The Town Manager has submitted a proposed budget for FY 25-26, which can be viewed online.
Highlights
Proposed Budget: $103,666,114, representing an increase of 3.59% and a mill rate of 30.99, an increase of 1.82 mills.
Financial pressures, according to the town manager, include the revaluation of residents’ home values, and a reduction in the 2024 grand list, partly driven by “tax appeals and a change in State legislation on how motor vehicles are assessed.”
Town positions:
The Town Manager proposes unfreezing the role of Economic Development Director and continuing the freeze of the Library Assistant Director position. A new Patrol Officer proposed by the Police Chief was not included in this budget.
Next Steps
The budget must be passed by 3rd Monday in May per town charter. If the Town Council is unable to pass a budget, the Town Manager’s budget will be the fallback. The budget will be formally presented by the Town Manager on April 22nd, with subsequent budget workshops and public hearings that cover all of the various departments.
On April 3, Rocky Hill Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Zito wrote to Board of Education Chairman Steve Slattery in response to an inquiry about the roof of West Hill elementary school. The letter referenced an anonymous Facebook post with pictures of water entering the school during rainy weather. Dr. Zito’s letter was shared with parents in the April 10 Mustang Newsletter.
The letter reads:
April 3, 2025 Mr. Steve Slattery Chairman Rocky Hill Board of Education
Earlier today I spoke to you regarding an anonymous post on social media which contained a number of allegations regarding the learning environment at West Hill School. As you are aware, the school is in need of a new roof and this need has existed for a number of years. A review of documents from our approved Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) indicates that the Board of Education first identified the need to replace the roof during the FY 2019-2020 budget development process with a target date of FY 2022-23 for construction. As a point of fact, the aging roof is experiencing periodic leaking following major rain events. During the current fiscal year a total of five leaks have occurred with repair costs totaling $4,137.35. In the prior fiscal year (2023-24) six leaks were experienced with repair costs totaling $4,395.65. In terms of additional information, please note the following:
Roof leaks are addressed promptly, with our on-call contractor summoned immediately to address the necessary repairs. Measures are implemented to prevent mold growth, including immediately drying all affected areas, conducting thorough inspections, and removing any water-soaked materials.
The most recent leak in late February required the temporary installation of a water collection system, as the source of the leak was difficult to locate and repair. This system remains in place as a precaution and will be removed once we are confident that the issue has been fully resolved. There have been no recent signs of leak activity.
Jacunski Humes Architects was contracted to provide roof design and construction administration services. Design drawings are currently in progress. The estimated total project cost is $2,297,899.00, with the town’s share amounting to $1,591,719.00 after reimbursement from the State of Connecticut through the Department of Administrative Services Office of School Construction Grants and Review.
No odor complaints have been reported.
Doors remain closed and locked at all times, per our district and school-based safety plans, with the exception of school arrival and dismissal. During arrival and dismissal times, staff members monitor all individuals leaving and entering the school. Throughout the day (once classes are in session) all visitors or late arrival students come through the main entrance which is access controlled and monitored actively at all times. As you know, the Rocky Hill Police Department provides three full-time school resource officers (SROs). The SROs rotate their assignments throughout the school day to maintain visibility at all of the district’s schools during arrival and dismissal times.
Our Integrated Pest Management vendor has not observed any unusual insect activity during their monthly inspections. Any reported concerns regarding insect activity are promptly addressed and treated by the vendor. Additionally, Sodexo has confirmed there have been no fly-related issues in the cafeteria.
The West Hill School nurse has reported no increase in asthma-related visits to the nurse’s office.
As you know, the Board of Education anticipates returning approximately $1.6 million to the Town of Rocky Hill on June 30, 2025, following the close-out on the CIGNA health insurance plan, as outlined in my March 21, 2025, memo to the Town Manager. In that memo, I have noted the Board of Education’s request that this funding be placed into the capital non-recurring account to be used specifically for capital improvement projects. We anticipate finalizing the design for a new roof later this month. To that end, using the insurance funding that will be returned to the Town to construct a new roof for West Hill School would certainly be reasonable and appropriate; however, it is important to note that the earliest projected date for beginning construction is July 1, 2026.
Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Respectfully,
Mark Zito, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools
C: Board o f Education Members
The Honorable Lisa Marotta, Mayor, Town of Rocky Hill
Mr. Raymond Carpentino, Town Manager
Chuck Zettergren, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Scott Nozik, Principal, West Hill School
Ron Lamontagne, Director of School Facilities
Photos showing a water from a leaking roof at West Hill. The images were posted on an anonymous Facebook post that was subsequently removed.
