Regular Meeting of the Common Council – August 13, 2025

The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. Public participation began at 7:00 PM, and the regular meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM. The council approved a consent agenda, conducted an executive session on a settlement, and voted on 14 resolutions. All votes were unanimous (12-0) except for three items referred to committees for further review.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christy Del Aguila (414 Alexander Road) urged the city to study and install shade systems on playgrounds and splash pads, citing equity and safety concerns for caregivers and those with sun sensitivities. She also called on municipal and state leaders to consider legislation preventing masked law enforcement for nonviolent crimes.
• Lisa Lou (133 Graphic? unclear address) reported a close-call bus accident on August 11, 2025, where a car ran a red light and struck the bus. She asked for better information sharing to promote safer driving.
• John Kristapik (no address stated) raised concerns about property valuation methods (comparing city valuations to Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds), flooding issues, and questioned the timeline of a project (56% funded, $60 million city contribution over 12 years). He also referenced the mayor’s new position.
• Council member (Alderwoman Smedley) responded: thanked Chrissy and agreed to look into shade; advised John to contact the Board of Assessment Appeals; thanked Lisa and urged safe driving.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously (12-0) approved the consent agenda, which included:
  • Reports of boards, commissions, departments, and legislative committees (Items C–H):
    • Response on list of city officials authorized to take city vehicles home.
    • Sale of surplus vehicles and equipment.
    • Finance Department monthly report of checks cut.
    • Police Commission responses on speeding enforcement (Farmington Avenue) and illegal parking (Hillcrest Avenue/Brighton Street/Allen Street).
    • Registrar of Voters early voting schedule for September 9 primary and November 4 general election.
  • Recognition of August as Black Business Month (Item 1).
  • Authorization of purchase order to Mammoth Security for $80,927.14 for water filtration plant security upgrade (Item 2).
  • Authorization of $86,278.54 to Turf Products Corporation and $34,726.76 to Finch Turf for turf equipment (Item 3).
  • American Savings Foundation grant of $150,000 for after-school programs at Pulaski, Slade, and DiLoreto middle schools (Item 4).
  • Addition of CHA Consulting, Inc. to professional on-call engineering services list (Item 5).
  • Budget amendment of $595,726.63 to SLR International Corp. for construction inspection services for the Beeline Trail Phase 3 project (Item 6).
  • $71,151.85 to DGI Communications for audio equipment and projectors in the Police Department auditorium (Item 7).
  • $28,885.30 to Gengras Ford for a 2025 Ford Escape for the Health Department (Item 8).
  • Acceptance of a permanent easement for traffic signal equipment from MTP-1 Celebration Foods LLC for the Myrtle Street Complete Street Improvements project (Item 9 – referred to committee).
  • Purchase and sales agreement with RMS Companies and Heritage Housing Inc. for 125 Columbus Boulevard for $500,000 (Item 10 – referred to committee).
  • Tax modification agreement for 125 Columbus Boulevard (Item 11 – referred to committee).
  • Tax abatements, corrections, and refunds (Item 12 – approximately $77,000 in adjustments).
  • $24,379.29 to Mammoth Security for a new security system at the Water Department’s main pump building (Item 13).
  • $32,142 to Mammoth Security for a new CCTV system at the Water Department’s water filtration plant (Item 14).

Discussion Items

• Resolution #6 (Beeline Trail Phase 3): Council had a brief Q&A with Mark Moriarty, who confirmed the funds came from a RAISE grant through CRCOG, covering construction inspection services for the trail extension to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
• Resolutions #10 & #11 (125 Columbus Boulevard): Alderwoman Savedra noted that both caucuses were represented on the committee that interviewed developers and mutually agreed on the outcome. Alderwoman Sanchez clarified that the entire project is low- to moderate-income housing.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda (12-0) and all resolutions except those referred to committees.
• Resolution #9 (Myrtle Street Complete Street improvements easement) was referred to the Committee on Planning, Zoning, and Housing for further discussion.
• Resolution #10 (Purchase and sale agreement for 125 Columbus Boulevard) was referred to the Committee on Planning, Zoning, and Housing.
• Resolution #11 (Tax modification agreement for 125 Columbus Boulevard) was referred to the Committee on Administration, Finance, and Law.
• All other resolutions (Items 1–8, 12–14) were adopted unanimously.
• The council entered executive session at 7:20 PM to discuss the settlement of Chubb Indemnity Insurance Company, et al. v. City of New Britain and returned at 7:33 PM, after which the settlement report (Item B) was accepted unanimously.