Category: News

Council Update: Public Hearing On Budget To Be Held April 29th

Common Council Begins Review Of Mayor’s Budget For New Fiscal Year

The Common Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s proposed Municipal Budget for the next fiscal year on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 27 West Main Street.

Individuals seeking to join the public hearing and speak remotely may do so by calling
1 (339) 209-6176. Members of the public not attending in person may view the broadcast via the livestream link: https://www.newbritainct.gov/meetings

“The public hearing is an important part of the process for residents to share their concerns, ideas and priorities about how the city will maintain services within the limits of anticipated revenues for the year that starts on July 1,” said Council President Francisco Santiago (D-5).

“The Democratic caucus seeks to ensure the final budget delivers fair allocations for essential services and education and considers tax relief for seniors and limited income households,” said Alderman John McNamara (D-4), the Council Majority Leader.

“Our goal is a balanced budget that prioritizes essential services and addresses neighborhood needs. Hearing from residents at the public hearing will help us over the next five weeks,” said Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3). The deadline for the Council to adopt a budget is June 4.

Following the April 29th public hearing the budget will go to Common Council committees where alderpersons will hear presentations and ask questions. On the schedule are the Planning, Zoning & Housing (PZH) Committee,, Tuesday, May 6th; the Administration, Finance, Law & Public Services Committee (AFLPS), Wednesday, May 7th, and a AFLPS special meeting with the Board of Education on Thursday, May 8th. All budget meetings begin at 6 p.m. The Common Council will review the mayor’s fiscal plan and adopt the final capital and operating budgets by June deadline. 

Democratic Caucus – New Britain Common Council Update

At an April 9th special meeting the Mayor sent a $273,493,952 proposal to the Council. It represents a $3,961,219 increase in spending over the current fiscal year and sets a 39.18 mill rate on real estate and personal property, a .41 of a mill reduction over the current 39.59 rate. The proposed decrease follows higher tax bills in the two previous years. The 2024 property tax yield jumped $15,835,516 and was 12.58 percent more than 2023 after revaluation sent property assessments soaring. The higher values caused a drop in the mill rate from 49.50 to 38.28 but resulted in the highest tax bills in memory for single and multi family dwellings. Over two years current taxes are up $20,598,252 (16%) after the mill rate increased last year to 39.59. One mill rate now represents $3,425.361.

The Mayor’s budget calls for modest increases to most city departments. It continues to hold the appropriation for the Board of Education to $128 million, the same amount as 2024-2025. An additional $2,,646,191 is included in a “non-operating” budget line for education that the BOE must request once the fiscal year begins after July. The Board of Finance and Taxation reduced the BOE’s proposed 11 percent increased budget of $142,612,481 by $12,052,481 and Mayor Stewart cut another $2,560,000 to $128,000,000 in direct appropriations. When non-operating funds are added next year local school aid will total $131,251,665, $1,183,626 more than 2025.

Aside from Board of Education costs, employee benefits ($31,403,152) and payments for the city’s debt ($26,053,783) are the highest estimated expenses.

On the revenue side the Mayor’s budget estimates $145,420,396 will be raised via property taxes, $72,360,710 from state Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) and $24,813,085 in other state grants. The Administration expects $22,749,761 in non-tax revenue, a $5,427,517 increase over the current year. Final amounts for state grants and ECS will be determined by the Governor and State Legislature in the coming weeks and are expected to bring an increase in support from the state for special education and additional funding the city receives as an Alliance District. State and federal aid funds account for well over half of overall spending for schools. New Britain currently ranks 160th out of 165 districts in the amount of local funding for education at $16,814 per pupil. The state’s median is $21,676.

Resolution Increases Tenant Access To Fair Rent Commission

The Common Council amended the city’s Fair Rent Commission procedures at the April 23rd meeting to allow more tenants to file complaints if their rent increases are deemed excessive by the FRC.

In a resolution sponsored by Aldermen Neil Connors (D-4) and Jarrell Hargraves (R-2) and adopted unanimously, the city’s FRC ordinance makes one change for tenants to be able to seek relief. The revision allows tenants who have been served a notice to quit but not a summary eviction by their landlord access to the FRC complaint process.

Under the current ordinance adopted by the city in 2012 the FRC was unable to accept excessive rent complaints if landlords have already “begun the eviction process”, including notices to quit and before a summary process begins. The new language states tenants are ineligible when landlords “have already begun a summary process eviction against a tenant for nonpayment of rent.” The ordinance also prohibits tenants from filing complaints “if they owe back rent” or “have already signed leases agreeing to the requested rent.”

The nine-member FRC consists of three tenants, three landlords and three property owners and has authority to reduce rent increases to ensure that the amounts “are not harsh and unconscionable.” If mediation fails the commission conducts hearings and receives complaints from eligible tenants.

Fair Rent Commission: How To File A Complaint
Contact Jerrell Hargraves, 27 West Main Street 06051
Tel: (860) 826-3410 | Email: jerrell.hargraves@newbritainct.gov

Audit Committee To Review Finances And Audit Proposals

The Audit Subcommittee of the Common Council will discuss the annual audit and state and federal single audit reports for the year ending June 30, 2024 at an April 30th 6 p.m. meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall.

The independent audit was completed on March 31st three months after the December 31, 2024 deadline. Its delivery came sooner than the audits for 2023 and 2022 that were six months or more late. Auditors in prior years cited weaknesses and a noncompliance issue to explain delays. The audit for fiscal year 2024 reports several problems have been addressed and a compliance issue has been resolved. The latest audit cites one deficiency in financial reporting that recommends “the city develop a formal financial close process to ensure each fund’s year-end balances are analyzed timely and corrected appropriately.” The finding stems from “a shortage in staffing within the finance department to review balances.”

Financial highlights from the last fiscal year according to CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) include:

  • the net position of governmental activities increased by $12.1 million,
  • In governmental activities , the city had revenues of $462.3 million and expenses of $452.1 million.
  • The net position of business-type activities increased $842,000. Revenues were $15.8 million while expenses were $13.1 million.
  • The General Fund reported a fund balance of $34.9 million of which $9.9 million was assigned and $25 million unassigned.
  • The tax collection rate for the current levy was 96.31%

On May 1 the audit subcommittee will also review proposals for auditing services over the next three years for approval by the Common Council.

Take the Survey For Traffic Safety In New Britain

The City of New Britain has set a goal to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes (Vision Zero) by 2045! Working with the City’s Vision Zero Task Force, New Britain is developing a Safety Action Plan to achieve this goal. Your input will help to identify safety issues and solutions to inform the Plan.

Learn more about the project by visiting the Vision Zero New Britain webpage.

The online survey is available at the following link

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/55e089d5a2f14bd680a4f0a57910ea73

SEE related story from December 13, 2024 Vision Zero Task Force Sets Goals To Reduce Traffic Fatalities – New Britain Progressive Newspaper

New Britain Votes: The Nov. 5th Ballot

New Britain voting for the November 5th Presidential Election begins October 21st at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street, for all city residents. The last day to cast an early ballot will be November 3rd.

On Election Day November 5th polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For residents who miss the voter registration deadline, same-day registration and voting will be available on Election Day.

As of October 15th, 31,803 residents are eligible to vote three days ahead of the October 18th registration deadline including 13,770 Democrats (44%), 13,162 Unafilliateds (41%), 4,409 Republicans (14%) and 462 (less than 2%) in third parties.

Polling Places

New Britain polling locations for November 5th by Assembly District

The ballot includes President/Vice President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, State Senator, State Representative and Registrar of Voters. There is one referendum question asking voters to approve “no excuse” absentee voting as part of amending the state constitution.

The sample ballot for the 26th State Assembly District that includes Ward 4 polling places at Saint Francis of Assisi Church and Pulaski Middle School. District 13 voters vote at Saint Francis this year because of Holmes School reconstruction.

More information is available at the New Britain Registrar of Voters office.

NB Alderman To Join Other Municipal Officials At Democratic National Convention

NEW BRITAIN – Ward 4 Alderman John McNamara will join locally elected officials from around the country associated with the Municipal Democratic Officials (DMO) organization at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago August 19-22.

McNamara, the Common Council Majority Leader, is one of 12 5th Congressional District delegates elected to represent Connecticut at the convention where Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) will be formally recognized as the nominees for President and Vice President. Connecticut’s Democratic Party is sending 74 pledged and district delegates to the convention.

DMO is a national association of elected Mayors, City Council Members, School Board Members, and other municipal leaders “who identify with the values of the Democratic Party.” It also helps “to connect, elect, and empower municipal elected officials by leveraging its national network of members, alumni, and strategic partners and providing training and other resources.

“I am looking forward to hearing ideas and ways that municipal governments can address homelessness, school funding equity, aging infrastructures and affordable housing that are key issues New Britain and other cities face in sustaining and building healthy communities,” said McNamara, who will participate in a first Democratic Local Elected Officials (DLEO) Council meeting on the first day of the DNC. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will address local officials.

Connecticut delegates, including Governor Ned Lamont and the state’s Congressional delegation, will gather each morning of the convention to hear from party leaders and luminaries. Committee meetings and caucuses of labor, women, LGBTQ, seniors and other constituency groups will follow before evening sessions gavel in for speeches, adoption of the party platform and a ceremonial roll call for the Harris-Walz ticket. Delegates nominated Vice President Harris in a virtual roll call completed August 6.

A tribute to President Joe Biden with remarks from the President and Dr. Jill Biden are expected on the first night of the DNC and acceptance speeches from Governor Walz and Vice President Harris will conclude the convention. In between delegates will from Hillary Clinton, and former Presidents Clinton and Obama and others leaders.

The 74-member delegation includes 12 members from the 5th Congressional District led by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-5). Other 5th CD delegates include: Elaine Werner of Avon, City Councillor Cheryl Smith of Danbury, Riju Das of Farmington, Atty. and State Party Secretary Audrey Blondin of Goshen, City Council President Pro Tem Sandra Martinez-McCarthy of Waterbury, Joyce Petteway of Waterbury, Joseph Malcarne of Wolcott and Vanita Bhalla of Woodbury.

“I am privileged to represent New Britain Democrats as part of the state delegation in Chicago and will work to mobilize support for the nominees and Congresswoman Hayes for the November 5th Election,” said McNamara, who served as Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee from 1994 to 2016 and is a first term alderman.

John McNamara

Juneteenth: Freedom Festival 5-8 at Central Park

New Britain Juneteenth Freedom Festival

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

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.

Stanley Quarter Park

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

Flooding, Batterson Park, Education Are Topics At Ward 4 Constituent Meeting

Twenty residents from the three voting districts in Ward 4 participated in the first constituent meeting of the term on February 10th organized by Alderman John McNamara.

The Saturday morning meeting held at Spottswood AME Zion Church on Crestwood Lane focused on neighborhood issues and a new municipal budget for the next fiscal year.

Planning for a new municipal budget begins this month at the Board of Finance and Taxation as city departments and the Board of Education submit their proposed plans for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The public is encouraged to weigh in on budget priorities at Common Council meetings and at a Common Council budget hearing to be held in April or May. A new budget will be adopted in June.

In door-to-door canvassing last fall Alderman McNamara said he heard residents’ concerns about flooding in the Roxbury Road area and other locations, education funding and the quality of schools, higher property tax bills and Batterson Park’s future.

NBC Connecticut

Meeting Summary:

  • Batterson Park Project: A final state study (See link below) has been submitted to the General Assembly that lists options and costs for the operation of Batterson Park.   Residents Seth Cerone and Tobias Gummersbach expressed reservations about the proposed plans which include a paved walking path around the pond. Favored by the study is a public-private partnership that involves Hartford-based RiverFront Recapture with the City of Hartford retaining ownership.  However, the Batterson Drive residents pointed to a number of concerns: Hartford has a record of neglecting Batterson (described as “benign neglect” in the study);  aeration systems need to be installed to clean out bacteria if the park is ever to be restored for swimming; there are concerns about safety and liability issues for New Britain if a path impacting 19 homes on the southern side of the park is opened. The concern is that New Britain will be responsible for emergency services and trash pick ups at the park, which will add unintended expenses for the city. Alderman McNamara believes Batterson should become a state park as envisioned by House Speaker Matt Ritter, but given the Governor’s constraints on the state budget a state park nor the public-private option likely will not happen in the immediate future. Update: On February 9th the Legislature’s Environment Committee raised a concept for the drafting of a bill for “the operation and management of Batterson Park” in response to the completed DEEP report. A legislative hearing will be scheduled to consider the proposal.
  • Flooding and Stormwater, Sewage Mains:  Citizen complaints led the city to commit $6 million in late 2023 to repair long neglected and dilapidated sewer and stormwater mains in the Allen Street and Overlook-McKinley Avenue areas. Residents Frank Chase, who organized his neighborhood, and Andrew Pope shared the conditions including possible loss of insurance and thousands of dollars in personal expenses. The Allen Street problem led to six floodings on Allen, Hampton, Newbury Eton Place, Brighton Street and Roxbury Road from last July through December.  Engineering work is supposed to be completed by fall to issue bids for improvements. At issue now is securing the necessary funding for the improvements. Gayle Sanders Connelly (Stanley Street), a former Board of Education President, also said there are issues with water from the trail construction in her neighborhood including basement flooding.
  • Education :  The Board of Education’s (BOE) proposed budget basically covers contractual obligations and results in the elimination of about 80 teacher assistant positions but will require additional local support to avoid further cuts.  One time post-pandemic funding allowed the school district to scale up supports for students but it is going away this year. Board of Education Member and Ward 4 resident Diana Reyes pointed out that New Britain is third from the bottom in terms of local aid per student and that advocacy will be needed at the state and local (Council Budget Hearing) to make support for schools more of a priority than in past years. The BOE’s proposed budget and plan can be found in the link below.

Other issues: 

  • Alderman McNamara said tax breaks for developers and businesses are necessary to spur development but that the city has not received enough community benefits for the 26-year abatements for luxury downtown housing granted in recent years.
  • Gayle Sanders Connelly and others said targeted communication (reverse 911s, alerts) is needed in neighborhoods when there is police activity and emergency public works activity is occurring.

Attendees at the meeting included former Alderman David DeFronzo and Democratic Town Committee Chair and former Alderman Chris Anderson.

Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts and trustees Sam Simmons, Brian Simmons and Kemry Israel of Spottswood AME Zion Church were thanked for opening their Fellowship Hall for the meeting.    

Another constituent meeting for Ward 4 will be held in May at a time and place to be announced.

NBC Connecticut

Links and References

Link to Common Council Schedule and Meetings

Batterson Park Study January 24 2024 (CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)

Board of Education 2024-2025 budget plan (January 2024)

For more information:

John McNamara 860-416-0665 john.mcnamara@newbritainct.gov