New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2025
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New Britain Common Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2025
The Common Council met on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 7:01 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. The meeting included public participation, approval of a consent agenda, an executive session to discuss a settlement, and unanimous approval of 13 resolutions covering capital purchases, a policy amendment referral, and a recognition.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda consisting of items A (Petitions), C (Executive Session), and D (Finance Department Monthly Report) by a vote of 13-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Board (resident) spoke in strong support of Rule 14, a proposed decorum policy for council meetings, but criticized the council for zero outreach, discussion, or engagement on the proposal. He urged the council to collaborate and offer amendments rather than ignoring it, stating that recent breakdowns in decorum speak for themselves.
- A council member (unidentified) responded that she needed more time to review the proposal and stated that everyone is welcome to speak at meetings.
Discussion Items
- Petition for Stop Signs: Alderman Santiago moved to install stop signs on Pierremont Avenue at the intersection of Jordan Street or Golden Hill Street due to resident complaints about speeding motorbikes. The matter was referred to the Police Commission.
- Settlement of Claim (Item B): The council entered executive session at 7:11 PM to discuss the settlement of Zoe Dowdell Estate v. Marcin Ratajczak, et al. After returning at 7:36 PM, the council voted to approve the settlement. Alderwoman Scott expressed condolences to the family and voiced hope for improvements in handling such cases, including the creation of a civilian review board.
- Resolution 1: Approved $69,982 from federal highway safety funds for overtime for the speeding and aggressive driving enforcement program (Alderman Pabone).
- Resolution 2: Approved $512,431.36 to Freightliner for a 2025 truck with tandem combo Vacall for the Public Works Utilities Division, replacing a 2008 model no longer dependable (Alderwoman Scott).
- Resolution 3: Approved $23,134 to Chadwick-Baross for a Bomag compact street roller for Public Works (Alderman Simpson).
- Resolution 4: Approved $132,488.70 to Gengras Ford for a 2025 Ford F250 pickup and a cargo van for Public Works (Alderman Malinowski).
- Resolution 5: Approved $44,416.30 to Turf Products for a Ventrac multi-purpose compact tractor with mower deck and dual wheels for Public Works, replacing a 2000 model no longer serviceable (Alderman McNamara). Funding came from the equipment fund.
- Resolution 6: Approved $173,170.19 to W.I. Clark for a John Deere backhoe loader for Public Works Sewer Utilities Division (Alderman Malinowski).
- Resolution 7: Approved $88,626 to Allegiance Isuzu Truck Hartford for an Isuzu box truck with lift gate for Public Works, to house tools at road construction sites (Alderman Hargraves).
- Resolution 8: Approved $18,528.23 to Link Mechanical for HVAC installation at the New Britain Police Department training room (Alderman Santiago).
- Resolution 9: Approved $55,006 to XDF Computer Systems for firewall equipment for the Public Safety Telecommunications Division. Director John Del Deo explained that XDF is a sole-source Fortigate reseller used since 2003, and the prepaid proposal saves the city about $25,000 compared to using the state contract. Alderman McNamara suggested renewing the relationship annually. (Alderman Santiago)
- Resolution 10: Approved $51,000 to CDW Government for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment upgrades for the City Hall server room, replacing end-of-life equipment (Alderman Gibson).
- Resolution 11: Amendment to Chapter 2 Sec. 2-911 of the Code of Ordinances to reorganize city departments. Referred to the Committee on Administration, Finance, Law, and Public Services (Alderwoman Barbosa).
- Resolution 12: Recognized Tom Thibodeau as a native of New Britain, honoring his NBA coaching career and community involvement (Alderwoman Scott on behalf of Alderman Connors).
- Resolution 13: Approved $25,183.36 to Link Mechanical for HVAC installation in City Hall Council Chambers (Alderman Simpson).
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously (13-0).
- Petition for stop signs referred to Police Commission.
- Settlement of claim (Zoe Dowdell estate) approved after executive session.
- All 13 resolutions approved unanimously.
- Resolution 11 referred to committee for further review.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Well. Welcome to the regular meeting of the common council for Wednesday, June twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-five. It is now seven oh one. And seeing sufficient members present, uh, we'll start with public participation. Um state your name and address for the record. You have three minutes. And we will begin tonight with Mr. John Board. Uh good evening, members of the council. Uh once again, uh I rise in strong support of adoption of Rule 14, a proposal uh to establish clear standards for public participation in decorum during council meetings. This rule is simple, fair, and modeled on the long-standing practices of the General Assembly. It protects the right of the public to be heard and ensures that business can be conducted without disruption, intimidation, or theatrics. But tonight I'm not also defending this rule. Uh, since this proposal was submitted to council, there's been zero outreach, zero discussion, and zero engagement from members of the uh council on the language intent or even possible revisions, and quite frankly, that silences a hell of a lot more. Uh says a hell of a lot more than just a vote. Uh I would like to also expressly address the President Pro Tem since we had an understanding. He told me that once we s that once I submitted a proposal in writing, there'd be an opportunity to review and revise the language collaboratively. But after following up multiple times, they've I received no conversation, no edits, and no engagement. That's not how good governance works. As you have all heard me say multiple times, if you're opposed to something, you have an obligation to put an alternative on the table and not just say no. Say what you would support instead. Otherwise, you're not just debating, you're quite frankly obstructing. Let's be honest. Recent breakdowns in decorum joined this council and meetings have uh speech for themselves. Uh what I don't what the intent here is to protect everyone's rights to be heard without fear or disruption and not silencing individuals. Once again, rule fourteen's not about censorship, it's about accountability. So you know what? The proposal is just a start. It's n nothing final. If you don't like the current language, then you know, offer edits, but just don't say no. Uh the public deserves a chamber where policies can be debated with passion and disagreement, but always with respect. Once again, I urge this council do the work, review the rule, provide and propose improvements if needed, but don't simply ignore a proposal. Uh, the people of New Britain want a council that still works together, believes and respects the democratic processes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Board. Um, he needs to state his name and address. I don't think it was data. Is there a problem? His name and his address. Oh, Joseph. Okay. Step forward now. Anyone else? Anybody else has three times. Hearing none. Is anybody calling in remotely? Nobody, okay. Uh, wish to briefly comment on what they've heard.
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