Landlord Fee, Hot Spots Approved
By Robin Vinci at October 4, 2023 | 10:23 pm | Print
During a Special Council Meeting Thursday night, the common council passed a resolution that would see landlords pay a flat charge of $150 per unit and then passed a resolution to charge landlords “Hot Spot” fees.
The Council Chambers was standing room only as nearly 200 people turned out representing landlords, tenants and Central Connecticut State University residents.
They held signs reading such things as “Blue Devils Not Cash Cows” and “For Rent”.
Before the meeting even began the council tried to remove the signs, but Citizens Property Owner President Nicholas Mercier showed the rules saying that signs were allowed for special meetings.
Alderman Jamie Giantonio motioned to suspend rules and allow public discussion, but after words from the City Attorney public discussion was not allowed.
Mercier handed out duct tape to crowd members showing they were unable to speak.
Throughout the meeting members made catcalls and asked Mayor Tim O’Brien to have common sense. Several times, the meeting was stopped until the crowd calmed down. Four police officers were on hand in case of rowdiness.
Alderman Carlo Carlozzi said that he could not support the $150 fee per unit ordinance to a loud ovation from the audience.
“I do not feel it is in the best interest of the City of New Britain,” said Carlozzi. “We have a fragile housing market. As of this afternoon, we have 165 multi-families listed for sale by realtors.”
He said although housing has stabilized in the state realtors have told him in New Britain it continues to decline.
“If we pass this it may not seem like an awful lot, but it is going to be passed down to the tenants,” said Carlozzi. “Property owners say my tenants cannot afford another dollar. I think this does the opposite of what we are trying to do.”
Carlozzi told council members if they were on the fence that voting no was better than voting yes and regretting it later.
Giantonio said the mayor’s office budget has tripled, but meanwhile the council is driving for revenue for the City by turning its back on City business owners.
“There are this many people here, because this is a bad idea,” said Giantonio.
Giantonio said costs would be passed to tenants, landlords would be unable to take care of their property and people would walk away from this City.
“It affects every property owner,” Giantonio said. “I urge my colleagues to think about it and dig deep. Maybe we can find other ways to raise this $4 million.”
Alderman David DeFronzo said the budget went into effect in June.
“We knew the tough choices we were going to have to make since June. We knew there would be some kind of fee on landlords,” said DeFronzo. “If we have ideas people want to put forward, I would be happy to consider them.”
DeFronzo said that without these fees the senior center would be cut, pools would be cut, after school programs would be cut and funding for the library would be cut.
“If these guys don’t want to invest in these properties, then we are going to have them,” said Alderman Willie Pabon. “That means we are going to be the biggest slum lords around.”
Alderman Roy Centeno tried to lighten up the mood with a joke that started “what did one landlord say to another?” But it was finished by a landlord in the audience that responded “Don’t buy in New Britain.”
Centeno said he didn’t support it because it unfairly targeted one group of people.
Alderman Michael Trueworthy said this proposal will not close the budget gap. This fee would gain about $900,000 for the City. He said the council compromised in making the resolution.
It passed 11-4. Those voting against it were Centeno, Pabon, Carlozzi and Giantonio.
Following that vote a hot spot fee was approved that would charge landlords for repeated calls to their residences.
Landlords have said this will not end here. There will be lawsuits and plans made to be sure O’Brien and council members are not re-elected in 2013.
