dedicated to supporting our community’s youth and ensuring every student starts the school year with the tools they need to succeed,” the Coalition says. The 4th annual events are to be held at Mount Pleasant, on August 10, 2024 […]
2024 Osgood Shootout Benefit Basketball Tournament Planned
The widely popular Osgood Shootout scholarship benefit basketball tournament is set for another year of bringing the community together for a good cause, while watching great basketball competition. Coach Darwin Shaw has announced that the 2024 Tournament is to be August 10th and 11th. It will be held at New Britain High School. The Tournament […]
Council Member Scott Discusses Empowerment at School House Apartments
Third Ward Council member, Ald. Candyce Scott (D-3) discussed local government and empowerment at the School House Apartments on South Main Street at a community meeting last Friday. “It was amazing,” said Ald. Scott. “We had spaghetti, salad, dessert, and I spoke about local politics and shared information and resources about local elected positions. Melvadene […]
New Britain Democrats Donate To Dr. Alton F. Brooks Scholarship Fund
The New Britain Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson has announced that the New Britain Democrats have made a $250 donation to the Alton Brooks Scholarship, maintained at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, in honor of the revered community leader, Dr. Alton F. Brooks. In a letter to David J. Obedzinski, President and Chief […]
Allen St. Project #2 Progress Update
To: Ward 4 Constituents, Taxpayers, Property Owners, Flooding Victims and Elected Officials We appreciate the mayor’s and the city council’s efforts thus far. Now our state legislators must move the funding proposal through the legislature approving the $10M bonding initiative. Mayor Stewart has committed $4.2M which is the city’s responsibility. Upcoming milestones per the DPW […]
HRA Helping Families into Homes with “Head Start on Housing”
The Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) has been helping families get needed housing, using a first-in-the nation “Head Start on Housing” program. HRA pointed to the case of the mother of an HRA pre-school student, “Maria B.”, who, found herself and her children homeless and having to live in a motel in Newington. […]
Council Discusses Assumption of City Audit Oversight
At a meeting of its Committee on Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services, the New Britain City Council discussed plans for establishing Council oversight of the audit of the city’s finances. At the meeting on Monday, Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) pointed to state law assigns to the local legislative body, the City […]
City Will Match State Bonding With $4.2 Million For Allen Street Flooding
Council To Review Recommendations On Late Audit Reports July 22 An infrastructure improvement plan to address longstanding stormwater and sewer main problems in the neighborhood between Allen Street and Roxbury Road near CCSU is taking shape in a cooperative effort by state legislators and the Stewart Administration. In recent months Common Council-approved engineering work has […]
DeFronzo Calls for State Action to Address Housing Crisis
David DeFronzo, who is running for state representative in the open 26th Assembly District, has announced a series of initiatives for, “the state to play a more direct role in the financing and oversight of affordable housing statewide.” DeFronzo called for urgent action by the state, saying, “We need to address this issue now.” “People […]
HRA Welcomes Donation from New Britain Youth Leads for Local Food Center
Youth leaders from New Britain Youth Leads donated money they had fundraised to HRA of New Britain’s New Britain Food Resource Center. The donation of $225 was presented by Youth Leads to HRA at the Food Resource Center’s Farmington Avenue location, HRA said, “to recognize the Food Resource Center’s efforts to provide food to thousands […]
Op-Ed: New Britain Residents Deserve Better Financial Oversight
By Chris Anderson For the third year in a row, the City of New Britain’s Finance Department has neglected their obligations to taxpayers by failing to file the annual financial audit on time. Besides routine lateness, the audit findings identified multiple serious material weaknesses in how the Finance Department operates. First, the Finance Department failed […]
Dave DeFronzo Announces Citizen Election Qualification and AFL-CIO and CSU-AAUP Endorsements
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced he has successfully qualified for the state’s Citizen Election Program, known commonly as the “Clean Election Program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. At the same time he has announced endorsements for his candidacy from the Connecticut AFL-CIO and the Connecticut State […]
Council Leader Supports DeFronzo for State Representative
To The Editor: David DeFronzo, the endorsed Democrat running for 26th State Representative in the August 13th Primary, will be an effective leader for the city and the district if he is elected to the Legislature this year. Mr. DeFronzo is listening and understands the needs of the community. He will bring energy and know […]
Op-Ed: Tax and Spend Republicans in New Britain
By Aram Ayalon Recently, the New Britain Progressive reported that the city of New Britain is yet again, late in submitting its audit report, this time 6 months late instead of a year late for the 2022 budget – a slight improvement but still adds to the financial woes the city has experienced in the […]
Training and Motivation Center Hosting Sneaker Day Party to Benefit Back to School Event
The Training and Motivation Center (TMC) is hosting its First Annual Sneaker Day Party to benefit its well-known annual Back to School event. The nonprofit TMC says that they are, “bringing the entire community together this summer with their inaugural Sneaker Day Party.” “I’ve been wanting to do a Sneaker Party event like this for […]
Council Plans Public Hearing and Meeting on Late City Audits
The New Britain City Council is set to hold a hearing and meeting on the city financial audit reports that were reported to the state late two years in a row by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R). The report for the city budget year that was from July 1, 2022 to June 30, […]
Multicultural Business Potluck Networking Event Planned
The New Britain NAACP is hosting a Multicultural Business Potluck Networking Event. Event organizers say, “Join us for an inspiring gathering where entreprenuers from diverse backgrounds come together to share ideas, feast, and fellowship.” The event is on July 29, 2024 at 6:30pm at 177 Sexton Street. “Bring your specialty dish,” say event organizers. More […]
Reader Supports Ayalon and Property Tax Cap
Dear Editor, Last year my condo property was reassessed and I got a 43% property tax increase. This July, I got a mill rate increase of about $100 per/year. The 2024 mill rate for Greenwich (one of the wealthiest communities in CT) is 11.39. In New Britain it’s 38.28 with another increase already set for […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Hosting Dinner Fundraiser
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is hosting a Dinner Fundraiser to support its work. The organization says, Step up for justice on July 25th! Join us for a transformative fundraiser supporting our mission for racial equity in New Britain. Together, we can make a powerful impact. Don’t miss out! The event is Thursday, July 25, […]
“Lawyers in the Library” to be at New Britain Public Library
The New Britain Public Library says that, New Britain Public Library, in collaboration with the Connecticut Bar Association, is now working with local attorneys to offer the program “Lawyers in Libraries.” If you have questions or a case that involves immigration law, family law, consumer rights, personal injury, or a landlord/tenant conflict, you can sign […]