Mayor’s Mill Rate Increase Will Hike Taxes An Average Of $204 On Single Family Homes

Republicans Falsely Claim A $44 Increase After Double Digit Increases This Year; State Stabilization Funds Added $10 Million To City Revenue For Fiscal Year 2025 By John McNamara The dust is settling on the making of the 2024-2025 municipal budget for the Stewart Administration and the closely-divided Common Council of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. … Continue reading Mayor’s Mill Rate Increase Will Hike Taxes An Average Of $204 On Single Family Homes

City Needs To Address Neighborhood Flooding Issues Sooner Rather Than Later

Remaining Pandemic Relief Funds Are An Option For Long Delayed Drainage Improvements By John McNamara Heavy rains have overwhelmed two New Britain neighborhoods this summer causing basement and street flooding on streets in the Allen Street and Overlook Avenue areas. The recent storms are raising new concerns and outrage from residents who have been asking … Continue reading City Needs To Address Neighborhood Flooding Issues Sooner Rather Than Later

Behind Mayor Stewart’s War On Supt. Sarra and the BOE

By John McNamara The vandalism and trouble that occurred at New Britain High School in September needlessly escalated the rift between Mayor Erin Stewart and New Britain School District leaders. Incidents of student misbehavior fueled by social media have not been limited to New Britain as districts in CT and elsewhere re-opened this fall. Mayor … Continue reading Behind Mayor Stewart’s War On Supt. Sarra and the BOE

The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?

The 4th of July Show Tab This Year Was $60K and $10 A Car Load By John McNamara No one can deny that fireworks on the Fourth of July brings a community together. It is America's birthday tradition that can awe and delight children or the child in all of us. And after 15 months … Continue reading The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?

New Britain’s Bond Rating Drops From Stable To Negative: Huge Spike In Debt Through 2021 Cited By Moody’s

By John McNamara Republican incumbent Mayor Erin Stewart, in her re-election campaign this year and throughout her second term, has touted improving municipal bond ratings for New Britain's fiscal solvency, claiming credit for budget surpluses of $15 million and pushing spending up at City Hall with no need for an election year tax increase. Fiscal … Continue reading New Britain’s Bond Rating Drops From Stable To Negative: Huge Spike In Debt Through 2021 Cited By Moody’s

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?

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

City Council Gives Nod To $10.10 An Hour A Year Early

Council President Mike Trueworthy's resolution on a $10.10 minimum wage for city employees not covered by labor agreements or other contracts won a 10-5 vote at the Common Council April 9th.It came on the heels of President Obama's visit to CCSU to rally support for federal legislation that languishes in the GOP controlled U.S. House … Continue reading City Council Gives Nod To $10.10 An Hour A Year Early

Absentee Landlord Licenses, Fees Exist In Many Communities

Updated November 21, 2012: Legitimate concerns about the city’s licensing of absentee landlords (all owner-occupied dwellings are excluded) have been drowned out by a phony anti-government coalition fueled by out-of-town interests and a failed GOP leadership seeking once again to use divisiveness for political gain.   The well-publicized and well-financed campaign of distortion is  now replete … Continue reading Absentee Landlord Licenses, Fees Exist In Many Communities

Board of Ed Should Consider CT Health Partnership; "Significant" Savings To Support Services Possible

When State Comptroller Kevin Lembo talked with city officials last winter he came bearing potential good news that the city could gain hundreds of thousands of dollars for its municipal and schools' budgets without a new tax or cut to services.It may sound too good to be true but it is real and obtainable as … Continue reading Board of Ed Should Consider CT Health Partnership; "Significant" Savings To Support Services Possible