News Analysis
New Britain Council Resolution Would Take on AI – But Without Much Detail
The New Britain City Council is to consider a resolution on a high profile issue these days – artificial intelligence – with a proposal that appears short on details. Four Republican Council members introduced the proposal, which says, “it is important that the City of New Britain stay informed and prepared as these technologies continue […]
How to Form a Neighborhood Watch is Topic At Joint NRZ Meeting
By John McNamara http://nbpoliticus.com City officials and residents focused on forming neighborhood watches at a September 3rd joint meeting of Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) committees organized by leaders of the East Side and North Oak NRZs. Mayor Bobby Sanchez and Police Chief Matthew Marino fielded questions on traffic safety, homelessness, the use of red light/speed […]
New Ordinance Proposed on Regulating Tobacco Sales
City Would Require Local Permits and Inspections By John McNamara NBPoliticus.com The New Britain Health Department will strengthen its licensing and oversite of retail tobacco sales in the city in a resolution to be considered at the September 9th Common Council meeting. The new chapter in city ordinances will for the first time “create a […]
Black Business Resolution inspires a Remarkable Black Business Expo
By Candyce Scott The City of New Britain’s third-year anniversary of the Black Business Resolution inspired a Remarkable Black Business Expo this year at the New Britain Art Museum. The first year that I submitted the resolution it was simply read. The second year we had a small event. This year was blessed with a […]
New Britain Set to Implement Traffic Enforcement Cameras Amid Statewide Concerns
Governor Lamont Calls For 30-Day Pause In Use of License Plate Readers Over Data Collection Issue by John McNamara New Britain became the 18th community approved for use of traffic enforcement cameras on August 7th on the same day Governor Lamont called for a 30-day pause on their use primarily because of opposition to “flock” […]
Spotted Lanternflies: Working Together to Stop a Growing Threat to New Britain’s Trees
By Carol S. Austad, Ph.D The spotted lanternfly is no longer someone else’s problem. It has arrived in New Britain. Some residents are beginning to see increasing numbers of these invasive insects in their neighborhoods. Originally introduced into the United States from Asia, the spotted lanternfly has spread rapidly throughout the Northeast, including Connecticut. While […]
City Updates Purchasing and Bid Policy for First Time in 11 Years
NEW BRITAIN COMMON COUNCIL UPDATES Municipal bidding procedures for the purchase of supplies and contractual services have been revised “for greater consistency and efficiency” for the first time in more than 11 years. The Common Council amended Chapter VIII of the ordinances at its June 10th meeting, increasing the threshold for competitive bidding from $7,500 to $25,000, The […]
Water Is Life: Citizen Opposition Nixes Another Threat to Wetlands and Watershed
Withdrawn Plan for Truck Stop Near Batterson Pond Echoes Past Fights Over New Britain Watershed by John McNamara http://nbpoliticus.com Residents of Farmington and New Britain rose up as one voice in recent weeks to oppose the plan of Noble Gas Real Estate Holdings to build a diesel-gas refueling facility and warehouse on about six acres […]
NB News Briefs: Dems discuss Absentee Vote Law…Council Hikes Fines for Blight, Code Violations…School District Recognizes Faculty, Staff at Awards Night
by John McNamara – NBpoliticus.com State Representative Matt Blumenthal on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting: “We Have Finally Caught Up with the Rest of Nation” State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), Co-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE), says Connecticut’s newly adopted election law allowing “no excuse” absentee voting and other provisions will promote more participation in […]
Council to Review Budget with Department Heads; May 15 is Deadline for Elderly Tax Relief
The Common Council will hold three meetings (May 5,6,7) to review the Mayor’s proposed budget for the July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. City departments under the jurisdiction of the Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee (PZH) will be reviewed Tuesday, May 5. The Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee (AFLPS) will continue the review on […]
Nine Bullets Too Many
By Rhona Cohen and Olive O’Brien-Cohen Steven “Stevie” Jones, 55 years old, died on March 4th from gunshot injuries sustained at the hands of a Hartford police officer during a mental health crisis. Famed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, the state and local NAACP, Jones’ surviving family members, and a broad swath of Hartford’s community […]
Stanley’s 183-Year Legacy Ends: Cost-Cutting and Closures
By John McNamara News of the end of the line for making Stanley tools in New Britain came early on February 26. By the afternoon Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) officially announced the closing of its Myrtle Street facility where up to 300 workers will lose their jobs later this year. The dominance of the […]
Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant boosts Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…Schools seek 14.82% more…City mourns Ald. Hargraves
News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026 By NB Politicus State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session on opening day, February […]
New Britain Week in Review
Short Takes on local news and occurrences for week ending 1/31/26 By NB Politicus Storm Benjamin On Sunday January 25th the biggest storm in a decade dumped 16.4 inches of snow in New Britain prompting city government to replenish its supply of road salt with more than seven weeks left in winter. It took more […]
Officials Provide Update On Allen Street Project to Upgrade Stormwater System
By John McNamara City officials have provided an update on plans and financing to complete the Allen Street project to replace an outmoded storm water and sewage system that causes neighborhood flooding during heavy rains and extensive damage to basements and property. Mayor Bobby Sanchez said Allen Street improvements have been the priority for his […]
Area Residents Join Nationwide Protests Against the Fascism of Trump’s Republicans
Across the country, people of conscience stood up in protests against the fascism of the Republican Party and their President, Donald Trump (R).
Report Raises Questions About Mayoral Candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra’s Record on Special Education
As candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R) is seeking to become mayor of New Britain, she is running on her experience as school board member and president from 2005 until 2017. In her recent campaign leaflet, she list her school board accomplishments, including “supported key program creation & expansion for children with autism.” However, she neglected to […]
Holmes School Renovation Is on Schedule for Fall 2026 Re-Opening
By John McNamara State Bonds Are Covering 95% Of $70 Million In Construction Costs A $70 million comprehensive renovation of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street near A.W. Stanley Park is on schedule for re-opening in the fall of 2026. Members of the School Building Committee toured the school construction site on […]
Reflections of a Hundred Year Old Activist
By Ida Cohen Seeing so many of us in front of New Britain’s City Hall was a sight for these sore eyes. Lately reading the news has been so depressing, and there we were one hundred strong, chanting, yelling, fighting for our civil rights! Every time I’ve heard discussions on the news and radio I’ve […]
How Mamdani’s Message Trumped the Establishment in NYC
Back To The Future: “Affordability” Wins on the Lower East Side and Elsewhere by John McNamara Down on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Grand Street the words of Sidney Hillman are inscribed in stone outside the coop complex named for the legendary labor leader. “We want a better America,” the quote goes, “an […]