News Briefs for Week Ending February 14, 2026
By NB Politicus
Council fills Ward 3 vacancy
Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New Britain Council succeeding State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) who was elected to the state House of Representatives in a January 6 special election. The Common Council, in a bipartisan vote, appointed Borrero to fill out the 2025-2027 term at its meeting on February 11th.
“I am looking forward to working with our residents,” said Borrero. “I understand that every decision I make on the Council affects not only me as a resident, but my community. I understand the struggles my ward faces as I also coped with those struggles growing up.” Borrero, a 2005 graduate of E.C. Goodwin Technical High School, has worked at the New Britain Housing Authority for 15 years and is lead foreman at the agency. He holds NAHRO (housing) and OSHA (safety) certifications.
Vacancies on the Common Council and Board of Education are filled by the 15-member Council under the City Charter which states: “any vacancy shall be filled by appointment of a person of the same political party as the appointee’s predecessor and, in the case of a member of the Common Council, the appointee shall be a resident of the Common Council District in which the vacancy occurs.”
City backs immigrant rights
New Britain’s Common Council has affirmed the city’s “commitment to the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all residents; and that access to city services—including emergency response, public health, education, and social services—shall not be denied or restricted based on immigration status, except as required by law.”
A unanimously adopted resolution authored by Alderwoman Jessica Vargas (D-1) points to “concerns related to federal immigration enforcement have created uncertainty among some residents, potentially discouraging individuals from accessing essential city services or engaging with local institutions.” The resolution, adopted amid widespread protests against federal ICE violence and human rights abuses, states that “nothing in this resolution is intended to interfere with federal authority or require any city employee to act beyond the scope of their lawful duties.”
The New Britain resolution reinforces Connecticut’s Trust Act first enacted in 2013 “to establish clear guidance about when state and local law enforcement would respond to requests from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) for information or assistance with ICE detainers” according to the CT Attorney General’s office. In 2025 the Legislature added more safeguards to ensure constitutional rights, including due process, are protected. Lawmakers are considering making the CT law stronger this year by allowing individuals to sue ICE agents for disregarding due process and violating constitutional rights.
The new Council resolution follows a plea made by local clergy and members of the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference (NewBAIC) last July who shared their concerns about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are not in accordance with “due process under the law.”
Events mark Black History month; Alderman Hargraves remembered
City officials joined by New Britain’s first responders raised the Pan-African flag at Central Park on February 11th as part of Black History Month activities.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez, NAACP President Jan Edwards and Ward 3 Alderwoman Candyce Scott spoke at the brief ceremony, remembering the public service and contributions of Ward 2 Alderman Jerrell Hargraves who tragically passed away on February 3rd. Alderman Hargraves, the city’s human rights officer, led efforts last year to raise the Pan-African flag at Martin Luther King Park on Stanley Street.
“It’s the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. This is a small window that shows Black people have made an impact on every facet of life here,” said Alderwoman Scott, noting the inventions and contributions of African Americans to help “build this country.” Scott said people of all backgrounds need to stand together against those who are acting on hate and dividing one group against another. “We are going to stand together,” she said.
Upcoming Black History Month events include:
- Tuesday, February 17: New Britain Public Library, 20 High Street, hosts Black History Month Poetry Slam. The event will be held at 6:00 pm. and will feature a performance by members of the CT Youth Poetry Slam team, led by Michael ‘Chief’ Peterson.
- Saturday, February 21: The New Britain Museum of American Art offers free, all-day admission for a Black History Month celebration “with immersive programming that highlights and honors the stories, art, and triumphs that have shaped the African American experience. From 11 a.m.-12 p.m., a presentation led by Discovering Amistad will be held that connects the Amistad story with Connecticut’s legacy of courage, justice, and community. Pre-registration is required for the presentation.
- Saturday, February 28: A Black History Month Fashion Show, re-scheduled from February 7 and organized by Alderwoman Scott, will be held at the New Britain Public Library, 20 High Street, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Periodical Room.
NB Politicus’ Week in Review is written and edited by Ward 4 Alderman and Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara. NB Politicus posts are published in the New Britain Progressive .
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