New Britain council votes to hold hearing on disciplining Alderman Robert Smedley after social-media post

The New Britain Common Council voted on Feb. 18 to hold a public hearing to determine whether Alderman Robert Smedley should be disciplined, including possible removal, after a contentious public-comment period that split residents over how to respond to a social-media post Smedley made while grieving.

The resolution — amended on the floor to say the alderman "shall be disciplined, up to removal" — passed after council debate and public testimony. Council leaders said the hearing is a due-process step under the city charter and code of ordinances; the amended language clarifies the range of penalties the council may consider at a later hearing, which the council directed be held no later than March 13, 2026.

Why it matters: The measure pits concerns about public-accountability and the safety of residents and staff against arguments about proportionality and respect for long public service. Residents who turned out to the special meeting and callers who phoned in were deeply divided: many urged a full hearing and stronger accountability, while others said removal would overturn voters’ choice and argued for lesser sanctions.

Residents delivered contrasting testimony. John Buckley, a Ward 4 resident, urged restraint, saying Smedley’s long service and a moment of grief counseled against removal: "I urge the council to recognize the minute nature of this infraction ... and vote not to remove him from the city council." Several speakers, including Jeffrey Fosh Rugen and Angel Monte, described Smedley’s years of mentorship and contributions to school construction projects, with Rugen noting Smedley had overseen "approximately $300,000,000 in school construction projects."

Other public commenters and some council members said the post crossed a line. Iris Viscamando told the council the post "weaponized" a platform and amplified unverified accusations that exposed a named city employee and family to danger: "When such an official weaponized that platform to conduct online attacks ... the line between free speech and abuse of office is crossed." Dr. Viola Jimenez Sims said elected officials’ statements carry authority and can create foreseeable harm if unverified allegations are aired publicly.

Smedley, who was introduced on the dais as Alderman Robert Smedley, recused himself from the meeting and offered a brief apology on the record: "My Facebook post was made out of anger, emotional distress, and during a time of grieving. ... I would like to formally apologize for my post." He asked colleagues to consider alternatives to removal and to allow him to continue serving while he learned from the incident.

Council debate focused on two themes: the need to hold elected officials to professional and ethical standards, and the risk that removal would disenfranchise voters or create a precedent for policing private speech. Alderman Malinowski argued removal is a "dangerous precedent" because it takes a seat away from voters, while Alderman Barbosa emphasized the council’s duty under the code of ethics to prevent unfounded public accusations.

Procedure and next steps: The council amended the resolution on the floor to permit a full hearing considering discipline "up to removal." After discussion, the chair announced the motion carried with two members recorded as opposed. The adopted resolution directs a public hearing on the matter; council members discussed the date and mechanics of that hearing during the meeting and said letters and emails submitted to the council would be considered as part of the record.

What the resolution references: speakers cited the city charter and the city code in framing the council’s authority to convene a removal hearing; the meeting record notes references to the charter and section 2-27 of the municipal code.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. The hearing to consider discipline is expected to be scheduled in accordance with the adopted resolution and the time frames specified in the ordinance.