New Britain – Page 2 – New Britain Alderman John McNamara

Rep. DeFronzo Hosts Community Meeting in Ward 4 , Saturday January 17th

A community meeting hosted by State Rep. David DeFronzo (D-25) will be held Saturday, January 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at Spottswood AME Church, 25 Crestwood Lane.

The constituent meeting is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss state and municipal issues ahead of the 2026 legislative session and before the municipal budget process begins.

State Rep. DeFronzo will be joined by State Senator Rick Lopes (D-6), Board of Education President Diana Reyes and Ward 4 Alderpersons Luz Ortiz Luna and John McNamara.

“Learning thoughts and ideas of constituents is important to being a good advocate for New Britain and our community,” said DeFronzo. “I am looking forward to hosting events throughout the district to encourage meaningful conversations and community participation in our democratic process,” said DeFronzo.

“Meeting regularly in the ward is a good way for citizens to weigh in on issues the city and state government can address,” said McNamara, who said other neighborhood meetings will be held during the year. Citizens are also encouraged to participate at regular Common Council meetings. The Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. Public participation begins at 7 p.m.

The January 17 meeting is open to all city residents. For further information contact McNamara at mcnamara4council@gmail.com, 860 416-0665.

Task Force Hearing On Traffic Cameras Scheduled for Thursday, January 15th

by John McNamara

The City of New Britain will take the next step in selecting locations for speed enforcement traffic cameras at a January 15th public hearing of the Vision Zero Task Force.

A Vision Zero public hearing is set for Thursday, Jan. 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Britain Police Department Community Room, 10 Chestnut Street.

In 2025 the task force, comprised of elected and appointed city officials, developed the Traffic Safety Action Plan working with consultants from Cambridge Systematics. Federal grant funds from the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) have supported Vision Zero initiatives in central Connecticut towns over the last year.

The Common Council adopted a resolution that established the task force “to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan to identify projects and strategies that will reduce fatalities and serious injuries at high crash locations in New Britain.”

The 57-page report provides a range of “countermeasures” to “reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and to reach Vision Zero by 2045.” One of the “key findings” is to “leverage technology to mitigate safety challenges….by employing ATESD location designation, street lighting and signal turning changes.”

Last June the Common Council adopted a new ordinance to allow the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices (ATESD) under a state law (Public Act 23-116) enabling communities to use the video technology as part of safety action plans.

ATESDs in New Britain will be used to automatically detect and record traffic violations, such as running a red light, speeding, or other infractions. State law allows municipalities to establish a fine to be imposed against the owner of a motor vehicle committing a violation of not more than $50 for a first violation and not more than $75 for a second or subsequent violation. Local officials have stated that initial violations will result in a warning and not a fine with a purpose of changing behaviors more than collecting revenue. “Any funds received by a municipality from fines imposed shall be used for the purposes of improving transportation mobility, investing in transportation infrastructure improvements or paying the costs associated with the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices in the municipality.”

Altumint, Inc., a Maryland-based company that manufactures and supports ATESD systems, was selected as the vendor for license plate recognition devices. Altumint, a CRCOG approved vendor, has been selected by several CT communities for implementation.

Any contract with Altumint is expected to be “cost neutral” according to the company. In responding to the city’s request for proposals Altumint stated “tax dollars will never be used to pay for this technology. Our invoicing over the life of the contract for your ATESD program will never exceed the Town’s fine revenue collected.”

Concerns have been raised over rights and personal privacy in regard the use of “flock” surveillance cameras that collect more data than specialized license plate readers that are proposed for New Britain. In December the American Civil Liberties Union called for a moratorium on “flock” surveillance in the state, according to a CT News Junkie story.

The ATESDs are limited to a maximum of two in a census tract to avoid targeting. For privacy concerns information collected cannot be used for other purposes, the driver and passengers are not identifiable and all personal information must be deleted in 30 days, according to the state enabling legislation that says “no personally identifiable information shall be disclosed by the municipality or a vendor to any person or entity, including any law enforcement unit, except where the disclosure is made in connection with the charging, collection and enforcement of the fines imposed.” Violations will be under local control with alleged violations reported electronically to the New Britain Police Department.

The starting point for camera implementation will involve 17 “school zones” especially for children walking within a half mile of school. The plan, however, includes lists of priority intersections and high crash locations throughout the city with possible countermeasures. More than 20 locations, for example, are identified in extended downtown area with “the most pedestrian/cycle crashes” call for stepped up enforcement.

Data from the University of Connecticut’s Crash Data Repository has been used to identify trouble spots. The UCONN data shows there were 17 fatalities involving 127 vehicles in New Britain over three years (October 2021-September 2024) and 90 persons with suspected serious injuries involving 141 vehicles in the city over the same period. For all crashes and collisions 5,230 were reported involving 9,607 vehicles between 2021 and 2024.

New Britain’s implementation and enforcement is expected to be similar to Middletown where the the city approved AETSDs in late 2024.

Following public hearings and Common Council approval the city will submit a plan to the CT Department of Transportation (CT-DOT) that will identify the locations of the cameras.

Vision Zero as a public policy originated in Sweden in 1997. Its “core principle” is that “it can never be ethically acceptable that people are killed or seriously injured when moving within the road transport system.” It has spread to other countries including cities and towns in the United States. The federal Safe Streets grants program, part of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act adopted in 2021, is accelerating Vision Zero initiatives in the U.S.

John McNamara is an alderman from Ward 4 and the Common Council Majority Leader.

Countdown to Election: Early Voting October 20-November 2; Election Day Is November 4

Support Row A Democrats

The Municipal Election is November 4th when New Britain voters will go to the polls to elect the Mayor, City Treasurer, alderpersons for Common Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeal and Constable. Early voting begins October 20 and runs through November 2.

For more information contact Alderman McNamara at (860) 416-0665. Email: mcnamara4council@gmail.com

Support Row A Democrats for A City That Works for Everyone

The 2025 municipal campaign is in its final weeks, and your support and involvement will be the margin of difference in electing a Democratic Mayor and Democratic majorities on the Common Council and Board of Education.

Early voting begins at the New Britain Senior Center and Central CT State University on October 20 and continues through November 2. On Election Day November 4th polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Saint Francis Church and Pulaski Middle School.

Four ways to help…….

Contact voters by canvassing or by phone
Reach out to your family, friends and neighbors to vote by November 4th
Put up a sign for Row A candidates
Make a donation to help get out the vote

Donations to the McNamara 4 Council Committee May Be Made Here

For more information contact Alderman John McNamara at 860-416-0665 or Email: mcnamara4council@gmail.com. Thank you.

Labor donated. Paid for by McNamara 4 Council. Michael McNamara, Treasurer and New Britain Democratic Town Committee, John Tully, Treasurer. Approved by candidates.

Service Employees Union Endorses Alderman McNamara for Re-Election

Connecticut’s Service Employees International Union (CSEA-SEIU, Local 2001) has endorsed Ward 4 Alderman John McNamara (D-4) in his bid for re-election to a second term on the New Britain Common Council.

CSEA SEIU Local 2001 is a union representing 25,000 Connecticut state, municipal and private employees and retirees and is part of the Service Employees International Union.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement from a union that represents employees providing critical public services for the health, education and safety of residents in New Britain and across the state,” said McNamara.

McNamara received the endorsement of the labor organization after sharing his priorities for the city, including affordable housing and fair taxes, neighborhood flood relief, equitable funding for schools and safer streets.

McNamara is serving his first term on the Common Council and is the Council’s majority leader. A former Democratic Town Chairperson, he was previously elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals and chaired the city Building Commission.

McNamara worked as Institutional advancement director at Capital Community College (now known as CT State Capital) for 22 years before retiring in early 2022. At Capital, McNamara was elected to the Congress of CT Community Colleges (4Cs) SEIU Local 1973 Delegate Assembly representing faculty and staff on the campus.

New Britain’s Ward 4 is the area that includes the neighborhoods near Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) spreading north and west to Brittany Farms and Batterson Park.

McNamara 4 Council Donation Link

paid for by McNamara 4 Council. Michael McNamara, Treasurer.

Approved by John McNamara

Information: 860-416-0665

Council Democrats Question Use of $470K For Pickle Ball Courts In Budget Transfer

NEW BRITAIN – Common Council Democrats are questioning the use of $470,000 to fund construction of pickle ball courts at A.W. Stanley Park in a budget transfer resolution to be considered at the September 24th regular meeting of the Common Council.

Common Council Democrats Update

The resolution proposes to transfer accrued revenues from the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the current budget to fund projects and purchases not covered in the current year budget totaling $5,858,459. Funding for pickle ball courts is one of nine proposed expenditures as well as the transfer of funds to “fix deficits” and align revenues and expenditures on the city’s ledger before an independent audit for the year ending June 30,2025 begins.

“We welcome the availability of unaudited fund balances from the last fiscal year to allocate funds for the Board of Education, tax stabilization and needed capital improvements,” Council President Francisco Santiago (D-5), Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3) and Majority Leader John McNamara (D-4) said in a joint statement. “The city, however, should use these general fund dollars to meet more urgent priorities other than the addition of more pickle ball courts at this time.”

Earlier this year the city administration sought $150,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the A.W. Stanley Pickle Ball Court Project in a request that also proposed use of $300,000 from the A.W. Stanley Trust Fund at an estimated cost of $450,000. The plan would construct four pickle ball courts and a tennis court at the park that currently provides swimming pools, little league fields, a playground, walking trails and a fishing pond. The Common Council, however, allocated funds to other capital improvement projects as part of the annual plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Democratic Council leaders said alternatives should be considered for using the $470,000 “that meet compelling needs in the community to prevent evictions, reduce food insecurity and improve streets and infrastructure in our neighborhoods.”

“Now we are facing federal funding cuts and harmful policies from Donald Trump and the Republican Congress. Grants for community health and immunization programs have been jeopardized, Nearly $1.5 million in federal education funds were held up creating uncertainty before the school year began. An estimated 7,000 New Britain residents will lose Medicaid benefits once the Republican “big, beautiful bill” that slashes the social safety net and cuts taxes for billionaires takes effect,” the Democratic caucus statement said.

“Spending with our limited resources should go to essential services and investments that directly improve the health and well-being of residents,” said Alderwoman Wilma Barbosa (D-2), who serves on the Council’s Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee.

The Common Council meeting will be held at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street on Wednesday, September 24th. Public participation begins at 7 p.m.

Calling All Ward 4 Democrats: Aldermanic Primary Tuesday, Sept. 9

Early voting At Senior Center through the weekend

The Democratic Primary for Ward 4 Common Council will be held on Tuesday, September 9^th to select two nominees for the November election.

Endorsed Democrats John H. McNamara and Luz Ortiz-Luna are working as a team to earn your vote and provide responsive service for all residents in addressing neighborhood needs over the next two years.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY – WARD 4

Tuesday, September 9. Polls Open 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Districts 12 & 13 Vote At Saint Francis Church, 1755 Stanley Street

District 14 Vote At Pulaski Middle School, 757 Farmington Avenue

Early Voting September 2-7 New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street

Paid for by New Britain Democratic Town Committee, John Tully, Treasurer and McNamara 4 Council Committee, Michael McNamara, Treasurer. Approved by all candidates

NBPD’s Annual Night Out At Osgood Park Tuesday, August 5th

The New Britain Police Department (NBPD) invites the public to its annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th, from 5pm-9pm at Osgood Park.

“National Night Out is a nationwide event to promote police and community partnerships. This free event is fun for the whole family. We look forward to seeing you there,” NBPD social media post said.

The free event will include games and activities, food and music for families.

Block watch “We Call the Police” signs can be found in city neighborhoods like this one on Brighton Street in Ward 4. (Ward 4 Alderman John McNamara)

The annual National Night Out held on the first Tuesday in August is a tradition that brings neighbors together, strengthens community policing and promotes partnerships between residents and the police.

Alderman McNamara Cites Key Priorities in Bid for Second Term

Democratic Alderman John McNamara (D-4), seeking a second, two-year term on the New Britain Common Council, says 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.

2025 Municipal Campaign

“Council Democrats have sought to restore checks and balances to City Hall with more transparency in budgeting and to make municipal government more responsive to neighborhood needs during this term,” said McNamara. “More progress can be made by electing a Democratic Mayor and a stronger Democratic majority on the Council and Board of Education this year. “

Key Issues

Housing And Taxes: Services for unhoused individuals and families have been stretched to the limit in New Britain. The executive director of the Friendship Service Center records increasing numbers of residents displaced because of higher rents. While the current city administration touts luxury units with 26-year tax breaks coming on the market, affordable housing is hard to find even for those with vouchers (Section 8). The Council needs to address the housing crisis by encouraging and approving affordable developments, making the fair rent commission ordinance stronger (to include tenant unions at large, multi unit apartments) and beefing up code enforcement. Additional options need to be considered for property tax relief for seniors, veterans & limited income individuals based on ability to pay.

Neighborhood Flood Relief. Addressing stormwater/sewage problems caused by a dilapidated infrastructure is a priority in my ward and throughout the city. Heavy rains have repeatedly caused flooding, public health risks and damages to certain neighborhoods over the last three years, including mine. For years City Hall turned a deaf ear to neighborhoods hit by damage to property and public health, but some progress has been made. Stormwater upgrades need to be at top of the capital improvement list along with advancing green infrastructure. Over the last two years funds have been secured to address the issue in the Overlook-McKinley neighborhood and efforts are accelerating to raise remaining funds in the Allen Street-Belvidere nieghborhood through the efforts of the city’s legislative delegation.

Public School Funding. At $16,814 per pupil New Britain ranks 160th in CT in local aid, below the state median of $21,676. Over 12 years local school aid has been flat funded in the current Mayor’s budgets. Education needs to be a greater priority in future budgets. The push for educational cost sharing and tax reform that will make funding for schools equitable regardless of zip code must continue. Over-reliance on property taxes must end.

Traffic Safety Action Plan (Vision Zero) The Common Council took the first step of the Vision Zero initiative last December by adopting a Council resolution, introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3), that accepted a federal transportation grant and established the task force “to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan to identify projects and strategies that will reduce fatalities and serious injuries at high crash locations in New Britain.” On June 11th the Common Council adopted a new ordinance to allow the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices (ATESD) under a state law enabling communities to use the video technology as part of safety action plans. Democrats look forward to implementation of traffic calming measures to curb speeding and dangerous driving and reach the Vision Zero goals.

New Britain’s Ward 4 is the area that includes the neighborhoods near Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) spreading north and west to Brittany Farms and Batterson Park.

To contact John: 860-416-0665 mcnamara4council@gmail.com

For updates and more information: http://mcnamara4council.org

paid for by McNamara 4 Council. Michael McNamara, Treasurer. Approved by John McNamara

Campaign 2025: Pizza On The Patio in support of Ward 4 Alderman John McNamara

Monday, July 28, 6-8 p.m. At Roma Sports Bar & Grill

A Ward Four Democrats’ Pizza on the Patio reception will be held Monday, July 28th from 6 to 8 p,m, at the Roma Sports Bar dining room, 382 Allen Street, New Britain.

The McNamara 4 Council Committee is sponsoring the event for Alderman John McNamara, the Council Majority Leader, who has been endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee and is seeking a second, two-year term.

A complimentary assortment of Roma pizzas and wings will be served. Updates on issues of importance to Ward 4 will be shared including stormwater/sewage improvements, the traffic safety action plan and education funding.

Ward 4 Democrats’ Pizza on the Patio, at the Roma, Monday July 28th, 6-8 p.m.

In accepting the Democratic Party’s endorsement and thanking the membership McNamara said, “Council Democrats have sought to restore checks and balances to City Hall with more transparency in budgeting and to be more responsive to neighborhood needs that include safety on our streets, addressing critical infrastructure improvements and reducing regressive taxes.”

DONATION LINK: Alderman John McNamara

“Democrats this year supported a mill rate decrease after two years of record tax increases,” McNamara said. “But our efforts to reduce City Hall administrative costs, increase a fund for services to prevent evictions, give the public schools more in direct operating support and provide additional funds for the public library were vetoed. The work is far from over. I am confident more progress can be made by electing a Democratic Mayor and a strong Democratic majority on the Council.” Donations of $25 will be appreciated at the Pizza on the Patio event. The maximum individual contribution is $250. To volunteer or for more information call: 860-416-0665 Email: mcnamara4council@gmail.com.

Paid for by McNamara 4 Council Committee. Michael McNamara, Treasurer. Approved by John McNamara