Democratic Town Committee members provided two-to-three sentence updates on activities from boards and commissions around town in advance of our monthly DTC meeting.
Affordable Housing Committee
Update provided by: Allan Smith
The affordable housing committee is hosting a forum on April 30th in the Council chambers. We will have people from CHFA, Liberty Bank, and a mortgage company to talk about programs for homebuyers. The housing authority and Rocky Hill’s Family, Youth and Senior Services will also be on hand to talk about options for renters.
Board of Assessments Appeals
Update provided by: Kathy Alexander
Appeals this March were considerably down compared to last March which was the year of the reevaluation. Most Appeals were from home vs.condo owners and the board voted in favor of homeowners on most appeals.
Economic Development Commission
Update provided by: Allan Smith
The new Economic and Business manager, Alandra Maine, has contracted with Make Music Day, to promote music around Rocky Hill on June 21st. This is a national program that a handful of other towns have taken part in. This Is hopefully a first step to help show that art can be an economic driver for Rocky Hill.
Executive Committee
Update provided by: Derek Caelin
The executive committee met on April 5. DTC members have expressed an interest in more social events, so we’ve organized a series of recurring coffee meetups and happy hours: please see our event calendar for details. We are organizing a “Heroes of Rocky Hill” event May 3rd to show appreciation for town members who have performed community service. On the comms front, traffic is up on our website and social media, but new signups for our email list are slow: we’re hoping to recruit more people to our comms through events.
Fair Rent Commission
Update provided by: Joe Morfea
We had one case this year about Concierge and someone wanting to get a lower rent payment, but we were told we could not negotiate rent amounts. The Commission is scheduled to meet the second Monday of every month.
Insurance Committee
Update provided by: Kathy Alexander
Meeting canceled this quarter due to lack of forum. Next meeting will be in August.
Library Board of Trustees
Update provided by: Mara Caelin
Update: The board of trustees will meet in April. Our current concern this budget season is that the library staff byline is fully funded: we want the position of Assistant Director to be included in the budget. We also want to ask the town how we are impacted by national events. Connecticut libraries will lose grants if the Institute of Museum and Library Services folds; there is legal action by the American Library Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees trying to restore them.
Local Housing Authority
Update provided by: David Theroux
The board last met on 3/26. The significant updates are that multiple projects related to multiple grants are moving forward. This includes projects on improvements and renovations on buildings, new furniture for public spaces, etc. It also includes investigating the possibility of building and adding more units.
Open Space and Conservation Commission
Update provided by: Derek Caelin
The OSCC last met in February, when the commission approved a residential development with associated parking, sidewalks, landscaping, utilities, and stormwater management located at 200 Capital Blvd. with the condition that there will be a conservation easement delineated with markers as determined by Staff.
Parks and Rec Advisory Board
Update provided by: Laurie Boske
Our last meeting was on 2/10/25. We discussed the budget. Reviewed survey responses. Re: Elm Ridge Pool – majority of respondents preferred repairing as needed, not investing more money to replace a 30+ year old pool. Next meeting is April 21.
Personnel Review Board
Update provided by: Zach Van Lulen
The commission meets only when needed. No updates at this time.
Planning & Zoning Commission
Update provided by: Alan Mordhorst and Ron Robbins
The PZC has been meeting weekly for the past four weeks to work on the development of an updated final draft Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). Allocated funding to complete this work was not enough to cover the costs of the bid proposals received by the Town, so the work is being done in-house to conform with the State required due dates for completion. The schedule for completion:
April 15 – needs to be submitted to the Town Council
June 11 – public hearing (not sure if by P&Z or the Town Council or both)
Final adoption later in June. The previous was adopted on June 26, 2015 so this should be adopted by that date in 2025. It CAN be reviewed periodically and revised. Preliminary discussions are aiming at 3-4 times a year.
Public Buildings
Update provided by: Tejal Vallam
The commission meets only when needed. No updates at this time.
Sustainable Rocky Hill Task Force
Update provided by: Derek Caelin
On April 8, the town submitted an application for Silver certification from Sustainable CT. Submitting for the April deadline means the town can file again in August if we don’t make silver. The town’s Unity Statement, participation in a Climate Resiliency Workshop, and Composting pilot all contributed to our application.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Update provided by: Allan Smith
Not a ton going on. Recently an applicant requested changes to a previous approval for a large fence on Old Main St to keep out deer. It was unanimously approved.
Have an update of your own to share? Add a comment below.
