Council To Vote On New Police Chief

Petitions Filed For Major Changes To City Zoning Map At April 26th Meeting

By John McNamara

NEW BRITAIN – The Common Council is scheduled to select a new Chief of Police at the Wednesday, May 26th regular meeting. Three members of the Police Department’s(NBPD) command staff have been selected as finalists. The vote may come at the regular council meeting that begins with public participation (in person or remote) at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 27 West Main Street.

Deputy Chief Benjamin Murphy, Captain Matthew Marino and Captain Adam Rembisz are seeking to be named the NBPD’s 16th Chief succeeding Christopher Chute who retired in January to become the first Chief of Police for the 12 campus-community college system that is being consolidated into Connecticut State Community College. All three homegrown candidates rose up through the ranks and have over 20 or more years’ service each in New Britain. They have been part of the Command Staff since 2020 with Murphy being named Deputy Chief and Marino and Rembisz promoted to Captain. Captain Marino leads the Professional Standards Division and Captain Rembisz heads the Investigations Division.

City Hall Watch: Common Council Preview

Under New Britain’s selection process the Mayor interviews and recommends a candidate and the Common Council hires the Chief of Police. At a public meeting held on April 17th at NBPD’s Community Room the three candidates made presentations and answered audience questions.

Acting Chief Murphy reportedly emerged as a favorite among Common Council members to succeed Chute for the $147,000 a year Chief’s job. Mayor Erin Stewart, however, is said to be pressing her majority caucus to change their minds and appoint one of the other candidates. The appointment comes with a majority vote of the 15-member Council.

Zoning Changes And New Bonding For Holmes School, Golf Course

In other Council business Alderman Robert Smedley (R-4) has filed petitions that include extensive changes to the city’s zoning map in and around the downtown district and other sections of the city. The zoning map establishes allowed residential, industrial and business uses in the Central Business District and neighborhoods.

A special Common Council meeting will precede the regular Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. to accept and act on a report of the Standing Bonding Subcommittee regarding a $70,000,000 Appropriation and Bond Authorization for renovations to Holmes School. An additional $5.7 million bond will also be considered for equipment and capital improvements to Stanley Golf Course.

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