Water Is Life: Citizen Opposition Nixes Another Threat to Wetlands and Watershed

Withdrawn Plan for Truck Stop Near Batterson Pond Echoes Past Fights Over New Britain Watershed by John McNamara http://nbpoliticus.com Residents of Farmington and New Britain rose up as one voice in recent weeks to oppose the plan of Noble Gas Real Estate Holdings to build a diesel-gas refueling facility and warehouse on about six acres … Continue reading Water Is Life: Citizen Opposition Nixes Another Threat to Wetlands and Watershed

Batterson Park Reopens: Nature Awaits This Summer

By John McNamara - nbpoliticus.com FARMINGTON - Batterson Park, closed and unused for more than a decade, will be open to all visitors this summer as a place for picnicking, short hikes, birding, bald eagle watching, kayaking, fishing, splash padding or just communing with nature on the New Britain-Farmington line. Officials from Farmington, Hartford and … Continue reading Batterson Park Reopens: Nature Awaits This Summer

New Pavements Scheduled for 23 Streets This Summer

Roadwork Begins June 22 Using State Local Capital Improvement Funds All or portions of 23 streets in the city have been selected for the 2026 re-paving program this summer by the Department of Public Works. Ward 4 streets selected for milling and new pavements include Governor Street, McKinley Drive, Eastwick Court and Eastwick Road. The … Continue reading New Pavements Scheduled for 23 Streets This Summer

Farmington Commission Hears Public Opposition to Travel Center Near Batterson Park and Slater Rd. Neighborhood

A Fourth Hearing Will Be Held on June 3 By John McNamara NBpoliticus.com FARMINGTON - The Inland Wetlands and Environment Commission heard residents from Farmington and New Britain on May 20th strongly oppose an application to build a Travel Center and a gas/diesel fueling station on the town line near Interstate 84 off ramps. In … Continue reading Farmington Commission Hears Public Opposition to Travel Center Near Batterson Park and Slater Rd. Neighborhood

NB News Briefs: Democrats Discuss New Absentee Vote Law…Council Hikes Fines for Blight, Code Violations…School District Recognizes Faculty, Staff at Annual Awards Ceremony

by John McNamara - NBpoliticus.com State Representative Matt Blumenthal on "No Excuse" Absentee Voting: "We Have Finally Caught Up with the Rest of Nation" State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), Co-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE), says Connecticut's newly adopted election law allowing "no excuse" absentee voting and other provisions will promote more participation … Continue reading NB News Briefs: Democrats Discuss New Absentee Vote Law…Council Hikes Fines for Blight, Code Violations…School District Recognizes Faculty, Staff at Annual Awards Ceremony

Resource Fair Creates Access to Community Services for Spanish Speakers

by John McNamara Access to community and social services in a city as diverse as New Britain increases when language and cultural barriers decrease and awareness of those services spreads by word of mouth among residents who may need them most. Last winter first-term Alderwoman Jessica Vargas (D-1) hosted a constituent meeting in her ward … Continue reading Resource Fair Creates Access to Community Services for Spanish Speakers

Common Council Update: City Upgrades Cyber Security, Recognizes Earth Day & OKs Road Paving Funds

Common Council OKs New Cybersecurity System The Common Council appropriated funds for new cybersecurity services at its April 8th meeting in the wake of a January "ransomware" attack on the city's information technology operations. Approved was a three-year agreement with Cowbell MDR (Managed Detection and Response) for information technology (IT) systems at City Hall as … Continue reading Common Council Update: City Upgrades Cyber Security, Recognizes Earth Day & OKs Road Paving Funds

10th Annual Public Library Fundraiser Will Mark Growth, Expanded Community Engagement

by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library's (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on Friday, April 10th will enjoy food, music and camaraderie with NBPL patrons, staff and volunteers right next to the book stacks and reading areas this year. The event will be held at the High Street main library to … Continue reading 10th Annual Public Library Fundraiser Will Mark Growth, Expanded Community Engagement

Council Sends Municipal ID Card Proposal to Committee

The Common Council's Committee on Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services (AFLPS) will consider a feasibility study for a municipal identification card program at its meeting on April 1st. A resolution proposed by Ward 2 Alderwoman Yadira Maldanado (D-2) calls for exploring municipal IDs "for the purpose of evaluating" their "potential to improve access to … Continue reading Council Sends Municipal ID Card Proposal to Committee

City Seeks $5 Million Grant for Allen Street Storm Water Project

City officials confirmed last week they are seeking a major grant to close the gap in the funding of the Allen Street Utility-Road Phase II project where flooding and sewage overflows have caused problems in the neighborhood for decades. The regional Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) received the New Britain application for $5 million … Continue reading City Seeks $5 Million Grant for Allen Street Storm Water Project