Welcome to the September 10th 2025 regular meeting of the Common Council.

It is now 701 PM, and we'll begin with public participation.

I have uh three names on a list.

When you come up, uh please state your name and address for the record.

And again, you have three minutes, and then I'll recognize anybody else who wishes to speak remotely or in the audience.

Our first speaker tonight is Frank Chase.

Frank Chase, 24 Roxbury.

Dear Mayor Stewart, our city officials over the past thirty years have failed to upgrade the compromised Allen Street storm sewer system.

This includes twelve years on your watch.

Our due diligence since 2023 has uncovered the facts.

We have been proactive with the assistance of Majority Leader McNamara making the required effort to appeal to your good senses.

Leader McNamara understands the peril our neighborhoods, blacks and properties are in.

Common sense tells us if you did understand after twelve years in office, would have surely prioritized, you would have surely prioritized fully funded and constructed the Allen Street project.

As a reminder, we were invited by you to voice our concerns regarding your priorities and your fiscal behavior.

Our criticisms are fact-based as we have detail for you in all of our narratives.

You wrote to us, you are not kind to me, and you will never be.

To date, you have refused to prioritize fully fund and construct the Allen Street Project.

The cause and effect is undeniable.

Our taxpayers deserve better than this.

Our quality of life continues to suffer.

Our safety continues to continues to be in harm's way.

And 50 plus properties and structures are all at risk.

Why do you continue to ignore the critical nature of the Allen Street problem when you have the resources to construct the Allen Street project now?

Why are you choosing to ignore all of us in the Allen Street neighborhoods?

Mayor Stewart, you have the authority to correct these hazardous conditions, and it's your responsibility to correct these hazardous conditions.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Chase.

Our next speaker is Michelle Stewart Copes.

I live at 281 Rocky Hill Avenue here in New Britain.

And I chair the NACP Economic Development Committee as well as the Multicultural Business Association with Candace Scott.

And I'm here to support the Multicultural Business Directory petition.

I really think it can truly help the city because the majority of our population is multicultural.

It can only develop the commerce in our city, the economic revenue gaps, which is the goal of the NACP, and it can build and bolster the tax revenue and base so that businesses can stay and be supported.

The purpose of this directory is so that we can all know who each other is.

We really don't know that.

And to have a public listing of it will help us to be able to support each other, to be able to make referrals and to keep cities here in New Britain.

We recently had a potluck meeting on the 25th, and it was really great.

And Devon Tanksley had come to speak with us.

He owned my wife didn't cook, and he talked about how it really would have been beneficial if we had invested in each other, supported each other, really was able to be there to promote our businesses, and also to make the city better as a wonderful multicultural city, rich in its ethnicity.

So I hope that you support it.

I hope that you help to develop it because it will be the first time it's been done.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Third speaker on the list is Tina Santana.

Thank you for this opportunity.

That really impact my life.

You guys would usually see me here talking about school district stuff because I do serve on the board of head.

But the reality is, like all of you, we live in the city of New Britain, and we are faced with the same issues, and I'm pretty sure you are too.

If you're gonna be supporting this, I thank you.

Um if you are not, I ask you to reconsider.

I have four special needs kids.

They are medically complex.

Um it ranges from autism to well, the oldest is in palliative care.

And so in reality, they all take medication to be able to sleep.

Um, once they're asleep, the prayer is that they're gonna stay asleep, and when they can't, well, we all have to suffer.

But the reality is these motorbikes coming by, it is crazy.

I live off of a main drag.

They actually pick up speed, and at that point, you will see that in the group of them, they will actually work together, organization to block the street off so that they can all get together and pass.

It's a problem because I've you know, in my pajamas, Puerto Ricans, you know, boxer shorts, wife beater chancross, get outside to go pull somebody out of a car or say, hey, please stop, and this is just kind of what you get.

And so, what I'm asking you to do is to please support, and I in your good conscience, I hope you all will.

Support being able to allow our officers to put a stop to that.

You don't find adults on the back of these little little motorbikes.

You actually find young kids, sometimes adults.

They're writing tandem two at a time on a one-seater.

They should be getting ready for school too, and instead, they're on these motorbikes.

So I just really wanted to be able to just ask you all.

Give our police the opportunity to be able to help us as the residents partner with us to be able to get this to stop, please, for the sake of my kids that I need to have a good rest.

And as you know, any parent over here, you have the responsibility of making sure that your child gets sleep and is ready for school the next day.

We tell our kids in the school district that we should be we should actually be modeling that and making sure that nobody is keeping our kids up in the middle of the night.

So I thank you for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Santana.

That's all the names I have on the list.

Um is anybody calling in remotely?

Okay, nobody calling remotely.

Does anybody else in the audience wish to speak?

anybody else?

Anyone else?

Hearing none, this concludes public portion public participation.

I'd invite uh any uh alder persons to comment briefly on what they've heard from the public.

Alder woman Belinda.

Thank you.

I'm disappointed that Mr.

Chase left because he referenced two of the mayor's uh colleagues who sat in his living room.

I was one of those colleagues who spent hours with him in his living room when I first came back to the council to learn about the issues on Allen Street.

I walked the neighborhood with Mr.

Chase with the entire state delegation with the two legislative chairs of the bonding subcommittee.

So there has been efforts beyond yourself, with all due respect, um, Alderman McNamara to understand what's happening at Allen Street and where we can go.

At the time you and I walked the street with our state delegation, and again the two chairs from Hartford.

They told us that if the city came up with one third of the price of the project, most likely our bond would go through at the state level.

Well, we have come up with six million dollars towards this project, and correct me if I'm wrong, the state bond commission came up with two.

So in the scale of who came up with what pot of money, City of New Britain, six million, state of Connecticut, two million.

When what was told to us is if we came up with a third, the state would pony up the rest of the money.

So I don't see it as the city of New Britain falling short on its promise or commitment.

I see the state is falling short on what they told us, and it was said to me as well as everybody else, including our state delegation who was there that day.

I am committed to keep finding money for Allen Street, but let's just put it in a very clear and factual uh perspective here.

We came up with the money we said we would come up with, the state did not.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any other uh remarks briefly?

Alder Woman Scott.

Hi, I just want to um thank well.

First, let me say peace and love.

I want to thank Frank for coming out.

Um, and I know you left a little early, but he may watch this later.

Um, and I'm sure he'll be able to hear what we're saying.

Um I think that you know, this just needs to be fixed.

I understand um it's there it was passed over before, and I think that's what he was referring to, where it should have been fixed prior to this.

Um, I had some really disturbing photos shown to me recently of some flooding on my street um where trash cans were literally floating, um, cars were sunken in.

I so this is an issue and hopefully it will get fixed, and the fact that it was not taken care of appropriately from the beginning is is a fair statement to make.

Um I hope that this petition for the multicultural business listing to get placed on our city website will happen this time.

I did ask for this in April, um, and it was ignored.

Um, and I'm hoping now that Michelle and I really worked hard on this for a few years, and I want to thank Michelle for coming out tonight and all the work that you have done on this, um, getting our businesses recognized, and so that we can know really where our businesses are and help support our businesses here in the city.

It's extremely important for economic growth in our city that we are supporting businesses, and that would include the multicultural business.

We are a very diverse city, and I think that this is very relevant for us to have here on our city website, and so that we can help prevent businesses from closing down, um, and so they can prosper and we can um grow our economic growth within the city.

It's super exciting.

This hasn't been done, and I really hope that this will be done.

Um, it's a working document, and it's I think it's beautiful.

Um for this Tina, thanks for coming out and talking about the street takeovers.

Um, that is extremely important.

And I I appreciate you bringing up the noise component because when we're hearing like all that noise, um, when someone is autistic or they have PTSD.

Um, even our cats and dogs.

I mean, they it's it's very upsetting um for people to hear all this loud noise um from the bike.

So thanks for bringing that up.

Thank you.

Thank you, all the women.

Any other members wish to speak.

Any others?

Any others hearing none?

This concludes that portion of public participation responses.

It is now seven fifteen.

Our regular meeting will begin shortly.

Good evening, everyone.

I would like to call to order this regular meeting of the New Britain Common Council.

The date is September 10th, 2025.

The time is seven twenty-one PM.

Mr.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

All the persons, McNamara.

Here, Smedley.

Sanchez.

Beloin Savedra.

Simpson.

Here.

Russell.

Barbosa.

Hargraves.

McAdam.

Gibson.

Scott.

Connors.

Belanowski.

Pabone.

Santiago.

Present.

Fifteen present, Your Honor.

Thank you very much.

Can we all please rise for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance?

Let us pray.

Oh, God, our Heavenly Father, as we mark the twenty-fourth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Give us the strength and resolve to stay together as a nation in defending our freedom and way of life, knowing full well that under your guidance, we will continue to be the greatest nation on earth.

We ask this in thy name, Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

Uh, from Alderman Smedley.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Earlier today, Charlie Kirk, an American political activist, was shot and killed while hosting a peaceful event on a college campus in Utah.

He's passionate about his opinions and ideologies, just like everyone else's, and especially people in this room.

Just like a lot of other people do.

And he does it peacefully.

And in return, he gets publicly executed.

This country is scary.

It's crazy.

Are there any questions or comments on the regular meeting minutes?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

I have no amendments to the agenda.

No, yeah.

So Mr.

Clerk, we'll move into petitions tonight.

I see quite a few.

Yes, Your Honor.

We have five.

First ones from Alderperson Beloin Savedra for the appropriate departments to conduct traffic and enforcement at the stop sign at Alexander Road and Country Club Road.

Thank you.

Number three from Alder Person Scott for a multicultural business listing category to be created on the visit nbct.com website within the visitor directory section.

We're gonna send that to the department of planning and development.

What I would just like to request though is that the attached document be sent as the Excel file to the department as well.

Okay.

Number four from Alder Person Scott for the New Britain Police Department to monitor the intersection at Waller Street and LaSalle Street.

Okay, and the last one from Alderperson McDemur for the Department of Public Works to assess deteriorating pavement on INOR and SACOM streets and make any needed pothole and cracking repairs under the pavement management program.

And to the public works department, please.

That's it, Your Honor.

Thank you.

We'll move along to the uh consent agenda, Alderman Santiago.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Honor.

Make a motion to accept the consent agenda of A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Oh, wait, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, uh B was less.

Excuse me.

Let me rephrase that.

Uh consent agenda of A, C, D, E, and F.

B would be taken off.

I have a second from Alderwoman Sanchez.

Any questions or comments on the consent agenda?

Mr.

Clerk.

All the persons, McNamara.

Yes.

Smedley.

Yes.

Sanchez.

Yes.

Beloin Savedra.

Yes.

Simpson.

Yes.

Russell.

Barbosa.

Hargraves.

McAdam.

Gibson.

Scott.

Yes.

Connors.

Yes.

Melanowski.

Yes.

Pabone.

Yes.

Santiago.

Yes.

150, Your Honor.

Motion carries.

Item B.

Did somebody want item B off?

If not, I'd say we can move on, Your Honor, because uh attached to the attached to the report was a detailed description of the ages of the vehicles being sold to private parties.

Your Honor, I make a motion to accept item B.

Thank you, Alderman Hargrave, seconded by Alderman Bolin Savedra.

And now open the floor for discussion on the item.

Anybody wants to discuss it?

All those in favor say aye.

Any opposed motion carries.

Item number one this evening, Alderwoman Savedra.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Gives me um actually great pride to stand up and ask for everyone to accept and adopt item number one.

Second second from Alderman Smedley.

This resolution went to committee where we had extensive conversation on it.

I'm very proud to have been the original sponsor of the resolution.

It is another tool in the toolbox for the police department in terms of what not only Miss Santana was talking about, street takeovers, but any type of aggressive gathering of folks in motorized vehicles with people who are there observing and cheering it on and video recording it and really trying to make a big event out of it.

So the state passed a law that allowed the cities to implement this, and I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Not only does it give the police officers uh additional enforcement tools, but it allows the confiscation of the vehicles, the forfeiture, and ultimately we can um destroy the vehicle and it increases fines not only to the people driving the vehicles but for the people who are encouraging organizing and cheering on this type of illegal activity.

So I hope all my colleagues will join me in support this effort to once again help the police department help us when we hear citizens' complaints about the dangerous activities.

Thank you very much, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Any other Alder Person wish to comment on item number one?

Alderwoman Scott.

Well, first I want to say um I was supposed to be reading this resolution, I thought, but that's okay.

Um this resolution is extremely important and it's necessary because it makes it makes um ways for us to keep um our city safer and address those safety concerns.

Many of my constituents have been complaining over the years about this because of the noise, the fear of being hit, and also the fear of accidents occurring and also the fear of the people who um are riding these bikes being harmed themselves.

So there's a huge concern with that.

Um I want to personally thank Bobby Schanch has and the rest of our state delegation for the work that they did at the state level of putting this in place.

So now it can be introduced throughout the state of Connecticut and municipalities such as New Britain.

So I support this resolution.

Thank you.

Any other elder person wish to speak on item number one?

Your Honor Alderman Santiago.

Your Honor, I rise to support this resolution.

Um as a bike rider myself, but a legal bike rider.

It it concerns me being a motorist behind these individuals, especially the youth, the young ones that are there not cognitive of what's going on behind them.

They decided to do willies, decided, you know, burnouts, everything that you know that is possible.

They're trying the concern.

The concerns I have is the chance that I might end up running one of them over if they make a mistake.

And it was multiple times that I've seen where I had the chance of that happening.

And thank goodness my quick reflexes, it didn't happen that way.

But they haven't some other times it hasn't been.

And um, I definitely support this 100%, and that I hope that these young individuals realize that you know we're you know cracking down on this and be more responsible and and uh more cognitive of where they're at.

And um, I like I said I rise for the support.

Thank you, Alderman.

The other Alder Person, Alder Woman Barbosa.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I wasn't gonna rise, but um this is very important.

I lost a brother to uh head-on motorcycle collision.

Um the last thing I want to see is for our mother go through what my mom went through because their child was out in the street recklessly.

My brother was a safe rider.

Unfortunately, um that evening it didn't turn out good for either him or the individual that the collision occurred with.

Um, so I'm asking for parents if you have children that are writing these things illegally and recklessly, please have the conversation with them about safety.

It's very important.

Our kids are very important, and like I said earlier, the last thing I would want is for any parent to have to bury their child over such type of reckless incident.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other alder person wish to comment on item number one?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye, any opposed, motion carries.

Item number two, Alderman McNamara.

Thank you.

Uh I make a motion accepting dot number two.

I have a second from Alderman Smedley.

Uh, this is uh resolution to uh approve licenses for the Festa Italiana to be held as General Amiglio on September 14th.

Uh I'd reference uh a report from the police commissioners that this will involve two officers, two cruisers, and some assistants from the Department of Public Works to have this good event uh take place with the street closure.

So I move adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions or comments?

Alderman Smedley.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh, I just rise in support of this event.

It's a fantastic community event that all are welcome to uh attend.

Of course, there's the uh 9:30 or 10 a.m.

mass um that will then uh have the procession from the church around the block to the General Miguel Italian Club.

And this year, new at the festival is a car show.

So I invite everybody to come down uh and check out the festivals all day.

There's DJs, performances, there's a watermelon eating contest, a spaghetti eating contest, uh, and a wine tasting contest as well.

So hope to see all of you there.

I will be uh helping out volunteering at the uh event.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye opposed.

Motion carries.

Item number three, uh, Alderman Santiago.

Alder Woman Sanchez.

Thank you, Honor.

Um I made a motion to accept an about item number three.

I have a second from Alderman Santiago.

Okay, thank you.

There uh this resolution is about the Puerto Rican Society Festival 2025, and is to authorize the to issue the new Brand Puerto Rican Society licenses for the festival happening Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 12th to 8 on High Street.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions or comments on this item?

Alderman Hargraves.

Thank you, Honor.

I just wanted to make note that um these back-to-back resolutions just show our heritage and our diversity here in the city of New Britain.

So I'm glad that we are able to celebrate both the Italian heritage as well as the Puerto Rican heritage, and they're just two blocks away, so people can visit both on the same day.

So I'm looking forward to this weekend, and I do urge adoption.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any other questions on this item?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed motion carries.

Alder Woman Sanchez, item four.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I make a motion to accept and adopt item number four.

Second.

Second from Alder Woman Savedra.

Thank you.

This resolution is related to the Puerto Rican flag racing ceremony and rails like this to her honor the mayor and the common council of the city of New Britain.

They own the sign back leave to recommend the adoption of the following.

Whereas the city of New Britain celebrates its cultural diversity, diversity and acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Puerto Rican community to the social, cultural and civic favorite of our city, and whereas the Puerto Rican community in New Britain has a long and proud history of leadership, family service, uh civic engagement that has enriched every aspect of city life.

And we're asked the Puerto Rican flag is a symbol of heritage, pride, resilience, and unity.

And raising in the heart of downtown New Britain reflects the city commitment to honoring this by brand community.

And now, through you, your honor, I would like to add a little bit of the history of the flag.

Thank you.

Um our flag was designed by Francisco Gonzalo Marin and created by hand by Mariana Brasetti Cuevas on December 22nd, 1895.

And in colors symbolizes red for the blood shed by our brave ancestors, blue for the sea and the sky, and the blue diamond means uh representative governments.

Uh white for peace, victory and liberty, the star symbolized the island itself.

Our flag flew for the first time on March 24, 1897, and our national anthem, La Borinqueña, uh was created in 1868 by Laura Rodriguez de Tio, and later was changed in 1908 by Manuel Fernandez Juncos, and officially adopted in 1952 as the official stand of Puerto Rico.

Although many do not know that in 1948, La Ley 53, Le Mordasa was imposed that law uh that law punish anyone who show uh show our flag in public with 10 years in prison.

The main intention was to persecute Dr.

Pedro Abiso Campos, and year later, uh a years later in 1957, the law and the prohibition of our flag were eliminated.

Since then, every December 22nd, approximately 5.9 million of Puerto Ricans living in the United States wave our flag with pride to honor and commemorate the sacrifice of our brave ancestors, those who fought and suffered despite all the racism, abuse, and attempt to destroy and erase our Puerto Rican identity.

Um as the Puerto Rican flag racing ceremony will take place on Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 5 o'clock at Central Park in downtown New Britain.

I and we'll bring together residents, families, and friends to celebrate and honor Puerto Rican Pride and culture.

And now therefore be it resolved that the New Britain Common Council through the sponsorship of other woman Sanchez, uh proudly recognize and celebrate the Puerto Rican flag racing ceremony to be held on September 12th, and encourage all members of the community to attend and join in honoring this important tradition.

Thank you and urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any comments on item number four?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Uh item number five.

Alder Woman Barbosa.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh, item number five is the uh resolution in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, and I'd like to read it into the record.

We need a second.

Oh, I urge adoption.

Second by Alderman Santiago.

Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from September 15th to October 15th of each year, granting us as a nation and a community the opportunity to join together and celebrate the diverse culture and acknowledge the abounding achievements and benefications of all residents with Hispanic roots.

And whereas Hispanic individuals have made major contributions to the development of our country and our city through leadership in government, business, education, sports, and the arts.

And whereas approximately 54 million Hispanic individuals reside in our country, making those with Hispanic roots the nation's largest ethnic or racial minority.

And whereas there are over 2.3 million Hispanic-owned businesses which have generated over 350.7 billion dollars in our national economy, making them an asset to our economic health.

And whereas the city of New Britain is honored to be a home to such an illustrious population and proudly recognizes all the accomplishments Hispanic men and women have made in developing this community.

And now therefore, be it resolved that the city of New Britain proclaim September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month and encourage all residents to celebrate with appropriate programs and activities that memorialize the contributions of Hispanic individuals to our nation and our community.

I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alder Roman.

Any other Alder person wish to comment on this item?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number six, uh, Alderman Barbos.

Thank you, Honor.

I make a motion to accept and adopt item number eight.

Item number six September as the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and I like to read this one into record as well.

Whereas ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women and often goes undetected until it is in advanced stages, making awareness, education, and advocacy critically important.

And whereas September is nationally recognized as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise public awareness about the symptoms, risk factors, and importance of early detection of ovarian cancer.

And whereas the signs and symptoms, symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be subtle, but may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly, urinary urgency or frequency, and it is essential that women and their families are informed so they can seek timely medical attention, and whereas advocacy efforts and community organizations play a vital role in educating the public, supporting patients and families, and advancing research that brings hope to women affected by this disease.

And whereas within New Britain, local health care providers, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations partner to provide resources, support services, and outreach to those impacted by ovarian cancer, ensuring that residents are not alone in their fight.

And whereas the city of New Britain recognizes the importance of honoring the courage and resilience of ovarian cancer survivors, supporting families who have lost loved ones, and uplifting, uplifting the work of those who dedicate themselves to advocacy prevention and care.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the New Britain Common Council hereby recognizes September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the City of New Britain, encourages residents to learn the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and expresses gratitude to the organization, healthcare providers, and advocates who tirelessly who work tirelessly to support awareness, research, and care in our community.

And I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any other comments on item number six?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Got Alderman Santiago, item seven.

Thank you, honor.

Make a motion to accept resolution number seven.

Another second from Alderman Russell.

Thank you.

Um I would also read this into record.

This is important.

This is something that actually means I was there in New York when this happened.

Um, but you know, I was to her to her honor, the mayor and the county council of the city of New Brand.

Whereas most Americans, individuals around the world will never forget the tragic event that took place on September 11, 2001, which shook the core of our great nation.

And whereas during these events, the people of this mighty nation joined together to help lift each other up to overcome the country's greatest threat and manifest to the world that man-made disasters and tragedies will not constraint the will of the American people.

And whereas throughout through our darkest moments, the lives of many were unjustly taken.

However, a resolution resolution to survive, love, and flourish was not diminished.

Strengthening strength, strengthening the foundation of what America was built upon, forever uniting the American people.

And whereas we come together to mourn all that was lost on September 11, we honor the memories of all those who substance gave some pain with some pain with their lives to fight such terror and pay tribute to the role they played in strengthening this tendency to work.

Tenuous nation and now therefore be resolved that the common council of the city of New Britain recognizes September 11th as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance as a reminder of all that was lost.

Gratitude for the many sacrifices made and to proclaim that the unyield strength of the United States of America cannot cannot be destroyed by any evil acted inflicted on this on its people.

And be for be it for the resolve that the Common Council of the City of New Britain encourage all to show support for this day of remembrance by exhibiting the flag of our great nation, the American flag outside our homes, our businesses, our municipality buildings in honor of of the many sacrifices of that heroic day, and join together to remember these events, honor all involved, comfort those who need comfort and show love with these defiance and deficiencies.

Item number eight, Alderman Santiago.

Thank you, Ronor.

I make a motion to accept resolution number eight.

Seconded by Alder Woman Sanchez.

And I also will read this one to the record.

Whereas each year on the third Friday of September, a nation observed National PO POW, MIA recognizing recognition day to honor the men and women of our four armed forces who were taken as prisoners of war or remain missing in an action.

And whereas the De Solemn Day is set aside to assure that the Americans remember that America remembers the sacrifices of those who defended our freedom, yet has not returned home, as well as to support their families who continue to endure uncertainties and loss.

And whereas the City of New Brun, with its proud tradition of military service and deep respect for veterans, stand united in honoring the courage, strength, and resilience of these heroes.

And whereas the POW MIA flag serve as a powerful symbol of our commitment to never forget those who have yet to return as a reminder of our responsibilities to account for every missing service member.

And whereas by recognizing this day, the City of New Brent reaffirms its dedication to supporting veterans, their families, and to keep alive the memories and sacrifices of our nation's prisoners of war and those missing in action.

By therefore be resolved that the city of New Brun, I mean the city of New City of New Bruns Common Council, the respect of the sponsorship of Alderman Santiago, formally recognize National POW MIA recognizing Day, honoring the bravery and the sacrifice of our POWs and MIAs and pledge to always remember them and support their families.

And I urge adoption.

Any additional questions or comments on item number eight?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number nine, Alderman Pabone.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh make a motion to accept item number nine.

I have a second by Alder Woman Sanchez.

This is uh to make uh September uh Luquinio Lathioma Method Month.

This is the disease that kills 54,000 people a year.

And in Connecticut alone, you're talking about 5600.

And I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions or comments on item number nine?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Alderman Santiago.

Your Honor, I would like to call for five minute recess.

I have a motion.

Is there a second?

Second.

All those in favor of going in recess, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

We're in recess.

The time is 748.

We'll be right back.

Sorry, guys.

Who's calling me?

Oh.

And so

Good.

Your Honor, I would like to make a motion to return back from recess.

Second.

All those in favor of returning, please say aye.

We are returned.

The time is seven fifty one.

Seven fifty-one.

And we are on item ten, and I will call on Alderman MacNamera for item ten tomorrow.

Uh thank you, Your Honor.

This is a uh resolution to commend uh residents of North Brighton Street for a neighborhood century celebration that I have a motion, please.

Oh, a motion.

Motion accepted adopts, secondary.

Second by Alderman Santiago, thank you.

Please continue.

Okay.

I have my speech here, and I was getting into it.

I came upon uh residents having a front yard get together in late June in hope during home national home ownership month, and they were eighteen uh homeowners celebrating the fact that their homes were a hundred years old or thereabouts on the street.

The street is in Belvedere section, which um Belvedere has a long history of uh affordable homes for generations of residents with interesting architecture.

Three of the homes on the street are Sears mail order homes.

Uh, when you could order a house from Sears Roebuck and get all the parts, and it would arrive.

So I just want to commend Barbara Legas and eighteen other homeowners from eighty-seven to one fourteen Brighton, who organized a neighborhood century celebration that will be repeated every year.

That's their plan.

And I think this is a a good example of what goes on in other in in neighborhoods throughout the city that uh people can come together, have pride in their homeownership, and it also brings people together in the community talking to each other.

So I uh move adoption.

Thanks.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any other questions or comments on item ten?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Uh the opposed motion carries.

Alderman Simpson.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I rise to accept and adopt item number eleven.

Very long story short.

Uh, the city has put a massive amount of resources into its safety action plan with its vision zero task force, and it's tying all these other city actors together essentially to tackle the issue of pedestrian fatalities, serious crashes, and whatnot in the city of New Britain to reduce those numbers to zero by twenty forty-five.

And hopefully this plan gets us across the finish line.

Irish adoption.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alderman Simpson.

Any questions or comments?

Alderwoman Savage.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I'm so glad this item is not being referred.

Thank you for that.

I I just rise as a member of the task force.

I didn't miss a single meeting.

Um it was a year of work, really good work, and some of the recommendations that came out are really positive.

Some things we were already ahead of the game with with Mir Stewart and the complete streets.

Um some of the highlights of the recommendations are the redesign of some dangerous intersections with priority currently being given to North Street, Martin Luther King and Stanley, that intersection where they all come together.

That's part of the recommendation coming out of this plan, along with um automatic uh automated street uh enforcement cameras for speeding and for red light cameras, people run red lights.

That's gonna be the following resolution that you see.

Sidewalks, increased lighting, changing the way we cross the streets in downtown New Britain to concurrent lighting, all of that.

Mr.

Moriarty could come up and briefly talk about because it really was a year worth of work and milling through a lot of data.

And I just think it's really good.

Um, since there was going to be a referral that as long as Mark is here and we're not going to refer Mark, maybe you could come up very briefly and just hit some of the highlights from the work that we did over the past year.

I appreciate that because I I really am proud of this, and the recommendations don't bind us, but they provide a roadmap for where we can go, um, hopefully with getting money from Crog to support those endeavors.

So, Mark, if you could just briefly hit some highlights about Vision Zero, and all of this information is on the city's web page.

Everything from the plan to all the supporting documentation to all our monthly meetings, all of that information.

If anyone wants to do a deep dive, is on the web page.

So um, Mr.

Moriarty.

Sure.

Um the safety action plan.

Um, we have one of the few plans in the state.

We have one probably the most comprehensive ones in the state.

Um, it was funded through a SS4A grant.

Um, it was an 80-20 split with 80% coming from FHWA.

Um, and we started in earnest working on this with the task force in May of 24, met monthly, sometimes a little bit more than monthly over the course of a year, um, just to come together and understand what we were looking at.

There was a lot of learning that happened there, a lot of collaboration early on as we were looking at the data.

What the plan did, um, we established a goal.

We talked about that last December.

Um the city council took the goal that was referred to them to the task force and established a vision zero goal of 50 cent 50% reduction of serious injury and fail crashes by 2035 and achieving vision zero by 2045.

Probably um a very difficult goal, but like a reasonable goal.

I think we we'd we have one of the better goals if you actually did a search of it, it makes a lot of sense.

Um we looked at five years of crash data in in the city between 2019 and 2023.

I think there was 6,000 crashes that happen over that period in time.

Um, on average, there would be 23 serious injuries or fatalities that happen in the city each year, so about two a month.

Um, and about three and a half, three to three and a half fatalities.

Um there's more than that that actually happened on the interstate and on the highway system, but those are ones that happen just on state roads or local roads.

We looked at given that crash data, we looked at emphasis areas.

We identified problematic intersections and segments of roads, combination of local roads and state roads that we know see more serious injuries, fatalities, and crashes in general.

We know if those crashes are speeding related.

We know how what percentage of the crashes are occurred by younger people, older people.

Over 50% of our crashes happen at intersections.

We just have a lot of data and a lot of things that we can help us make decisions on with that five years of data, and then looking at that data about where it happened in terms of mapping.

Um we did a lot of public outreach and engagement.

I personally attended a lot of events around the city, like younger action committee, senior center.

I mean, we we we went to a lot of groups, um, a lot of collaborative groups that a leader from that group was there that could reach out to other people.

Um we also had other five 500 people respond to our survey.

A lot of them took a lot of time to write up what their concerns were, and we read read those concerns.

We came up with plans like action items for the 34 locations that were either problematic segments or uh or intersections on our roads.

We came up with some general um other practitioners, and like one of them actually when you're looking at doing um safety improvements, it's kind of it's multifold.

It's education, encouragement, engineering, and one of the education ones was actually worth noting because New Britain in partnership with the Board of Ed did the Lincoln School Education Bicycle Education Program, and they actually just are receiving a vision zero award for that.

So that's that's happening.

It was nice uh to see one of the efforts that kind of is related to the safety action plan getting a state award for their vision zero efforts.

We also looked at policies and process changes, made recommendations for improvements with some of those.

We came up with strategy and project selections.

We have concepts for both um the intersection of Corbin and Lincoln, and also um MLK and North Street down to East Main Street.

We we have a good plan of action there.

So we have concepts, we have um high-level cost estimates for those two.

So we have all that and more.

Also, we we did a deep dive look at pedestrian activity in the downtown.

Some some of you are involved in that.

Um just looking at how people act.

What we found with that is our exclusive head phases really don't make a lot of sense.

Only 7% of people actually even comply with them, stand there, uh stand over on North Street over MLK.

You won't even see people in walkers or wheelchairs actually complying with them most of the time.

It's uh so we're making a concerted effort to go current LPI for those, and also um we looked at um what the next resolution is automated traffic enforcement devices, and um you know, those are being implemented in a number of communities successfully, and everyone I know that's implemented them so far has been very happy with the outcomes.

Thank you, Mr.

Moreau.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Any questions?

Alderman Gibson.

Yes, I just wanted to say I'm definitely in support of this.

Being official bike facilitator and trainer for the district, the school district.

Um it actually got me on a bike after 20 years, but uh the bigger component was um educating the young um young um people and uh of this gray city um in hopes that this education will continue on um throughout a lifetime, the safety and the rules of the rules so that that vision will come to fruition for not just those that are here now but beyond.

Thank you.

Any other questions, comments?

Alderwoman Scott.

I just want to um thank you for the work that you've done on this.

Um anything that's gonna keep our cities safe and our kids safe, like I had witnessed a hit and run.

Um, there's been quite a few accidents that have been getting reported to me where people's cars are just getting hit around the city as well now.

Um, so I'm just really I anything that can keep our people safe, and then I really appreciate the community engagement that you've had because I have seen that at several events, um, giving out like the flashlights and the different things from the Vision Zero.

So I think we need to just continue this work with this project, and hopefully, we'll address other intersections as we go on with this.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions, comments?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Any opposed motion carries other women's major.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to accept and adopt item number 12.

Second by Alderman Smedley.

Thank you.

This is about uh going into an agreement with a provider, a vendor, excuse me, for the automated traffic enforcement safety device.

Myself, Alderman McNamara, Chief Marino, Mark Moriarty, and CJ were on the committee that interviewed those that responded uh from Crog in the state list, they were uh pre-qualified, and we were unanimous in our selection of the vendor.

And I know this too was um going to be referred.

I'm glad it's not going to be, but I just want to say that there's five steps to putting uh speed cameras up.

The first one was the ordinance that we all passed with a slight uh amendment because the council wanted to make sure it came back here.

Today is step two, which is the selection of the vendor, but after today, when we pass this, the vendor works with Mr.

Moriarty and the police department to actually identify the locations within the school zones, and they have to come back to us.

So this does come back to the council again.

This isn't the end of our involvement in street, uh the cameras, the speed cameras.

It comes, they come back with a proposal, and we actually hold a public hearing on it.

So I know one of the aldermen was concerned about the public having input into the actual locations.

After the vendor works on it with Mr.

Moriarty and with the police, it comes back to the council.

We put it out to a public hearing and then we vote on it.

And then from there it has to go to the state DOT for final approval.

So there's many hoops for this to go through before a speed camera ever hits the streets of New Britain.

So I just wanted to give people a peace of mind that this wasn't the end, it was just step two out of a five-step process to get speed cameras on the street.

I also want to um highlight that it's cost neutral.

This vendor does not charge the city of New Britain any money.

The vendor is paid through the violations.

So it's cost neutral for the city.

I also wanted to say that this is another tool we talked earlier about giving police tools in the toolbox.

We hear all the time about speeding in the city of New Britain.

So I don't understand how anyone is opposed to a speed camera.

It doesn't ticket you.

The camera doesn't catch you and flag you until you're 10 miles over the speed limit.

And if you're driving by a school zone and it's 25 miles and you're daring to drive more than 35 miles an hour, you deserve the ticket, and I don't feel bad for you.

And this is something we need to give the police to help do their jobs.

They cannot be on every street corner at every school for every violation that occurs, but having this as a tool to help them is very important.

So I urge adoption.

Thank you.

Any other alder person?

Alderman McMahon.

Yes, I participated in the interviews and uh the uh where did the vendors come from?

They came from Krog uh from a board of which Mr.

Mariarty sits, I believe.

And the uh committee's uh decision on selecting this vendor was uh there was a consensus of who to pick.

I might add there was a dramatic difference in the per camera costs uh uh maybe by two thousand dollars or thereabouts.

And um I think as noted um only couple last couple of years, the number one thing we hear about our speeding and traffic situations and the need the kind of urgent need for traffic calming measures of which are contained and can be considered and other options uh through this process.

So I would I would uh say that the public will have input.

One of the questions that we had was uh uh we as all the people in the mayor's office hears from the public about with concerns about uh how is this gonna work.

Uh we're both pro and con.

So part of it's going to be an awareness to make the public aware of how this will work, and that as we put in the ordinance.

Um authorizing from the state legislation uh these devices.

Um there will be a public hearing on any locations that are selected with the emphasis on the six school zones in the city.

So I I uh also urge adoption.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other comments, questions?

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye opposed.

Motion carries.

Alderman Connor.

Good evening, Your Honor.

I um didn't expect to be called.

Oh, here he I make a motion to accept and adopt item number 13.

Second from Alderman Pabone.

As a uh new dog owner myself, I think it would be great if the uh police department could also get on the bandwagon.

Uh this provides for a $9,000 um expenditure to get a uh green pointer canine.

Um the dog will assist in uh very necessary tasks, including um locating pursuing fleeing suspects, search and rescue efforts, evidence recovery, detection of narcotics, and input money and community engagement.

Um dogs can both help protect the peace and get folks uh more engaged and and open up with with officers.

Funding is available in this uh through the department's budgeted account, and I do have one recommendation for a name that would not be uh too pandering, but would Stanley is a strong New Britain name for a dog, so just a recommendation.

I urged option.

Thank you.

Halder Woman's Vedra.

You're too late, Neil.

The dog's already been named.

His name is Yeti.

Um that's an inferior cooler.

I just I I don't know what to say about it.

That's the dog's name.

Um I they actually like the chief to come up, um, and I don't know if any of your officers are here too to support it.

I had the the privilege of several times over my tenure here on the council to go and visit the canine unit and meet some of the dogs, not only when they're out and about in the community, which is fabulous, and they're such sweet little puppies when they're out working with the kids, it's so hard to imagine that they're actually sworn officers, if you would, um, that have a real um difficult task at hand and serve serve us really well.

Um, but I did get to meet Yeti, and uh he's currently in training, and uh I asked the chief if he would be willing to speak on the program because I just think it's an awesome program, and I'm always over there trying to meet the new dogs and seeing what the handlers go through.

So, chief, if you wouldn't mind speaking to the program.

Sure.

Yeah, um, much like you said, we we take a lot of pride in the program.

Uh, we do consider ourselves with our canine unit to be one of the um you know more well-known canine programs throughout the state.

Um, this started under Chief Orwell when we first brought in uh the department's first bloodhound, uh Marley, who retired and actually recently passed away a couple months ago.

Um Stanley was the name of our other bloodhound who has since retired, which has opened the door for the newer canines to come on board.

Uh we do have the German short haired pointer, which is the second one the department will have, uh, Getty, and another shepherd that's come on board, Gus, uh, that was purchased through uh donations from Shaler, which was nice of them.

They're the second uh business in the community to assist us with the program.

Um and we're just very excited to get them through the state academy.

Uh Officer Slote, who is on his second bloodhound, uh Nori is recently become a certified instructor to actually teach other trainers.

Uh, and officer Oulette has been known to assist the state canon academy for the last several years.

So we're very much involved and do take a lot of pride in the work that they do.

Your Honor.

Um, if I may chief, it's five dogs altogether when the unit is complete.

Yes?

Yes.

Yeah, we'll have two shepherds, two short haired pointers, and the bloodhound.

Shaler just donated one of the dogs.

Uh, what was the other company that donated a dog that's already on?

Papa's, and that's Officer Munson's dog Dodger.

That's the next that's the big German Shepherd, right?

That everyone knows and loves.

Can you talk just briefly how you utilize the canine unit?

Uh it all depends on what they're needed for.

They're asked uh from by several departments across the state.

Uh, everybody knows the boathound obviously is for tracking.

Uh the shepherds are apprehension dogs, but also assist in in tracking and evidence uh collection, and the the German short haired pointers are strictly for evidence collection or tracking, I should say.

Thank you, Chief.

Yep.

Any other questions or comments?

Thank you.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Resolution number 14, Alderman Smedley.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I make a motion to accept and adopt item 14.

Second.

I have a second from Alder Woman Savedra.

This resolution is related to an amendment to the budget appropriation for capital improvement program fiscal year 2425, better known as LOSIP.

And unfortunately, there was a reduction uh in the funding, so the appropriate budget um items have been adjusted, and department heads have been notified.

The new total budget will be 1,515,489 and 11 cents.

Thank you.

I do urge it.

Thank you.

Any questions or comments on this reduction?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

Item number 15 tonight.

Is it alderman machinery?

Alderwoman Scott.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I make a motion to accept and adopt item number 15.

Second from Alderman Santiago.

Um, this is for public bid number four two oh nine, um, which was solicited um and received accordance purchase order for the city of New Britain to purchase sand used for snow and ice control for city streets during the 2025 and 2026 winter season for the public works department.

And this is very important because we need um snow.

Um we need to have sand to help out with the snow and the ice, and the purchase agent is hereby authorized to issue standing purchase order for 16.25 per cubic yard for the delivery of sand to the public works department city yard for snow and ice control of the city streets during the year 2025 to 2026.

So I urge adoption.

Any questions or comments?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Opposed motion carries Alderwoman Barbosa.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh, I make a motion to accept and adopt item number 16.

Second from Alderman Smedley.

This is the authorization to submit for federal highlands designation.

I'm not gonna read the full resolution, but I'm gonna read some uh major points to it.

The Highlands region encompasses more than three million acres of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Um, the Highlands region is an area of national significance, possessing substantial natural beauty, containing contiguous forests and productive farmland, numerous cultural and historic sites, plentiful recreation opportunities, and a protection and supply of important drinking water sources for over 15 million people.

And I urge adoption.

Second from Alderman.

And every month, over 30 trash containers on an average, need to be replaced or repaired.

And so we really need more cans.

And the funding is available for the purchase in the public works department account.

And I urge adoption.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed motion carries.