OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Britain Common Council Meeting: November 19, 2025 (New Term)

Common Council — Wednesday, November 19, 2025
BodyNew Britain, Connecticut
SessionCommon Council
DateWednesday, November 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:57

Transcript — Verbatim
2:19

Welcome all to the regular meeting of the common council for November nineteenth, twenty twenty five, start of the new term.

2:27

I want to welcome our new and returning all the persons to this first meeting.

2:34

We begin as always with public participation.

2:39

The time is now seven oh one.

2:42

I have a uh list here of speakers, and we'll call on anybody else who wishes to speak, or if anybody is calling in remotely.

2:50

Uh please remember to state your name and address clearly for the record and limit your speaking time to three minutes.

2:57

Um after such time, uh, we will give all the persons who have uh something to say about what they've heard, uh, a brief opportunity for remarks.

3:12

Our first speaker is Jim Sanders.

3:20

Good evening, Jim Sanders Junior, one seventy-two Kensington Avenue.

3:24

I am honored to be the first public participant of this new administration.

3:28

I'm a little shocked that uh former Alderman state representative and nephew of the mayor didn't take that opportunity.

3:34

That being said, I want to congratulate each and every one of you.

3:38

Um I'm happy to see so many former Alderman in the audience as well.

3:42

Um they're probably all here to give you a little bit of advice.

3:44

Um the one thing I can tell you is don't give a crap about what anybody thinks about you, care about that you're doing the right thing.

3:51

Know that you're doing the right thing in your heart.

3:53

I don't normally go um off of quotes, but a couple things stuck out to me that I came across recently.

4:01

And one is don't have an opinion where you're not willing to take responsibility.

4:05

Um, I think that's important.

4:07

And the better one that I found out uh that really uh I liked a lot was criticism is easy, responsibility is rare.

4:14

The moment you take owner ownership of the problem, you become the solution.

4:19

Before you fault someone else, ask where you can take ownership.

4:26

Most people criticize leaders.

4:34

Again, congratulations to each and every one of you.

4:36

Look forward to our first Latino mayor.

4:39

Thank you.

5:01

First off, congratulations to one and all before me.

5:04

It's hard to believe it was just a week ago we were standing on that stage and taking an oath, not to an individual, not to a political party, but to the citizens of this city.

5:14

And to represent one and all.

5:19

Tonight starts the hard work.

5:21

But I have to believe that we're all here for a common purpose, the betterment of the city.

5:26

To that end, I'm here to seek your assistance as well as that of Mayor Sanchez and any other state representative in the audience.

5:38

With regard to, I was at the school building committee meeting yesterday with a couple of your colleagues.

5:45

One of the things that concerned me was we have a 11 million dollar bill outstanding since reimbursement to the city for the homes project that's been outstanding since the end of September.

6:04

To amount to file for the same project once we receive the 11 million dollars.

6:10

So that's almost 20 million dollars that to do the city in reimbursement for that project alone.

6:16

The other thing that I learned too, um, and thank you to Mr.

6:20

Selena for bringing it up at that meeting is that um we still have some outstanding issues and concerns about funding level percentage of funding for the Smith project, as well as the especially the pre-K building.

6:36

So there are certain items that need to be addressed so that we hopefully can get 100% funding for that pre-K building and at least 95% on the reimbursement for the rest of Smith.

6:48

So I do ask for your assistance at whatever political poll you can bring to bear to make sure that the city gets reimbursed the funding that it needs.

6:59

Thank you.

7:03

Thank you, Ms.

7:04

Marino.

7:06

Third speaker is John Board.

7:17

Good evening, uh John Board of Seven Highland Terrace.

7:20

Um thank you, uh Ms.

7:22

Majority Leader.

7:23

Uh good evening uh to members of the council and newly elected.

7:27

Uh tonight the council will consider and adopt the standing rules of the council for the 2025-2027 term.

7:34

I want to speak not only about principles, but uh not only about procedure, but about principle, because rules aren't just technicalities.

7:42

Um they are reflection of what uh of what we value, what we respect, and how we're governed.

7:48

Uh, over the last several months I've been advocating for the inclusion of a Rule 14, a simple yet important addition to these council's rules that would establish clear expectations regarding public participation, decorum, and decorum modeled after the General Assembly rules.

8:06

It does not this rule would not silence anyone and it ensures that everyone gets to speak without being intimidated, interrupted, or disrespected.

8:16

Unfortunately, despite repeated outreach and what I believed was good faith conversations, there was no movement, there was no amendment, there was no discussions on this proposal, even after verbal commitments were made.

8:32

And I want to be very direct here because it matters.

8:35

Alderman Matt Demerit, you gave me your word that regardless of the election outcome, we would sit down and discuss this proposal.

8:44

You and I know that conversation happened about a commitment for a meeting.

8:48

Yet, despite my repeated follow-up, including yesterday, I really don't raise this as a point to embarrass anyone, but I raise it because words matter because commitments do matter.

9:02

In politics and in public service, the only real currency we have is our integrity, our willingness to honor commitments, even when they are unconvenient or unpopular.

9:14

If we cannot keep our word as something as simple as a basic conversation about a rule, then how do you expect the public to trust anything else that you say or do?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Public Participation████████████████████████24%
Public Safety████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Youth Programs█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Education███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Cultural Heritage███3%
Summary of Proceedings

New Britain Common Council Meeting: November 19, 2025 (New Term)

The New Britain Common Council convened for its first regular meeting of the 2025-2027 term, celebrating the inauguration of a new administration led by Mayor Sanchez and fourteen council members. Following public participation where community members offered advice and highlighted local needs, the council formally adopted standing rules, established caucus leadership, approved committee assignments, and approved a series of resolutions ranging from holiday proclamations to significant municipal funding grants.

Consent Calendar

  • All items on the consent agenda (items A and B) were approved unanimously by roll call vote, encompassing routine administrative motions and previously scheduled approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jim Sanders (172 Kensington Avenue): Expressed full support for the new administration's integrity. Advised council members to prioritize doing the right thing over public opinion, citing "responsibility is rare" and "ownership of the problem makes you the solution." Congratulated the body on the election of New Britain's first Latino mayor.
  • Barbara Marino: Expressed concern regarding a $11 million outstanding reimbursement bill for a homes project and funding levels for the Smith project and pre-K building. Sought assistance from the council and Mayor to secure 100% funding for the pre-K building and at least 95% for the Smith project reimbursement.
  • John Board (7 Highland Terrace): Expressed strong opposition to the adoption of standing rules without a discussion on a proposed "Rule 14" regarding public participation and decorum. Cited unfulfilled commitments made by Alderman Matt Demerit to discuss the proposal, arguing that silence on the matter undermines integrity and public trust. Requested a conversation or acknowledgment of the proposal before final adoption.
  • Kelly Naus (29 Cedar Street): Recounted personal history of trauma and a traumatic brain injury sustained while performing community service. Expressed frustration regarding former Mayor Aaron Stewart allegedly hiding a text message regarding the incident for 12 years. Stated respect for Alderman Scott Santiago and called for the council to respect those who have been injured while serving the community.
  • Joanne Vargas (66 Franklin Square): Expressed high support for the council's unity regardless of party affiliation. Urged the council not to overlook "Pathways" youth programs and emphasized the importance of alumni and youth support.
  • Lisa Liu (63 Bassett Street): Proposed that the council arrange more community cleanups across the city, suggesting them as a project for community service and youth involvement to improve city conditions.
  • Carlo Carlozzi: Advised new and returning council members to thoroughly review city packages, ask questions during caucus meetings, and communicate with department heads before voting to ensure full understanding of resolutions. Urged keeping taxes low, reducing costs, and maintaining safe streets. Highlighted the importance of police and fire departments.
  • Alderman Santiago: Responded to public comments, affirming a commitment to the "village" concept of support, stating he does not engage in Facebook arguments, and offering personal phone access. Vowed to honor commitments, though he could not promise Rule 14 would be adopted immediately, promising to revisit the conversation.
  • Alderman Scott: Responded to Kelly Naus's concerns by acknowledging she had been there two years ago regarding her injury. Encouraged the community to use the two monthly public forum slots to keep the council accountable.
  • Alderman Snedley: Expressed nervousness and excitement for the new term, asking for community patience while acknowledging the importance of the work ahead.
  • Alderman Ortiz Luna: Stressed the importance of mutual respect, advising against social media attacks (specifically comments about Democratic failure), and confirming her liaison role with the Board of Education. Noted that she and former residents now refer residents to current officials like Joel Thompson, Chief Marino, and Chief Ortiz.

Discussion Items

  • Adoption of Standing Rules: The council voted to accept and adopt the standing rules for the 2025-2027 term. Before the vote, Alderman Santiago clarified that while Rule 14 (regarding decorum) would not be added via resolution tonight due to the need for vetting against Robert's Rules of Order, both caucuses would have the opportunity to review the proposal.
  • Caucus Leadership: Alderman Santiago announced the Democratic Caucus leadership: Alderman John McNamara as Majority Leader, Alderwoman Wilma Barbosa as Assistant Majority Leader, and Alderwoman Luz Ortiz Luna as Assistant Majority Whip. The Republican Caucus self-identified Alderman Santiago as Minority Leader and Alderman Matthew Malinowski as Assistant Minority Leader.
  • Committee Clerk: Shane Livingston was sworn in as the clerk of committees via unanimous voice vote.
  • Committee Liaisons: The council unanimously adopted committee assignments and appointed the common council liaisons.
  • Holiday Proclamation (Item 1): Unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing November 20-27, 2025, and the month of November as a time for gratitude, reflection, and respect, honoring Thanksgiving.
  • Board of Education Appointment (Item 2): Unanimously appointed Richard Reyes to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education. Reyes, a former assistant majority leader and educator with 16 years in New Britain schools, was sworn in following the vote. Alderman Scott emphasized the need for more people like him to serve.
  • DUI Enforcement Grant (Item 3): Authorized Mayor Sanchez to execute grant documents with the Connecticut DOT for FY 2026 DUI enforcement. The grant is 100% state-funded. Aclerman Scott noted the department made 119 DUI arrests in 2024.
  • Tax Abatements and Corrections (Item 4): Approved resolutions for auto tax abatements totaling $44,168 and property tax corrections totaling $23,476.
  • West Main Street Surveying (Item 5): Authorized the Public Works Department to retain Martin Surveying Associations for $24,000 for the West Main Street Improvement Project, funded via the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program grant.
  • Stanley Loop Trail Connections (Item 6): Approved a project to improve trail connections, funded 80% by a DEEP Recreation Trails Grant with a 20% city match from Public Works.
  • Firefighter Training Grant (Item 7): Approved the use of over $300,000 remaining from a 2022 FEMA grant to contract training courses for the Fire Department.
  • Ground Cover Purchase (Item 8): Approved a purchase order for ground cover to capitalize on an off-season discount (saving 50% compared to waiting months), funded by the Parks and Community Services Departments.
  • Special Privilege Statements: Alderman Scott declared November as Native American Heritage Month and the following Thursday as a Day of Mourning. President Santiago announced November 19 as the 532nd anniversary of the discovery of Puerto Rico.

Key Outcomes

  • Standing Rules Adopted: The 2025-2027 rules were adopted by unanimous voice vote; Rule 14 was deferred for further caucus review pending a future conversation.
  • Leadership Established: Caucus leadership positions and committee assignments were confirmed by unanimous vote.
  • Richard Reyes Appointed: Appointed to the Board of Education to serve the remaining term, sworn in immediately.
  • Grant Authorizations: Several grant approvals secured, including 100% funded DUI enforcement, a $24,000 surveying contract, and a fire department training contract funded by leftover FEMA funds.
  • Proclamations: Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month were officially recognized by the council.
  • Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome all to the regular meeting of the common council for November nineteenth, twenty twenty five, start of the new term. I want to welcome our new and returning all the persons to this first meeting. We begin as always with public participation. The time is now seven oh one. I have a uh list here of speakers, and we'll call on anybody else who wishes to speak, or if anybody is calling in remotely. Uh please remember to state your name and address clearly for the record and limit your speaking time to three minutes. Um after such time, uh, we will give all the persons who have uh something to say about what they've heard, uh, a brief opportunity for remarks. Our first speaker is Jim Sanders. Good evening, Jim Sanders Junior, one seventy-two Kensington Avenue. I am honored to be the first public participant of this new administration. I'm a little shocked that uh former Alderman state representative and nephew of the mayor didn't take that opportunity. That being said, I want to congratulate each and every one of you. Um I'm happy to see so many former Alderman in the audience as well. Um they're probably all here to give you a little bit of advice. Um the one thing I can tell you is don't give a crap about what anybody thinks about you, care about that you're doing the right thing. Know that you're doing the right thing in your heart. I don't normally go um off of quotes, but a couple things stuck out to me that I came across recently. And one is don't have an opinion where you're not willing to take responsibility. Um, I think that's important. And the better one that I found out uh that really uh I liked a lot was criticism is easy, responsibility is rare. The moment you take owner ownership of the problem, you become the solution. Before you fault someone else, ask where you can take ownership. Most people criticize leaders. Again, congratulations to each and every one of you. Look forward to our first Latino mayor. Thank you. First off, congratulations to one and all before me. It's hard to believe it was just a week ago we were standing on that stage and taking an oath, not to an individual, not to a political party, but to the citizens of this city. And to represent one and all. Tonight starts the hard work. But I have to believe that we're all here for a common purpose, the betterment of the city. To that end, I'm here to seek your assistance as well as that of Mayor Sanchez and any other state representative in the audience. With regard to, I was at the school building committee meeting yesterday with a couple of your colleagues. One of the things that concerned me was we have a 11 million dollar bill outstanding since reimbursement to the city for the homes project that's been outstanding since the end of September. To amount to file for the same project once we receive the 11 million dollars. So that's almost 20 million dollars that to do the city in reimbursement for that project alone. The other thing that I learned too, um, and thank you to Mr. Selena for bringing it up at that meeting is that um we still have some outstanding issues and concerns about funding level percentage of funding for the Smith project, as well as the especially the pre-K building. So there are certain items that need to be addressed so that we hopefully can get 100% funding for that pre-K building and at least 95% on the reimbursement for the rest of Smith. So I do ask for your assistance at whatever political poll you can bring to bear to make sure that the city gets reimbursed the funding that it needs. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Marino. Third speaker is John Board. Good evening, uh John Board of Seven Highland Terrace. Um thank you, uh Ms. Majority Leader. Uh good evening uh to members of the council and newly elected. Uh tonight the council will consider and adopt the standing rules of the council for the 2025-2027 term. I want to speak not only about principles, but uh not only about procedure, but about principle, because rules aren't just technicalities.

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