Allen St. Storm-Sewer-Sanitary Problem-Project. Presentation #35. Mayor Stewart is $8M short!

All of our recent flooding updates and narratives with photos, video interviews, documents, etc. are published on-line in the New Britain Progressive’s “Flooding Series”. Listen to and view our City Council Presentations on the City Web-Site… Go to newbritainct.gov. Click on government, common council, videos.

To: Our Neighborhood Flooding and Sanitary Back-Up Victims, Concerned Citizens/Taxpayers, City and State Officials:

During the years 2013-2025 Mayor Stewart wrote memos to our state legislators detailing the Allen St. Problem and Project: “The Allen St. Project is our most pressing need. The Allen St. Project is critical to resolving chronic issues including flooding due to storm-sewer failures, sanitary back-ups and breaks due to insufficient capacity and the system’s age.”

Mayor Stewart also identified storm-sanitary cross connections on Allen St. contributing to this public health crisis. The contaminants in the flooding water include a toxic mix of bacteria, fecal matter, fats, motor oil, grease, etc. Remember, the Allen St. Neighborhoods are not in a designated flood zone.

For 10 years, Stewart held up Mayor O’Brien’s Allen St. Plan with full knowledge that it was outdated. For 12 years, our state legislators funneled hundreds of millions of earmark free dollars to Stewart which she spent her way…While neglecting and mismanaging the Allen St. Problem.

In 2023, Stewart exclaimed, “We need an updated Allen St. Plan!” Thanks to our Alderpersons and Director Moriarty, 16 months later, we have an updated shovel ready plan but STEWART IS $8M SHORT. Now Stewart and her allies indicate our State Officials are obligated to fund the $8M shortfall for the Allen St. Project.

News alert: State Reps. Napoli and Piscopo, Chief Brokman and Governor Lamont never definitively committed to fund the Allen St. Project. Stewart is passing the buck and kicking the can down the road again.

Sharon and I continue with our advocacy for the Allen St. Project because our property is in the flooding water crosshairs and 50+ other properties are effected by the flooding water and sanitary back-ups.

Another news alert…Over the years, Stewart obviously had no intention to prioritize, plan, fund and construct the Allen St. Project until we completed our due diligence, exposing the neglect and mismanagement. Stewart and her allies continue with their “go-to talking point”, identifying our State Officials as reneging on their obligations.

Stewart continues to spend the State’s money her way with her priorities, ignoring the Allen St. Problem over the past 12 years. Erin’s budget relief tactics caused massive deficits while flat funding our education system. Erin approved and confirmed a phony $4M transfer for Allen St. just days before an election, meanwhile, 13 floods since 2018 and countless sanitary back-ups and breaks harmed our neighborhoods. It’s all shameful and degrading to all of the taxpayers in New Britain.

Folks are leaving our neighborhoods, and property investors are disgruntled because of the callous neglect in Ward 4. This should not be a political problem; It’s a truly a human problem. Our quality of life continues to suffer, our safety continues to be in harm’s way and our properties and structures are at risk. All of this is out of our control.

Weston-Sampson Engineers declared in 2023: “The Allen St. Project must be a priority because the infrastructure is at CRISIS LEVELS”.

Mayor Stewart…Leadership requires empathy. What stops you from funding the Allen St. Project while our neighborhoods, properties and structures are flooding? “Step up and complete the job!” Prioritize, Fund and Start Construction on the Allen St. Project now. Stop the flooding and the sanitary back-ups.

Thank you.

Frank and Sharon Chase