Public Meetings - New Britain, Connecticut

The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on July 8, 2026, at 7:01 PM. The meeting began with a public participation segment focused on Disability Pride Month, followed by the regular business session including resolutions, consent agenda items, and a point of personal privilege. The council adopted a resolution recognizing July 2026 as Disability Pride Month, approved a traffic study, and allocated additional funding for a park project. Public Comments & Testimony - Melody Rivera (82 Lorraine Street), chairwoman of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, thanked the council for supporting the Disability Pride Month resolution and emphasized the need for enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and respect for people with disabilities. She invited attendees to the Walk and Roll on July 22. - Juliet Crater (54 Beale Street), a digital artist with ADD and autism, shared her struggles with employment and discrimination, and expressed hope that disabilities can be overcome with self-belief. - Orlando Baldwin (375 Farmington Avenue) raised concerns about mental health issues involving drug abuse in his building, stating that activity continues unabated and he feels targeted for speaking up. - Alan Horde (145 Columbus Boulevard), a stroke survivor, advocated for housing accessibility for people with wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, noting that 14 residents at Columbus Commons use assistive devices and face barriers to independence. - Luis Malave (50 High Street) called for disability pride to be recognized every day, not just one month, and urged the city to ensure full accessibility, meaningful employment, and inclusion of disabled residents in decision-making. - Iris Biscarondo (40 Davenport Street), mother of a child with autism and ADHD, described her son's abilities as superpowers and thanked the council for the recognition. - Janet Rivera (82 Lorraine Street), retired parent-educator and mother of Melody Rivera, emphasized the need for better communication of resources, accessible public spaces, and continued support for disability policies. - Lisa Liu (63 Bassett Street), recently diagnosed with low vision, praised Fast Track transit, curb cuts, and the city's disability advocate, but stressed the need for ongoing support and respect. - Shelley Gonzalez (61 Art Street) argued that inclusion must be year-round, not just in July, and listed actionable steps such as captioning, accessible documents, and maintaining sidewalks and ramps. - Mario Tomorano (16 Noble Drive), a person with Asperger's syndrome, shared his faith-based perspective and called for love and respect for all, emphasizing that disabilities can become super abilities through faith. Discussion Items - Council Responses to Public Comments: Several council members expressed gratitude and shared personal experiences. Alderman Simpson highlighted infrastructure barriers such as long overpasses and lack of truncated domes, and noted improvements like the V line trail and a new fence opening at the Fast Track station. Alderwoman Vargas, whose daughter is a speaker, thanked the public and pledged to work for better job access and inclusion. Alderwoman Scott shared her own struggles with dyslexia and her daughter's challenges, and urged continued advocacy. Other members echoed support for the disability community and noted resources like the public safety registration for individuals with special needs. - Item D: Traffic Study at Coolidge and Monroe Street: Alderman Simpson raised questions about the methodology of a speed study conducted by the city's traffic management. The deputy chief explained that the study used data from a software trial (Urban SDK) and a prior 2024 study. Simpson noted that a stop sign had been moved to Harding Street in 2025, which may have changed traffic patterns, and requested a tabulation sheet. The deputy chief agreed to provide it. The item was approved. - Item 1: Resolution for Disability Pride Month: Alderwoman Vargas read the resolution proclaiming July 2026 as Disability Pride Month, citing the ADA's history and the disability pride flag. The council unanimously adopted it. - Item 2: Recognition of Brighton Street Block Party: Alderman McNamara presented a resolution recognizing residents on Brighton Street for a block party celebrating older homes. Adopted unanimously. - Item 3: Transportation Microgrant for Bike Education: Alderwoman Scott moved adoption of a resolution accepting a $5,000 CT DOT microgrant for a bicycle education pilot program in partnership with Bike New Britain and the school district. Adopted unanimously. - Item 4: Additional Funding for Willow Street Park: Alderman Barrero moved to close a $564,443 funding gap for the Willow Street Park extension project, originally bonded at $1,625,000. He noted personal family ties to the area. Alderwoman Ortiz Luna credited former Alderwoman Sanchez for advocacy. Adopted unanimously. - Item 5: Tax Abatements and Refunds: Alderwoman Ortiz Luna moved to allow tax abatements, corrections, and refunds by the revenue collector. Adopted unanimously. Key Outcomes - Resolution Adopted: The council unanimously proclaimed July 2026 as Disability Pride Month in New Britain. - Consent Agenda Approved: Items A, B, C, E, F, and G were approved on consent; Item D (traffic study) was approved separately after discussion. - Funding Approved: The council approved an additional $564,443 for Willow Street Park (Item 4) and a $5,000 state microgrant for a bike education program (Item 3). - Tax Abatements Authorized: The council authorized the revenue collector to process tax abatements, corrections, and refunds (Item 5). - Point of Personal Privilege: Alderwoman Scott recognized National Minority Health Awareness Month and announced efforts to create a list of mental health providers that address cultural and language barriers. - Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:58 PM.

On June 24, 2026, the New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting at 7:25 PM, preceded by a public participation session. The council heard from four public speakers on a range of topics including city debt, property conditions, unresolved reimbursements, and scooter safety. During the regular meeting, the council adopted the consent agenda and approved five resolutions, including recognition of Juneteenth, software subscription renewal, engineering contracts for street improvements, and chemical purchases for the golf course. Public Comments & Testimony - John Kristapic (resident) expressed concerns about the city's debt refinancing from 2014–2017, warned that debt payments would increase significantly after 2026, and questioned the prioritization of housing over retail development. He also criticized the pace of the High Rail project and cited a radio DJ's negative comments about downtown New Britain, asking "Where is the rage?" - Orlando Baldwin (375 Farmington Avenue) reported ongoing issues with a neighbor involving mental health and drug abuse, stating he had called police twice in the prior week and that the landlord had warned him of possible retaliation. - Charles Smith (236 Jubilee Street) stated he would attend every meeting until his outstanding reimbursements from the city were resolved. He alleged selective amnesia by officials and that private promises were not honored, referencing an earlier meeting with Justin Conn from Mayor Stewart's office who left a message offering to take care of some changes and reimbursements. Council member Alderwoman suggested Smith email a recording for the full council to hear. - Alberto Duarte (119 Willow Street) raised safety concerns about scooters driving at high speed through the park and advocated for barriers to prevent access. He also proposed building a community center to get kids off the streets and mentioned he would submit a formal proposal. - Council members responded to speakers: Alderwoman expressed sympathy, support for improvements, and a desire to work together; she acknowledged the prior administration's role in some unresolved issues. Consent Calendar - Motion by Alderman Santiago, seconded by Alderman Borrero, to accept the consent agenda (Item A). Roll call vote: 12 ayes, 0 nays. Motion carried. Discussion Items - Item 1 – Recognition of Juneteenth: Alderwoman Scott made a motion, seconded by Alderman Santiago, to adopt a resolution recognizing Juneteenth. She noted the significance of the date, the ongoing struggles for equality, and referenced recent police violence. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously. - Item 2 – Software Subscription for Central Square ERP: Alderwoman Vargas made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Luna Ortiz, to authorize a one-year purchase order for $73,288 to Superior LLC (Central Square) for annual software subscription and maintenance. Stated that Central Square is the sole source provider and changing vendors would incur significant costs. No discussion. Motion carried. - Item 3 – Allen Street Phase II Engineering: Alderman made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Luna Ortiz, to assign Cardinal Engineering for work on final construction bid documents for the Allen Street phase two project, at a cost of $90,000 from the capital project bond account. No discussion. Motion carried. - Item 4 – Myrtle Street Complete Streets Improvement: Alderman Simpson made a motion, seconded by Alderman Santiago, to adopt a resolution for milling, repaving, sidewalks, and granite curbing on Myrtle Street between Armistice and Washington. Total cost $4,954,497, with the city covering only 20% and the state covering the rest. No discussion. Motion carried. - Item 5 – Purchase of Chemicals for Stanley Golf Course: Alderman Barrero made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Luna Ortiz, to authorize the purchase of chemicals, fertilizers, grass, and pesticides for the recreation department. No discussion. Motion carried. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda (Item A) approved unanimously (12-0). - Resolution recognizing Juneteenth (Item 1) adopted unanimously. - Software subscription renewal (Item 2) approved unanimously. - Engineering contract for Allen Street Phase II (Item 3) approved unanimously. - Myrtle Street Complete Streets improvement project (Item 4) approved unanimously. - Chemical purchase for golf course (Item 5) approved unanimously. - Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. Notes - Minutes from the May 27, 2026 and June 10, 2026 regular meetings were approved after a brief discussion about the level of detail in the minutes; the council clerk confirmed that minutes are not verbatim and the public can review video for specifics.

The New Britain Common Council held its regular meeting on June 10, 2026, at 7:01 PM. The meeting included public comments on property reimbursement, city corruption, and the Aaron Stewart embezzlement case; several resolutions; and proclamations recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month and Pride Month. The council also approved contracts for sidewalk repairs, trench repairs, property revaluation, and engineering services. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved by roll call (13 yes, 0 no) the consent agenda comprising items A through F, routine approvals and unanimous actions. Public Comments & Testimony - Charles Smith (address: 236 Jubilee Street) urged the council to honor a promise from the previous administration to reimburse him for property damage at Chesley Park over 40 years. He requested a designated staff member to assist him, noting he has submitted reimbursement forms multiple times with no resolution. - Don Satalino (70 Grove Hill) spoke about the Aaron Stewart case, where $250,000 was stolen from the city. He argued that if Stewart cannot pay, the city should consider cutting losses on attorney fees (estimated $100,000) rather than accruing more legal debt. He also called for the removal of all department credit cards to prevent misuse. - Jim Sanders Jr. (172 Kensington Avenue) criticized the council for inaction on past corruption, referencing the $250,000 theft. He urged council members to investigate matters raised by the public, stating the $100,000 investigation was a worthwhile expense. - Alberto Duarte (119 Willow Street) thanked the council for unanimously approving his proposal for Willow Street Park. He emphasized that family safety comes first, regardless of cost, and asked for barriers to stop scooters from endangering children. He announced plans to bring future proposals for a community center and for homeless services. Discussion Items - Amend Code for Capital Project Bids (Item 1): Adopted unanimously. The ordinance amendments align bid requirements for capital projects for consistency and efficiency. - Downtown District Budget (Item 2): Adopted unanimously. The budget for the Downtown District sets a mill rate of 2.75, affecting approximately 106–110 taxpayers. A scrivener's error in the resolution (year) was noted and will be corrected. Alderwoman Scott urged future audits to ensure transparency and proper fund allocation. - Compensation Committee Recommendations (Item 3): Referred to the committees on Administration, Finance, and Law/Public Services. The committee had recommended a $1 increase for the treasurer, corporation counsel, and register of voters, and a salary of $30,000/year for the clerk of committees. After discussion, an amendment was passed (roll call vote) to remove the treasurer and corporation counsel from the increase, as the committee had not discussed them. The item as amended was referred. - Caribbean American Heritage Month (Item 4): Adopted unanimously. June 2026 recognized as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. A flag raising is scheduled for June 15 at 5 PM. - Pride Month (Item 5): Adopted unanimously. June 2026 recognized as Pride Month in New Britain, reaffirming the city's commitment to dignity and respect for LGBTQ+ residents. - Sidewalk Repairs (Item 6): Adopted unanimously. Authorization for $150,000 in sidewalk repairs, covering cost-share programs, CDBG, handicap ramps (40 ramps), and ADA accessibility. The bid was emailed to 12 contractors (corrected from 15 in the resolution); four qualified bidders submitted proposals. - Annual Trench Repair Contract (Item 7): Adopted unanimously. Award to city-based Weber Nursery for $82,228.44, which was 8% lower than the other bidder. - Five-Year Property Revaluation (Item 8): Adopted unanimously. Contract awarded to Municipal Valuation Services of Fairfield for $250,000 for the October 1, 2027 grand list reappraisal. The cost will be split over two fiscal years. A representative introduced himself, noting the firm has performed revaluations in New Britain and other major Connecticut cities. - Purchase Order to Tata & Howard Inc. (Item 9): Adopted unanimously. Authorization for a $24,000 purchase order to Tata & Howard Inc., an on-call engineering contractor selected in 2024 under bid number 4157, to meet state safety regulations for Public Works. Key Outcomes - Votes: All items except Item 3 were adopted unanimously (13-0). Item 3 was referred to committee after an amendment passed by voice vote. - Amendments: The compensation committee's recommendation was amended to remove the treasurer and corporation counsel from the proposed $1 salary increase. - Future Agenda: Alderwoman Scott noted that a Juneteenth proclamation was inadvertently omitted from the agenda and will be added to the next meeting. She announced Juneteenth events: flag raising on June 18 at Central Park (12 PM), celebrations in Plainville on June 19 (11 AM–2 PM), Hartford on June 20, and a free open day at the New Britain museum on June 20. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.

The city of New Britain held two consecutive special meetings on June 8, 2026, starting at 6:06 PM. The first was a Compensation Committee meeting to discuss salary increases for appointed and elected officials, followed by an Administration, Finance and Law (AFL) Committee meeting that conducted a public hearing and considered two agenda items. No members of the public spoke during any portion of the meetings. Discussion Items Compensation Committee (6:06 PM) - Registrars’ salary increase: Alderman Scott noted that both registrars currently earn approximately $70,000–$71,000 annually and requested an increase due to expanded duties from state election mandates and early voting. Scott proposed a 3% increase (roughly $2,100–$2,150 each) to account for increased workload while keeping taxpayers in mind. Alderman Borrero advocated for a flat $1 increase, citing financial constraints from past corruption and the need to be cautious with taxpayer money. After debate, a motion for a 3% increase failed for lack of a second. A motion for a $1 increase was made by Alderman Barbosa, seconded, and passed. This recommendation will proceed to the AFL committee and then to the full council. - Clerk of Committees salary increase: The council representative explained that the clerk of committees was currently paid $12,000 and requested an increase to $30,000 (an $18,000 increase) to fund daytime administrative support, including cross-training with the new council administrator. Alderman raised concerns about the lack of a job specification and the size of the increase compared to the registrars’ request. Despite objections, a motion to increase the salary to $30,000 was made, seconded, and passed. The recommendation will follow the same path to the council. AFL Committee (6:45 PM) - Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for item 37187, an ordinance amendment to raise capital project bid thresholds from $7,500 to $25,000 for consistency and efficiency. No members of the public spoke, and the hearing was closed. - Item 37187 – Capital project bid requirements: The interim finance director explained that the change aligns thresholds across all city bidding processes, updates an outdated amount, and prevents the practice of splitting invoices to avoid bidding. After questions from Alderwoman Delerna and Alderman McNamara, the committee voted unanimously to refer the item to the common council with a favorable recommendation. - Item 37188 – Downtown District proposed budget (FY 2026–2027): The downtown district representative, Ms. Bosco, described the district’s role in placemaking and economic development. She noted the budget includes a $50,000 rollover surplus from delinquent taxes and a vacancy, intended to fund a new ambassador program for cleanliness and safety. Alderman McNamara asked about the budget increase. The committee voted to refer the budget to the common council with a neutral recommendation. Key Outcomes - Compensation Committee recommended a $1 annual increase for each registrar (not the requested larger amount) and approved a $30,000 salary for the clerk of committees (up from $12,000). Both recommendations will proceed to the AFL committee and then to the full common council. - AFL Committee favorably recommended item 37187 (bid threshold increase to $25,000) and neutrally recommended item 37188 (Downtown District budget) to the common council. - The meetings adjourned at 6:36 PM (Compensation) and concluded shortly after the AFL votes.

The New Britain Common Council held a regular meeting on May 27, 2026, beginning at 8:16 PM. The meeting included public participation, approval of routine items, and adoption of several resolutions. Key discussions centered on the city budget, education funding, and the city's ongoing investigation. The council voted on items including IT subscriptions, fuel purchases, the Willow Street Park expansion, and tax abatement reports. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda (items A, B, and C) was approved unanimously with 14 votes in favor. Public Comments & Testimony - John Kristapic (292 Linwich Street) congratulated the council on increased state funding for schools and the total funding for the Ellen Street project, thanking Ward 4 council members and Frank Chase. He noted the sale of the high railer to a private family office, questioning whether the new owners had reached out to the city. He also referenced a Republican lawsuit regarding Ward II and urged the city to do better. - Desiree Acosta (193 Amherst Street) expressed frustration that a special meeting on the budget was called on short notice. She argued that funding new administrative positions (e.g., a deputy director in public works) while underfunding education is inconsistent. She urged the council to conduct a serious reexamination of the April 17th budget proposal and to engage directly with the superintendent and board of education rather than relying on rhetoric. She stated that withholding adequate funding from students is “punishment imposed on children and educators for political disagreements among adults.” - Paul Canzero (250 Hill Hurst Avenue) agreed that better notice was needed for the meeting. He expressed sadness about the ongoing city investigation, urged letting the investigation complete before public commentary, and noted the lack of applicants for the finance director position. Discussion Items - Council Responses: Several council members responded to public comments. Alderwoman Scott agreed that the situation on social media was “super embarrassing” and suggested that charter issues underlie the debate over filling vacant seats. She supported education funding, noting the budget provides sustainable increases over time. Alderwoman Delernia expressed frustration that the meeting was called last minute and noted that an amendment to add funding for education, which would not have increased taxes, was defeated. Alderman Santiago stated he ran on funding education but also must protect taxpayers; he mentioned personal struggles securing an IEP for his son and said the budget addresses infrastructure and provides more state funding than ever before. Alderman Simpson emphasized the need for sustainable school funding over multiple years and expressed hope that the budget gives the Board of Education certainty, particularly regarding the 49 untenured teachers whose names were released on April 23rd. - Budget Vote Context: The council voted on the city budget during the meeting. The exact vote tally and final budget numbers were not explicitly read into the record in the transcript, but multiple speakers referenced the budget’s passage. - Resolution to Withdraw Item: A motion was made to withdraw item number five from the agenda, which passed unanimously (14-0). - Petitions Referred: Two zoning petitions related to compliance with Public Act 25-1 were referred to the City Plan Commission and Zoning Subcommittee. Key Outcomes - Item 1 (IT Subscription): Approved to purchase a $46,341.18 annual subscription for IT time clock technologies. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 2 (Fuel Purchase): Approved to purchase motor fuel from East River Energy via a state contract. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 3 (Willow Street Park Extension): Approved to proceed with the Willow Street Park extension project, using the Capitol Region Council of Governments program for cost-effective construction. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 4 (Vehicle Purchase): Approved the purchase of roll-off vehicles for Public Works. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 6 (Revenue Collector Report): Approved the monthly report on tax abatements, corrections, and refunds. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 7 (Ordinance Amendment): Referred to the Administration, Finance, Law, and Public Services Committee an amendment to align capital project bid requirements. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Item 8 (Downtown District Tax Rate Renewal): Referred to the Administration, Finance, Law, and Public Services Committee the annual renewal of the downtown district tax rate for FY 2026-2027, with action expected in June. (Voice vote, unanimous) - Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.

The New Britain Common Council held a special meeting on May 27, 2026, from 6:31 PM to 7:33 PM, with 14 members present. The council considered and voted on the mayor's proposed budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027, including the general fund, special revenue funds, enterprise funds, and capital improvement program. Multiple amendments were debated regarding the use of additional state aid, fund balance transfers, and revenue adjustments. The final budget package was adopted after several votes. Consent Calendar - Item 1: Accepted the reports of the committees on planning, zoning, and housing regarding the mayor's proposed general fund, special revenue, enterprise, and capital improvement budgets. Approved unanimously. - Item 2: Accepted the reports of the committees on administrative, finance, and law and public service regarding the same budgets. Approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Item 3 – General Fund Budget Resolution: Alderman Santiago moved to adopt the budget with an amendment to decrease the use of fund balance by $2,311,389, increase the transfer to the medical self-insurance fund by $1,289,713, and increase the Board of Education (BOE) non-operating grant to $13,292,000, using $4.6 million in additional state aid secured by the mayor and state delegation. - Alderman Simpson proposed a substitute amendment to increase the tax collection rate from 97% to 98% and adjust several revenue lines (electrical permits, plumbing permits, etc.) to generate additional funds for education and the library. After debate, the amendment was rejected by voice vote. - Alderman Smedley then proposed an amendment to transfer $1.6 million from the fund balance to the BOE non-operating account. This failed by a roll call vote of 5-9 (5 in favor, 9 opposed). - The original amendment (Santiago) was then voted on and passed by a roll call vote of 9-5. The budget as amended was adopted. - Item 4 – Special Revenue and Enterprise Fund Budget: Alderman Santiago moved to amend the budget, decreasing the VOE medical self-insurance fund to $31,859,162, the city medical self-insurance fund to $15,450,941, and increasing the workers' compensation fund to $4,990,097. These changes provided $450,430 in savings to the school district. The amendment and the item as amended were adopted unanimously (14-0). - Item 5 – Capital Improvement Program Budget: Alderman Santiago moved to amend the mayor's proposal by removing funding for Station 1 roofing and adding $400,000 (estimated) for IT infrastructure hardware and fiber, citing the need for cyber system improvements. The amendment and the item as amended were adopted unanimously (14-0). Key Outcomes - The general fund budget for FY 2026-2027 was adopted with the Santiago amendment, maintaining a flat mill rate and using $2.3 million less from fund balance than originally proposed. - The special revenue and enterprise fund budgets were adopted with an amendment saving the school district $450,430 in health insurance costs. - The capital improvement budget was amended to redirect funds from Station 1 roofing to IT infrastructure improvements. - All five agenda items were approved, with the general fund budget passing by a 9-5 vote and the other items passing unanimously.

This meeting of the New Britain Common Council, held on May 13, 2026, began at 7:00 PM with public participation and continued with the regular agenda at 7:59 PM. Speakers advocated for education funding, specifically opposing cuts to the district coordinator of career pathways and community partnerships and to instructional coaching positions. The council approved numerous resolutions, including consent items, budget adjustments, and recognitions. A proposed appointment of Jamie B. Vaughn as Alderman for Ward 2 was tabled pending legal review. Consent Calendar - Items A, B, C, and D were approved unanimously by roll call (13-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Chris Conan, a teacher at New Britain High School (188 Stanwood Drive), defended the district coordinator of career pathways and community partnerships (Sandra Sanford), noting that the academies achieved a 30% graduation with distinction and that Sandra Sanford raised over $1 million for the Met Academy alone through grants and partnerships. He argued eliminating the position would cause the programs to "flatline." - Christina Hott, a math instructional coach at Chamberlain Elementary School (303 D. Walton Way in Thomaston), urged full funding of the superintendent's budget to preserve instructional coaching. She stated that elementary math proficiency increased by over 11 percentage points (from 7% to 19%) in three years and that every coach sees 4–5 intervention groups daily. - Kevin Schubert (86 Nettleton Hollow Road, Bethlehem, CT), an auto shop teacher at New Britain High School, reinforced support for Sandra Sanford, comparing eliminating her position to "eliminating the goose that lays the golden eggs" given her external fundraising. - Sandra Sanford (26 Pheasant Run, Newington) spoke in support of her own role, reporting a 93% graduation rate for academy students compared to 72% for the high school overall, over 120 students per year earning industry credentials, and 18+ college credit courses. She noted that eliminating her position would make CTE the only subject without a dedicated central office coordinator for the first time in 30 years. - Desiree Costa (193 Amherst Street) asked the council to increase the MBR by $2 million and use $2 million from reserves to close the education budget gap. She criticized comments that dismissed district progress, noting decades of underfunding. - Heather Miano (155 Stanwood Drive), a teacher and former academy student, supported Sandra Sanford, stating the academy model changed her life and that removing the position would stifle growth. - Meg Shea (North Main Street, West Hartford), a 32-year district veteran, highlighted Sandra Sanford's role in forging partnerships that supported the Met Academy during COVID. - Paul Edwards (717 Shuttle Meadow Avenue) raised a procedural concern about the prior appointment of Colin Osborne to Ward 2, arguing it was illegal, and expressed support for Jamie Vaughn's appointment, noting Vaughn is a registered Republican who meets charter requirements. - Don Satellino (no address given) criticized the state for not releasing lottery funds for education and expressed concern about credit card use by the mayor, calling for accountability. - Lisa Liu (63 Bassett Street) noted May is Military Appreciation Month and highlighted the Iwo Jima Monument and the Puerto Rican regiment monument, inviting council to attend a flag-raising ceremony on May 21. - Angela Delfonso (16 Jones Drive) supported Sandra Sanford, citing her leadership and inviting council to visit the high school. - A caller (Gail Collin, caller 7922) raised concerns about a proposed travel center (truck stop) on Farmington land near Slater Road, citing traffic, environmental, and public safety issues. She asked the council to evaluate the project fully. Discussion Items - Resolution 1 (Revised code enforcement penalties): Alderman Centeno moved adoption to increase fines for blight, animal health, housing violations, and garbage can violations. Alderwoman Scott and Alderman Smedley expressed concerns about removing trash cans as a penalty and about collection rates (57% historically). Corporation Counsel Caleb noted that removal would be rare. Motion passed with 1 opposing vote (4-1? Actually 4 in favor, 1 opposed, motion carried). - Resolution 4 (Neighborhood Assistance Act): Alderman Santiago recused himself because his son is in one of the organizations. He substituted the original resolution, removing $5,000 from Boys & Girls Club and $5,000 from Parks & Rec afterschool and adding $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Total remained $1,509,184. Approved. - Resolution 5 (West Main & Vine Street improvements): Alderman Malinowski moved adoption. Project cost $794,400 for pedestrian safety, connectivity, and a pocket park. Public Works Director Moriarty confirmed preconstruction meeting as early as Friday, completion by Nov 15, and that the project complements the B-line trail. Approved. - Resolution 19 (Appointment of Jamie Vaughn): Alderman Smedley moved adoption, stating Vaughn is a Marine veteran, elected constable, and meets charter requirements. Alderman Santiago moved to table due to pending legal litigation. On roll call, the motion to table passed 9-4 (Aldermen Smedley, Delarnia, Gibson, and presumably one other voted no; nine voted yes). The item was tabled. - Removal of item 37152 (Pentagonia Health software) from table: Alderman Santiago moved to remove from table. Passed. Corporation Counsel Caleb explained that a sole vendor analysis confirmed Patagonia is the only source due to existing data, staff training, and a unique medication inventory module. Approved. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda (Items A-D) approved 13-0. - Resolution 1 (code enforcement penalty increases) passed with one opposing vote. - Resolution 4 (NAA program) approved as substituted; Alderman Santiago recused. - Resolution 5 (West Main & Vine St) approved. - Resolution 19 (Vaughn appointment) tabled 9-4. - Item 37152 (Pentagonia Health software) removed from table and approved. - Various resolutions (items 2,3,6-18) approved unanimously or by voice vote with no opposition, including recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and several fire department and public works contracts. - The mayor noted that the state provided a $13.2 million (18%) increase in education funding, reducing the projected 101 position cuts. He also mentioned that the Farmington P&Z set a July hearing for the proposed truck stop, and New Britain residents can weigh in.

This special meeting of the Committee on Administrative Finance and Law and Public Services was convened on May 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM to discuss the New Britain Board of Education's budget request for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. Superintendent Dr. Gasper, joined by Chief Finance Officer Ms. Alfano, presented the district's funding needs, recent state aid, and the potential impact of budget reductions. Council members and Board of Education members participated in the discussion. Discussion Items - Budget Request Overview: Dr. Gasper presented the district's total budget request of $146,971,610, an increase of $18,971,610 (14.82%) over the current $128 million budget. He explained that the budget was built in October 2025 with no expectation of additional state aid, leading to the large increase. However, the state recently allocated $13,292,120 in new education funding (flowing through the municipality), reducing the local funding request to $5,679,490 (a 4.4% increase locally). He noted that this is the lowest percentage local increase he has requested in his four years as superintendent. - District Performance: Dr. Gasper highlighted significant academic improvements, including: reduction from five to two turnaround schools, higher elementary ELA and math scores (e.g., elementary math proficiency rose from 7.9% to 19.1% in three years), near doubling of college credit–earning students, and the district’s first Blue Ribbon School (Hales Academy). He acknowledged that middle school ELA remains a challenge and that overall performance still lags behind state averages. - Funding Context and Comparisons: Dr. Gasper presented data showing New Britain ranks 162nd out of 165 districts in per-student spending ($17,518.90), despite being among the most challenged (36.2% tax-exempt property, high percentages of multilingual learners (21%) and students with disabilities (25%)). He compared local funding to inflation, noting that if 2020 funding had kept pace with inflation, the current budget would be $156.7 million. He also compared New Britain’s per-student funding to peer districts (e.g., New London spends $4,521 more per student, which would equate to an additional $45 million district-wide). - Special Education and Outplacements: The largest driver of the increase is special education outplacement costs. Currently, about 160–180 students are placed in private facilities at an average cost of $189,000 per student per year. These costs are expected to rise 10% next year, and the district projects a jump from an effective $6.1 million (including special revenue) to $14 million due to more students, higher needs, and rate increases. Dr. Gaspar described the state’s special education funding system as “broken,” noting that the district historically receives only 62–70% reimbursement on excess costs, far below the statutory 91%. He warned that this uncertainty makes budgeting extremely difficult. - Potential Reductions: Dr. Gasper explained that three rounds of reductions were considered as state aid became known. The most recent list (April 29, 2026) reduced non-renewals from 49 to 15, and after the $13.3 million state infusion, only three teacher non-renewals remain (along with cuts to coaches, custodial staff, central office administrators (three positions), extracurriculars, and high school sports). He emphasized that all reductions directly impact students and that the district has already eliminated non-classroom “fluff” in previous years. Council members questioned the possibility of further administrative cuts, but Dr. Gasper defended the current central office staffing given the scale of operations (1,500+ employees). - Questions and Clarifications: Council members asked about: the exact impact of the $13.3 million state aid (procedurally how it flows), the still-rising cost of outplacements despite a slight decrease in outplacement rate, the role of non-instructional paraprofessionals, the need for middle school intervention (coaches), the use of communication and IT staff, and the planned phase-out of North End School. Dr. Gasper noted that North End would not close immediately but rather be phased out over two years due to declining enrollment, and that the building may be repurposed for special education programs to reduce outplacement costs. - Discussion on Long-Term Funding: Several council members expressed frustration over decades of underfunding and the need for predictable annual increases. Dr. Gasper presented a “woulda, shoulda, coulda” chart showing that if local funding had increased by just 1.5% annually over 12 years, this year’s request would be only 1.01% rather than 14.82%. He and council members agreed that the city’s increased minimum budget requirement (MBR) and the state aid are steps in the right direction but that similar conversations will recur next year. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were taken at this special meeting; it served as a discussion and presentation of the Board of Education’s budget request. - The district’s local funding request is now $5,679,490 to close the gap after the $13.3 million state infusion, contingent on the council’s separate action to appropriate those state funds to the board. - Dr. Gasper indicated that if the city were to provide an additional $1.6 million (on top of the mayor’s proposed $1 million), it would restore most of the remaining cuts, though he could not guarantee specific positions due to enrollment and attrition uncertainties. - The board and administration will continue to work on a phased plan for North End School and broader school restructuring once the Smith School reconstruction is complete (2028). - Council members committed to further deliberation on the budget, with a focus on avoiding cuts to student-facing services and sports, while balancing property tax concerns.

The committee met at 6:32 PM to review the proposed general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Presentations from several city departments were heard, followed by multiple motions to table items for continuation the next day. The meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM. Discussion Items - General Fund Budget Resolution (Item 37139-01): A motion was made to refer the resolution to the Common Council with a mutual recommendation. After discussion, the item was tabled to the next day. - Mayor's Office: Ms. Mary Proko presented a budget with less than a 3% increase. The office has four positions, two vacant (outreach coordinator filled, executive aide to the mayor still vacant). A question was raised about combining marketing and advertising line items; it was noted they are similar and the combined line allows flexibility. - Corporation Counsel: Attorney Bill Rivera presented a budget with a reduction of 1.24%, despite adding two positions. Legal judgments and damage claims were zeroed out and moved to contingency, which increased 16% to $1.786 million. - Town Clerk: Ms. Veronica Delandro reported the office serves over 16,000 customers and processes 45,000 transactions annually. Proposed budget includes a 6% revenue increase and less than $3,000 expense increase. Staffing: eight full-time positions, two vacant. Part-time salaries were reduced 50% to $7,000, retained for potential need. Dues and fees increased from $0 to $500 for memberships in the Connecticut Town Clerk Association. - Department of Public Works: Mr. Mark Mori outlined the department's assets (170 miles of streets, 9 major parks, $60M water treatment plant, etc.). The general fund budget is $15.6 million, a 2.9% increase ($452,979). Major increases: contractual salaries, rubbish removal (CPI increase + fuel differential), motor fuel, and sidewalk repairs ($200,000 added). Utility budgets: water fund decreased 5%, sewer fund increased 3% due to Mattabassett District 6% pass-through (no rate increase for customers), clean water fund flat. Revenue reductions: utility permits cut 50% due to CNG taking over trench repairs. Fuel expense may be insufficient; department expects to manage overall budget under budget. Meal allowances reduced from $5,000 to $500 due to contract changes. A deputy director position added, assistant administrative assistant reduced. - Registrar of Voters: Mr. Peter Gaston presented a budget cut 8-9% from the mayor's proposal. Professional services (poll workers) cut $50,000; potential mitigation from state early voting funds ($21,000 last year, possibly doubled). Equipment line cut $11,000; new tabulators require maintenance costs previously covered by state. Salaries: requested increase, but compensation committee has not met. Staffing: 170-200 poll workers per election day, plus 20 people per early voting location for 21 days. Costs for custodians at polling places included in professional services. - Human Resources: Ms. Gard presented a budget increase of $1,200, adding a full-time administrative assistant (replacing a part-time position). Professional dues and memberships reduced from $1,150 to $750, with mayor covering fees previously paid out of pocket. Department serves 650+ full-time and 350 part-time/seasonal employees. - Finance, Revenue, and Assessor: Ms. Amy Goldsbury and Mr. Tim (assessor) presented. Combined budget increase less than 3%. Assessor's office: $250,000 for revaluation (estimated total $500,000 spread over two years). Cannabis tax revenue revised down to $25,000 (from $250,000) due to actual collections of $20,000. Interest income increased 200% due to aggressive investment. Overtime reduced from $30,000 to $6,750; part-time salaries reduced from $20,000 to $5,000. Finance director position reposted with salary increase; no other changes. Treasurer stipend is $5,000 annually. Key Outcomes - Item 37139-01 (General Fund Budget Resolution): Motion to refer with mutual recommendation, then tabled to May 7, 2026. - Item 37140-01 (Budget appropriation for capital improvement program): Motion to refer to Common Council with neutral recommendation, then tabled to May 7, 2026. - Item 37141-01 (Capital improvement program appropriation): Motion to refer with mutual recommendation, then tabled to May 7, 2026. - The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM, with plans to continue the next day.