News
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 […]
Council Appoints Colin Osborn to Vacancy in Ward 2
The City Council has voted to appoint former Council member Colin Osborn to fill the Council vacancy in Ward 2. Ald Jerrell Hargraves had represented the seat until he passed away recently. Council Republicans had introduced a resolution that would have appointed Dr Valerie Ruby Ingram to the seat, representing mainly the East Side. However, […]
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 […]
Fitch Ratings Gives New Britain ‘A’ Rating with Positive Outlook
The office of New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) announced that Fitch Ratings has affirmed its ‘A’ bond rating for the city, with a Positive Outlook. “This affirmation is strong recognition that New Britain is moving in the right direction,” said Mayor Sanchez. “My administration met with Fitch and discussed our focus on responsible budgeting, […]
Dr Valerie Ruby Ingram Proposed to Succeed Ald Jerrell Hargraves in Representing Council Ward 2
Editor’s note: The cover photo by Frank Gerratana. Dr Valerie Ruby Ingram is being proposed by Council Republicans to succeed Ald Jerrell Hargraves on the City Council representing Ward 2. Ald Hargraves unexpectedly passed away recently, leaving a vacancy on the Council in Ward 2. According to the City Charter, Hargraves’ successor is chosen by […]
Mayor Bobby Sanchez Proposes Budget With No Tax Increase; $1 Million Increase in Schools Funding
New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) spoke to the City Council today, proposing a budget for the city with no tax increase, no cuts in services, overall spending flat and a $1 million increase in funding for schools. Sanchez said his proposed budget has no mill rate increase and no increase in water and sewer […]
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 […]
State Sen Lopes Leads Senate Approval of Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets
State Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), who is Chair of the state legislature’s Environment Committee, has announced that he recently led the Senate passage of a multifaceted animal welfare bill designed to provide a greater protections for domestic violence survivors and their pets. Senate Bill 318, “An Act Concerning Animal Welfare,” passed, according to Sen Lopes’ […]
100% Democracy Author to Speak at New Britain LWV Forum on April 20th
Making The Case for “Universal Voting” and Voter Access Miles Rapoport, a former Secretary of the State and co-author of 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting, and Evelyn Mantilla, former legislator and longtime Latina advocate, will lead a discussion on democracy and election reforms on Monday, April 20th, at New Britain City Hall’s Community Room, […]
Hundreds Attend “No Kings” Protest in New Britain Against Trump Republicans
Hundreds of people protested in front of New Britain City Hall against President Donald Trump and Republican policies on Saturday afternoon as part of nationwide “No Kings” protests. Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) and other elected officials spoke at the protest against Trump and Republican policies. For two hours protesters chanted slogans against Trump’s attacks against […]
May 18th is Last Day for Most Stanley Workers
New Britain Residents Hold More than Half of 300 Jobs Being Eliminated By John McNamara (NBPoliticus.com) The last day of work for most employees at Stanley Black & Decker’s (SBD) 600 Myrtle Street manufacturing facility in New Britain will occur by May 18th, according to the company’s official notification to the state Department of Labor […]
Council Sends Municipal ID Card Proposal to Committee
The Common Council’s Committee on Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services (AFLPS) will consider a feasibility study for a municipal identification card program at its meeting on April 1st.A resolution proposed by Ward 2 Alderwoman Yadira Maldanado (D-2) calls for exploring municipal IDs “for the purpose of evaluating” their “potential to improve access to municipal services, support […]
Proposal Would Increase City Fines
A proposal has been submitted to the New Britain City Council to increase a number of city fines, and is to be presented at an upcoming Council committee public hearing and meeting in April The proposal seeks to revise six key sections of the New Britain Code of Ordinances to provide “increased penalties” for a […]
New Britain City Council Censures Ald Robert Smedley for Online Comments
The New Britain City Council has censured Ald Robert Smedley (R-4) because of a series of online comments that the censure resolution calls, “divisive, harmful, and offensive to members of the community.” The resolution was approved by vote of 8 to 3. Members of both parties had sponsored the censure resolution. The act to “censure” […]
Council to Hold Hearing on Charges Against Ald Smedley for Online Comments
The New Britain City Council has scheduled a special meeting and hearing to determine whether Ald Robert Smedley should be disciplined or removed from office following a series of online comments that the charges against him said appeared defamatory, dangerous, profane and “disgraceful”. This formal proceeding follows the Council’s approval of Resolution No. 37071 in […]
Council Approves Resolution to Consider Actions Against Ald Robert Smedley for Online Comments; Smedley Apologizes
The New Britain City Council has approved a resolution that starts a process that could lead to the removal from Council or some other again against Council member, Ald Robert Smedley (R-4), due to comments Smedley made online that the resolution said appeared defamatory, dangerous, profane and “disgraceful”. Ald Smedley spoke at the meeting, saying […]
Ald Robert Smedley Faces Possible Removal from Council Following Alleged Social Media Posts
The New Britain Republican City Council leader, Ald Robert Smedley faces charges in the Council in a resolution that would initiate a process that could lead to his removal from the Council. The Council is set to convene for a special meeting this Wednesday, February 18th for consideration of the resolution. The resolution, backed by […]
City Tax Collector Cheryl S Blogoslawski Placed on Administrative Leave
The City of New Britain has announced that its Tax Collector, “has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into years of alleged financial malfeasance within City Hall.” The Tax Collector, according to the city’s website, is Cheryl S Blogoslawski. Blogoslawski became Tax Collector as a Republican when the […]
Council Democrats Propose Resolution Affirming Commitment to City Services for All Residents, Including Immigrants
Against the backdrop of the aggressive immigration policies of the Trump administration, the New Britain Democratic members of the City Council have proposed a resolution affirming the City’s, “commitment to the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all residents.” In its resolution, the Council Democrats express that, in the community, “concerns related to federal immigration […]
Council to Appoint Alberto Borrero to Ward 3 Council Vacancy
City Council members have introduced a resolution to appoint Concord Street resident Alberto Borrero to fill a vacancy on the Council representing Ward 3. The vacancy is created because of the election of State Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) in a special election last month. Rep Sanchez has already begun serving at the State Capitol during […]