News
Stewart Flat-Funds Schools Operating Budget Again
Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has proposed no increase in operating funds for New Britain’s schools for the upcoming budget year that begins in July, making her total city operating allocations for city schools over her twelve years as mayor just 3.48% higher in total – an average increase per year of only 0.29%. Stewart’s latest […]
Racial Justice Coalition Calls Residents to Action for City Emergency Housing and Education Funding
Saying, “New Britain deserves better!” the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is calling city residents to action, in support of city funding for emergency housing and education. Mayor Erin Stewart (R) is set to announce her budget for the upcoming year tomorrow. After that, the Council will consider the budget. “We’re calling on the New […]
Retirement Celebration Honoring Rep Peter Tercyak Held to Benefit Sanchez Mayoral Run
Democrats held an event to honor the service of former New Britain State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26), who announced a year ago that he was retiring at the end of his term, after serving the city in the state House of Representatives for almost twenty-two years. The event, last Thursday, was to benefit the campaign […]
Local Leaders Celebrate “Moving Forward Together!” in Honor of Women’s History Month
State legislators and City Council members honored the accomplishments of local women leaders at an event in honor of Women’s History Month. The event, “Moving Forward Together!” was hosted by the Council President Pro Tempore, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5), Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4) and Council Assistant Majority Leader Ald Iris Sanchez (D-2). […]
New Britain Residents Attending Remove/ Reverse/ Reclaim Protest
New Britain residents are encouraging local people to join them at the Hartford protest that is part of the nationwide Remove/Reverse/Reclaim protests that are to occur on April 5th at 3:00pm. The Hartford protest is to occur at the State Capitol on Capitol Avenue in Hartford. The April 5, 2025 protests are being organized by […]
Council Approves Bonding Proposals After Compromise to Take Up Allen Street Drainage Project
The City Council approved a series of bonding proposal for schools, water supply and parks after an amendment removed two proposed park projects as part of a compromise that included agreement to hold a meeting in April to take up bonding for the Allen Street project drainage project. Ald John McNamara (D-4) said that the […]
Council Considering Project to Repair Clean Water Facilities; Adding to City Drinking Water Supply
The New Britain City Council is considering repairs to aging water works facilities the city owns in Bristol, which could allow them to produce up to 23 million gallons of drinking water per day. The New Britain Water Department owns the White Bridge Water Works Facilities, which are located in Bristol. The facilities include buildings […]
Democrats Advocate for Infrastructure and Neighborhood Improvements as City Standing Bonding Subcommittee Recommends Park Borrowing With Board of Finance Votes
The City Bonding Subcommittee approved recommending for $6,300,000 in borrowing for parks projects, with members of the Republican-controlled Board of Finance and Taxation tipping the balance in favor. Democrats on the committee had moved to table the proposal, calling for city bonding to include funding for flood control and other neighborhood priorities, but were outvoted […]
Water, Park and School Bonding Proposed; Council Committee Special Meeting Called
The City Council’s Standing Bonding Subcommittee will hold a special meeting this week. On the agenda are three proposals for city capital projects. One proposal is for $145,000,000 in bonding for a major renovation project at Smith Elementary School, a $9,800,000 project at Pulaski School and $2,700,000 at Slade School. The $145,000,000 for the Smith […]
Legislation Call For Clear Language On Charter Referendums
GAE Committee Favors ‘Precise’ Wording On Ballot Questions The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) has acted favorably on a bill that will “establish certain minimum requirements for presenting charter or home rule ordinance amendment ballot questions to voters.’” House Bill 7125, introduced by State Representative Gary Turco (D-27) and supported by New Britain’s […]
Local Attorney Reports Aggressive Immigration Capture in New Britain for Tourist Overstay
Prominent local attorney and community leader, Adrian Baron, reported on social media today that federal agents in New Britain stopped his car and removed a client who had been working to adjust his tourist visa status. “I was giving my client a ride home after court,” said Baron, noting that, “He was not convicted of […]
Ordinance Proposal Seeks to Clarify When Tenants Can Seek Relief for High Rents
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from rents can allege that rents are excessive when their landlords have begun eviction proceeding for nonpayment of rent in certain cases. The proposal, introduced by Ald Jerrell Hargraves (R-2) and Ald Neil Connors (D-4) is on the agenda of the […]
150 People Celebrate Swearing-In New NAACP Officers
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
Republican Beloin-Saavedra Reportedly Announces Candidacy for Mayor
Republican City Council Assistant Leader, Ald Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) has reportedly announced that she is planning to run for Mayor, according to reporting by WTNH Channel 8. Editor’s note: The cover photo for this article is by Dr Frank Gerratana. WTNH quoted Beloin-Saavedra as saying in a statement that, “It is with great humility, commitment, […]
Rep DeFronzo Praises Lamont Special Education Proposal, Urges Approval of Special Education Legislation
State Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) is praising a $54 million in funding for special education funding proposed by Gov Ned Lamont (D) in his proposed state budget. DeFronzo, who is sponsoring House Bill 5100, introduced by Rep Maryam Khan (D-5), “to improve the quality and delivery of special education services across the state,” said that, […]
CT People’s Survival Program Launches Community Violence Intervention Series in New Britain
The CT People’s Survival Program has announced a three-part Community Violence Intervention Series, noting that it is, “focused on equipping community members with practical skills to interrupt and transform violence.” The CT People’s Survival Program is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC). The organization says that, In collaboration with the […]
New Britain Budget Audit Late for Yet Another Year
The city of New Britain annual budget audit, required under state law, is anticipated to be three months late, according to a report recently submitted to the City Council. The information came to light in response to an official Council petition filed by the Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4). The city was required […]
Tax Abatement Proposed for Schaller Auto Expansion
The New Britain City Council’s Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services is set to consider a business tax abatement phasing in increased assessments on renovation and expansion by Weezy LLC, La Provence Realty, LLC and Schaller Auto World for facilitates on Veterans Drive. The resolution proposing the abatement, proposed by Ald Robert […]
BOE Requests 12% Increase In Local Aid
Budget Forum January 30th, 6 p.m. At Smalley Elementary School The Board of Education (BOE) will hold a budget forum on Thursday, January 30th, to hear a presentation and give the public an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed school budget that will go to the Mayor and Common Council. The budget forum will […]
AG Tong Hosts Lunar New Year Event At Great Taste
Democrats Gather As Attorney General Pushes Back On Trump’s Unconstitutional Actions By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – Attorney General William Tong (D-CT) kicked off a series of Lunar New Year celebrations at Great Taste Restaurant on January 28th as he and 22 other state Attorneys General challenge the Trump White House on federal fund impoundments, […]