(NEW BRITAIN, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez today announced that the State of Connecticut and City of New Britain are partnering on a series of actions to address flooding and street drainage issues in the in the area of the city surrounding Allen Street, which is prone to flood during heavy rainstorms due to an aging stormwater system that struggles to handle large volumes of water.
The State Bond Commission, which is chaired by Governor Lamont, has approved grants totaling $6.9 million that are being provided to the city to make several infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of a new stormwater system, the replacement of sewer and water lines, and repairs to the roads in the impacted areas. Construction is scheduled to begin early next year.
“A number of factors have resulted in the area around Allen Street experiencing flooding during heavy rain, and I am glad that we can get this aid to the city so that we can make these necessary infrastructure upgrades, prevent future flooding from occurring, and get relief to the people who live in this neighborhood,” Governor Lamont said. “I appreciate those who live in the area for their advocacy—we hear you and we are taking action.”
“When I ran for mayor, I stood on Allen Street and promised the families here that I would not let this problem be ignored any longer,” Mayor Sanchez said. “For years, these residents were told to wait while their basements flooded and their streets washed out. Today, with $6.9 million in state funding, the city’s own investment, and direct relief for homeowners, that promise is kept. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont, Comptroller Scanlon, and our legislative delegation for helping us deliver, and to the residents who held us all accountable.”
In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, the officials today announced the launch of the New Britain Homeowners Flood Compensation Program, which will provide financial assistance to homeowners in the area who have been disproportionately impacted by flooding and need to make repairs to their homes. This program is supported by $250,000 in state funding that was approved by Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly during the 2026 legislative session and will be administered by the Office of the State Comptroller. Former State Representative Peter Tercyak, who represented New Britain prior to his retirement from the legislature, has volunteered to serve as program administrator, overseeing the final approval of eligible applications.
“The New Britain Homeowners Flood Compensation Program will provide much-needed relief to New Britain residents most impacted by flooding,” Comptroller Scanlon said. “Like we did with a similar program in Hartford, I’m proud my office will be playing a role in giving people the compensation they need to replace what’s been lost and fortify against future damage to their homes and lives.”
“I spent years representing these neighborhoods, and I know how hard these floods have been on the families who live there,” Former State Representative Tercyak said. “When Mayor Sanchez asked me to help get this program off the ground, I was glad to say yes. My job is to make sure the process is fair, that it moves quickly, and that the help gets to the homeowners who need it most.”
Comptroller Scanlon says that residents who are eligible for the New Britain Homeowners Flood Compensation Program will be contacted in the coming weeks with information about the program, how they can apply, and how they can schedule damage assessments. Compensation amounts will then be approved by the program administrator before being disbursed by the Office of the State Comptroller.
“This is what it looks like when a delegation works as a team,” State Representative David DeFronzo said. “Senator Rick Lopes, Representative Manny Sanchez, Representative Iris Sanchez, Representative Gary Turco and I made Allen Street a priority together, fought for the funding in this year’s session, and worked side by side with Mayor Sanchez and the Governor’s Office to deliver both a long-term fix and direct relief for homeowners. I want to thank Governor Lamont and Comptroller Scanlon for their partnership, and the Allen Street residents who never stopped pushing. This is their win.”