Regular Meeting of the New Britain Common Council – February 26, 2025
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Regular Meeting of the Common Council – February 26, 2025
The New Britain Common Council met on February 26, 2025, at 7:33 PM after public participation from 7:01 PM. The meeting included public comments, adoption of a consent agenda, and action on nine agenda items including resolutions recognizing Dominican Republic Independence Day, approving a tax assessment modification for a major commercial project, and referring amendments to city codes.
Consent Calendar
- Items A, B, and C were approved unanimously: (A) Sale of surplus vehicles and equipment, (B) Approval of minutes of Common Council committee meetings, (C) Authorization to execute a tax assessment modification agreement with Weezy LLC and La Provence Realty, LLC for properties at 1 and 25 Veterans Drive.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Juan Brito (CCC Bureau of Three) expressed support for the resolution recognizing Dominican Republic Independence Day.
- Frank Chase (24 Roxbury) criticized Mayor Stewart for ignoring the Allen Street flood project timeline, claiming she diverted funds to higher-profile projects and that a planned $4 million transfer never happened. He called the mayor's actions "disqualifying behavior."
- Juan Tejeda (Wethersfield, representing Latin Empowered Dreamers) supported the Dominican Republic Independence Day resolution, noting the community's growth and the desire to raise the flag in New Britain.
- Kyrie Herrera (New Haven) supported the Dominican Republic resolution on behalf of her community.
- Maheel Santana (president of Ledre/Latin Empowered Dreamers) supported the resolution, emphasizing the importance of cultural recognition for the Dominican and Latin community.
- Jody Dennell (Windsor, invited by Natalia Grin) shared her experience traveling to Ukraine in February 2023, describing the war's impact, and spoke in support of Ukraine.
- Natalia Grin (Wethersfield, president of Moya Ukraine) spoke on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, thanking Connecticut officials for support.
- Marika Kuzma (Hartford, Ukrainian American) emphasized Ukraine's importance for global food security and urged continued U.S. support, noting that 97% of Ukrainians voted for independence in 1991.
- Lisa Liu (63 Bassett Street, New Britain) raised concerns about rising rents, taxes, and prices, and urged the council to work on initiatives to prevent homelessness. Council members responded, thanking speakers and noting ongoing work on flooding, homelessness, and supportive resolutions.
Discussion Items
- Petitions / Referrals: Several petitions were referred to committees without debate:
- Three zoning ordinance amendments from Alderman Smedley (cannabis retailer hours and sign regulations, driveway allowances in lower-density residential, and screening requirements between business and residential uses in B-1R and CBD-R districts) were sent to the City Plan and Zoning Committee.
- A petition from Alderman Russell for cost breakdown of the February 7, 2025 Champions of Change event was sent to the Common Council Office/Council President.
- A petition from Alderman Santiago for cost breakdown of the mayor's exploratory campaign announcement was sent to Support Services.
- A petition from Alderman Santiago for a parking study on Slater Road and Melikowski Circle was sent to the Police Commission.
- Item 1: Motion to accept and refer item to committee (nature unspecified) – approved.
- Item 2: Tax assessment modification agreement with Weezy LLC and La Provence Realty, LLC for 1 and 25 Veterans Drive. Alderwoman Scott presented the project: completely refurbished buildings and a new service center, totaling an estimated $12 million, creating jobs, and with Schaller Auto World retaining ownership. Approved.
- Item 3: Resolution recognizing February 27 as Dominican Republic Independence Day. Alderwoman Sanchez read the resolution in English and Spanish. Alderman Smedley rose in support, noting his son was born in the Dominican Republic. Approved.
- Item 4: Issuance of a license for the annual Little Poland Festival on June 8, 2025 (9 AM–7 PM). Alderman Malinowski described it as a celebration of Polish heritage drawing tens of thousands. Approved.
- Item 5: Agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. for police station software and preventive maintenance at $21,345 per year for one year. Alderwoman McAdam presented. Approved.
- Item 6: Public Bid No. 4199 for on-call electrical, HVAC, plumbing, building envelope, masonry, and interior repairs for city buildings, with project costs not exceeding $50,000. Referred to Planning, Zoning, and Housing Committee. Approved.
- Item 7: Agreement with Frontier Communications to convert to SIP trunking for telephone systems, costing $6,000–$18,000 per year to save money. Alderman Connors presented. Approved.
- Item 8: Amendments to the rules of the Civil Service Commission regarding telecommunicator eligibility. Alderman Simpson presented and referred to Planning, Zoning, and Housing Committee. Approved.
- Item 9: Amendments to Chapter 2, Article XIX of the Code of Ordinances (Fair Rent Commission). Alderman Hargraves presented a strike-all amendment to Section E(3) regarding eviction processes, which was approved. The amended resolution was then referred to the Administration, Finance, and Law and Public Service Committee. Alderman Simpson spoke in support, noting the change makes the fair rent commission more accessible. Approved.
- Point of Personal Privilege: Alderman Connors spoke on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming support for Ukraine's sovereignty and honoring residents of Ukrainian descent.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda (Items A–C) was adopted unanimously with no discussion.
- Items 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 were adopted unanimously.
- Items 1, 6, 8, and 9 were referred to respective committees for further review.
- The meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the February 26th, 2025 meeting of the Common Council. We start with public participation to give any member of the public a chance to uh say what they want to say to the Common Council. Uh just ask when I call your name that you uh state your name and address for the record, and you'll have three minutes to speak. Um you can be shorter than that, but we'd like to try and keep it three minutes within reason. So I'll begin, and it's now seven oh one. The first speaker I have is Juan Brito. Juan Brito did I one? Did I say that right? Close enough. Good night. My name is Juan Brito. I leave him in CCC Bureau of Three, New Britain. The um support the uh Iri Sanchez, the motion from Dominicum Republics. Thank you. Thank you. Frank Chase, twenty-four Roxbury. When Mayor Stewart took office in twenty thirteen, she chose to ignore Mayor O'Brien's seven million dollar cardinal engineering plan for the Allen Street project. The twenty twenty-five Cardinal Engineering Plan for the Allen Street project will now total nearly fifteen million dollars. Thirteen floods from April twenty eighteen through December twenty twenty-four. In August of twenty twenty three, Weston Simpson Engineers declared the Allen Street project must be a high priority because the infrastructure is at crisis levels. Good leadership requires moral courage and ethical fortitude. Mayor Stewart has failed all of all of the flooding and sanitary backup victims in Ward Four. In October 2023, days before the local election, Stewart and Dorsey planned a four million dollar transfer, earmarked for the Allen Street project, hoping to influence the voters in Ward 4. Months later, we learned that the four million dollar transfer, which was approved and confirmed by Stewart never happened. This political ruse is disqualifying behavior for any elected official. The record in the timeline clearly shows how Stewart ignored the Allen Street problem while funding higher profile projects such as the Beehive Bridge, Public Works Operations Center, Stanley Events Pavilion, Downtown Luxury Housing, Asgood Park, and many others. Why does this mayor insist on ignoring the Allen Street problem? Whether one home is flooding due to a compromised infrastructure, infrastructure systems or 50 properties or 100 properties. Each case. Over the years, Stewart failed to prioritize and fund the Allen Street project. We continue to receive lip service from Stuart and her associates. They add the customary shrug, signaling a not knowing, not caring attitude. Meanwhile, our quality of life continues to suffer, our safety continues to be in harm's way, and our properties and structures are at risk. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chase. Next speaker I have on the list is Juan Tejeda. Good evening, everyone. I'm from Weatherfield, 315 Grizzle Row. I'm representing Ledber, Latin Empowered Dreamers. And we'll be we'll be we're here supporting Iris Sanchez Resolution. We would like to raise the Dominican flag in the city of New Britain. We've been doing that for 30 years in the state of Connecticut. The main one is in Hartford, Connecticut. We also have it in Waterbury, Denver, and Bridgeport. I've been involved in that event for about 15 years. We did it the last time on Sunday, the 23rd, and we gather about 300 people in the Hartford City Hall. Our community is growing up. We are about 60,000 in the state of Connecticut so far. Five, six years ago, we didn't have a place to get our passport.
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