Category: Local

  • Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Newcomer Allan Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

    Smith will host a campaign kickoff event this Thursday, May 15th, where he will share his Vision for Growth, Affordability, and a Town That Works for Everyone

    Rocky Hill, CT — Community leader, local Realtor, and longtime public servant Allan Smith officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Rocky Hill today. Smith enters the race to challenge the Republican leadership that has held the seat for the past three terms and overseen consistent tax increases and stagnant growth. He believes his moderate approach—combining fiscal responsibility with targeted investments in growth—is what voters are ready for.

    “I want to help build a Rocky Hill where young people can afford to come back after college, where seniors can downsize but stay in the town they love, and where families thrive because housing is within reach and the community feels like home,” said Smith.

    Smith and his wife, Arianna, have lived on the east side of Rocky Hill for over a decade. Born and raised in Maine, Smith grew up with modest means and small-town values. While this would be his first elected office, he is no stranger to public service. Over the past several years, he has served on numerous town boards and committees, chaired a statewide energy-assistance nonprofit, and recently founded a nonprofit to promote public art in Rocky Hill. As a successful Realtor and active community volunteer, Smith has built a reputation for listening, problem-solving, and helping neighbors navigate local challenges. 

    Smith has also called out what he views as missed opportunities under current leadership, including the elimination (and only recent reinstatement) of the town’s economic development department, a decade-long tax break for a luxury development that could have generated millions in revenue to the town’s bottom-line, and the short-sighted use of federal relief funds on temporary staffing instead of long-term infrastructure improvements.

    “We’ve seen six straight years of rising property taxes, shrinking economic growth, and town departments stretched too thin,” said Smith. “Rocky Hill deserves leadership that does more than talk and pose for photos—it needs leadership that delivers.”

    When asked why he chose to run now, Smith said he believes that during times of national uncertainty, real change starts at the local level.

    “I feel I’m ready, willing, and able—and that makes it my duty to step up and make a positive impact on my community. The local level is where we all can have the largest impact.”

    Smith is also the first mayoral candidate in Rocky Hill to earn Certified Municipal Officer status from the Connecticut Council of Municipalities before taking office—a testament to his preparation and commitment to informed, effective governance.

    His campaign will focus on three key priorities:

    • Housing Affordability and responsible development, ensuring that everyone—from first-time homebuyers to lifelong residents—can afford to live in Rocky Hill;
    • Accountability, through accessible leadership, and long-term capital planning that serves all residents.
    • Strategic economic growth that leverages Rocky Hill’s geographic and cultural assets while avoiding long-term tax giveaways, and establishing that Rocky Hill is “Open for Business”;

    To celebrate the launch, the Allan Smith for Mayor campaign will host a kickoff event at The Ferry Grille, 277 Meadow Rd, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, on Thursday, May 15th at 5:30 PM. Community members are invited to attend, meet Allan, and hear more about his vision for Rocky Hill’s future.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Call / Text: 989-859-7645
    Email: AllanSmith4Mayor@gmail.com


    Facebook: Allan Smith for Rocky Hill

    Instagram: @AllanSmithCT

    Website: www.AllanSmith4Mayor.com

  • Monthly updates from Rocky Hill board and commission members: May 2025

    Monthly updates from Rocky Hill board and commission members: May 2025

    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. Come to our meeting on Thursday this week to learn more!

    Affordable Housing Committee

    Update provided by: Allan Smith

    On April 30th, we held a “Housing Forum” It is available on the town’s YouTube page: 

    We heard from lenders, CHFA, the Housing Authority, and Rocky Hill Health and Human Services personnel regarding affordable renting options as well as home-buying opportunities. 

    Board of Education

    Update provided by: Maria Mennella

    The district hired the next West Hill Principal, replacing Scott Nozik who will be moving into Chuck Zettergren’s Director of Finance position. The Board presented our 25-26 proposal to the Town Council on 5/1. Our CIP needs to be addressed. West Hill needs a roof replacement (over 30 years old) and the Stevens HVAC project is being pushed out due to WH roof. Board returned a $1.6 million surplus to the town (from our health insurance) and would like to see those funds go towards the much needed roof replacement. Board passed a bare bones budget and is getting a great rate of return based on state test results.

    Call to action: Write to Town Council in support of fully funding the Board’s Capital Improvement Plan request the the BoE can both repair the West Hill roof and fund the Steven’s HVAC system

    Commission on Inclusion & Innovation

    Update provided by: Tom Cosker

    CI&I members will participate in a Middletown Pride Fest on June 7th – requesting representation from the town. There is a RH Pride event from 6/4 – 4 to 6:30 at Elm Ridge, and a Juneteenth event on 6/19 6 to 8 at Elm Ridge. CI&I presented to the Town Council on May 5th and recommended the following actions:

    • acknowledge and respond to divisive incidents in our community
    • proactively develop policies that allow for visual expression of inclusion
    • all commissions identify and adopt commitments that foster equity in our municipal processes decisions and as an outcome.

    Calls to action: Two seats are open on CI&I, please notify TJ if you want to join.

    Economic Development Commission

    Update provided by: Allan Smith

    EDC members have been doing business visitations lately. These are organized by Economic and Business Development Manager, Alandra Maine. On one such visit, I toured BJ’s Distribution center on Brook st. They have 280 employees on-site, plus another 110 that operate trucks from there. Almost none live in town due to the cost. This distribution center handles all perishable goods from Long Island, North, including Upstate New York, CT, VT, Mass, NH, RI, and Maine. Over 80-130 trucks come and go every day. If they continue to grow at the same rate, they may be looking to expand in the coming years. 

    Library Board of Trustees

    Update provided by: Mara Caelin

    The board of trustees Met in April. Our current concern this budget season is that the library staff byline is fully funded. The library is at capacity in terms of programming, and the limiting factor in providing more programming is staff time. In the town manager’s budget, the position of Assistant Director remains frozen, even as performance goals for the library staff increase. The concern is that the current staffing levels will be considered the status quo, and the position will be eliminated as responsibilities on the library increase.

    Call to action: Tell the town council you support adding full-time position for the library.

    Open Space and Conservation Commission

    Update provided by: Derek Caelin

    The OSCC last met in February. We are meeting this month on the 14th to discuss the POCD and to provide feedback. The draft Plan of Conservation and Development calls for a number of changes in the way Rocky Hill handles open space, including developing more trails, acquiring riverfront land, and perhaps most dramatically, calling for an alternative way of housing development that encourages more linked open space. 

    Call to action: We need an alternate member for the OSCC. Learn more about the board and contact TJ if you are interested.

    Planning & Zoning Commission

    Update: An application to expand an existing Cisco station on main street was denied. More details available here.

    Sustainable Rocky Hill Task Force

    Update provided by: Derek Caelin

    The SRH Task Force met on May 1. They hope to hear back from Sustainable CT on their current application to make Silver. By internal math, we may be <50 points under the threshold. Prospects to bolster our application include opening some kind of presence at the Community Farm, adding Sustainability to our Plan of Conservation and Development (I think there’s a lot to like) and electrifying the municipal vehicle fleet.

    Call to action: The SRH task force needs one alternate member, talk to TJ if you want to apply.

    Zoning Board of Appeals

    Update provided by: Allan Smith

    No April hearing, but there is a hearing later in May regarding a fence between two commercial properties on Rt. 3. Details have not yet been shared with the committee. Republicans recently filled a vacant seat, but have an alternate seat open.