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Category: Analysis

The author reviews an issue with the goal of explaining a topic, or convincing the audience of something. Analysis may include partisan views.

  • We Need More Walkable Community Projects Like This One in Rocky Hill

    We Need More Walkable Community Projects Like This One in Rocky Hill

    Rocky Hill residents can look forward to new sidewalks in a much-needed part of town. Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) State Project No. 0118-0191 will install new sidewalks to both sides of Route 99 (Silas Deane Highway) from Town Line Road to Marshall Road including under the I-91 overpass in Rocky Hill, CT.  Project Manager Melanie Zimyeski has stated the project will begin in the Spring of 2027.

    A map showing placement for sidewalks and crosswalks.

    If centering this project on active transportation, there is a lot of good news here. The stretch of road in question has three bus stops that promise to be adjacent to truly safe and comfortable crosswalks.  

    Those crosswalks are desperately needed. Back when the Town had a cute gelati shop named “Rita’s” I would pop over for an icy treat, and one day decided that I wanted to go from Rita’s to Orchard Street, en route to Parsonage, and back to Old Main Street. I could manage it, but only after dangerous crossing of highway lanes and ramps. Even with gelato to motivate me, the experience was a demonstration that Big Highway has taken so much away from the lived experience. Manageable fixes like investing in safe infrastructure can restore access to these “no go” zones.

    Providing access to this stretch of road will enable pedestrians to visit more local sites on foot. Duck behind the cavernous Stop & Shop and Walmart structures, and you’ll find a car free fire lane that dumps you onto Orchard Street.  

    From there, take Orchard back to Parsonage and Rocky Hill High School, or, travel west on Water Street to Mill Woods Park, and beyond that, Wolcott Hill Road, and the extraordinary D&D Market. Now I’ve gotten off track, and I’m nowhere near the Silas Deane, but that is part of the point: connectivity between roadways, between residential, and between retail. 

    The Silas Deane Exit 24 project is paid for with federal and state money, and residents are rightly excited for it. In my experience, however, once there is a question of spending local resources on pedestrian infrastructure, the conversation swiftly changes. Inevitably people will argue against investing in the infrastructure, relying on what I call the “not alotta people” theory, which claims that the absence of pedestrians and cyclists on our roads is evidence that those people don’t exist. 

    Be careful questioning “how many people use” something when your observation is traveling by car at 35-40 mph.  To see a road and accurately observe its users, I would recommend standing at the location for 15-20 minutes, and you will see multiple pedestrians and cyclists, and other modes, traveling through this area. If you stop for gas at “Mylz” across from Marshall Rd (and Taco Bell, and the Howard Johnson’s big chair!) keep an eye on the roadway under the 91 bridge. There is definitely a need for non-vehicular road users at this location.  You will see activity there in what’s known as a “desire path,” where the grass is worn down to dirt, by shoes, and bike tires, over the years. When safer, that usage will increase exponentially, and the State’s management of this space will be worth every penny.  

    “Desire lines” or desire paths are formed by walkers essentially voting with their feet. (source)

    But let’s also consider that there is a very, very good reason why not alotta people use it. 

    “It” is dangerous, and if you have the luxury of options, you will avoid “it”.  Any moral decision is based upon how many people would prefer to use “it” not how many people are currently (and reluctantly) using it. “Not alotta people” want to travel along  that dark and dangerous walkway. But add safety elements, infrastructure, (and a tasty taco truck?), and suddenly people will want to go there! This is known as retrofitting a road to suit the changes in society.  CTDOT State Project No. 0118-0191 is doing just that.

    The proposed project is great, but can be greater as a launch point for even more safety, beautification, and a stronger sense of place. As suggested by local advocates including members of Bike Walk Wethersfield, the below recommendations for the State Project are worth mention:

    • 10′ maximum travel lanes & 6′ sidewalks (from 11′ & 5′) on Route 99 between ramps
    • Slow down the Silas Deane and prioritize pedestrian safety over “level of service”
    • Add clear white light under the 91 overpass
    • Add  gateway murals 
    • Add a sign: “Welcome to Historic Rocky Hill: Everyone is Welcome Here”
    • Add pollinator gardens & street trees
    • Reimagine the Silas Deane Highway (which suggests high speed motorists) as the more inclusive Silas Deane Boulevard

    Thank you to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for taking on this project. Our local leadership should follow this example and provide a clear path to develop our sidewalk networks. Rocky Hill’s roads should be for all their users, including pedestrians and cyclists.  If you are excited for the upcoming changes in Silas Deane, consider joining the Walk Bike Rocky Hill community and supporting other changes to benefit our walk/bike infrastructure. 

    Opinion piece: This article reflects the position of the author and not necessarily that of the Democratic Town Committee.

  • Preserve or Build? Rocky Hill’s Crossroads Between Conservation and Construction

    Preserve or Build? Rocky Hill’s Crossroads Between Conservation and Construction

    In the quiet town of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, the tension between land preservation and housing development has reached a familiar and pressing crossroads. As towns across the state grapple with rising housing demands, Rocky Hill offers a compelling case study of the trade-offs—and long-term consequences—of development versus conservation.

    At the heart of the debate is the town’s remaining open space—patches of woodlands, meadows, and wetlands that serve as both ecological sanctuaries and buffers against overdevelopment. Proponents of preservation argue these lands are more than scenic relics; they are vital to the community’s health, environment, and identity. Farming, long a staple of Rocky Hill, has fewer active farmers working the land.

    Preserving open space helps maintain biodiversity, protects watersheds, and curbs the heat island effect, a growing concern as climate change intensifies. In Rocky Hill, undeveloped parcels such as Dividend Pond and parts of the Great Meadows offer not only critical habitats but recreational opportunities that promote well-being and community connection. For residents, these natural assets are irreplaceable. It includes the importance of preserving open spaces to protect community character, enhance quality of life, and provide economic benefits. Between 2012 and 2019, Rocky Hill preserved over 450 acres from development, either through development rights or outright purchase. In 2012, a $10 million referendum to preserve existing farmland and open space, voters approved by a 2-to-1 margin – and won handily in all three voting districts. In 2019, another referendum to preserve an 84 acre farm passed by a 3 to 1 margin. Unfortunately, since 2020, not one acre has been preserved. As an about face from open space preservation, more than six apartment complexes have passed, and are either under construction or will be soon. One new development received a tax abatement worth more than $7 million.

    But the debate isn’t just about aesthetics or ecology—it’s also about economics. Development brings short-term financial gain: new housing increases property tax revenue and fuels the local economy through construction jobs and related services. For example, a new subdivision of 25 homes assessed at $500,000 each could generate over $400,000 in annual property taxes. This kind of growth may seem like a fiscal boon to a town with a modest budget.

    However, the long-term cost of development can outweigh these gains. Studies in Connecticut and elsewhere have shown that for every $1 collected in residential property taxes, municipalities often spend $1.20 or more on services such as schools, emergency response, and road maintenance. In Rocky Hill, adding dozens of families could significantly increase the cost of education—by far the largest budget item—along with wear and tear on infrastructure and expanded demand for public safety.

    In contrast, preserved land requires little to no public services and often pays for itself over time. A report by the Trust for Public Land found that every $1 invested in land conservation returns an average of $4 in natural goods and services. In towns like Rocky Hill, preserved spaces can also enhance nearby property values and attract visitors, boosting small businesses and maintaining the town’s appeal.

    The solution lies not in an all-or-nothing approach, but in careful, deliberate planning. Rocky Hill can serve as a model for smart growth: encouraging infill development, supporting affordable housing near existing infrastructure, and identifying key parcels for permanent conservation. Strategic use of state open space grants and partnerships with organizations like the Connecticut Farmland Trust can stretch municipal dollars and protect key landscapes.

    Land preservation and housing development need not be enemies. With thoughtful policy and community input, towns can balance the need for homes with the imperative to protect the natural spaces that define their landscape and legacy. Current apartment building owners should be incentivized to renovate old apartments and convert them to affordable housing that will both help a town reach their 10% affordable threshold and also limit the need to build new buildings on open space.

    And it’s not just Rocky Hill. Towns within Hartford County stand at a pivotal moment—one that demands vision, not just for the present, but for generations to come.

    Opinion piece: This article reflects the position of the author and not necessarily that of the Democratic Town Committee.