Waterbury mayor delivers first state of the city address

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — In his first state of the city address since taking office in December 2023, Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski pitched his plan Thursday for a better Brass City.

The Democrat addressed nearly 400 people and said the city has a strong bond rating, which sends a strong message to investors.

“The city’s open for business,” Pernerewski said. “We’re willing to work with them. We want to continue a dialogue and a communication with them.”

The revitalization plan is thanks in part to $75.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds, which includes:

• $1.5 million to help the Chamber of Commerce bring new businesses downtown
• $1.5 million to support the Women’s Business Development Council
• $23 million to new and renovated city parks and pools
• $10 million to replace underground utilities downtown

Pernerewski said more housing is on the horizon by converting old office spaces into apartments and remediating brownfield properties for new complexes.

“The fact that we continue to have an influx of folks moving into Waterbury with their families to settle here, I think, sends a strong message that we have vibrant neighborhoods that are really welcoming to people.”

Pernerewski said public safety is progressing. Waterbury is now up to a total of 278 sworn police officers, including 25 recruits in field training and another academy class coming up.

“By the end of this year, we fully expect to be at that 300 number and to hold it there,” the mayor said. “And that’s going to make a huge difference.”

Pernerewski said leaders are still working to crack down on crime.

To date, Waterbury has had four homicides and six shooting victims in 2024, but violent crime is down compared to this time in 2023.

Watch Pernerewski’s speech in the video below.

Pernerewski said education is another area to enhance.

“We have a lot of kids who are doing really well but a lot of kids who aren’t,” Pernerewski said. “We really need to focus on how we can get everybody to be successful in our schools.”

Some of those who attended Thursday’s event said Waterbury is heading in the right direction.

“I was really inspired by [Pernerewski’s] speech,” said Emily Jones, who works in the Greater Waterbury area. “It seems like he’s got his heart and mind in the right place, and he’s listening to people.”

“I think most people are really delighted with what [Pernerewski is] doing here for the businesses and for the citizens of the city of Waterbury,” said Robert Dorr, secretary of the Waterbury Veterans Committee.