So we'll see one column.

I want to get the name of the coming.

I don't think we'll get more than that.

I'm good.

It's not really.

I think so.

I think that's a really good idea.

And it's like a big one.

Same thing.

I think that the shape is a feeling.

So again, I don't know about it.

I think that's what we call the class.

You can also do it.

Can we talk about how we talk about this?

I don't think about how much we're going to say.

That's the reality of what I mean.

Do you want the thing or do you want to do it?

I guess I want to play that.

So you can put it on the body of the team.

I'll add it to the main.

So I'll do it.

Oh, so you have to do it right.

It's the side from the main moment up to see that.

Okay.

So I guess it's like a little bit of a good idea.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, you don't have any.

We don't have one of those.

Like, slip up or stick a lot of them all the time.

It's only about the same.

No, no, no.

I don't know what I have for the past three years.

Oh, we'd be fine.

It was in an old choice.

Isn't that going to be true?

Oh, no.

That's what it was.

I can draft it for you and then you can slip.

Yeah.

Because you speculated.

I don't want to grab it.

Oh, you can't hold up.

Yeah, let me have that.

I'll sit down.

So, you know, somebody can check it off.

I just choose that smaller.

So, I'm not going to do that.

I don't know if it's not your own.

Oh, yeah.

I think that's not going to be a red.

Yeah, I know.

Yeah, I think that's a function of the uh, yeah.

Okay, so you can see that.

I think we're going to make it every single one.

So you can use that.

Oh, I'm not going to have to find the one.

So we can't do all the hard work.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

Well, really, we're going to have to do that.

So, maybe the deal is the deal with the value of the uh three model.

So, I think that we have a remote.

Okay, I think it's not around.

And then we have to do it.

But I got all the time, to change the point.

Okay, well, then we can try that.

We shouldn't tell anyone in the well, you know what I'm saying?

No, then you're fine.

So, yeah, yeah.

So, I have to buy it.

I think it's a good thing.

Yeah, but it's weird.

Yeah, yeah, you can find there.

I just tweeted it.

We need to do it.

I agree with that.

I got the one, I think.

No, you feel like you're going to be a good one.

Yeah, I think it's a weaker.

Oh, regular me?

No, I know.

We're limited in two minutes.

Oh, yeah.

Like the like, it's a regular me.

So, we're seeing the methods, you know.

Okay, so the system is going to have another one.

You went up to it.

Okay.

That's still a lot of records.

Okay.

Yeah.

Take away, you have to go to the back.

I mean, I think we're not going to set up.

Yeah, the other part of the other.

Oh, that's not that one.

I was like, I think it's a long time.

I thought you were about the two.

And a little bit of these balls.

Oh, we don't want to see that.

Yeah, no, no, no.

They opened a waterberry originally.

I think they have an opening.

Yeah, no, yeah, that's where we could send it out.

Oh, yeah.

So we didn't have to find out.

And we'll save it away from the clear.

But I didn't I enjoy the running the waterberry.

So, it's over.

I don't know if that's a nice.

Because what we probably could have highlighted.

I didn't have to think I think that I need to see what he's doing.

Yeah, we're not going to have to go.

Okay, but we couldn't come to the and then you are not going to use it.

Yeah, we'll call it a bunch.

I mean, to just get up there and start saying, I do that in a way.

So let's see.

What am I doing?

Which one thought you had to do it?

So you have to do which one didn't find my speech.

But you know, it's okay.

We are always on it.

Well, we have a video, so yeah.

We are uh my anomalies.

Apple mass or the whole uh we got it.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Yes, he does.

No, someone say I didn't do the other things.

I like this little.

Oh no.

I know what it is.

Okay, so she says to my cousin, she did ask, you know, to the cousin.

Yeah, I don't know, but I think you're sending that.

Oh, and then we are and they're doing it.

Well, my mother celebrated the 90 seconds.

And I could tell how tired she was.

She was at the end.

I mean, version at that point.

It was like I was like the last one that was a month before she passed.

But she had to get the bottom, because we couldn't take away any more.

Are you crazy?

Sure, we'll get two eight.

I said twenty four hours, two eight.

And a hard left, yeah.

And a hard left.

Okay.

Because that's what we'll do.

And um anyway.

So um issues.

And I need to reach out, yeah.

So we had this party for her, we had all these meetings here.

I try and uh get it on the road.

And then two weeks later she said to me, you know.

You know, what're not saying no water.

No medication.

Oh she had said anything.

Like, she's talking about sixty sixty five.

I can't see any of the when I can't when I can't sew, when I can't do this, when I can't do that.

I don't want to be here again.

That's what I know.

And at that point, she realizes she would be more.

No, I know.

You can't do regular meeting under the way.

Let me see if there's anything else.

Oh no, good.

Welcome to the May 27th, 2026 regular meeting of the common council.

We'll begin with public participation.

Ask anybody in the audience or anybody calling in remotely to state your name and address for the record.

Your speaking time is three minutes.

And please address your remarks to the chair and not to members of the council or the audience.

And I have on the list Mr.

John Kristapek.

It's now seven fifty.

I'm the only one on the list.

Yes, John, you only have three minutes though.

John Kristapic, two ninety two Linwich Street.

Thank you.

For this opportunity.

Congratulations all around for the increased state state funding for the schools.

Hope Sandra Sand Sandra Sanford kept her job.

We will be looking forward to results.

And congratulations to the total funding for the Ellen Street project.

Special thanks to Ward 4, Council members, past and present.

And a great job, Frank Chase.

I know Mary's doing a fabulous job.

It's been two years, three years.

So the high railer.

Just sold.

To the same buyer of the Brit.

It's a private family office.

In other words, these people have a lot of money.

And they don't need to be a corporation.

If it was taxed at 70% of the sales value, that would be $835,000.

I believe they got the sweetheart $50,000 a year tax break.

They plan to introduce operational efficiencies and enhance the building's lifestyle offerings.

What does that mean?

And I'm wondering, have the new owners reached out to the city?

You know, when you move into a neighborhood, you stop by the neighbors, say hi.

The games politicians play.

Hasn't hard hit in New Britain been in the news enough lately?

What's going on with Ward II?

A Republican lawsuit.

Colin Osborne.

He's an affiliate.

No, he's a Democrat.

Jamie Vaughan.

Table pending the lawsuit.

There's 10 Dems for Republicans.

What's the big deal?

Is this the Lords and the Earls again?

Just the citizens of New Britain deserve better.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Christophe.

Is anybody calling remotely?

The last four numbers?

Caller with numbers 8490, name and address, and the floor is yours.

Caller 8490.

Go ahead.

One more time.

Caller 8490, name and address, and the floor is yours.

I think they've left the building.

Does anybody else wish to address the council?

anybody?

Good evening.

My name is Desiree Acosta.

I live at 193 Amherst Street, New Britain, Connecticut.

I wasn't supposed to be here tonight.

I was at my granddaughter's spring concert, but raced here when I found out that we had a special meeting that nobody knew about until today.

So I'm going to read to you the email that I sent all of you to consider for tonight before you were going to vote on the budget.

No offense, Mr.

Moriarty.

If this council is prepared to fund new administrative positions elsewhere in the city, government during a challenging economic period, including a new deputy director position in public works, then the argument that the economy is too difficult to properly fund education becomes inconsistent.

When the superintendent uh superintendent presented educational needs, many on this council questioned staffing, questioned additions, questioned expenditures, and emphasized fiscal restraint.

That same scrutiny and standard should be applied consistently across all departments.

I also asked this council to revisit previously proposed tax increases, conduct a serious reexamination of the amended April 17th budget proposal before once again placing the burden of austerity on to students, educators, and families.

For years, members of this body argued that prior administrations repeatedly shortchanged dishchanged the district and failed to properly fund education for nearly two decades.

I agree.

We agree on that.

Many current elected officials campaigned directly on promises to prioritize and strengthen public education funding.

The mayor himself said, I'm going to build a new high school, but I'm not going to fund the staffing you need for the high school.

Now, while serving in positions of authority, some appear prepared to continue the same pattern that we criticized.

I know you can't answer.

Have members of this council actually met with the superintendent or board of education members to discuss their specific concerns regarding district leadership, budgeting, operations, or performance?

Have meaningful conversations occurred?

Have questions been formally investigated?

Or does the rhetoric about failing districts simply continue to circulate publicly without substantive engagement or evidence-based analysis?

Because the reality is that the district is showing improvement under the current leadership while operating with fewer resources and continued financial strain.

If concerns genuinely remain, then elected officials have a responsibility not merely to repeat criticisms, but to actively investigate them, collaborate, and participate in solutions.

Public education cannot continue to serve as the easiest place to impose cuts while other departments expand.

If this council believes there are operational or leadership concerns within the district, then address them directly, transparently and constructively.

But withholding adequate funding from students is not accountability.

It is punishment imposed on children and educators for political disagreements among adults.

The district needs uh do not disappear because funding them is difficult.

Leadership requires making difficult investments, not repeating the same cycle of underfunding that previous councils rightfully condemned.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Cost.

Anyone else wish to speak?

Anybody else?

Mr.

Canzero.

That wasn't good enough, but Paul Canzero 250 Hill Hurst Avenue.

Um just real quick.

I I kind of agree.

I walked in, I didn't understand.

I come to mayor's at the podium.

I wish there was a better notice about this.

So what it's what's done is done.

But more about what happened, what is continuing to happen with the investigation in our city.

Uh it's a very, very sad situation.

Nothing to make light of, nothing to be on Facebook about every other day by some people in this room.

Think and they're educating the public.

I think that's not valid.

Let this let the investigation go where it's maybe I was here right after the probe in the 60s.

You guys don't even know what I'm talking about.

When everybody bought their jobs, and it took a long, long time to get that black cloud off of New Britain.

And this is and this might be worse.

This might be worse.

Um, I understand we're not getting any applicants for the finance director.

I wonder why.

Really, really hurts.

It hurts.

Not saying anybody should get away with anything.

What was done was done with the investigation finish and then let things fall where they may.

But this is nothing to make light of some of the memes, they're just very sad and very uh outrageous, uh, they see on the post.

But social media, social media.

We have no control over that, except the people here are supposed to be professionals again.

I try not to answer sometimes.

I get very frustrated, though.

It's it's for me, it's a very sad, sad, sad day.

Um so that's all I want to say.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Canzero.

Again, I have I have no more names on the list.

Nobody else is called in.

Oh, we the lost caller is not returned.

Does anybody else wish to speak?

Anyone else wish to speak?

One more time.

Anybody else seeing none?

This closes this portion of the meeting.

Invite um any older persons to respond to what they've heard.

Hold on, Scott.

I always look right and I should look left once in a while.

Thank you, John for coming out, and I appreciate you coming.

You come a lot and you give good information.

I appreciate hearing what you have to say.

Um, it is super embarrassing what is going on like on social media and stuff.

Um, and we do deserve better than this.

Um, we what's going on with the whole filling of the seat.

I believe it's a charter problem that we have.

Um, we should be electing that person to fill that seat, and I think that's why there's always this debate.

It happened back when Manny Sanchez went, it happened again when we appoint another person.

It's just it's kind of um awkward how we appoint people here, I think.

That's just my opinion.

Um, and no, they did not say hello yet.

So to answer your question, or at least not to me, and think, and I'm so happy that the Allen Street and congrats to Frank Chase.

Desire, thanks for coming.

I really appreciate your passion um for the education.

It is it's definitely on the top of my list.

I care more about children um than anything else because they're our future, and so it is extremely important to fund.

I had some things I wanted to say, I didn't get a chance.

Um I agree, this was kind of rushed.

I was rushed too to get here.

Um, and I'll be honest, and um I did have some things I wanted to say and get a chance to say.

I won't read all of it to keep everybody here all night, but I do uh the parts that I do agree with this budget, even though it's not filling the whole entire it is a sustainable for education to increase over time, which it has not in so long, and I just that's the part that I do like about it.

Um as a single mom, um it's important to continue to like to look at things and prioritize your spending and make sure that you're trying to work towards sometimes you might not have everything that you need in that moment, but you just you work towards it like I I live that I live that life afford it.

Right, it's a long it's a long time coming.

Please there's no dialogue, yeah.

Uh when the council's responding.

When we're wrong, we're wrong.

Respectfully, Chair.

So it is, it is a priority to me a hundred percent.

That's right.

And um to fund our education, um, is it's so important.

Our kids, if they don't learn, they can't be productive citizens in this world.

So it's our job um to make sure that we're doing the best that we can as a community to come together and work towards um improving that.

And Paul, thanks for coming.

And again, like with social media, I don't agree with bullying anywhere, online or off.

Um, we just need to be kind to each other, and so thank you so much for coming.

Thanks.

What they've heard in public participation.

Anyone else?

All the one modernato.

I just want to say thank you to everyone that came up and show up this way.

I understand your frustration um from board two.

We can connect, we can talk, we can see if we can do things together.

I'm here, you have my information, and for the other ones keep advocating.

I believe in receiving engagement, and there's a way on the other one, and this is the right way.

Thank you.

Oh, the one potentially.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

So I did.

I ran on um funding education.

Um, and I am a big believer in funding education.

Um, but I also have to protect taxpayers also.

Um, not every resident has children that go to school.

Um we just can't afford to raise taxes.

I know I can't afford to pay any more taxes more than what I pay.

Um, and then I just wanted to share this.

Um, it shouldn't take a community to come and advocate for education, to no brainer, right?

They do need money.

However, um, you know, there's there's more to the story.

Um, me as having a uh a child, that's not a 504 plan.

I've been fighting with my school for a year to try to try to upgrade it to a EI AIP uh uh plan.

And I've been denied and denied and denied.

So it did frustrate me when you have people here asking we need more money for um for children in need, because I've been advocating for my son for a year and I'm getting no results.

Um, but with that being said, um I I believe that I did the right thing and in voting for this budget the way it is, um, it addresses infrastructure.

It it uh addresses sidewalks, it addresses uh funding for education.

I don't think we've ever received this amount of money from our set state delegation.

Um, and that's the the partnership that the mayor has with the state delegation, and that's why we were able to receive so much money.

Um but again, you know, we do have other projects that need to be done, and throughout the investigation that's going on, right?

We're learning that funds weren't used properly the way they should have been people getting uh not paying what they're supposed to pay for interest, penalty fees, not paying their bills, and that affects a budget too.

Um so again, next year um we'll be able to look at the budget again.

Hopefully, we can increase education.

Um just cancel away it.

We can't make up twelve years plus in one year's budget.

It's impossible without raising taxes.

So again, we just have to play catch up little by little.

Thank you.

Any other member wish?

All the women to Learnia.

I'm not quite sure what I want to say.

Um I am frustrated.

This was a last minute meeting called where's the transparency for the public to come out and hear what transpired.

Um, we tried to add additional funding to education through an amendment that was shot down.

It would not have increased taxes, so I apologize for that, but we did try.

And um, again, I'm disappointed that more more of the public wasn't out here for this meeting to see what transpired.

Thank you all.

I just um I just want to say I share the I share the frustration about equitable school funding at the state and local level.

In our dialogue with the superintendent uh he shared and we discussed the flatlining of that MBR over the last 12 years that I know you a member of the audience.

We can't have a dialogue uh fought for on this council.

Uh but again I want to reiterate uh as all the one said, uh sustainability for schools is gonna take more than a year once we balance the needs in in uh operating the city as a whole.

Uh I think we've given certainty to the Board of Education, which meets I believe Monday night, on how they can reshape the budget so that frontline staff and student facing, including the 49 uh untenured teachers whose names were write off on April 23rd.

I hope we've given them certainty and also the largest increase from the state and an increase in the NBR, which will be repeated year over year if I have a vote.

So but I think uh we need advocates, so we need the kind of advocacy we had this year to turn the corner.

So uh thank you.

Uh I tried to have the last word to let everybody anybody else hearing none.

This portion of the meeting is over at 8 09.

The regular meeting will begin shortly.

I don't think about it.

Can members please find their seats?

I call the order the May 27, 2026 regular meeting of the Common Council.

The time is now 816 PM.

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Alderman McNamara?

Here.

Alderwoman Scott?

I'm here.

Alderman Simpson.

Here.

Alderman Smedley.

Alderman Malinowski.

Alderman Gibson.

Alderwoman Delernia.

Alderman Santiago.

What is it?

Alderwoman Barbosa.

Alderwoman Vargas.

Alderwoman Maldonado.

Alderman Centenno.

Alder Woman Ortiz Luna.

Alderman Barrero.

14th present, Your Honor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

As we gather during this Memorial Day season, we honor the brave men and women who cave who gave their lives in service to our nation.

We remember their sacrifice and pray for the families who carry their memory with pride and love.

May we also remember those who currently are serving in our armed forces, first responders, and all who dedicate themselves to the safety of others.

Keep them protected and guide them in peace.

And as this council, uh prepares to vote on the city budget, guide them with wisdom and clarity, help them make thoughtful decisions that balance the needs of our community while serving every resident with fairness, responsibility, and compassion.

Amen.

Alderman Santiago, any minutes?

No minutes, Your Honor.

Thank you, Alderman.

Alderman Santiago for any amendments.

Yes, Your Honor.

I make a motion to amend the agenda by withdrawing item number five.

Second by Alderwoman Luna.

Okay.

For the roll.

Alderman McNamara.

Yes.

Alderwoman Scott?

Yes.

Alderman Simpson?

Yes.

Alderman Smedley?

Alderman Malinowski?

Yes.

Alderman Gibson.

Alderwoman Delernia?

Alderman Santiago?

Yes.

Alder Woman Barbosa.

Alderwoman Vargas.

Alder Woman Maldonado.

Alderman Centeno.

Alder Woman Ortiz Luna?

Yes.

Alderman Barrero.

14 years, Your Honor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Motion carries.

Madam Clerk for any petitions.

Yes, Your Honor.

There are two petitions.

Petition number one to amend sections of the zoning ordinances related to residential and mixed use uses to be in compliance with public act number 25-1.

Okay, refer to City Plan Commission and Zoning Subcommittee.

Petition number two to amend the zoning map to change the the road district to T for properties located between Vine Street and Lexington Street to be in compliance with public act number 25-1.

Okay, refer to City Plan Commission and the zoning subcommittee.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Alderman Santiago for the consent agenda.

Thank you, Honor.

Make a motion to accept the consent agenda item of A, B, and C.

Okay.

Second by Alderman Barrero.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Alderman McNamara?

Yes.

Alderwoman Scott?

Yes.

Alderman Simpson.

Yes.

Alderman Smedley.

Yes.

Alderman Malinowski.

Alderman Gibson.

Alderwoman Delernia.

Alderman Alderman Santiago.

Yes.

Alderwoman Barbosa.

Yes.

Alderwoman Vargas.

Alderwoman Maldonado.

Alderman Centenno.

Alderwoman Ortiz Luna.

Alderman Barrero.

14.

Yes, Your Honor.

Motion carries.

Um Alderman Simpson for item number one.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I rise to make a motion to accept and adopt item number one.

Second by Alderman Santiago.

Thank you.

This is a purchase of uh forty-six thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars eighteen cents, and it is an annual subscription for our uh IT division.

This will support us with our time clock technologies.

I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions?

Seeing none.

All those in favor say aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Alderman Barrero for item number two.

Thank you, Your Honor.

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

Second.

Second by Alderwoman Luna.

This is to uh purchase uh an order from the East River energy for motor fuel for the city of New Britain.

Uh it utilizes uh it's utilized from the state of Connecticut uh under contract, which is uh publicly bid uh a publicly bid contract, and I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye all those opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Alderman Scott for item number three.

Thank you, Your Honor.

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

Second by Alderman Barrero.

Uh this is for the Willow Street Park extension project, and on March 26, 2025, uh the council approved the funds for the bonding to fund the expansion on the improvements of the Will Street Park and the planning of the park.

Um, the city's recreation community services department and the design construction support from the public works engineering and the field services.

New Britain is a member of the Capitol Region Council of Governments and one of the benefits of this is that it provides us with communities on the programs and the city has determined that using this program and the local general contractor construction is the most effective cost-effective way to complete the Willow Street project and so the bidding did go out, and it comes highly recommended, and I urge adoption for the steps towards Willow Street project.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any comments on this?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

All those opposed, nay, motion carries.

Alderman Barbosa for item number four.

Second by Alderman and Luna.

This is regarding the purchase of the two one roll, no calls for the city, for the city's neighbor and public works, partland.

I don't call for 31,370 on the city's account number 255315455-5741.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Any questions on this item?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

All those opposed, nay, motion carries.

Alderman McNamara for item number six.

Thank you, Honor.

I make a motion accepting dot number six.

Okay.

Second by Alderman Barrero.

This is a regular report from the revenue collector's office.

Uh and the uh itemized list is is attached to the resolution for any tax abatements, corrections, and refunds that have been recorded over the last month or so.

I urge adoption.

Thank you, Alderman.

Any questions on this?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Alderwoman Ortiz Luna for item number seven.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I want to make a motion to accept and adopt item number seven and refer to the committee on administration, finance, and law and public services.

Okay.

Second by Alderman Barrero.

And this is regarding an amendment to sections 2-566, 2-591, and 2-619 of the COVID code of ordinances to align capital project bid requirements for greater consistency and efficiency, where we will have a more detailed uh discussion.

Your Honor, and I urge an option.

I apologize.

Just a point of order.

Was that a motion to accept and adapt?

I believe so.

So it should just be to accept correct and refer.

Yes.

Right.

It should be accept and refer.

So you want to withdraw the original motion and just make a motion to accept and refer?

I apologize.

Yes.

No worries.

So you're going to make a motion to accept and refer.

Yep.

So it's so the motion is to accept and refer to the committee.

And that was seconded by Alderman Barrow.

Okay.

Okay.

Any comments on this?

Um Councilman Simpson.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Remind me which committee are we sending this to?

Finance.

I would believe.

Any other comments?

Seeing no other comments.

All those in favor say aye.

All those opposed say nay.

Motion hearings.

Alderman MacNimer for item number eight.

Thank you, Honor.

I make a motion to accept item eight and refer it to the administration finance law and public services committee.

Okay.

Okay.

This is to accept and refer.

Accept and refer.

Yeah.

This is the annual renewal and approval of a tax rate for the downtown district.

The commissioners for the district met yesterday at their annual meeting and adopted a budget which will be can be reviewed in committee and then sent on to the council.

Uh for 20 26 27.

Um so I urge uh approval of the referral for action in June.

Thank you.

That was second by Alderwoman Luna.

Any questions or comments?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed nay.

Motion carries.

Um personal privilege by Alderwoman Scott.

Thank you, Honor.

Um this month is May, and it's blood pressure awareness and stroke awareness.

And I just wanted to encourage everyone to have healthy eating, uh, care of your mental care of your stress levels, regulate regularly, go to the doctors and check on your levels and also visit with your mental health providers.

And today is um a special day.

It is ED, so I wanted to also say Aslama Lincoln and peace and love and um and eat memoric to all who celebrate.

And I also want to congratulate everyone who came back from Mecca from their Hajj.

This is a time um to um reflect on things to give charity to care about your community.

So I want to encourage everybody to reflect on that and care about our community and be kind and loving towards everyone.

So I just wanted to say that, so thank you so much, um mayor, and peace and love.

Thank you, Alderwoman.

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Santiago, seconded by Barbosa.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

The meeting is adjourned at 8 28 p.m.