News
$21.8 Million in State Grants to New Britain Organizations and Schools Announced
Four prominent New Britain organizations and two schools are receiving what totals millions of dollars in grants from funding allocated by the State Bond Commission at its July 25, 2018 meeting. The grants allow the organizations and schools to purchase, expand or renovate facilities used for the services that they provide. The grants, totaling $21.8 million, […]
City Council Petition to Be Introduced on Allen Street Stop Sign
Ald. Emmanuel Sanchez (D-AL) is introducing a City Council petition for the city to consider restoring stop signs at the corner of Allen and Carlton Street. Sanchez’ petition, in the draft as submitted, says, “Please reinstall the stop signs at the corner of Allen St. and Carlton St. as there have been several car accidents […]
Sights and Sounds at 2018 Festival Puertorriqueño de New Britain
Hundreds of people gathered on High Street for New Britain’s Puerto Rican Festival, celebrating Puerto Rican culture and New Britain’s close cultural bond with Puerto Rico. Festive music filled the air, as people enjoyed live performances and conversation with friends. Delicious food was served. Refreshing drinks were served, as well. Visitors were able shop at […]
Fire Department Announces “Open Recruitment” for Fire Fighter Positions
New Britain Fire Chief Raul Ortiz has announced that the New Britain Fire Department is having an “open recruitment process,” for fire fighter positions. Minimum requirements described in the recruitment for the positions include: Being at least eighteen years of age Holding a high school diploma or GED Having a valid driver’s license. “Must be […]
Candidates Make Appearances in New Britain As Primaries Approach
When, on a hot July day, Democratic Congressional Candidate Jahana Hayes greeted residents at the New Britain Diner, she was among a number of Democratic candidates who have been visiting New Britain to meet people in the city ahead of the upcoming primary elections. On August 14th voters will make a number of key decisions about […]
“It’s not for sale.” – Council Votes Down Selling Fifteen Acres to Burlington.
The City Council overwhelmingly voted down a proposal to sell fifteen acres of New Britain owned Class 3 watershed land to the town of Burlington, defeating the plan at its July 11, 2018 meeting. The vote is a victory for Protect Our Watersheds CT and others who had opposed the sale. Protect Our Watersheds CT and […]
Apparent Leaky Pipes Arise As Issue in Debate on Mining Plan – Council Considers Hiring Firm to Study.
The City Council is set to consider a resolution to study what the state Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) said is, “what appears to be an increasingly leak-prone water distribution system,” in New Britain. The consultant hired under the resolution would study and offer recommendations on this, “unaccounted water.” On May 25, 2018, the CEQ released their […]
Puerto Rican Society Honors Isabel Cancel
The Puerto Rican Society of New Britain dedicated its 2018 Puerto Rican Festival Banquet in honor of longtime community activist Isabelita Cancel. The Banquet was held on July 7th. The Banquet is held annually to support the New Britain Puerto Rican Festival. The 2018 Festival will be on July 21st. In addition to her active membership in […]
July 9th Hearing Set on Proposal to Sell 15 Acres of Watershed Land for $276,000
The City Council is set to hold a public hearing on the second of two controversial watershed proposals from the administration of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. On July 9, 2018 the Council will hold a hearing on a resolution that would authorize Stewart to sell fifteen acres of Class 3 watershed land owned by the city […]
Overwhelming Opposition to Stewart Drinking Watershed Mining Proposal
Huge opposition met Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s controversial plan to allow strip mining on New Britain drinking watershed land at the public hearing held on June 26, 2018 in front of the City Council and the Board of Water Commissioners. Speaker after speaker spoke in opposition to the plan at a packed hearing in the […]
Ordinance to Restore New Britain’s “Heritage of Trees” Up for Final Approval
More tree-lined streets may see a comeback in the city, under a proposal by Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) to restore the city’s “rich heritage of trees.” On June 27, 2018, the City Council will consider final Council approval of a new “tree ordinance,” which would require replacement of trees that are removed and encourage the […]
Former NBHS Associate Principal Damon Pearce Returns As Principal
At a special meeting on June 20, 2018, the Board of Education approved the Suffield Middle School Principal Damon Pearce as the next Principal of New Britain High School. Pearce returns after having been Associate Principal at NBHS from 2005-2014. Board of Education President Nicole Rodriguez (D) said that she is pleased that the process for selecting NBHS’s new […]
New Britain Residents Join Rally Opposing Trump Child Separations
New Britain residents joined in a rally on June 21, 2018 in opposition to the actions of Republican President Donald Trump in which children have been taken from their parents at the U.S. border. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) invited people, “to a rally demanding [an] end to inhumane separation of […]
NBHS Graduation: Salutatorian Manuel Rivas’s Commencement Speech
New Britain High School’s Class of 2018Â Salutatorian Manuel Rivas, in his commencement speech at NBHS’s graduation ceremonies on June 19, 2018, encouraged his classmates to make a difference on some of the key issues of the day. “Think about our world, our country, and, honestly, our president,” Rivas said. “From deportation and separation of families, […]
NBHS Graduation: Valedictorian Gabriella Roy’s Commencement Speech
New Britain High School’s 2018 Class Valedictorian, Gabriella Roy, attended Holmes Elementary School and HALS Academy before attending NBHS, excelling to the top of her class. Roy has been lauded by school officials for her academic accomplishments, but also for her involvement in sports and student clubs. Schools Superintendent Nancy Sarra said that Roy’s hard work and perseverance […]
Board of Education to Vote on New Britain High School Principal
The Consolidated School District of New Britain has announced that there will be a special meeting of the Board of Education, June 20, 2018. The announcement says that the meeting is to, “vote on Superintendent Nancy Sarra’s recommendation for the next New Britain High School Principal.” The meeting is to be at 6:30pm at the […]
Reported Stewart Veto Reverts Budget to Higher Taxes and Lower School Funding
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart has reportedly vetoed the city budget approved by the Democrats on the City Council that would have lowered her proposed tax increase and increased school funding. Under the City Charter rules, Stewart’s veto means that her original proposed budget takes affect as the official city budget instead of the budget approved […]
Racist Political Leaflet Distributed in Arch Street Neighborhood
A racist political leaflet has been distributed in the Arch Street neighborhood, resulting in a referral to city police. The leaflet is composed as a “letter” that makes obscene and vulgar references to former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. “I believe this is more than what is on the surface,” said […]
100 Year Anniversary of Nathan Hale School and Apartments
One hundred years ago, the Nathan Hale Junior Hale School was built on Tremont Street. Over the years, generations of New Britain residents attended school in the historic building. On June 15, 2018, the one-hundredth anniversary of the building, now an apartment building, was celebrated by its residents and owners. Residents shared the outdoor event, […]
Hartford Line Commuter Rail Service Launched
New Britain State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-6) joined Gov. Dannel Malloy (D-CT) and other dignitaries on June 15, 2018 in celebrating the culmination of years of transportation investment at the official opening of service on the much anticipated Hartford Line commuter rail service. The Hartford Line runs between Springfield and New Haven, providing transportation to […]