Common Council proclaims ‘Mayor Stewart Day’ as mayor delivers farewell after 12 years

The New Britain Common Council on Oct. 22 adopted a proclamation recognizing the mayor’s 12 years of service and proclaimed the day in her honor, then heard a lengthy farewell address from Mayor Stewart.

Council members from both parties rose to thank the mayor for what they described as sustained leadership and community investment. Christian Rosado, a public commenter, opened remarks by calling the mayor “a leader who first took this gavel in 2013” and credited her with closing a municipal deficit and supporting downtown redevelopment projects such as the Beehive Bridge and Columbus Commons.

The council presented certificates recognizing four departing council members — Lori McAdam, Neil Connors, Alden Russell and Sharon Baloy Sevedra — and also acknowledged longtime town-clerk-office improvements made by Mark Bernaki. Multiple council members, including Majority Leader Smemedley and Aldermen Gibson and Hargraves, praised the mayor’s outreach to schools, parks and small organizations and noted a charitable fund and investments in playgrounds and community programs.

In her remarks the mayor reflected on taking office at age 26, the city’s fiscal and infrastructure changes during her tenure and the work that remains. She said the administration moved a municipal deficit into a surplus, invested in schools and parks, modernized infrastructure and attracted private investment, and asked the council and residents to hold new leadership accountable. “Serving as your mayor has been truly the honor of my lifetime,” she said.

The meeting then resumed regular business; the council did not announce any planned next steps for the mayor beyond the proclamation and public expressions of thanks.

The council adjourned the recognition and continued to act on agenda business after the mayor’s remarks.