News
Council Member Appears to Suggest Reduced Access to Press to Police Blotter Was Over Objections to Editorial Policies and Negative Coverage of Police
A New Britain Republican City Council member suggested that city Police’s disapproval of press editorial policies contributed to revoked free access for the press to the Police blotter, saying that the press, “don’t have the right to pick and choose who makes it in the paper and who doesn’t,” and commenting that, “As soon as […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Filing Freedom of Information Request Seeking Police Arrest Records – Republican Leader Says They Will Be Published on City Website
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) says it has, “submitted a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request to access all arrest records and use-of-force records in 2023 so far,” citing, “the recent decision by the city council to discontinue sending daily police blotters to the New Britain Herald.” The city is required to provide […]
Council Committee Moves to Take North Street Property
The owner of a North Street apartment building is asking the City Council for more money than the city plans to pay to acquire the presently vacant property. The city plans to take the property at 238 North Street by eminent domain for purposes that include expanding Willow Street Park, by providing a new entrance […]
Council Committee Moves to Take North Street Property
The owner of a North Street apartment building is asking the City Council for more money than the city plans to pay to acquire the presently vacant property. The city plans to take the property at 238 North Street by eminent domain for purposes that include expanding Willow Street Park, by providing a new entrance […]
Council Committee Moves to Take North Street Property
The owner of a North Street apartment building is asking the City Council for more money than the city plans to pay to acquire the presently vacant property. The city plans to take the property at 238 North Street by eminent domain for purposes that include expanding Willow Street Park, by providing a new entrance […]
Council Committee Moves to Take North Street Property
The owner of a North Street apartment building is asking the City Council for more money than the city plans to pay to acquire the presently vacant property. The city plans to take the property at 238 North Street by eminent domain for purposes that include expanding Willow Street Park, by providing a new entrance […]
Mount Pleasant Residents Upbeat On Development Plan But Still Have Many Questions
Residents of the Mount Pleasant neighborhood are generally upbeat about the proposed demolition of the existing aging housing and new construction of apartments, but still have many questions. Since coverage by the New Britain Progressive in January about the large and vaguely described plans by the New Britain Housing Authority to demolish the Mount Pleasant […]
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas Speaks on Elections and Business at NAACP Event
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas spoke at a meeting of the New Britain NAACP Economic Development Committee and Multicultural Business Coalition on Monday. Secretary Thomas spoke on voter participation, civics, community participation and business empowerment. Thomas leads the state agency responsible for elections and business registration. She is the first African-American to hold the […]
Ortiz Luna and Sanders Plan Independent Candidacies for Council
At large Council Member Luz Ortiz Luna (R-AL) and longtime Republican activist James Sanders, Jr. are building independent campaigns for Council, as Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s coalition shows more signs of fraying. “I will be petitioning to get on the ballot as an Independent,” Ald. Ortiz Luna said. She said she it looked like she […]
Republicans’ Council Slate Very Different From Current Council
New Britain Republicans have endorsed a very different slate of candidate from their current Council members, with many incumbents out — and rumors circulating that some incumbents and other Republicans may challenge as independent candidates. Only six of the twelve incumbent Republicans on the City Council were endorsed for re-election, out of a possible ten […]
Republicans Endorse Stewart and Slate for City Offices
Republican incumbent Mayor Erin Stewart received the endorsement of her party for re-election, along with a slate of candidates for City Council, Board of Education and other city offices. The Republican Town Committee said that, “We are thrilled to make a special announcement regarding the endorsement of Mayor Erin Stewart for her re-election to a […]
Democrats Endorse Anderson For Mayor
With incumbent Republican Mayor Erin Stewart apparently headed for the nomination of her party for a sixth term, former City Council member Chris Anderson has been endorsed for Mayor by the Democratic Town Committee. Anderson, who is the Chair of the New Britain Democratic Party, took issue with Stewart’s self-characterization as setting the city on […]
Council to Consider Replacing Sunday Newspaper Public Hearing Notices
The New Britain City Council is set to consider a proposal to eliminate the requirement for Sunday newspaper notices of public hearings. The proposal would leave a requirement for newspaper notices, but not require that it be on Sunday. Many people are familiar with newspapers appearing in print traditionally publishing extra large Sunday editions, containing […]
Attorney For Stalled East Street Project Seeks Dialogue With City
Developer Jim Sanders Says City Hall “Gag Order” Violates Property Rights By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The Attorney for Chamberlain Square LLC and its owner, James Sanders, is requesting further discussion with city officials on the “land use and economic development merits” of a proposed mixed use development at 600 East Street and an […]
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 […]