Regular Meeting of the New Britain Common Council - October 8, 2025
Regular Meeting of the New Britain Common Council - October 8, 2025
The Common Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:17 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public participation, approval of a consent agenda, multiple zoning amendments, several proclamations, contract approvals, and an executive session for a labor agreement. All votes were unanimous.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Frank Chase (24 Roxbury) criticized city officials, alleging mismanagement and political delay of the Allen Street storm sewer project. He cited bond ratings (Moody's positive, Fitch positive, S&P stable) and questioned why the city does not fully fund the project despite favorable financing options. He accused Mayor Stewart and Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra of misleading voters and neglecting Ward 4.
- Christy Delaklia (soccer/band park mom) raised safety and accessibility concerns on John Carbonic Way near the high school, noting lack of proper pavement and railings leading to the soccer field. She urged support for improvement efforts and mentioned New Britain Soccer Club's openness to walkthroughs.
- Lisa (caller) spoke about organizing community cleanups around the city.
- Council members thanked the speakers; Alderwoman Scott noted the misleading $4 million transfer and encouraged continued engagement.
Discussion Items
- Petitions: Three petitions were referred to the Police Commission: (1) Alderperson Scott's request for traffic enforcement on West Street at Willow Street (concerns about congestion and stop sign violations near Smalley Academy); (2) Alderperson McNamara's request for a stop sign at Ruth Road and Farmington Avenue; (3) Alderperson Santiago's request for a traffic study to convert the intersection of Beach Street and Oakland Avenue to a four-way stop.
- Consent Agenda (Items A–R): Approved unanimously without removal. Included reports on claims, City Plan Commission recommendations for zoning amendments (day care facilities, fences in CBD/historic districts, lot coverage, mechanical screening in industrial districts, off-street parking regulations), executive sessions for litigation settlements (Cocheo and Margelot), Finance Department monthly check report, Public Works responses to requests for signs and road repairs, and Zoning Subcommittee recommendations.
- Item 1: Amendment to allow day care facilities in certain business districts. Adopted.
- Item 2: Amendment regarding fence heights and placement in CBD and historic districts. Adopted.
- Item 3: Amendment to adjust lot coverage/impervious coverage requirements in A-2, I-3, and TOD districts. Adopted.
- Item 4: Amendment related to mechanical screening in industrial districts. Adopted.
- Item 5: Amendment to add maximum driveway/curb cut width for residential properties and regulate tandem parking. A strike-all amendment was adopted to correct wording, then the resolution as amended was adopted.
- Item 6: Resolution recognizing October as Indigenous Peoples Day. Alderwoman Scott spoke about honoring history, addressing systemic injustice, and raising awareness of missing indigenous women and high suicide rates. Adopted.
- Item 7: Resolution recognizing October as Italian American Heritage Month. Alderperson McNamara highlighted contributions of local Italian American organizations. Adopted.
- Item 8: Resolution recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Alderwoman Barbosa read statistics: 1 in 8 women risk invasive breast cancer, 1 in 36 die; over 2.8 million survivors in the U.S.; 2,360 cases in men annually. Adopted.
- Item 9: Resolution recognizing October as Polish American Heritage Month. Alderperson Malinowski noted General Casimir Pulaski's legacy and contributions. Adopted.
- Item 10: Resolution recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Alderwoman Scott shared personal experience as a survivor and referenced incidents in the city; a moment of silence was observed. Adopted.
- Item 11: Authorization to hire Kent and Frost for $33,000 for remaining design and construction services for the Willow Street Park Improvement Project (previously approved $1.6 million in bonding). Adopted.
- Item 12: Approval of agreement between the City and Local 1186. The council entered executive session to discuss, then returned and adopted the resolution.
- Item 13: $229,258.88 to W.I. Clark for a John Deere loader for the Public Works Utilities Division. Adopted.
- Item 14: Contract with Millenium Builders, Inc. for $33,977,752.19 for the White Bridge Waterworks Facilities (upper and lower wellfields and pond pumping station), funded via a $40 million state low-interest loan. Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra and Alderperson McNamara noted this is the city's only secondary potable water source and emphasized the loan's critical role. Adopted.
- Item 15: Five-year agreement at $4,500 annually with Nexgen for VIF Care, a software integrated into computer-aided dispatch that allows residents to register disabilities (autism, dementia, etc.) via an app to inform first responders. Alderwoman Beloin-Saavedra and John Delgadillo (presenter) described the system's benefits. Adopted.
- Point of personal privilege: Alderwoman Sanchez requested a moment of silence for State Representative Hilda Santiago's son, Moises, who passed away. Observed.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items (A–R) were approved unanimously.
- All zoning amendments (Items 1–5) were adopted.
- All proclamations (Items 6–10) were adopted.
- Contracts and agreements (Items 11–15) were approved, including the executive session for Item 12.
- Three petitions were referred to the Police Commission.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I have two names on a list which I'll call on and we'll check if anybody else wants to speak either remotely or in person. Yes, you please state your name and address for the record, and you have three minutes to share your thoughts. First name is Mr. Frank Chase. Frank Chase, 24 Roxbury. So we are clear. The City of New Britain's bond ratings are Moody's positive, Fitch positive, SP stable. These bond ratings give New Britain the ability to receive favorable financing at competitive rates in order to invest in projects to improve the quality of life for our taxpayers. These projects include upgrades for compromised storm sewer systems. So we are clear. And by increasing our expensive water pumping and treatment costs, an additional tax on all of us. We are forced by Stewart Beloin Sevidra to live in third world flooding and sanitary backup conditions while they blame the state for not providing the shortfall financing. Governor Lamont and State Representative Bobby Sanchez were instrumental in providing two million dollars in state bonding to the city for the Allen Street project. Since Stewart Beloyne Sevidra have the cash on hand and the favorable financing options to fund these essential taxpayers' services, why do they refuse to fully fund and construct the Allen Street project? The Allen Street project is the sole responsibility of our city officials, including Stuart Beloin Sevidra. Could Stuart Beloyne Sevidra be delaying the Allen Street project for political gain gain, blaming Democrats for these delays to unfairly influence our voters? It seems that bad behavior has been accepted by our local Republican political operatives. Days before the twenty twenty-three election, Stewart and Dorsey approved and conver confirmed a four million dollar transfer from the general fund to public works for the Allen Street project. It proved to be a contrived phony transfer. Our quality of life continues to suffer and our safety continues to be in harm's way. Candidate Beloin Sevidra's dishonest spin and callous take on the Allen Street project, which adversely affects the taxpayers and residents and ward four is unacceptable. Mayor Stewart has the authority to correct these hazardous conditions, which he has refused to do. It is Mayor Stewart's sworn responsibility to protect and serve her taxpayers and residents and residents in Ward 4. She continues to fail all of us. We have closely monitored the Stuart Beloin Sevidra behavior pattern for two years. Their caustic spin occurs when they are called out for neglecting and mismanaging the Allen Street project. As Stewart has demonstrated with her behavior, we will have more of the same with Beloin Sevedra, better known as Stewart 2.0. We have debunked all of Stewart Beloin Sevidra's talking points. Excuse me. The experts have weighed in the Allen Street storm sewer infrastructure is at crisis levels. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chase. Our next speaker is Christy Delakia. Hello friends. I'm Christy Delagila, soccer band tennis, and park mom. I just wanted to make everyone aware of some um safety and accessibility concerns on John Carbonic way near the high school. Many of you know the stretch of road well. Uh when talking to people, the general consensus has been the same that it's kind of dangerous, and it's been that way for at least 20 or 30 years. My oldest walks this road for band and g and junior varsity soccer, often at night, and my younger two are there for soccer as well. Since I'm usually running late, I end up parking in the overflow and juggling two little kids who absolutely refuse to hold on to their balls. I also have elderly family members who help sometimes with rides, but because there's no proper pavement or railings going down to the field. The good news is there's been some positive chatter and planning about improving this area. The reason I want to bring this up now is because I just love everyone who can to please help support these efforts as you see them and when they come across your desk. Safety and accessibility improvements near the soccer field would make a real difference for families, kids, and community members who use that space every day. Also, Chris Cartali from New Breton Soccer Club is always at the field and offering tours if anybody wants to do a walkthrough with him. Thank you. Thank you, Christy. I have no other names on the list, but uh is anybody calling in? And the four digits are seven zero six nine.
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