New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting on January 22, 2025
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New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting on January 22, 2025
The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on January 22, 2025, beginning at 7:05 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public testimony on infrastructure and immigration issues, the unanimous adoption of a consent agenda and several resolutions, and the referral of a tax agreement. Several petitions by the absent Alderman Smedley were listed on the agenda but were not taken up.
Consent Calendar
The Council unanimously approved (13-0) Items A through G, including the monthly checks report from the Finance Department, a Zoning Subcommittee recommendation to regulate the screening of rooftop and ground-mounted mechanicals and dumpsters, and recommendations from the Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing to amend city code sections (7-62, 11-16, 11-38, 21-72, 21-168) to comply with Connecticut General Statutes Section 49-73b.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Frank Chase (24 Roxbury) described the Allen Street infrastructure system, spanning 177 acres, as being at a "crisis level." He detailed how intense rainfall overflows the storm sewer system and retention pond, leading to flooding with contaminated water containing bacteria, fecal matter, and motor oil. He reiterated that the project is a high priority, noting Mayor Stewart had called it the city's "most pressing need" in 2013.
- Roy Centennial (289 Slater Road) voiced opposition to the New Britain Police Department collaborating with federal ICE/INS agents for deportations, specifically targeting families from schools and churches.
- Council Responses: Alderwoman Scott addressed both speakers, noting she would discuss the immigration question with the police department. The Presiding Officer affirmed the council's commitment to adhering to Connecticut laws and protocols that respect the human rights of all individuals.
Discussion Items and Resolutions
- Item 1 (Ord. 36628-3 – Mechanical and Dumpster Screening): Alderman Connors moved adoption, stating the amendment enhances the streetscape by regulating outdoor mechanicals and dumpsters, preventing them from being viewable from the street. The motion carried.
- Items 2-6 (Code Consistency with State Statutes): Alders Barbosa, Scott, Hargraves, Malinowski, and McAdam each moved to adopt amendments to align city code sections with Connecticut General Statutes Section 49-73b. The agenda identifies the specific sections as 7-62, 11-16, 11-38, 21-72, and 21-168, though Alderman Hargraves referenced the item as pertaining to section 11-30 in his remarks. Alderwoman Scott specified that the amendment to Sec. 11-16 provides residents a 10-day notice to cure violations. Alderman Malinowski noted that the amendment to Sec. 21-72 allows the Public Works department to repair sidewalks and place a lien on the property. All motions carried.
- Item 7 (Muslim American Heritage Month): Alderwoman Scott presented the resolution designating January as Muslim American Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of Muslim Americans. She expressed strong support for the resolution. Alderwoman Beloin Savedra clarified she was the original requester of the resolution, expressed disappointment at not being asked to present it, but stated her full support. The resolution carried.
- Item 8 (SCADA Upgrade at Shuttle Meadow Water Treatment Plant): Alderman Simpson moved to authorize a $30,000 contract amendment with CDM Smith for monitoring and diagnostic equipment at the treatment plant. The motion carried.
- Item 9 (Tax Assessment Modification Agreement for Shaylor Automotive): Alderman Santiago moved to refer the agreement for properties at 1 and 25 Veterans Drive to the Committee on Administration, Finance, Law, and Public Service. The referral carried.
- Other Business: Alderwoman Barbosa requested a study to convert the two-way stop at Judd Avenue and Market Street into a four-way stop, which was referred to the Police Commission.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Adopted: Finance reports, mechanical/dumpster screening recommendation, and six code consistency amendments passed unanimously (13-0).
- Zoning Ordinance Adopted: Regulations for dumpster and building mechanical screening (Item 1).
- Code Amendments Adopted: Five code sections amended to align with state statutes (Items 2-6). A discrepancy was noted between the agenda (Sec. 11-38) and Alderman Hargraves' remarks (Sec. 11-30) for Item 4.
- Resolution Adopted: January designated as Muslim American Heritage Month (Item 7).
- Contract Authority Approved: $30,000 for SCADA upgrade monitoring equipment at the water treatment plant (Item 8).
- Agreement Referred: Tax assessment modification for 1 and 25 Veterans Drive (Shaylor Automotive) referred to committee (Item 9).
- Traffic Study Ordered: Study of a four-way stop at Judd Avenue and Market Street referred to the Police Commission.
- Not Acted Upon: Nine petitions and map amendments sponsored by the absent Alderman Smedley, as well as a request from Alderman McNamara regarding the city's independent financial audit, were listed on the agenda but were not considered during the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Is your colleague here? No. All right. Okay. Okay. This is the January twenty-second, twenty twenty five meeting of the regular common council. It's time for public participation at 7 01 p.m. Umybody wishing to speak. You have three minutes. Uh state your name and address. And we'll begin public participation with Mr. Frank Chase. Frank Chase, 24 Roxbury. My wife Sharon and I have been campaigning since 2023 to correct the infrastructure problems related to the Allen Street system in our neighborhood. This system serves one hundred and seventy-seven acres of developed congested residential neighborhoods. Intense rainfall infiltrates our compromised underground infrastructure, flooding and saturating our land, overwhelming our storm sewer system and retention pond. Our particular section of this acreage receives the brunt of the contaminated flooding water. The contaminants in the flooding water include a toxic mix of bacteria, fecal matter, fats, motor oil, grease, etc. As Mayor Stewart noted back in 2013 when she took office, the Allen Street project is our most pressing need. The Allen Street project is critical to resolving chronic issues, including flooding due to storm shore failures, sanitary backups and breaks due to insufficient capacity and the system's age. These cross connections and the flooding also impair the Matta Basset water treatment facility in Cromwell, which serves New Britain's and six other towns. The experts call it I and I inflow and infiltration. During these storm sewer flooding events, we are treating excess storm and groundwater in our wastewater system, adding to our costs. It's called the whack-a-mole. What next with this city administration? We are anticipating the fiscal chance. We have no money. Weston Simpson Engineers confirmed the Allen Street project must be a high priority because the infrastructure is at crisis levels. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chase. Chase's name is the only name I have listed. So I'll ask is there anybody in the audience who wishes to speak? I see a gentleman in the third row. Name and address. Yes, good evening. Roy Centennial, two eighty nine Slater road. And thank you for your service. Everyone's service. And it involves my question is statement if the INS targets our city to perform the deportation rates. But otherwise, I wouldn't like to see our police department assisting INS, pulling families, people from schools, churches. Anybody else in the audience wish to speak on any issue? Anyone else? Anyone else hearing none? Are there any callers? No callers. They've heard all the woman Scott. Hi. Um, happy New Year. Um, thank you, Frank, for always coming.
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