New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting – June 26, 2024
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New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting – June 26, 2024
The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, beginning with public participation at 7:01 PM and the formal session at 7:20 PM. The meeting included a moment of silence for community leader Alton Brooks, public comments on infrastructure and city services, and action on eleven resolutions, all of which were adopted or referred. The council adjourned at 8:04 PM.
Moment of Silence & Tributes
- The council observed a moment of silence for Alton Brooks (born 1921, recently deceased), a civil rights pioneer, founder of the city's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and former director. Multiple council members spoke about his mentorship, hopefulness, and legacy of bipartisanship. A street, Brooks Way, already honors him.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Frank Chase (24 Roxbury) criticized the mayor’s administration for failing to allocate any of $60 million in ARPA funds to the Allen Street Phase II drainage project, calling a previously approved $4 million fund transfer “bogus” and demanding transparency. He stated the city’s obligation of nearly $5 million remains unfunded and that the project, described as “the most pressing infrastructure need,” has seen no dollars allocated despite decades of flooding and sanitary backups.
- Charles Smith (236 Jubilee Street) commended the council for responding to residents at prior meetings but reiterated that a refund promised by a city official has not been fulfilled since 2017. He stated that Alderwoman Barbosa had also been ignored in efforts to resolve the matter. Alderman Smedley advised him to file a formal claim with the clerk’s office.
- Jim Standard Jr. (172 Kensington Avenue), speaking remotely, accused the administration of retaliatory zoning changes targeting self-storage development at 500 each. He claimed ongoing litigation and warned of a “hefty price” for irreparable harm should the city lose the appeal on September 30, 2024.
- John Kristapic (292 Linwood) questioned the origin and title of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) position approved by voters, asserting the ballot question did not mention “COO.” He expressed concerns about salary ($150,000 plus benefits), hiring process, and transparency. He reported that the finance department directed him to file a FOI request to learn the mayor’s staff size. Alderwoman Beloin-Savedra responded that the mayor’s office has four full-time and one part-time employees, and that explanatory materials were provided at polling places.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved Consent Agenda items A, B, and C (roll call vote: 15-0). These included: (A) Claims for injuries/property damages report; (B) Settlement of claims in Haley Stafford v. Smith Summer Collegiate Baseball LLC et al.; (C) Committee report on the $4 million fund transfer for the Allen Street drainage project (Item 36453).
Discussion Items
- Resolution 1 (Fee Schedule for Zoning Permits) – Alderman Connors moved to refer to the Planning, Zoning, and Housing Committee. The resolution would amend Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances to increase fees: $200 for a zoning permit, $75 for a certificate of zoning compliance, $50 for general zoning analysis, to cover administrative costs. Referred without debate.
- Resolution 6 (Beeline Multi-Modal Trail Lease) – Alderman Connors moved to refer to the City Plan and Zoning Commission. The lease with CT DOT for the Beeline Trail, at no cost to the city, will connect downtown New Britain to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail via the Route 72 right-of-way. Referred.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2 (RRFB Beacon) – Adopted. $9,036.33 to Traffic and Parking Control for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at Wildwood Street near Chesley Park to improve pedestrian safety. Alderman Hargraves noted it follows a stop sign installation and will reduce illegal parking.
- Resolution 3 (Public Works Vehicles) – Adopted. $322,239.40 to Gengras Ford for four new vehicles (two F-550s, one Explorer, one F-350) replacing units from 2006–2008.
- Resolution 4 (Copier Lease) – Adopted. Four-year lease with A&A Office Systems for a Savin copier for the Common Council office, via cooperative purchasing.
- Resolution 5 (Dump Trucks) – Adopted. $465,030.66 to Freightliner of Hartford for two dump trucks for Public Works and Utilities. Alderman McNamara noted they serve the regional watershed (Burlington, Southington, etc.) and the city; a fleet report is forthcoming.
- Resolution 7 (Beeline Trail Design Services) – Adopted. Budget amendment of $530,590 to BL Companies for design and construction inspection of Beeline Trail Phase I. Federal grant covers 80% ($424,472); city share 20% ($106,118).
- Resolution 8 (SS4A Planning Grant) – Adopted. $437,500 grant (80% federal, 20% municipal) to develop a comprehensive safety plan. Alderwoman Beloin-Savedra noted the first meeting occurred June 25, 2024, and that the plan will use data to target high-crash areas and reduce fatalities (vision zero).
- Resolution 9 (Police Body Camera Package) – Adopted. $630,686.70 to Axon Enterprise for body cameras, software, upgrades, and video storage. Police Chief explained the 10-year contract locks in pricing, includes unlimited storage and integration with interview rooms; all uniformed officers and detectives wear cameras, with ongoing training.
- Resolution 10 (Fuel Oil Contract) – Adopted. Public bid awarded to Tuxis-Ohr's Fuel Inc. for No. 2 fuel oil at $2.6885/gallon, July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025.
- Resolution 11 (PSTC Fiber Optic Upgrade) – Adopted. $67,880.29 to Total Communications for a network system upgrade at the Public Safety Telecommunications Center (PSTC) to replace unsupported equipment and ensure critical communications.
Petitions (Referred)
- Petition 1 (Ald. Hargraves) – Stop signs or warning signage at City Avenue and Market Street → referred to Police Commission.
- Petitions 2–9 (Ald. Smedley) – Various zoning amendments (removing caretaker units in RO, named building signs in CBD, dimensional standards/parking in multifamily districts, historic protections, roofed porch projections, industrial use definitions, zoning permit process, and map changes on Atlantic/Allen/Lawlor Streets) → referred to City Plan and Zoning Committee.
- Petition 10 (Ald. McAdam and Simpson) – Stop sign on Hart Street, Advance Street, and crosswalk near 202 Hart Street → referred to Police Commission.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the June twenty-sixth regular meeting of the New Britain Common Council. This is uh public participation. It's seven oh one. And uh we'll just ask that anybody wishing to speak, please state your name and address clearly for the record, and limit your speaking time to three minutes. And then find out if anybody is calling in remotely. And if your name is an honor list you want to speak, you'll be given that opportunity. So let's begin with Mr. Frank Chase. Frank Chase, twenty-four Roxbury. The current mayor's description, the Allen Street project number two is critical to resolving chronic issues, including flooding due to storm sewer failures, sanitary backups, and breaks due to insufficient capacity and the system's age. Last fall, Public Works Director Morey already spoke to the City Council indicating that Allen Street is a costly complex project. As the current mayor described in the Allen Street project that described it, the Allen Street project is our most pressing infrastructure need. As noted, our state legislators will be working with New Britain officials to procure a $10 million bonding initiative. New Britain's obligation of nearly five million remains unfunded. Our state legislatures report that millions of dollars have flowed into the city of New Britain. Since 2013, the current mayor has prioritized and allocated this money for many higher profile projects. Not one dollar for Allen Street. We have discovered 60 million reasons for our ongoing disgust and distrust of the 60 million in ARPA funds that the City of New Britain has received, has recently received from our federal and state partners. Not one dollar has been allocated for Allen Street. We, along with other taxpayers in our neighborhood, have diligently paid our taxes for decades. We're demanding our fair share of money from federal, state, city governments to fund the Allen Street project oak to Beacon. Now factor in the bogus four million dollar transfer for the Allen Street project. The timeline for this project for this bogus transfer is detailed for you in item number four in your handouts. After 30 years, the funding shell game continues with shifting project priorities while our tax dollars are lost in the fiscal shuffle. Now we have this bogus money transfer to contend with facilitated by the current mayor and their chief of staff days before an election. Where is the required transparency and accountability from our city officials? Decades-long infrastructure flooding issues must be prioritized, funded, and correct and corrected similar to all other fiscal projects. As you can see, our city officials and their documented behavior requires a comprehensive oversight at all times. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Next speaker signed up is Mr. Charles Smith. Hi, folks. I was here last uh meeting. Charles Smith, 236 Jubilee Street. Well, first, I'm gonna try to start off with the positive note. By sitting here at the last meeting, I just want to commend whoever it was to change the format of the meeting. Because when I had come last year, the residents would stand up and they would voice their complaints, and no one said anything. And that's why I I went to leave, and the ladies stopped me from going, and you guys at least you responded. Now that doesn't mean you're gonna agree, but at least you responded, so it's it's I think a little bit more respectful that you heard what we were saying. So I that was the positive thing I could say. So I at the last meeting I brought to your attention that I have been being ignored about my refund. I played the recording. I don't think I need to play it again, but but I will show up at every meeting. Okay, so um, I've been being ignored. Uh all the woman Barbosa had stated that she had sent out an email and uh she hadn't gotten a response. I spoke to her uh on yesterday, a matter of fact, and um it appears she's still being ignored herself. So I'm not making this up, folks. Uh so I'm not getting any response there.
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