April 8, 2026 New Britain Common Council Meeting: Cybersecurity, Paving, and Proclamations

The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on April 8, 2026, at 7:02 PM. The meeting opened with public participation, followed by roll call with 12 members present, an invocation, and a moment of silence for deceased Alderman Russell. The council recognized the New Britain High School Hurricanes cheerleading team for winning the CCC and state championships. The council then approved minutes, the consent agenda, and debated and voted on 14 resolutions covering street paving, cybersecurity, equipment purchases, and several proclamations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Benjamin Irvin, a resident, requested a no-parking sign at the dead end of his street due to ongoing issues with neighbors parking in front of his yard. He stated he had contacted the police and was directed to the council. The council took his information for follow-up.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the regular meetings of February 25, 2026, and March 25, 2026, were accepted.
• The consent agenda (Sections A and B) was adopted with 12 yes votes.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Milling and Paving Program: The council authorized purchase orders for bituminous concrete materials ($1,775,000 to Tilcon) and milling ($225,000 to Garrity Asphalt) for various streets, totaling $2 million. Public Works Director Mark explained that the streets selected are where gas main replacements were completed. Due to fuel cost increases, the city will pave 5 miles instead of 7 this year. Alderman Delerna inquired about pothole repairs and street condition management.
• Item 2 – Pavement Markings: Authorization for $75,000 to Safety Markings for pavement markings on various streets, coordinated with repaving.
• Item 3 – Trash and Recycling Containers: Authorization for $31,311 to purchase 504 rollout containers. Staff detailed the $75 replacement cost for residents, the rental program ($65/year for additional cans), and serial number tracking. Alderman Centano suggested possibly offering the first container free for new residents.
• Item 4 – Cybersecurity Contract: The council approved a three-year $66,000 per year subscription with Codbell MDR for managed detection and response, including a $25,000 breach response fund. IT Director John Delgadio stated this replaces the previous system (Silence) and provides 24/7 physical monitoring with automatic quarantine capabilities. He noted the system is already in place under the insurance policy responding to a recent cybersecurity incident. Council members expressed strong support for the enhanced security, with many emphasizing the importance of proactive protection.
• Item 5 – HVAC Replacement: Authorization for $26,203 to replace the data center HVAC with two mini-split units.
• Item 6 – Reporting Tool: Authorization for $12,958.93 for a Central Square reporting module to meet federal and state requirements.
• Item 7 – Property Records Subscription: Authorization for $16,130 for Vision Government Solutions, used for managing property records, grand list, and land records.
• Item 8 – Property Sale: Authorization to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement with RMS H H I L L C for 125 Columbus Blvd and an additional 0.44 acre parcel for a low-to-moderate income housing project. The additional parcel was omitted from a previous resolution, and the cost remains unchanged. Discussions noted the developer may request to lease additional parking spaces from the city.
• Item 9 – Youth Violence Prevention Grant: Acceptance of a $25,000 grant from the Connecticut Judicial Branch for the New Britain PAL program.
• Item 10 – Distracted Driving Overtime: Acceptance of a $39,955 federal overtime reimbursement for police to reduce distracted driving.
• Item 11 – Autism Acceptance Month: A resolution recognizing April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month. Alderman Vargas shared personal experiences as a parent of a child on the spectrum, noting increasing diagnosis rates and lack of community supports. Alderman Simpson stressed the importance of making tasks accessible. Alderman Scott highlighted a police registration database for individuals with autism.
• Item 12 – Fair Housing Month: A resolution endorsing fair housing policy and recognizing April as Fair Housing Month, reaffirming the city's commitment to equal housing opportunities. Alderman Simpson noted the federal government's lower bar, emphasizing the need for local action. Alderman Scott echoed the importance.
• Item 13 – Earth Day: A resolution recognizing Earth Day and announcing a cleanup event on April 25 on North and Oak Street, sponsored by the NRZ.
• Item 14 – Child Abuse Prevention Month: A resolution recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Alderman Scott referenced a recent local tragedy on Clark Street involving a child named Mimi, urging the community to report concerns and protect children.

Key Outcomes

• All 14 resolutions were adopted, each passing by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.