Regular Meeting of the New Britain Common Council - March 26, 2025
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Regular Meeting of the New Britain Common Council - March 26, 2025
The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on March 26, 2025, at 7:51 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting began with a moment of silence for former council member Adam Platosh, followed by a proclamation honoring Fire Chief Raul Ortiz for his induction into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame. The council then received a presentation on the Mattabassett District budget for fiscal year 2026. After approving the minutes of the February 26, 2025 meeting, the council considered three new petitions, adopted the consent agenda (items A-D), and voted on 13 resolutions, all of which were approved.
Recognitions and Presentations
- Fire Chief Raul Ortiz was recognized with a proclamation from Mayor Erin Stewart for his upcoming induction into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame. Chief Ortiz remarked that his community work, not just firefighting, is his focus and thanked the council for their support.
- Mattabassett District Budget Presentation: John Dunham (Chairman) and Art (Mattabassett representative) presented the FY 2026 budget. The overall budget increased by 8.63%, driven by higher electricity costs ($600,000 increase), pension costs, health insurance (7-12% increase), and a 19% increase in capital projects. New Britain's assessment will rise 2.8% to $7.353 million, benefiting from a $600,000 credit due to Middletown's full membership. Since 2018, New Britain's average assessment increase has been 3.8%, below the 5.7% average budget increase. The district is using $900,000 from reserves to offset the budget. The presentation highlighted New Britain's declining flows (45% of total) and the long-term credit from Middletown's buy-in (estimated $9.2 million plus interest).
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes of the regular meeting of February 26, 2025 were approved unanimously (motion by Alderman Santiago, seconded by Alderwoman Sanchez).
Petitions
Three new petitions were introduced and referred to the appropriate departments:
- Alderwoman Scott: Request for a parking permit system for elected officials conducting city business.
- Aldermen Sanchez and McNamara: Request for operational status of parking meters near the Pearl Street Senior Center and any tickets issued this year.
- Alderwoman Barbosa: Request to adjust Recycling Center hours to remain open until at least 4 PM Monday through Friday (referred to Public Works; also noted potential bargaining implications).
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda, comprising items A through D, was adopted unanimously by a roll-call vote of 15-0. These items included:
- A: Claims of injuries and/or property damage.
- B: Common Council office response regarding breakdown of costs for the Black History Month event.
- C: Settlement of claims in the case of Evelyn Feliciano v. City of New Britain.
- D: Support Services Department response regarding costs for the Mayor's exploratory campaign announcement.
Discussion Items and Resolutions
The council considered and voted on 13 resolutions, each introduced by an alderman and seconded. All were approved unanimously by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Key details:
- Item 1: Cooperative purchase – $600,000 to Tilcon Connecticut, Inc. for rehabilitation of Stanley Quarter Park Road, funded through low SIP funding.
- Item 2: Municipal option to adopt a modified motor vehicle depreciation schedule commencing October 1, 2024, to address revenue shortfalls.
- Item 3: Public Bid No. 4148 – $3,813,110 to Tabacco & Son Builders, Inc. for Beeline Trail Phase 1.
- Item 4: $366,080 in ARPA funding to support epidemiological investigations for children with elevated blood lead levels.
- Item 5: $19,351.08 Health Per Capita Grant allocation for professional services to upgrade the Health Department's code enforcement database.
- Item 6: Public Bid No. 4187 – Contract with East River Energy, Inc. for unleaded gasoline at $2.3218/gallon for one year.
- Item 7: Public Bid No. 4188 – Contract with East River Energy, Inc. for ultra low sulfur diesel fuel at $2.4070/gallon for one year.
- Item 8: Public Bid No. 4189 – Contract with Sullivan Tire Company, Inc. for tires and repairs for city vehicles.
- Item 9: $14,535 to Gemini Group Consulting LLC to configure, print, and mail the 2024 Annual Water Quality Report.
- Item 10: FY 2025 Highway Safety Distracted Driving Enforcement Program grant, at no cost to the city.
- Item 11: $180,674.36 to Amano McGann for upgrade of the city's parking access revenue control systems.
- Item 12: Agreement with Thomaston Savings Bank to install an ATM in New Britain City Hall at no cost to the city.
- Item 13: $31,830 to Otto Environmental Systems, LLC for roll-out trash containers.
Key Outcomes
- All 13 resolutions (Items 1-13) were approved unanimously.
- The consent agenda (Items A-D) was adopted by a roll-call vote of 15-0.
- Three new petitions were referred to Support Services and Public Works departments.
- February 26, 2025 meeting minutes were approved.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the March twenty-sixth regular meeting of the Common Council. We begin as always at seven forty-seven tonight with public participation. I do not have Mr. I I do not have a uh sign up list, but if there's anybody in the audience who wishes to address the council on any issue, please step up. That's once, twice. Anybody like to speak? And a third time. Hearing none. Anybody calling in remotely? No. No remote callers. Well, this is a first. I'm gonna declare public participation over at seven forty-eight. And the good news is we don't have to hear from any older persons, and we can start the meeting. Which we'll begin shortly. All right, and we're back. I would like to call to order this regular meeting of the New Britain Common Council. The date's March twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-five. The time is seven fifty-one PM. Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll? All the persons, MacNamara. Here, it's Medley. Sanchez. Bolin Savedra. Simpson. Here. Russell. Barbosa. Hargraves. McAdam. Gibson. Scott. Connors. Melanowski. Pavone. Santiago. Here. Fifteen zero, Yon. Thank you very much. Can we all please rise for the invocation? We'll be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us pray. Oh God, our Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the coming of spring. Look down on our city leaders and employees as they ready to the city for this summer's activities in New Britain's wonderful parks, golf course, and walking trails. We ask this in thy name. Amen. Amen. I'll be allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which he stands.
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