Common Council to Review Budget with Department Heads; May 15 is Deadline to Apply for Elderly Tax Relief

The Common Council will hold three meetings (May 5,6,7) to review the Mayor’s proposed budget for the July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. City departments under the jurisdiction of the Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee (PZH) will be reviewed Tuesday, May 5. The Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee (AFLPS) will continue the review on … Continue reading Common Council to Review Budget with Department Heads; May 15 is Deadline to Apply for Elderly Tax Relief

City Audit for FY 2025 Finalized on Time

Independent auditors delivered New Britain's financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2025 to city officials and the state Office of Policy and Management ahead of a December 31st deadline after several years of the reports being filed late. Material weaknesses and noncompliance found in prior years have been corrected, according to the CliftonLarsonAllen … Continue reading City Audit for FY 2025 Finalized on Time

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