Did Stewart Get A Prohibited Campaign Freebie In Mailing Of Car Tax Bills?

By John McNamara New Britain motor vehicle owners finally got their bills on September 1 along with a glowing missive from Mayor Erin Stewart that makes the case for her re-election. The city held up auto tax notices this year, blaming the state budget impasse for the two month delay. Uncertain was whether the auto … Continue reading Did Stewart Get A Prohibited Campaign Freebie In Mailing Of Car Tax Bills?

GOP Alderman Hits School Board On Salaries But Rubber Stamps Pay Hikes, More Spending At City Hall

By John McNamara The sometimes fragile relations between City Hall and the Board of Education took a backward step this week over complaints from Ward 2 Republican Alderman Kristian Rosado appearing in the New Britain City Journal. Rosado, in a front-page story in the City Journal , derided a unanimous BOE move on salary increases … Continue reading GOP Alderman Hits School Board On Salaries But Rubber Stamps Pay Hikes, More Spending At City Hall

Legislature Takes On Water Issues; Rep. Lopes Bill Requires Fair Market Value For City To Sell Wells, Watershed Land

By John McNamara State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24) has filed a bill requiring municipalities or water companies to "complete a fair market appraisal of any property encompassing a watershed, well or reservoir before such property may be sold, and to make such appraisal public at least 90 days prior to such sale." Lopes' proposal is … Continue reading Legislature Takes On Water Issues; Rep. Lopes Bill Requires Fair Market Value For City To Sell Wells, Watershed Land

City Hall Watch: Deferring Municipal Debt Payment Means Cash Now, Higher Interest Next Year

By John McNamara The Stewart administration is shifting $6 million from a scheduled payment on the city's rising municipal debt--- creating an election year windfall to avert yet another tax increase. The Common Council approved what representatives of William Blair & Company, the city's bond counsel, called a "re-structuring" of a $28 million bond at a special meeting … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Deferring Municipal Debt Payment Means Cash Now, Higher Interest Next Year

Opposing Trump, GOP Agenda: NB, Hartford Part of Historic Women’s March

From http://www.newbritaindemocrat.org By John McNamara [Photos by Frank Gerratana] The Women’s March on Washington the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump spawned marches from Augusta, Maine to Anchorage Alaska. Millions of people, connected by the same social media so deftly and divisively used by Donald Trump, answered the call of the women’s march … Continue reading Opposing Trump, GOP Agenda: NB, Hartford Part of Historic Women’s March

City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K

By John McNamara The Stewart administration is seeking an additional $17,500 for an environmental study of Tilcon Inc.'s long-term plan to lease city watershed for trap rock mining. The extra cost is up for consideration at the December 14th Common Council meeting and follows the June 2016 Common Council approval of a $337,000 no-bid contract to … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K

New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”

"If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?" The question was asked of me by a Holmes School student when I was leaving the Masjid Al Taqwa mosque on Arch Street on a Sunday evening in August. It didn't matter that the 5th grader has probably lived in New Britain all his life … Continue reading New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”

Wave Of New Voters Includes New Britain: 4,154 Added Since June; Registration Deadline Nov. 1

By John McNamara A wave of new voter registrations statewide may push New Britain enrollment past 30,000 for Election Day on November 8th. One week prior to the November 1st deadline, there are 29,100 eligible to vote according to Democratic Registrar of Voters Juan Verdu's office. In addition, unregistered voters may go to City Hall … Continue reading Wave Of New Voters Includes New Britain: 4,154 Added Since June; Registration Deadline Nov. 1

School Building Committee’s Pick For Architect Of Smalley Academy Renovation Has Its Share Of Troubles

By John McNamara Bridgeport-based Fletcher Thompson has been selected as architect for the renovation of Smalley Academy by the city's School Building Committee in a close and potentially controversial vote. Fletcher Thompson (FT) is a well-established architectural and engineering business with offices in Connecticut and New Jersey. Its roots go back a century in Bridgeport and … Continue reading School Building Committee’s Pick For Architect Of Smalley Academy Renovation Has Its Share Of Troubles

Referendum Question 3 Obscures Charter Change On Granting Pay Raises To Elected Officials, Accelerated Water Bill Payments

By John McNamara The Common Council's Republican Caucus Leader, Daniel Salerno, likes to preach to citizens who speak at public participation that they ought to stay, not leave after speaking on an issue, to watch the councilors "make the sausage" on selling city assets cheap, adopting a new policy or making budget decisions. Salerno's invitation … Continue reading Referendum Question 3 Obscures Charter Change On Granting Pay Raises To Elected Officials, Accelerated Water Bill Payments