New Britain Common Council Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services Meeting - August 5, 2026

The Committee on Administration, Finance and Law and Public Services held a public hearing and regular meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 6:34 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, New Britain, Connecticut. The main agenda item was Item 37190, concerning compensation for elected and appointed officials, including a proposed $1 increase for the Register of Voters and an increase in the Clerk of Committees salary to $30,000 per year. A second agenda item (Item 37100) regarding a municipal identification card program was listed but not discussed. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public attended or called in. The public hearing was opened and closed without testimony.

Discussion Items

• Item 37190 – Compensation for Elected and Appointed Officials: The committee considered a resolution that had been amended at the June 10, 2026 full council meeting to remove Corporation Counsel and Treasurer from the original $1 increase, leaving only the Register of Voters for a $1 increase and the Clerk of Committees salary set at $30,000 per year.
  • Corporation Counsel Jennifer Pikorski and Acting Finance Director Amy Goldsberry provided explanations of the effect of Ordinance 2-338. The ordinance includes automatic cost-of-living increases tied to Local 1186 union contracts for certain positions (Mayor, Corporation Counsel, Register of Voters) if no salary modification is adopted through the compensation committee process. If the dollar increase were approved, it would become effective at the start of the next term for those positions, overriding the automatic COLA.
  • Several aldermen discussed the implications: Alderman McNamara noted that the mayor and corporation counsel had indicated they did not want raises, and that approving a $1 increase would prevent the automatic 1186 increase. Alderwoman Dottie Delernia expressed concern about the public perception of giving the mayor a raise so early in his term. Alderwoman Candice Scott supported the $30,000 for Clerk of Committees, arguing the council needs more staff support and that the position would be part-time, saving money compared to the previous union administrator position.
  • Alderman McNamara requested that job descriptions for both the Clerk of Committees and the council’s administrative staff be shared with all members.

Key Outcomes

• Amendment 1 (by Alderwoman Delernia) to add a $1 increase for Corporation Counsel, Treasurer, and Mayor – Failed (4 nays, 2 ayes).
• Amendment 2 (by Alderwoman Scott) to add a $1 increase for Corporation Counsel only (excluding Mayor) – Failed (2 ayes, 5 nays).
• Main Motion to refer the amended resolution (Register of Voters $1 increase and Clerk of Committees salary at $30,000) to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation – Passed (5 ayes, 1 nay).
• As a result of the failed amendments, the automatic cost-of-living increases under Ordinance 2-338 will take effect for the Mayor, Corporation Counsel, and Register of Voters unless the full council changes the ordinance. The $1 increase for the Register of Voters (if approved by full council) would not become effective until the next term, but the automatic COLA would apply this fiscal year instead.
• The Clerk of Committees salary increase to $30,000 per year is included in the resolution sent to the full council for final action.