Free Summer Concert Series Begins July 1
Author: nbpoliticus
NB Politicus is a weblog featuring news and commentary on politics, government and community life in New Britain, CT. John McNamara - Editor and Writer
NB Ward 4 Presidential Debate Watch Party
Thursday, June 27th, At Roma Sports Bar & Grill, New Britain
A Presidential Debate Watch Party will be held Thursday, June 27th, starting at 8 p.m. at the Roma Sports Bar & Grill, 382 Allen Street, New Britain.
New Britain Democrats and friends are invited to the watch party (Debate time: 9 p.m.) and to sign up for Fall Campaign activities. Complimentary pizza and soft beverages will be served with a cash bar.
Ward 4 Alderman and Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara, a Biden delegate to the Democratic National Convention this summer, is hosting the event. To RSVP and for information: John McNamara, 860-416-0665. johnhmcnamara@gmail.com.
Juneteenth: Freedom Festival 5-8 at Central Park
New Britain officially marks the Juneteenth national holiday with a festival at Central Park from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19.
It’s a good day to remember what the Civil War was fought for and that New Britain abolitionists were part of the anti-slavery movement at that time.
Some New Britain history to remember on Juneteenth as the city commemorates the end of slavery in Texas well after the Emancipation Proclamation: “In the 1840s and ’50s, New Britain was an important center of anti-slavery activity. Fugitive slaves who entered the state in Stamford, New Haven, and Old Lyme worked their way through New Britain, Farmington, and Middletown on their way to Canada. Of the 22 identified Underground Railroad agents in Hartford County at this time, nine were residents of New Britain. As the two sides of the slavery issue continued sparring, The First Church in New Britain passed anti-slavery resolutions, abolitionists and non-abolitionists clashed at local anti-slavery meetings, and non-abolitionists set fire to barns belonging to New Britain abolitionists.” from connecticuthistory.org
Municipal Budget Update
Here is my take on the municipal budget that will take effect July 1.
The good news is that the Legislature appropriated $10 million more for tax relief or addressing unmet needs in the coming 2025 fiscal year. The bad news is a 1.31 mill rate increase and less local aid to education than 2024.
“The Mayor and Council will face more challenges next year at budget time and will not have the one-time funding provided by the Legislature’s stabilization plan for town aid and educational cost sharing funding. If past is prelude the city’s legislative delegation can be expected to push for and get increases for both education, PILOT and other forms of town aid when the General Assembly convenes next January to adopt a new biennial state budget. The situation points to the need for more fiscal discipline at City Hall than is the case now and making property tax relief a priority at the local and state level in 2025.”
John McNamara
Memorial Day 2024 Observances
“The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Thomas Paine, The Crisis
Observances were held at the National Iwo Jima Memorial on Monday, May 27th, the Memorial Day holiday, as part of this week’s activities to honor all men and women who served in the armed services and lost their lives in wars and conflicts throughout U.S. history.
On Thursday, May 30th, wreath-laying services will be held during the morning at New Britain’s monuments and the traditional Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 5 p.m.
- 8:00 am – General John Patterson Memorial on East/Allen Streets
- 8:30 am – Spanish American War Memorial at Willow Brook Park, 635 So. Main St.
- 8:45 am – Vietnam Memorial at Willow Brook Park, 635 South Main St.
- 9:15 am – Sherrod E. Skinner Memorial on Corbin Ave./Lincoln Street
- 9:45 am – Israel Putnam Stone at Walnut Hill Park
- 10:00 am – World War I Memorial Monument at Walnut Hill Park
- 10:30 am – General Casimir Pulaski Monument/General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Monument at Pulaski Park
- 11:00 am – Civil War, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorials at Central Park
- 11:30 am – 65th Infantry Regiment Park at Beaver Street, North Side (corner near LaSalle and Washington Streets and Farmington Avenue)
- 11:50 am – Belvidere Area World War II Memorial at Campbell Square, Stanley St/Hillcrest Ave.
- 12:15 pm – Captain Brian S. Letendre U.S.M.C. Memorial at Pendleton Road/Sunnyslope Drive
The National Iwo Jima Memorial was conceived and built by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, led by Dr. George Gentile, a New Britain native and NB High School graduate who practiced dentistry in his native city.
According to the Iwo Jima Association: “On Feb 23, 1995 the monument was dedicated in memory of the 6,821 Americans who lost their lives on Iwo Jima. The names of the 100 Connecticut men who died are inscribed on the monument, and 100 flags are flown at the Park to commemorate their sacrifice.”
2024 Paving Program Includes Two Streets In Ward Four
DPW Repaving Will Cover 23 Streets Starting June 17th
The City’s annual road paving program will resurface portions of 23 streets in the summer months, the Department of Public Works (DPW) announced.
Ward Four streets slated for work include Alexander Road from Miriam Road to Stanley Street and McClintock Street from LaSalle Street (in Ward Three) to Eddy Glover Boulevard.
The road work throughout the city begins June 17th and is expected to last approximately six to seven weeks. Officials say the rehabilitation work involves milling two inches off the top of existing pavement and then installing two inches of new pavement.
A total of $1,890,000 is appropriated for milling and paving this year with funding from state Road Aid, the Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) and the city’s 1% for roads program.
The Table below shows all streets selected for rehabilitation by the Pavement Management Program for the city’s 165 miles of roadways. Once the paving begins in June residents may check for daily updates:
Click HERE for Detailed Daily Updates.
| Name | From | To |
| Albany Avenue | Clinton St | Alden St |
| Alexander Road | Miriam Rd | Stanley St |
| Bank Street | Main St | Columbus Blvd |
| Capitol Avenue | Burritt St | east end |
| Davis Street | Doris St | Carmody St |
| Dean Drive | Slater Road | Walker Road |
| Doris Street | Gold St | Grove St |
| High Street | W Main St | Columbus Blvd |
| High Street | Myrtle St | Broad St |
| High Street | Broad St | Biruta Street |
| Lorraine Street | Lasalle Street | Milton Street |
| McClintock Street | Lasalle Street | Eddy Glover Blvd |
| Nash Street | West End | Albany Av |
| Norton Road | W Main St | Slater Rd |
| Overlook Avenue | Corbin Av | Farmington Av |
| Pentlow Avenue | Corbin Av | Farmington Av |
| Pulaski Street | west end | Albany Av |
| Russwin Road | W Main St | Slater Rd |
| Slater Road | W Main St | Clinton St |
| Stanley Street | Kelsey St | Chestnut St |
| Torkom Drive | Slater Rd | Slater Rd |
| Whiting Street | RR | Stanley St |
| Yeaton Street | Malikowski Circle | Farmington Avenue |
Alderman John McNamara (D-4), 860-416-0665 john.mcnamara@newbritain.ct.gov
Council Majority Leader To Hold Ward 4 Constituent Meeting May 18th At CCSU
NEW BRITAIN – Residents of Ward Four will have an opportunity to meet with their Democratic City Aldermen on Saturday, May 18th, at 10 a.m. at Central Connecticut State University to discuss municipal and neighborhood issues, Democratic Council Majority Leader John McNamara (D-4) announced.
The constituent meeting will be held at CCSU’s Marcus White Hall in the Marcus White Living Room, 2nd Floor on the CCSU campus. McNamara and Ward 4 Alderman Neil Connors (D-4) will answer questions and address resident concerns.
An update on 2024-2025 municipal budget now under consideration will be provided. Other topics will include the 2024 street paving program, stormwater infrastructure and the FLUSH program, Batterson Park and traffic calming measures to curb speeding.
“Meeting regularly in the ward is a good way to get feedback from citizens on issues that city government can address,” said McNamara, who held his first constituent meeting in February. The meeting is open to all city residents.
Ward 4 encompasses the neighborhoods near Central Connecticut State University and Stanley Quarter Park, extending to Farmington Avenue and out to Brittany Farms and Batterson Park. The ward includes the Saint Francis (12), Holmes School (13) and Pulaski School (14) voting districts.
For more information: John McNamara, 860-416-0665; john.mcnamara@newbritainct.govn
Municipal Budget Hearing Is Tuesday, April 23
The Common Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s Proposed General Fund Budget, Capital Improvement Program Budget and Special Revenue and Enterprise Funds Budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 27 West Main Street.
Having received the Mayor’s proposed $269.5 million budget and a proposal for a 39.59 mill rate Common Council Democrats are working to adopt a budget plan that makes smarter investments in the community’s needs and minimizes the tax burden on working families and seniors after last year’s double-digit increases in property taxes.
The public hearing is an important part of the process for citizens to share their concerns, ideas and priorities about how the city will maintain essential services within the limits of anticipated revenues for the year that starts on July 1.
“Individuals seeking to join the public hearing remotely may join by calling 1-339-209-6176. The public may attend the hearing in person or view a live broadcast online via the livestream link: https://www.newbritainct.gov/meetings
For additional information
Contact Council Majority Leader John McNamara. 860-416-0665
Email: john.mcnamara@newbritainct.gov
Links to Budget Hearing Information:
Agenda, Minutes, Live Stream & Video – City of New Britain (newbritainct.gov)
Link to Board of Education’s Requested Budget 2024-2025 School Year
Democrats Seek Transparency On Contracts, Tax Agreements As Common Council Begins Budget Review For 2024-25
This report is the second in a series to keep the community informed about Council business and to encourage public participation in city government from the perspective of the Council Democratic Majority Caucus.
The details of municipal purchasing, tax and and leasing agreements will be reported back to the Common Council in changes to city ordinances sought by Council Democrats.
New Britain Common Council Majority Caucus Update April 2024
At the April 10th Council meeting a resolution was approved requiring that signed lease agreements be reported back to the Common Council. Similarly, the Council’s Administration, Finance and Law subcommittee has advanced resolutions that will require the administration to provide contract details and the terms of tax agreements once they are signed. The Common Council approves winning bids for contracts, leases and tax abatements that are public information and authorizes the Mayor to negotiate and execute the terms. The intent of the transparency resolutions is to provide all members of the Council with the final details on major purchases, tax agreements and leases automatically.
Municipal Budget: Public Hearing Is April 23
Having received the Mayor’s proposed $269.5 million budget and 39.59 mill rate for the year that begins July 1st the Common Council begins its work to “adopt the capital and operating budgets of the City and the Board of Education” no later than June 5th. Between now and then Council Democrats’ priorities include an increased level of local support for education, building homeless prevention services’ capacity, addressing critical capital improvements and maintaining essential services within the limits of anticipated revenues.
The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the new fiscal plan on April 23rd at 6 p.m. at a public hearing in Council Chambers. The budget proposal will then get a review with department heads at committee meetings on April 30th and May 1st to determine a final budget that will be sent to the Mayor.
Hearing from citizens on the 23rd and throughout the budget making process is essential to arriving at a budget that meets the community’s needs without a dollar wasted.
Addressing Reckless Driving, Speeding
Members of the Common Council have filed more than 20 petitions on speeding, pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement issues in residential neighborhoods since last November. The petitions prompt the Police Department to conduct traffic studies for possible remedies.
Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3), for example, has filed recent petitions to address pedestrian safety issues on Brook Street near New Britain High School and on South Main Street where a resident of the School Apartments was seriously injured by an auto. It has been an ongoing issue for Alderwoman Sanchez who filed her first petition for a traffic light at the location back in 2018. In December, Alderwoman Wilma Barbosa (D-2) requested “speed humps or other speed reducing mechanisms” on the East Side over complaints that employees of a nearby company “drive aggressively in and out of the facility during the time school buses are picking up and dropping off children.”
At issue is the current policy that bars use of speed humps on all city streets. Last month Council President Francisco Santiago (D-5) petitioned to review the prohibition as reports of accidents, speeding and distracted driving increase in neighborhoods. The situation is putting new demands on the police for targeted enforcement on the city’s 170 miles of streets.
Council Democrats will work with the Administration and Republican alderpersons to consider a range of “traffic calming” strategies including speed humps, additional speed radar displays, raised crossroads or intersections, additional signage and neighborhood-based safety awareness campaigns.
Stormwater Trouble Spots
Engineering work is underway for two of the city’s trouble spots for stormwater and sewage system deterioration in the Overlook Avenue-McKinley Drive and Allen Street-Roxbury Road neighborhoods. Final design and project costs, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW), will be completed in the second half of 2024. Council Democrats continue to seek full funding from local, state and federal sources to expedite projects that have lingered on the city’s Capital Improvement list without action or funding for years.
Francisco Santiago (D-5) Council President Pro Tem
Iris Sanchez (D-3) Assistant Majority Leader
John McNamara (D-4) Majority Leader
Common Council Contact Information Members – City of New Britain (newbritainct.gov)
New Federal Funds To Address Affordable Housing, Emergency Shelter And Sewer Lines
New Britain Gets More Than $2 million In the recently approved federal budget.
New Britain Alderman John McNamara 