News Analysis
The Renaissance of the Dual Language Program at Diloreto School
It was 2012 and the major item on the New Britain School Board meeting agenda was the closure of the dual language program at Diloreto school. Superintendent Kelt Cooper with the support of the president of the school board Sharon Saavedra were proposing to replace a popular program that allowed the children of Diloreto K-8 […]
Early Voting Beginning in New Britain
Following new Connecticut state law early voting in Connecticut will be provided beginning with the April 2nd, 2024 presidential primaries. In a memo to the New Britain Common Council for its February 14, 2024 meeting, Peter Gostlin and Lucian Pawlak the Republican and Democratic registrars of voters recommended that The New Britain Senior Center on […]
New Sex Education Program Will Tackle High Teenage Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections in New Britain
New Britain has the second highest teenage pregnancy in Connecticut according to the Connecticut Department of Health, with 24.3 pregnant teens per 1000 women ages 15-19 and is also 8th in the state in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). In the October 16, 2023 New Britain school Board Curriculum Committee meeting, Lara Bohike, the District 6-12 […]
Ten New Britain Schools Need Major Renovations in 10 Years – A New Report Suggests
On the January 8th 2024 Consolidated School District of New Britain Board meeting, the board heard a report titled “Facility Condition Assessment & Energy Audit” prepared by Bureau Veritas. In the current buildings’ conditions only Holmes Elementary was not classified as “well maintained” but as in “functional conditions.” Holmes Elementary School was original constructed in […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: 1-16-24
By Frank and Sharon Chase The following is a recent message sent to city officials. This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewage systems and city-state responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. When the flooding water recedes we are forgotten by our city officials. To our […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: 1-9-24
By Frank and Sharon Chase This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewage systems and city-state responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. When the flooding water recedes we are forgotten by our city officials: Back in the mid 90’s, PW Director Joe Carilli wrote to my […]
New Britain Ranks Low for Tree Canopy Cover: What are the Consequences and What Could be Done?
A 2013 report “New Britain Urban Forest” prepared for the City of New Britain by the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA) found that New Britain has one of the lowest tree canopies comparing to other cities in Connecticut. While Connecticut cities had an average tree canopy of 49% and overall town coverage average of […]
A Narrative: Tax Payer Debt, Funding, Storm Drainage and Sanitary Systems
By Frank and Sharon Chase, 1) Tax Payer Debt Reaches $325M as reported in the NBP 12-23-23: Over time, New Britain mayors have tried to avoid mill rate increases and higher taxes in the belief it would be fatal to their re-election efforts… Meanwhile, they simply “kick the can down the road” disregarding future fiscal […]
There is a large Gap between New Britain municipality employee diversity and the diversity of the City’s Population
According to WalletHub report New Britain has the 30th most diverse population among all cities in the United States. The diversity measure includes ethnic diversity, ethno-racial diversity, linguistic diversity, and birthplace diversity. Within these categories, New Britain stands out as 12th in the nation in language diversity (https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-most-and-least-ethno-racial-and-linguistic-diversity/10264). According to the census, New Britain’s racial/ethnic […]