News
Dave DeFronzo Announces Qualifying for Citizen Election Program
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced that he has enough qualifying contributions to participate in the state’s Citizen Election Program, sometimes called the “clean election program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. “This program epitomizes a clean election process,” DeFronzo explained. “It bans dark money and emphasizes grassroots […]
City Council to Hold Public Hearing on City Budget
The Majority Leader of the City Council, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) announced that, The Common Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s Proposed General Fund Budget, Capital Improvement Program Budget and Special Revenue and Enterprise Funds Budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, […]
New Britain Council Democrats Criticize Stewart Veto of Public Reports on Land Deals
Mayor Stewart, in Veto Message, Calls Use of Word “Transparency” Political, While Belittling Council Democrats Council Democrats are strongly criticizing the veto by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) of city legislation to provide for public reports to the City Council on final land deals, calling the mayor’s act, “a striking blow against the principles […]
Resolution Allocating $4 Million for Flood Control Deemed Deficient by Finance Department
New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini appears to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” The Council unanimously approved $4 million last September for improvements to address flooding experienced by residents of […]
New Britain Democrats Call for Cease Fire in Israel and Palestine, Release of Hostages and Humanitarian Relief
The New Britain Democratic Town Committee has approved a resolution calling for, “an immediate and permanent ceasefire and end to the hostilities,” in, “the armed violence in Israel and Palestine,” that, “has claimed the lives of innocent civilians with tens of thousands of lives lost.” In the unanimously approved resolution, Democrats affirmed, “solidarity with our […]
Council Members Call for Control of Traffic Speeds After Child Injured in Hit and Run
New Britain City Council President Pro-Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) and Ald. Candyce Scott (D-3) say they are, “deeply saddened and outraged,” about, “the recent hit-and-run incident that occurred on Monday at the intersection of Broad Street and High Street, resulting in the injury of a minor.” Ald. Santiago said that, “Quality of life for […]
Council Holds Hearing on HUD Funds Allocations
The New Britain City Council held a hearing ahead of decisions it will make on the allocation of funds from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The federal grants support an array of human services and community development programs in the city and are also used by the city government. Representatives of […]
Homeless Liberation Initiative and Dare to Struggle CT Plan “Rally Against Gentrification”
The organizations, Homeless Liberation Initiative and Dare to Struggle CT, are planning a, “Rally Against Gentrification” with a series of demands for a prominent downtown developer. The organizations say that the rally, on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 3:30pm in New Britain’s Central Park, is to, “to bring attention to the gentrification unfolding in New […]
Stewart Budget Leaves Schools With Less Local Funding After Inflation
The level of local operating funding New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has proposed in her budget for the upcoming year appears to leave city schools more than $2 million less, after inflation, than the city’s funding for the current year. Stewart’s budget would increase overall city spending by $3.7 million. But a small fraction […]
CCSU Students Plan “Rally for Palestine”
CCSU Intersectional Justice Coalition (IJC) has announced a rally and march on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. Organizers say that they are protesting to, “both a show of support for Palestine and a protest to the university’s ongoing complicity.” The groups say that they, “feel incredibly disappointed, disheartened, and neglected by the CCSU […]
DeFronzo Touts Council Record in Race for State Representative
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo says that his experience on the Council, working on emergency response, park protection, neighborhood concerns and opposition to corporate tax breaks as makes him well suited to succeed current State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) in the legislature. Rep. Tercyak, who recently announced his retirement, after serving the district for 21 […]
Ayalon Announces Candidacy for State Representative
Former City Council member, Dr. Aram Ayalon (D-3), announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District in a campaign statement. An open seat election in the district will occur this year after current State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26), announced his retirement after serving the district for 21 years. Another former Council member, […]
In Party Line Votes, Council Committee Sends Proposals Reducing Homeless Fines and Restrictions Back to Full Council
On party-line votes Thursday evening, a New Britain City Council committee referred back to the full Council two proposals to change city ordinances that have been criticized for having onerous impacts on the homeless in the city. The proposals, on loitering and panhandling ordinances that its critics say criminalize being homeless, were introduced by the […]
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. […]
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 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 […]
Rep. Tercyak Discusses Legacy, Hopes for Country’s Future
State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) spoke about his father’s and his legacy, and his hopes and concerns about the future in the country, as he announced that he will retire at the end of his current term of office. Tercyak, who succeeded his father, Rep. Anthony J Tercyak, in representing New Britain’s 26th Assembly District, […]