Allen St. Maintenance Issues Persist as Officials Face $6 Million Budget Shortfall

Long-standing storm-sewer infrastructure issues in New Britain’s Ward 4 continue to plague residents as local officials face mounting criticism for inaction and alleged mismanagement.

According to a recently updated community report, the Allen Street Storm-Sewer Project remains unfunded despite engineers declaring the infrastructure has reached “crisis levels” and city officials themselves acknowledging it as “our most pressing need.” The report, compiled by community advocates, details how contaminated flooding water containing bacteria, fecal matter, and various pollutants repeatedly impacts neighborhood properties.

At the center of the controversy is the current administration, led by Mayor Erin Stewart and Deputy Mayor Carmelo Saavedra, who residents claim have neglected critical infrastructure upgrades for 12 years while shifting responsibility. The report challenges the administration’s assertion that Allen Street is a “state road,” calling this characterization a deliberate misrepresentation designed to deflect responsibility for repairs.

“The Allen St. Project is the sole responsibility of our City Officials including Stewart & Saavedra,” the report states. “Stewart & Saavedra have failed all of our taxpayers and flooding victims for the past 12 years.”

Ward 4 residents have documented 13 significant flooding events since 2018, affecting more than 50 properties despite the area not being designated as a flood zone. The recurring water issues have reportedly led to basement flooding, sanitary backups, property damage, and ongoing environmental and public health concerns.

Engineers from Weston-Sampson have reportedly designated the Allen Street Project as a priority, describing the infrastructure as being at “crisis levels.” According to the report, the current administration has acknowledged the problem as a “definite hazard” but has not allocated necessary funding.

The report highlights financial concerns as well, noting the administration has received “hundreds of millions of earmark-free dollars” from state and federal partners while maintaining a $19 million surplus in the General Fund. Despite these resources, the Allen Street Project remains unfunded, raising questions about budget priorities and fiscal management.

Beyond immediate property damage, the report suggests the neglected infrastructure creates additional costs for all city taxpayers through excessive ground-storm water pumping fees, treatment costs related to inflows and infiltration, and potential regulatory penalties.

The storm-sewer problems have become a political issue in New Britain, with the report urging voters to support challenger Bobby Sanchez and his slate of candidates in upcoming elections. Sanchez has promised to address the infrastructure issues if elected.

In a statement included in the report, local resident F&S Chase emphasized the impact on community morale: “Our neighbors have become numb and apathetic because of Stewart & Saavedra’s negligence, distortions and disinformation… Our taxpayers and residents deserve better than this.”

The Allen Street Basin flooding issues have received media attention, with NBC Connecticut reporting on residents’ frustrations and their push for state funding to address the infrastructure problems.

Engineers and city officials have not disputed the technical assessment that the aging storm-sewer system is inadequate for current needs. The dispute centers primarily around responsibility for funding and the prioritization of infrastructure projects in the city’s budget.

As the political debate continues, affected residents continue documenting the recurring flooding through photographs and testimony, maintaining pressure on city officials to address what they describe as a long-neglected public safety issue in one of New Britain’s residential neighborhoods.