News
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, […]
Rep DeFronzo Introduces Legislation on Infrastructure and Insurance Cancellations
Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) has announced that he has introduced legislation on municipal infrastructure and notices of insurance cancellations. “The bills I put forward reflect the issues people are dealing with in New Britain,” Rep DeFronzo said. “I know there are a lot of proposals out there right now, but I’m hopeful there will be […]
More Zoning Change Proposals Submitted to Council
Another batch of zoning ordinance and zoning map change proposals has been submitted to the New Britain City Council for consideration. In the past, the Council’s Republican leader, Ald Robert Smedley (R-4) as referred to the long series of zoning ordinances and zoning changes submitted to the Council, over a number of years, as a […]
Rep DeFronzo Appointed to Key Legislative Committees; Community Meeting to be Held with Council Members and Legislators
Newly elected State Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) has announced that he has been appointed to several key legislative committees in his first term. Rep DeFronzo is to serve on the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, as well as the Education Committee and the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I am honored to be appointed to […]
Rep Dave DeFronzo Takes Office Representing New Britain’s 26th District
State Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) was sworn into office for his first term after being elected in last November’s election. “I am grateful to the voters of New Britain who supported my candidacy,” Rep DeFronzo said, “and I am eager to get started.” DeFronzo is the successor to former Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26), who retired […]
Rep Bobby Sanchez Announces Candidacy for Mayor
Surrounded by dignitaries and cheering supporters, New Britain Democratic State Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) announced that he is running to be Mayor of New Britain. Speaking to a crowd of 200 cheering Sanchez supporters, Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) introduced Sanchez, saying that she and Gov Ned Lamont (D) were endorsing his candidacy. She praised […]
New Britain Rep Bobby Sanchez to Announce Candidacy for Mayor
Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) is set to announce that he is running Mayor of New Britain this week. Sanchez, who has represented New Britain’s Twenty-Fifth Assembly District in the state House of Representatives since 2011, has organized a campaign committee to seek the highest office in the city. Retiring State Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26) is […]
Vision Zero Task Force Sets Goals To Reduce Traffic Fatalities
Safety Plan Can Lead To Federal Implementation Grants By John McNamara NEW BRITAIN – The Common Council approved a resolution on December 11th setting long-range goals to “reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and to reach ‘Vision Zero’ by 2045.” A Vision Zero Task Force, announced by Mayor Stewart last May, […]
Council Approves a Series of Zoning Changes, Refers One Item Back to Committee
The City Council approved a series of zoning ordinance changes and changes to the city’s zoning ordinance at its meeting on Wednesday. One change was to the zoning of some areas, along Burritt Street, to A-2 (multifamily, moderate density), rather than A-1 (multifamily, low density), and T, (single, two, and three-family dwelling), zones. Another change […]