New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting - March 12, 2025

The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. Public participation was held prior to the meeting, followed by the call to order, roll call (all 15 alderpersons present), invocation, and pledge of allegiance. Mayor Erin Stewart delivered her 12th and final State of the City address, and the council approved a consent agenda, adopted resolutions on zoning changes, recognitions, and grants, and referred several petitions and items to committees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Knight Zayas (75 Hatch Street) raised concerns about blight, trash, and non-resident parking near Jubilee Apartments (608 and 630 Allen Street). He said he filed a ClickFix request over two years ago and asked for enforcement of ordinance section 745, including a possible petition and fencing. He noted police were helpful but cited limitations.
• Andrew Pope (87 Brighton Street) complained about recurring sewer backups during rain and snowmelt, stating that the Allen Street area is suffering. He criticized Vision Zero and bike lane painting before sewer replacement, and said state officials including the governor are not responding. He mentioned neighbor Frank Chase is installing a sump pump.
• Nico Jarmoszko (30 Nicole Road), representing local climbers, requested access to "Bradley Boulders" on New Britain Water Department property by Crescent Lake in Southington. He emphasized the mental and physical benefits of outdoor climbing, affordability compared to gyms, and potential economic and tourism benefits. He suggested working with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and asked the council to consider accessible recreation.
• Paul Canzero (address not given) urged the council to monitor federal cuts, specifically the farm-to-table program that provides fresh fruit to school kids, stating that losing it would force a switch to canned fruit.

Council Responses to Public Comments

• Alderwoman Scott and President Santiago thanked speakers and committed to looking into the issues. Santiago noted the petition on Hatch Street would be referred to relevant departments and mentioned spring cleanup. He also said he had contacted state representatives about Allen Street funding and supported outdoor activities.
• Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra told Zayas that the city's blight officer Margaret was present and would look into the issue. On rock climbing, she said if non-residents want access to New Britain-owned watershed property, they should create a program for New Britain youth and bring a proposal to Parks and Recreation. She stated the Allen Street project is large and requires state funding; the city has set aside $4 million, but state bonding is needed.
• The meeting president suggested that climbing advocates attend water board meetings and consider liability costs, citing Meriden as a potential model.

Mayor's State of the City Address

Mayor Erin Stewart delivered her 12th and final State of the City address. She reflected on the city's 2014 financial crisis and the "crossroads" then and now, urging citizens to demand decisive, steady leadership. She highlighted accomplishments including:

• Renovation of Osgood Park and opening of "The Brit."
• Completion of the Complete Streets Master Plan, an initial investment of over $50 million that attracted over $330 million in private investment.
• Ongoing stormwater and sewer system improvements requiring tens of millions more.
• The renovation of the White Bridge well field in Bristol, a $40 million investment expected to supply over 8 million gallons per day and ensure water independence.
• Demolition of 238 North Street to expand Willow Street Park, and breaking ground on Holmes Elementary School (opening August 2026).
• Continued housing development, including the Mount Pleasant renovation and a land donation from Stanley Black & Decker for additional housing. She called on citizens to be more engaged and to hold elected officials accountable, concluding that the state of the city is only as strong as the hands in which it is placed.

Following the address, Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra and Alderman Smedley offered personal privileges praising Mayor Stewart's leadership, vision, and service.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the minutes of the regular meetings of January 22, 2025 and February 13, 2025. The consent agenda (items A through O) was adopted by roll call vote of 15-0, including reports from the City Plan Commission, finance reports, a feasibility study on waste diversion, and conveyances of property.

Petitions and Referrals

Five petitions were introduced and referred as follows:

1. Alderperson Santiago – Guardrail/safety study at Wooster Street and Paul Street, referred to the Police Commission.
2. Alderpersons McAdam and Barbosa – Parking study near 75 Hatch Street to create a no-parking zone, referred to the Police Commission.
3. Alderperson Barbosa – School zone street markings and reduced speed limits near schools, referred to Public Works.
4. Anthony V. Schiavone, Jr. (Vindicator Cycle & Auto LLC) – Certificate of location approval for 150 Production Court, Suite 2, referred to City Plan Commission and Zoning Subcommittee.
5. Alderperson Santiago – Guardrail/safety study at Corbin and Pinehurst Avenues.

Discussion Items and Resolutions

All 20 resolutions were introduced, considered, and voted on. Key discussion points are noted below.

• Items 1-8 (Zoning amendments and map changes): This package of zoning changes was adopted. Item 1 (agenda description: addressing bright white window strung rope lights; movers described it as business signage language) was moved by Alderman Gibson. Item 2 (libraries, art galleries, museums in RO district) was moved by Alderman Simpson. Item 3 (reduce lot coverage to 90% in I-2 district) was moved by Alderman Connors. Item 4 (drive-through regulations) was moved by Alderman Malinowski. Item 5 (new CBD-R district for townhouses/two-/three-family) was moved by Alderman Connors. Item 6 (map changes on Clinton and Corbin to B-3) was moved by Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra. Item 7 (map changes to CBD-R) was moved by Alderwoman Sanchez. Item 8 (Farmington Avenue T to A-2) was moved by Alderman McNamara. All were adopted unanimously.
• Item 9 (25 Gilbert Street sale): Alderman Smedley moved to approve the purchase and sale agreement to sell the property to Michael F. Campbell for $7,500. Alderwoman Scott noted transparency: the property is appraised at $26,000 and assessed at $18,000, wishing the sale price were higher. President Santiago supported the sale as a reinvestment in the neighborhood. Adopted.
• Item 10 (DOT right-of-way conveyances): Alderman Simpson moved to accept conveyances from the State DOT of parcels along Route 72 and Route 9 dating back to highway construction in the 1970s. Adopted.
• Item 11 (Women's History Month): Alderwoman McAdam moved, with Alderwoman Scott commenting on the importance of women leaders. Adopted.
• Item 12 (Girl Scout Day): Alderwoman Barbosa moved to recognize March 12 as Girl Scout Day in honor of Troop 10700. Alderwoman Sanchez noted the troop made 75 care packages for the homeless. Adopted.
• Item 13 (Month of Ramadan): Alderwoman Scott moved to recognize March as Ramadan, reading a statement from a community member on behalf of IACC Impact Org. Alderwoman McAdam praised the school district for accommodations. Adopted.
• Item 14 (Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month): Alderwoman Barbosa moved; she noted the disease is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with statistics from 2020, and honored Scott Johnson, a New Britain firefighter, whose family raised over $30,000. Adopted.
• Item 15 (Demolition delay of historic properties): Alderman Connors initially moved to adopt, then corrected his motion to refer to the Planning, Zoning and Housing (PZH) Committee. Referral carried.
• Item 16 (Tax modification agreement for 321 Ellis Street): Alderman Santiago moved to refer to the Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing and the Committee on Finance, Law and Public Service. Referral carried.
• Item 17 (Every Kid Counts after school program): Alderwoman Barbosa moved to accept $150,000 in 21st Century Community Centers funding for programming at DiLoreto, Holmes, and Vance Elementary Schools. Adopted.
• Item 18 (CT State Library Historic Preservation Grant): Alderman Hargraves moved to accept a $10,000 grant for preservation of historical documents. Adopted.
• Item 19 (Abatements, corrections, and refunds): Alderman McNamara moved to approve the revenue collector's report totaling $26,362 in real estate and $20,926 in motor vehicles. Adopted.
• Item 20 (Irish American Heritage): Alderman Connors moved to recognize Irish American heritage and encourage celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra invited everyone to the Saturday parade and related events. Adopted.

Key Outcomes

• The council adopted the consent agenda and approved minutes of January 22 and February 13, 2025 by unanimous consent (minutes approved by voice vote; consent agenda 15-0).
• All 20 resolutions were adopted except items 15 and 16, which were referred to committees. All adopted resolutions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
• Petitions were referred to the Police Commission, Public Works, City Plan Commission, and Zoning Subcommittee as noted.
• The council honored the outgoing mayor and recognized former Alderman Brian Keith Albert with a moment of silence.