Short Takes on local news and occurrences for week ending 1/31/2026
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 than a day to dig out amid frigid temperatures, a cold snap that continued throughout the week.
Council Takes Next Step on Using Cameras to Curb Speeding
Installation of cameras to enforce speed limits in New Britain may occur as early as this summer after the Common Council approved a resolution on January 28th that identified possible locations for the Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESDs).
Council review and authorization was required before city officials submit the plan to the Office of State Traffic Administration (OSTA) and after a January 15th public hearing was held at the Police Department community room. The plan lists 14 possible locations for speed enforcement and four locations for red light enforcement based on crash and accident data. The initiative springs from the work of a Vision Zero task force that issued a report last June calling for dozens of traffic calming measures, including the cameras.
ATESDs in New Britain will be used to automatically detect and record traffic violations, such as running a red light, speeding, or other infractions. A 2023 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 when drivers go over the speed limit by more than 10 miles an hour. Altumint, Inc., a Maryland-based company that manufactures and supports ATESD systems, was selected as the vendor for license plate recognition devices.
ATESDs will not involve expending tax money and will be “revenue neutral”. Revenues from fines will be dedicated to traffic safety and transportation infrastructure in the city. City officials expect a gradual rollout of from one to three cameras in several school zones later this year where warning signs will be prominently displayed.
Related story: Task Force Hearing on Traffic Cameras….
Residents Support Appointment of Interim Town and City Clerk
Over 30 residents attended the Common Council on January 28th in support of Veronica DeLandro as the interim Town and City Clerk including eight individuals who spoke at public participation.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez appointed DeLandro, a former Common Council Clerk and District Director for Cong. Jahana Hayes (D-5) in Hayes’ first term, on an interim basis before the formal hiring process begins.
DeLandro holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Connecticut and has long been active in the community serving on the Youth & Family Services Commission and other nonprofit boards and committees in New Britain.
The interim appointment followed the retirement of Mark Bernacki last November 12th. Republican Bernacki served multi-terms as the elected Town Clerk and was appointed in 2023 after a 2022 charter referendum moved the position to a post under the city’s civil service system.
Filing a petition for more information, Republicans on the Council objected to the appointment of DeLandro, claiming the process under the City Charter requiring a mayoral appointment, Common Council consent and adherence to civil service requirements were not followed. Interim appointments were a common practice under the administration of former Mayor Erin Stewart, appointments that drew no opposition from either party. In response to the Republican complaints Human Resources Director Linda Guard reported that appointing the interim town clerk “was consistent with past standard practices and also based on her (DeLandro’s) demonstrated skill set for the position.” For the permanent appointment, Guard said “all applicable civil service rules, procedures and council approval requirements” will be followed.
Prior to 2023 the Town and City Clerk was elected by popular vote every two years. For generations it was a coveted spot second only to the mayor on any municipal slate.
While Republicans insisted their opposition was not singling out DeLandro nor a reflection of her qualifications this marks the second time Republicans rejected a municipal office for the well-credentialed DeLandro. When State Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-24) resigned as Alderman at Large in 2020 to become a legislator, Rep. Sanchez and Democrats recommended DeLandro to fill the Council vacancy. In a partisan move, however, Mayor Erin Stewart and Republicans set aside the recommendation and selected a registered Democrat who agreed to join the Republican caucus, violating the spirit if not the letter of the City Charter.
Jan Edwards, president of the New Britain Branch of the NAACP, was among the speakers at the Common Council meeting who said DeLandro’s “experience includes extensive administrative leadership, direct work with city operations, strong organizational management, and a proven ability to navigate government processes with accuracy and accountability. Her organization mobilized members and supporters on behalf of DeLandro to attend the Council meeting.
“The process has never been scrutinized this intensely when others with far fewer qualifications were appointed under previous administrations. Suddenly, when a highly qualified Black woman is put forward, the process becomes the issue,” stated Edwards. “Veronica is more than qualified, and the standards must be applied fairly, not selectively.”
Board of Finance and Taxation Takes Up Municipal Budget; Will Send Fiscal Plan to Mayor By Early March
The newly appointed Board of Finance and Taxation (BFT) is reviewing departmental budgets and the Board of Education plan for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. On Tuesdays and Thursdays through February the BFT, chaired by former City Assessor Mike Konik, will meet with department representatives, hear public comments and produce their own estimates for the General Fund, Capital Improvement Program and Special Revenue and Enterprise Funds. Their estimates will be sent to the Mayor by the first week in March when he will prepare a budget for review and final action by the Common Council.
Adjustments are being made to spending and revenue in the current municipal budget for the year that ends June 30 that totals $273,493,952, $3.8 million more than 2025. The property tax mill rate this year is 39.18
Link to the city’s budgetary procedures: https://library.municode.com/ct/new_britain/codes/charter?nodeId=CH_ARTXBUPR_S10-3BUPR
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“I can confirm that the City of New Britain was the victim of a ransomware attack. We are actively investigating the incident and working carefully to restore affected systems. Our teams are working around the clock, and based on current assessments, we anticipate beginning to bring certain systems back online this weekend, with continued progress thereafter.” – Mayor Bobby Sanchez after Wednesday’s cyberattack on City Hall IT systems.
NB Politicus’ Week In Review is written and edited by Ward 4 Alderman and Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara
NB Politicus 