Standing Bonding Subcommittee Special Meeting – April 16, 2025

The Standing Bonding Subcommittee of the Common Council held a special meeting on April 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, New Britain, Connecticut. The sole agenda item was to act on a report regarding a $2,000,000 appropriation and bond authorization for the Allen Street infrastructure project. After public testimony and debate, the subcommittee voted to increase the amount to $3,575,000 and approved the resolution, contingent on the city receiving sufficient state grant funding. The matter will be referred to the full Common Council with a favorable recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frank Chase (24 Roxbury Road) criticized the mayor for ignoring the Allen Street project since 2013, noting that the project now costs $14 million plus. He stated that 13 flooding events since 2018 have affected over 50 properties, and urged the city to prioritize full funding and construction. He also listed other city projects funded over the past 12 years, totaling over $200 million, and argued that the city could have allocated more to Allen Street.
• Mark Scappellati (55 Brighton Street) spoke about his personal experience with flooding and sump pumps, and described the long-standing nature of the problem, referencing a 1997 Hartford Courant article and a 1999 letter to Mayor Pollock. He noted that neighbors had moved away due to unresolved flooding and asked the subcommittee to consider the issue.

Discussion Items

• First Amendment (Contingency Language): Alderman Santiago proposed adding language to the resolution stating that the appropriation and bond authorization is contingent upon the mayor's receipt of grant funding from the state of Connecticut in an amount sufficient to complete the project. The amendment was seconded and passed by voice vote. (Note: This language was already present in the draft resolution, but the amendment was accepted to clarify.)
• Second Amendment (Increase Amount to $3,575,000): Alderman Santiago moved to amend the resolution to change the bond amount from $2,000,000 to $3,575,000, reflecting the remaining funds from two paving projects that were removed from a previous bond package. Alderman Santiago argued that the earlier caucus agreement had allowed for this amendment. Alderman Smedley opposed the increase, stating that the agreement was for $2 million and that the resolution would not pass at a higher amount. Other members, including Alderman Simpson and Alderman McNamara, expressed support for the increase, citing the project's readiness and the need to address long-standing flooding and health hazards. After a failed motion to call the question (5-5), further discussion ensued. A second motion to call the question passed, and the amendment was then approved by voice vote. The subcommittee then voted on the main motion as amended, which also passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Amendment to Increase Bond Amount: Passed by voice vote. The resolution was amended to authorize $3,575,000 instead of the original $2,000,000.
• Main Motion (Resolution as Amended): Passed by voice vote. The subcommittee approved the report to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation, including the contingency language requiring state grant funding.
• Next Steps: The resolution will be presented to the full Common Council for consideration. The project is described as shovel-ready by April 30, 2025, with total estimated costs of $13.9–$14 million. The city's share (if the amendment is upheld) would be over 50% of the total cost, with the balance expected from state grants or the Clean Water Fund.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 7:06 PM.