City Updates Purchasing and Bid Policy for First Time in 11 Years
NEW BRITAIN COMMON COUNCIL UPDATES Municipal bidding procedures for the purchase of supplies and contractual services have been revised “for greater consistency and efficiency” for the first time in more than 11 years. The Common Council amended Chapter VIII of the ordinances at its June 10th meeting, increasing the threshold for competitive bidding from $7,500 to $25,000, The […]
Water Is Life: Citizen Opposition Nixes Another Threat to Wetlands and Watershed
Withdrawn Plan for Truck Stop Near Batterson Pond Echoes Past Fights Over New Britain Watershed by John McNamara http://nbpoliticus.com Residents of Farmington and New Britain rose up as one voice in recent weeks to oppose the plan of Noble Gas Real Estate Holdings to build a diesel-gas refueling facility and warehouse on about six acres […]
Batterson Park Reopens: Nature Awaits This Summer
By John McNamara – nbpoliticus.com FARMINGTON – Batterson Park, closed and unused for more than a decade, will be open to all visitors this summer as a place for picnicking, short hikes, birding, bald eagle watching, kayaking, fishing, splash padding or just communing with nature on the New Britain-Farmington line. Officials from Farmington, Hartford and […]
New Pavements Scheduled for 23 Streets This Summer
Roadwork Begins June 22 Using State Local Capital Improvement Funds from NBpoliticus.com NEW BRITAIN – All or portions of 23 streets in the city have been selected for the 2026 re-paving program this summer by the Department of Public Works. The work will be performed by contractors retained by the city and is scheduled to […]
Farmington Commission Hears Public Opposition to Travel Center Near Batterson Park and Slater Rd. Neighborhood
A Fourth Hearing Will Be Held on June 3 By John McNamara NBpoliticus.com FARMINGTON – The Inland Wetlands and Environment Commission heard residents from Farmington and New Britain on May 20th strongly oppose an application to build a Travel Center and a gas/diesel fueling station on the town line near Interstate 84 off ramps. In response […]
NB News Briefs: Dems discuss Absentee Vote Law…Council Hikes Fines for Blight, Code Violations…School District Recognizes Faculty, Staff at Awards Night
by John McNamara – NBpoliticus.com State Representative Matt Blumenthal on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting: “We Have Finally Caught Up with the Rest of Nation” State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), Co-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE), says Connecticut’s newly adopted election law allowing “no excuse” absentee voting and other provisions will promote more participation in […]
Council to Review Budget with Department Heads; May 15 is Deadline for Elderly Tax Relief
The Common Council will hold three meetings (May 5,6,7) to review the Mayor’s proposed budget for the July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. City departments under the jurisdiction of the Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee (PZH) will be reviewed Tuesday, May 5. The Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee (AFLPS) will continue the review on […]
Resource Fair Creates Access to Community Services for Spanish Speakers
by John McNamara Access to community and social services in a city as diverse as New Britain increases when language and cultural barriers decrease and awareness of those services spreads by word of mouth among residents who may need them most. Last winter first-term Alderwoman Jessica Vargas (D-1) hosted a constituent meeting in her ward […]
New Holmes Elementary Nears Completion
By John McNamara Renovations and expansion of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street will be completed in the coming weeks. Members of the School Building Committee toured the K-5 school on April 22 with Kamil Musical , Newfield Construction’s project manager, and School District staff members. The Holmes School was built in 1956 and is undergoing […]
Common Council Update: City Upgrades Cyber Security, Recognizes Earth Day & OKs Road Paving Funds
Common Council OKs New Cybersecurity System The Common Council appropriated funds for new cybersecurity services at its April 8th meeting in the wake of a January “ransomware” attack on the city’s information technology operations. Approved was a three-year agreement with Cowbell MDR (Managed Detection and Response) for information technology (IT) systems at City Hall as part of […]