City Council
Council Approves Resolution to Consider Actions Against Ald Robert Smedley for Online Comments; Smedley Apologizes
The New Britain City Council has approved a resolution that starts a process that could lead to the removal from Council or some other again against Council member, Ald Robert Smedley (R-4), due to comments Smedley made online that the resolution said appeared defamatory, dangerous, profane and “disgraceful”. Ald Smedley spoke at the meeting, saying […]
Council to Appoint Alberto Borrero to Ward 3 Council Vacancy
City Council members have introduced a resolution to appoint Concord Street resident Alberto Borrero to fill a vacancy on the Council representing Ward 3. The vacancy is created because of the election of State Rep Iris Sanchez (D-25) in a special election last month. Rep Sanchez has already begun serving at the State Capitol during […]
Democratic Socialist Makes History in New Britain
Zohran Mamdani brought an international spotlight to democratic socialism in public office among the “blue wave” across the United States. In New Britain, we shared in that kind of victory here in New Britain on November 4th. New Britain Democrats had a total victory on election night, securing as many seats in as many elected […]
New Britain City Council Chooses Leadership, Selects Reyes for Board of Education
The newly elected New Britain City Council held its first meeting with new Mayor Bobby Sanchez presiding over his first Council meeting after being elected. As the first meeting of the new term, this first item of business was the election and announcement of new Council leadership. Returning in his role as President Pro-Tempore of […]
Legislators and Council and BOE Members to Hold Community Forum
I community forums is being planned by members of the New Britain state legislative delegation, including Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24) and Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), who are to be joined by the City Council Assistant Majority Leader, Ald Iris Sanchez (D-3) and Board of Education Secretary Diana […]
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 […]
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 […]
Committee Reviewing Salary of Mayor, Other Officials
A Council committee is following a process required in city ordinances to consider possible increases in the salaries of the mayor and other city officials.
Hermanowski Proposed for Committees Clerk
The City Council will consider appointing Lawrence Hermanowski to the vacant position of Clerk of Committees.
City Council Unanimously Opposes Deportation of New Britain Family
The City Council’s leader, Ald. Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL) has announced that the City Council has not only unanimously approved a resolution opposing the deportation of Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf, but also sent a bipartisan letter to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in support of the New Britain family. The letter was signed […]
Top 10 of 2017: #9 – Democrats Make Gains in City Council Elections
Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2017. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten. Other Top Ten stories can be found at […]
Magnuszewski Elected as City Council’s Top Leader
In its first meeting of its new term, the City Council has elected Democratic At-Large Alderwoman Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL) to its top position, the President Pro-Tempore. The President Pro Tempore of the City Council is the official leader of the Council. The President Pro Tempore is also effectively the deputy mayor of the city, being second […]
Newly Elected City Council to Select Its Leadership
The newly elected New Britain City Council will hold its first meeting on November 15, 2017, and its first task is the selection of its leaders from among its fifteen members. The many changes in the membership of the Council, after voters, in the November 7th elections, changed the Council from a 12 to 3 […]
League of Women Voters Candidate Debates to Appear on Public Access TV Oct 25th to Nov 6th
The League of Women Voters has announced that its candidate debates will be aired from October 25, 2017 to November 6th on the area public access television system, Nutmeg TV. The debates, which occurred on October 14th, featured mayoral and city council candidates in this year’s November 7th city elections. The debate will be shown […]
At Large City Council Candidates Discuss Education, Economy and Water
Current Democratic Ald. Manny Sanchez (D-3) is joined by fellow Democrats, Eva Magnuszewski, Yvonne Muniz, Katie Breslin and Richard Reyes as the Democratic candidates for At-Large City Council members, facing Republican Desiree Costa and incumbent Republicans Tremell Collins (R-AL), Jim Sanders, Jr. (R-AL) and Daniel Davis (R-AL) and the Republican Council Leader Daniel Salerno (R-AL). […]
Ward 5 City Council Candidates Discuss Making City Hall Work for the Community
Democrat Francisco Santiago joins the Democratic City Council Leader Carlo Carlozzi Jr. as the Democratic candidates in the Ward 5 City Council election, with Republican Carmelo Rodriguez and Republican Miriam Geraci as their party’s candidates. New Britain’s Ward 5 includes the northwest and northernmost parts of the city. Ward 5 includes the neighborhoods around Slater Road and Corbin Avenue, […]
Ward 4 City Council Candidates Campaign on Education, Economy and Watershed Land
Democratic challengers Ann Speyer and Bobby Berriault are taking on incumbent Republicans Don Naples (R-4) and Robert Smedley (R-4) in the election for the two City Council seats representing New Britain’s Ward 4. New Britain’s Ward 4 elects two members of the City Council. The ward includes Little Poland, the Belvedere neighborhood, the Little Warsaw neighborhood, the Stanley […]
Ward 3 City Council Candidates Focus on Neighborhood Concerns
Democrats Iris Sanchez and Aram Ayalon and Republicans Joel Moret and Jason Gibson are running for the two City Council seats representing New Britain’s Ward 3. Sanchez and Ayalon say that they are running for City Council to advocate for public services for the working class and the elderly and to protecting water and air quality. Ward 3 […]
Democrats to Nominate Candidates for City Elections on July 20th
With Republicans likely to re-nominate incumbent Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, Democrats have announced that the day that they will nominate a candidate for Mayor and other offices will be July 20th. While the Democratic Town Committee does not make its official endorsement until July, it widely believed that Board of Education member Merrill Gay will […]
Rallying in Support of Immigrant Communities
Press Pool Story About two hundred students and community residents braved the cold night air on the campus of Central Connecticut State University to rally in support of immigrant families and communities, and to speak out against bigotry. The rally is the latest reaction in New Britain in the wake of Donald Trump’s policies attacking […]