Speakers push Hartford council to advance resolution on colonialism, press for flood and infrastructure funding

During public comment, retired Hartford Fire Department Chief Charles A. T. Hill Sr. and several community members urged the City of Hartford council to advance Resolution 5.1, described by speakers as addressing the historical impact of colonialism in Hartford and public-safety and environmental concerns tied to that history.

“We have sowed the seeds of violence, so we've got violence,” said Charles A. T. Hill Sr., a member of the Hartford Circus Fire Memorial Committee, linking a historical fire tragedy to present-day prevention and public-safety work. Hill told the council the resolution is intended to acknowledge historic harms and to prompt actions to prevent future violence.

Indigenous community members also spoke in favor of the resolution and called for city support for cultural events that recognize Native presence and history. “That resolution ... still gets the basic points. And that is the impact of colonialism on native people, an apology, and ... acknowledgement of native people living here now,” said Lee Mixishan Rossi, who identified as Mohican, Mohawk and Cherokee.

Speakers including Bridget Prince and attorney Cynthia Jennings urged the council to press the state and federal governments for infrastructure funds to repair century-old sewer lines, to back flood-insurance measures, and to consider alternatives such as captive insurance to protect residents from flood-related losses. Prince requested the council encourage state leaders to set aside housing units for veterans when city funds or incentives are used in housing developments.

Jennings and other speakers tied the flooding and infrastructure requests to environmental justice work in Hartford, citing earlier local efforts to install hydrants and improve park safety. Council staff and members said the resolution will be referred to a committee of the whole for presentation and further discussion; the council invited the retired fire chief and other presenters to return for that meeting.

No formal council vote was taken during the public comment period. Speakers asked the council to use its legislative contacts at the state level to pursue flood-insurance language and infrastructure funding. Council members said they would follow up with presenters and staff about next steps and committee scheduling.