Common Council adopts memorial resolution honoring Alderman Jerel Hargraves

The New Britain Common Council on Feb. 11 adopted a memorial resolution recognizing the life and service of Alderman Jerel Hargraves, who died Feb. 3, 2026.

Alderman Smmedley introduced the resolution, which described Hargraves as a longtime city employee, a New Britain High School alumnus, a community volunteer and the city’s human rights and opportunities officer. The resolution noted his work with youth organizations, his role as a voice for the Golden Hurricanes and his more than a decade on the common council.

Council members offered personal reflections after the motion. “Jerel was just Jerel — a good dude,” Alderman Malinowski said, adding that Hargraves helped people and made colleagues better. Alderman Gibson and others recalled Hargraves’s quiet leadership, his devotion to children and his service in fair-housing work. Several speakers urged the council and residents to carry forward Hargraves’s commitment to community service.

The council recorded the resolution’s adoption and the meeting included a public invocation and moment of silence for Hargraves earlier in the agenda.

Why it matters: The resolution codifies the council’s recognition of a longtime public servant and provided an opportunity for official condolences and for the council to detail Hargraves’s contributions to local civic life.

Next step: The council announced Hargraves’s service will be remembered in upcoming events and provided condolences to the family; the memorial resolution encourages residents to act with dignity and compassion in his memory.