In a ceremony where Gov. Ned Lamont and other Democratic leaders took turns praising likely GOP gubernatorial candidate Erin Stewart, newly elected Mayor Bobby Sanchez announced a hiring and promotion freeze at New Britain city hall and an audit of city finances.
With Lamont and Sen. Richard Blumenthal clapping and an audience of about 400 cheering loudly, Sanchez was sworn in as the city’s first Democratic mayor since 2013.
Sanchez pledged that he’ll stand by the assurances he gave voters during the race, and said his first moves include ordering a review of all city contracts and an independent audit of New Britain’s finances.
“During the campaign I made commitments to the people of New Britain, commitments I intend to keep,” Sanchez told the crowd in New Britain High School’s auditorium.
Sanchez is ordering a 90-day freeze on hirings or promotions in city government, and a review of all municipal contracts.
“Every commitment must be aligned to the needs and priorities of the people of New Britain,” he said.
An audit will give residents a better sense of where the city stands financially and a stronger trust that tax dollars are being spent well, he said.
“Let me make it clear — this is not about pointing fingers, it’s about building the foundation of our city based on transparency, accountability and trust,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez and several speakers at his inauguration pointedly praised Stewart for her 12-year tenure, even though she’s widely expected to challenge Lamont in next year’s race for governor.
Sanchez made the uncommon choice of having Stewart, long a political adversary, officially swear him in on the high school stage. It appeared to be a gesture toward reducing divisions between Republicans and Democrats, which have built in recent years.
After Stewart took office in 2013, she began a reputation for bipartisanship by praising city unions and Democratic aldermen for helping to resolve a budget crisis. With a similar tone, Democratic speakers on Wednesday made a point of praising her tenure.
“I want to thank Erin Stewart for her leadership,” Blumenthal said as he thanked all elected officials in the audience. “And to every one of you — I know there are many in this room who devoted their lives to public service — you are making a difference in a time of challenge and turmoil. You are helping to keep us unified and coming together regardless of party, regardless of where we live or where we worship.”
Lamont called it “A new day in New Britain,” but also acknowledged Stewart, who’d been sitting a row behind him on stage.
“I worked very well with outgoing Mayor Erin Stewart. We did a lot together, certainly in terms of housing,” the governor said before turning his attention to Sanchez.
“We’re just getting started, Bobby. A lot of people want to be in this amazing city. This city was shrinking for a generation or two, a lot of manufacturing going elsewhere. People are coming back, people want to be here in New Britain and it starts with housing,” Lamont said.
Sanchez said his priorities include strengthening the city’s lagging school system, establishing a panel to come up with ways to cut the crime rate, and attracting new housing that is more affordable than the recently built wave of market-rate apartment complexes.
Sanchez urged the crowd to leave campaign differences behind, saying that the job of governing is emphasizing what unites people, not what divides them.
“Now is the time to come together,” he said. “We all want safe streets, good schools, clean parks and vibrant neighborhoods.”