News
City Council Approves Multiple Zoning Changes
Democrats’ Call For More Discussion On Citywide Changes Rejected Staff Reports NEW BRITAIN – Despite Democratic Ald. Aram Ayalon’s attempts to slow the process, the 12 – 3 Republican City Council approved sweeping zoning changes proposed by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) at the June 14th Common Council meeting. A raft of changes […]
Commission Holds First Hearing On Rent Hike Complaints
By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The first of seven scheduled hearings in June by the Fair Rent Commission was held Tuesday, June 13th over rent increase complaints involving a West Main Street apartment complex. Anibal Garcia and Reina Torres, 34-year residents of an apartment at 923 West Main Street, are seeking relief from a […]
Feasibility Study Is Next Step For Batterson State Park Designation
Public Hearings To Be Held in New Britain, Farmington and Hartford By John McNamara HARTFORD – Action on turning Batterson Park, the unused open space and pond between New Britain and Farmington, into a state park will not happen in 2023. The newly adopted biennial state budget, however, includes a Batterson Park Feasibility Study. It […]
New State Budget Increases Funding For NB Schools
City Gets $15.5 Million More For Education; Lawmakers Tout Personal Income Tax Cut Staff Reports HARTFORD – The state budget for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years will increase state funds for municipal government and the city’s schools, New Britain legislators announced after bipartisan approval in the State Senate and House of Representatives on June 7th. […]
U.S. Rep. Hayes Votes No On Debt Ceiling Deal
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), citing cuts to food assistance programs, joined progressive opposition to a compromise budget bill to avert default on the nation’s debt. “I voted no on the budget agreement,” said Hayes in a statement following approval in the House of Representatives on May 31. “I acknowledge and recognize the immense consequences of […]
City Council Meeting Called to Vote on City Budget
The City Council is set to hold a meeting to consider approving the city budget proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R). Stewart has proposed a $265,849,055 city budget that would increase property taxes by 12.58% for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, with a 5.92% spending increase over current year expenditures. The proposal would […]
Commission Schedules Hearings Over Double Digit Rent Hikes
Staff Reports NEW BRITAIN – A reorganized Fair Rent Commission voted Tuesday May 23rd, to hold hearings on rent increase complaints at a West Main Street apartment complex. Seven tenants are seeking relief over rent hikes from 22% to 43% that would take effect in June. In the case of the largest increase among the […]
Central Students Win Grants For Two Youth Serving Organizations In New Britain
NEW BRITAIN -Two New Britain nonprofits won grants from the American Savings Foundation through the efforts of students in a psychology course focusing on roles and responsibilities in philanthropy in the Spring 2023 semester. Receiving $5,000 grants are The Pathways/Senderos Center and the Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain thanks to grant applications submitted by students on their behalf. […]
City Council Committees To Hold Meetings on City Budget
Three City Council Committees are set to hold meetings on the city budget proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R). Stewart has proposed a $265,849,055 city budget that would increase property taxes by 12.58% for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, with a 5.92% spending increase over current year expenditures. The proposal would provide for […]
Democrats Invite Candidates To Run For City Offices
Staff Reports NEW BRITAIN – The Democratic Town Committee (NBDTC) is seeking candidates for all municipal offices for the November 7th election. This year New Britain voters will elect candidates for Mayor, Treasurer, Common Council (15), Board of Education (3), Board of Assessment Appeal (2) and Constable (4). “New Britain Democrats believe that local government […]
Divided Council Confirms Stewart Pick For Chief Of Police
By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The Common Council confirmed Mayor Erin Stewart’s nomination of Captain Matthew Marino to become the city’s 16th Chief of Police at its April 26th meeting. The decision appeared to split council members, with a majority in favor of the Mayor’s choice but members from both Democratic and Republican caucuses […]
Zoning Changes Proposed For Downtown, Other Areas Across The City
NEW BRITAIN – The City Council’s Republican leader, Alderman Robert Smedley (R-4), has introduced a sweeping series of zoning changes on the Council agenda for April 26th. The changes would have various effects in seven key parts of the city, changing the type and density of development that would be allowed into the future in […]
Council To Vote On New Police Chief
Petitions Filed For Major Changes To City Zoning Map At April 26th Meeting By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The Common Council is scheduled to select a new Chief of Police at the Wednesday, May 26th regular meeting. Three members of the Police Department’s(NBPD) command staff have been selected as finalists. The vote may come […]
Election of Chair, Revised Rules On Agenda At Special Fair Rent Commission Meeting, April 4
By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The city’s Fair Rent Commission, a largely dormant city board, will hold a hastily-called special meeting Tuesday, April 4th to elect a Chairperson and revise its rules and regulations. The Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 P.M. in Room 201 at New Britain City Hall, 27 West […]
Senate Bill For Clear Language On Municipal Charter Referendums Advances
By John McNamara HARTFORD – Legislation sponsored by New Britain lawmakers to require clear language on city charter and other municipal ballot questions received a joint favorable (JF) report from the General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee March 22nd. The Committee approved advancing the bill for possible floor action 14 to 5 on a […]
Lawmakers Praise $1.7 Million For Expanded Child Care At YMCA
Community Investment Fund 2030 OKs Support For Six Classrooms Staff Reports HARTFORD – The State Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) board approved $1.7 million in state funding to enable the New Britain area YMCA to renovate unused racquetball courts into space for six additional classrooms at the Y’s New Britain facility that will enroll 72 […]
Legislation On Clarity Of Local Ballot Questions Gets Hearing
GAE Committee Will Consider Changes Endorsed By NB League of Women Voters Staff Reports HARTFORD – Legislation to bring “clarity and simplicity” to municipal referendum questions will be the subject of a public hearing on Friday March 10th at the State Capitol. The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee will hear testimony in Room 2A […]
Hearing On Demolition Of Mount Pleasant Public Housing Set For Tuesday, March 7
Staff Reports NEW BRITAIN -A public hearing on the planned demolition of the Mount Pleasant family housing complex on Myrtle Street will be held Tuesday, March 7, at 3 pm at the Jane Johnson Conference Room, 18 Armistice Street that is located in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. There is a zoom link for the meeting […]
New Britain NAACP Expresses Solidarity With Student Anti-Racism Protesters
The NAACP New Britain Branch has expressed solidarity and support for CCSU students who held an anti-racism protest that interrupted the showing of a movie by a far-right student group. The controversial film, The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and The Rise Of The BLM, was presented by the student group, Turning Point CCSU. The […]
Data Shows Large Rent Increases in New Britain
Staff Reports Data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) points to hefty increases in rental housing in New Britain. HUD data appears to show rent levels in New Britain growing dramatically in the past few years, confirming anecdotal accounts of rent increases that people are experiencing. According to one New Britain […]