News
State Bond Commission Allocates $2 Million Toward Allen Street Drainage Project
Last Friday, the State Bond Commission allocated $2 million toward the $13.9 million Allen Street Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project. The project is to alleviate mounting concerns about flooding caused by drainage infrastructure in need of improvements affecting the neighborhood between Allen Street and Roxbury Road near CCSU neighborhood. That neighborhood has been facing serious problems […]
McNamara, Seeking Second Term, Announces Priorities
In a press statement, endorsed Democratic candidate for City Council in Ward 4, Ald John McNamara (D-4) has announced that his, “key priorities for city government over the next two years include affordable housing and fair taxes, neighborhood flood relief, equitable funding for schools and safer streets.” Ald McNamara is running for his second term […]
State Legislators Announce $6 Million to Improve John Downey Drive
Members of the New Britain state legislative delegation, Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27) have announced $6.4 million in state funding for John Downey Drive corridor. “These upgrades will improve accessibility for both vehicles and pedestrians,” said Sen Lopes, about the funding, awarded through the Local Transportation Improvement […]
Democratic and Republican Parties Endorse Candidates for 2025
The Democratic and Republican parties have endorsed candidates for the 2025 election in meetings of their respective town committees last week. The endorsed candidates for the two major parties are: If the endorsed candidates are not challenged for the nomination of their parties, they become the nominated candidates for the offices they are seeking. At […]
McNamara and Ortiz-Luna, Endorsed Democrats, May Be Primaried by Connors
The Democratic Town Committee last week endorsed incumbent Ald John McNamara (D-4), the City Council’s Majority Leader, and former Ald Luz Ortiz-Luna, as the endorsed Democratic candidates for Council in Ward 4. Meanwhile, incumbent Ald Neil Connors (D-4), who was not re-nominated, is attempting to petition for a September primary for one of the two […]
Democrats Endorse Bobby Sanchez for Mayor
Democratic State Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) was endorsed by the Democratic Party tonight to be its candidate for Mayor of New Britain. “Born, raised, and deeply rooted in the city,” Sanchez’ campaign website says, “Bobby has spent decades fighting for the issues that matter most to New Britain families—as an early childhood educator, shelter director, […]
Beloin-Saavedra Endorsed by Republican Party for Mayor
Republican City Council Assistant Leader, Ald Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) announced that she has been endorsed by the city Republican Party as their candidate for Mayor in this year’s city elections. Beloin-Saavedra is presently serving as a Ward 1 city Council member. She has served on a number of elected and appointed roles in the city […]
Interfaith Group Addresses Council on “Due Process” Rights for Immigrants
Clergy and members of the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference (NewBAIC) attended the July 9th New Britain Common Council meeting to share their concerns about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are not in accordance with “due process under the law.” Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts, […]
Community Birthday Cookout Celebrates Life of Katherine Colon – Continues Justice for Katherine Campaign
Family and friends of Katherine Colon and other activists held a special Birthday Community Cookout in Central Park on Sunday, “dedicated to honoring Katherine’s memory through harm reduction, food, love, and meaningful community connections.” The event included food, games and fond remembrances of Colon, along with a continuation of the Justice for Katherine campaign. That […]
Community Birthday Cookout for Katherine Colon Planned, Despite “Permit Dispute”
Family and friends of Katherine Colon say that they are inviting the community to special Birthday Community Cookout in Central Park on Sunday, despite, “the city of New Britain ongoing attempts to block the event in an attempt to further silence the Justice for Katherine movement.” The event is planned for Sunday, June 29th at […]
Legislators Praise $2 Million State Brownfield Remediation Grant for Economic Development
Members of the New Britain state legislative delegation applauded Gov Ned Lamont, who recently approved $2 million in Brownfield Remediation and Development Program for New Britain Business Park located at 221 South Street. Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Manny Sanchez (D-25) praised the allocation for New Britain, part of an overall allocation of $18.8 […]
City Proposal Would Add Chief Operations Officer to City Reorganization Plan
A proposal being presented to the City Council would make two changes to the city ordinances section concerning the reorganization of city departments, including a proposal to add the chief operations officer to the city reorganization plan. The proposal is introduced by Ald Robert Smedley (R-4), the Council’s Republican leader, who typically introduces proposals from […]
Traffic Safety Plan Will Include Roundabouts, Camera Enforcement Options
Safe Streets Report and Recommendations to Be Released June 25 By John McNamara A final report of the city’s Vision Zero Task Force is expected to be released on June 25th with recommendations to reduce vehicular and pedestrian accidents throughout the city. The Common Council took the first step of the Vision Zero initiative last […]
Legislature Allocates Funding for Little League and HSC Adaptive Sports Camp
The New Britain Little League and the Hospital for Special Care’s (HSC) Adaptive Sports Camp are receiving additional state funding under the newly approved state budget, announced Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24). Funding of $20,000 is to be provided in the 2026 and 2027 budget years to […]
Council Democrats Defend Budget Vetoed by Stewart; Council Budget Added School Operating, Library, Homelessness Prevention Funding
New Britain City Council Democrats say that, in spite of a veto by Mayor Erin Stewart (R), they are defending the budget they approved last month that would have added $1.1 million to the city schools’ operating budget, which had been again flat-funded in the budget proposed by Stewart, and added $175,000 for New Britain […]
Council Increases School Operating Budget by $1 Million, Adds Funding for Library, Homelessness Prevention
On a party-line vote, the Democratic-majority New Britain City Council has approved a city budget that adds $1.1 million to the city schools’ operating budget, which had been again flat-funded in the budget proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R), and added $175,000 for New Britain Public Library and $20,000 for homelessness prevention. The budget was […]
Listro Resigns from Board of Education, Democrats Propose Pozorski for Open Seat
Board of Education member Joseph Listro (D) has resigned from his seat on New Britain’s ten member Board of Education. City Council Democrats have proposed that his replacement be CCSU Professor Aimee Pozorski. Listro, who resigned on May 21, 2025 had, himself, been named to fill a vacancy on the Board in 2020. He was […]
City Council to Hold Meeting on City Budget
The New Britain City Council is set to vote on Wednesday on a city budget for the upcoming year. The special Council meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 6:00pm. It is to be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall at 27 West Main Street. Mayor Erin […]
CCSU Students Learn Non Profit Grant Development – Succeed in Winning $10,000 for New Britain Nonprofits
The Prudance Crandall Center and the Klingberg Family Centers are each receiving $5,000 grants from the American Savings Foundation based on applications prepared by Central Connecticut State University students, as part of their “The Psychology of Giving and Introduction to Philanthropy” class. The class, CCSU says, taught the students about the world of non-profits and […]
Council Approves Federal HUD Funds Allocations
The City Council approved allocations of funding the city receives from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) yesterday, with changes made from the recommendations that had earlier been made by the city Commission on Community and Neighborhood Development. Council Democrats and Republicans debated priorities for the funding, with amendments proposed by Democrats […]