Monday, September 17, 2012

Property Rights of Owners are Limited and will be proposed tonight By The Common Council

New Britain Council Considers Stripping Property Owners of Rights


September 17, New Britain, CT – New Britain’s Common Council will be considering a new ordinance this Monday at a special meeting of the Common Council that would impose heavy restrictions on landlords, including charging them a 5% “fee” based on the rent charged. Local property owners are outraged and property and business groups are up in arms.

“This fee is nothing more a targeted tax that will impact rental property owners here in New Britain, the City is, in effect, trying to control every aspect of the rental market through the government” said Nicholas Mercier, President of the Citizens’ Property Owners Association of New Britain. Mercier pointed to an earlier draft version of the resolution which included a percentage cap on what property owners could even charge. “It was removed because it is likely unconstitutional” said Pete Gostin, local property owner and Registrar of Voters, “They know what they are doing is wrong and so they are back pedaling.”

This ordinance comes on the heels of other actions the Common Council has proposed lately that have been seen as anti-business and anti-landlord. Among these include the Fair Rent Commission which would limit a landlord’s ability to increase rent in response to additional costs and expenses and Police and Fire Hotspot Fines which would see landlords charged for excessive calls, even if the calls were in response to tenant behavior.

“I’m alarmed at how this is being presented to the public” said Alderman Jamie Giantonio. “We were informed about a special meeting this weekend and just this morning we were given a revised resolution. The public has had little time to comment on this.” Council rules do not allow for public comment to be given at special sessions. Mercier thinks it is against the public best interest. “They are proposing a massive change to the city ordinances which will cost some property owners thousands each year and they are doing it in a special session with no public comment. It is slap in the face of voters.” He added, “There is no regard for the renters either. If these fees were passed on to renters they could all see a 5% or more increase in their monthly rents.”

The Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee will meet in special session at 8:00PM in the Council Chambers of New Britain City Hall to discuss the ordinance. It is predicted it will then be forwarded to the as special meeting of the Common Council which is scheduled to begin at 8:05PM in the same room.


2 comments:

  1. I guess the best way to get appointed to a board, elected to the council or even get a street named after you in this city is to repeatedly not pay your taxes when they are due!

    Well known City resident Alton Brooks will now have the distinction of having a street named after him. The new street in Pinnacle Business Park will be named Alton Brooks Way:

    Tuesday, October 13, 2009
    Elected & Public Officials, Tax Delinquencies

    (as reported by Tax Collector's Office)

    CONSTABLES:
    Constable Alton Brooks, motor vehicle: $296.47, as of 9/14

    JUSTICES OF THE PEACE:
    Alton Brooks, motor vehicle: $296.47 as of 9/14

    2012:

    Year List Number 2011/304408
    Taxpayer
    Taxpayer Name BROOKS ALTON F
    706 ELLIS ST APT 5
    NEW BRITAIN CT 06051-3886
    Property Taxed
    Type Motor Vehicle
    Make MAZD 98 626 4D SED TAN
    VIN 1YVGF22D3W5739913
    Assessment
    Net Assessment 2328
    Tax Levied
    Mill Rate 36.6300
    Tax $ 85.27
    July 1 Installment $ 85.27
    Tax Due
    Tax Computed Fri Sep 14 2012 19:50:08
    Tax 85.27
    Interest 3.84
    Total Due Today $ 89.11

    Year List Number 2011/304409
    Taxpayer
    Taxpayer Name BROOKS ALTON F
    706 ELLIS ST A5
    NEW BRITAIN CT 06051-3886
    Property Taxed
    Type Motor Vehicle
    Make BUIC 98 LESABRE 4D SED GRY
    VIN 1G4HR52K7WH535515
    Assessment
    Net Assessment 2730
    Tax Levied
    Mill Rate 36.6300
    Tax $ 100.00
    July 1 Installment $ 100.00
    Tax Due
    Tax Computed Fri Sep 14 2012 19:50:08
    Tax 100.00
    Interest 4.50
    Total Due Today $ 104.50

    ReplyDelete
  2. Typical liberal agenda:

    Celebrate someone who doesn't pay their taxes while viciously punishing the hardworking people who do actually pay their taxes.

    ReplyDelete